Nigel Read online

  She had her hair down, her glasses off, and she was wearing a tight red dress. Her curves were showcased and it made his body respond to her immediately. Then fury filled him when Phoenix wrapped an arm around her shoulders. His hands fisted tight. He would have to do something about Phoenix. No way was he letting anyone take Amelia from him.

  He watched them eat their meal and waited for them to leave first. Nigel fought his instincts to follow her back to her suite to make sure that Phoenix didn’t stay the night. However, he did use his power to ask security to notify him when Phoenix left her. Rachel was going to have a ton of questions for him about it tomorrow, but he’ll deal with that.

  Chapter 4

  The next morning

  Amelia didn’t sleep well. She hadn’t since the night she shared with Nigel and woke to find him gone. She went through a wide range of emotions. At first she was shocked that he would leave without saying goodbye. Then she was confused, not sure if it was a joke even though Nigel was not someone who did practical jokes. Then she was hurt that their amazing night together sent him running for the hills. What she was feeling now was anger, for how he handled things with her and sadness that they could have had something really special but he chose to throw it away.

  She had known from the beginning that if she gave in to her feelings for Nigel that it could ruin their working relationship. That’s why she fought it as long as she had. Maybe it was impulsive to leave to go work for Dom, she worked so hard to make it as far as she had with the GCFA. Working with Nigel as his assistant had become her whole world. She loved it even during the hard times or when they argued with each other, especially when they argued. That was when their chemistry went off the charts hot. It had been like that from the beginning. She remembered the first time she met Nigel.

  *****

  Amelia sat in the waiting area with her resume in her hand. She was squished in between two long legged beautiful skinny women who looked like they should be there for modeling jobs, not applying to be a personal assistant to one of GCFA’s assistant directors.

  The Galactic Cage Fighter Association was one of the top sports promoters in all the quadrants in the galaxy. They started out with MMA for humans. Then they had opened up the MMA world to allow other species to join and fight. The halfsies were the last to be included in the GCFA circuits.

  Halfsies were alien species mixed with human DNA. Some were born of a natural union; many halfsies were created and bred in illegal factory labs. The GCFA gave halfsies a chance to live a full and equal life and a lot of that had to do with the man she was interviewing to work for.

  Nigel, no last name, was a halfsie Sorian. He worked his way up and became a high-ranking representative for the GCFA. He fought hard to get the same pay for halfsies that the full alien species fighters received. She had admired everything he had done and wanted to be a part of it.

  She looked up when the door to the office opened and a gorgeous blond walked out next to the most amazing looking man she had ever seen. He had dark hair and blue eyes. His laughter did funny things to her stomach.

  The two women she was sitting between immediately stood up and Amelia almost fell sideways. She got to her feet and frowned as the tall women blocked her. She tried to jump up to see past the women but it was no use, she was just too short.

  Why was she bothering with this? She could have remained home and worked for her uncle but she really wanted to find her own way in life and not depend on anyone especially her family. Looking at her competition, she felt depressed. There was no way she could compete with these women.

  She gathered her things and began walking to the door to leave. A male voice called out.

  “Miss Jones, I believe you were next. Are you ready?”

  She straightened her shoulders and turned to face the handsome man. “Yes, I’m ready.”

  *****

  More than once she thought that maybe she should have kept walking out the door. Except that, she had learned a lot from Nigel about making business deals and she discovered that she was good, really good at her job.

  She wanted to say that Nigel threw that all away when he left the way he did, but the truth is she threw it all away when she gave in to her feelings and slept with him. She wasn’t letting him off the hook, oh no he was a complete asshole about the whole thing. Amelia wasn’t angry that he didn’t share her feelings, hurt yes but not angry. People can’t help who they have feelings for. She was furious over how he handled the situation.

  It shouldn’t have surprised her that he ran like he did. She knew Nigel and how he was with women. He never let any of the women he dated close to him and the moment any of them showed signs of attachment, he would drop them in a flash. The only exception to that had been Sophia Laguard. As far as Amelia knew, Sophia got to Nigel on a personal level and what was interesting was that she was the only female that walked away from Nigel. Gossip spread that she had broken Nigel’s heart. After how he treated Amelia, she wasn’t sure Nigel had a heart.

  She went to her bathroom and turned the shower on. Tears started falling. She hadn’t been able to stop from crying, which she hated feeling so vulnerable and hurt. She took her nightgown off and stepped inside letting the warm spray wash away her salty droplets on her cheeks.

  She closed her eyes running soapy hands on her body. Her body felt more sensitive. Images of Nigel’s large hands on her body filled her mind. He would squeeze her breasts, he seemed to really enjoy their size. She remembered how he tweaked her nipples. He pinched them then soothed them with his hot mouth and tongue.

  One hand teased her breasts imaging that it was Nigel. Her other hand slowly traveled down to the apex between her legs. She had shaved herself completely down there right before she was with Nigel and she knew he loved the soft smooth feel of her.

  Her fingers played with her clit teasing and pulling. Then she inserted a finger just like Nigel had done, except he had much larger fingers. She had to insert another one to get the same response from her body. She leaned against the wall of the shower pumping in and out trying to duplicate the rhythm that Nigel had set when he was fucking her.

  Minutes later she was screaming his name with her release. Her knees gave way she slid down the shower wall to the floor. Tears poured out of her because no matter how many times she tried to pleasure herself, it would never be like it was with Nigel. He ruined her for anyone else. She had to pull herself together before she went into work. No way would she let him know how much he hurt her.

  *****

  Nigel sat on the edge of her desk waiting for Amelia. She walked in and stumbled when she caught sight of him.

  “Good morning, Amelia, you’re a little late.”

  “I—had a rough night.” He watched as she tried to ignore him walking around her desk and putting her things away. “Is there something that you needed, Nigel?”

  “Yes, I am going to a conference for sports entertainment this evening and need you to set up transportation.”

  She frowned. “I thought you said you didn’t like going to those things. You always have me decline your invitations.”

  “Well, I’ve changed my mind. I’ll be attending this one.”

  “Fine, I’ll book transport for you. What time is the conference?”

  “A keynote speaker is scheduled at three and then there will be a meet and greet until five.”

  “I’ll have a transport car pick you up at two.”

  “Thank you.” He stood and walked over to his door to his office then paused. “I’ll need you to accompany me as well.”

  She froze and looked up at him. “Why?”

  “To assist me. You are still my assistant—at least for another two weeks.” He shut the door behind him, smiling when he heard her call him a few unsavory words. He was going to use every chance he had to fix things with Amelia. Even if he to be a sneaky son of a bitch.

  *****

  “Asshole!” Amelia was furious. She should have known he would ma
ke her last two weeks hell.

  She pulled up the transportation rental company and hired a shuttle. She would have to change her clothes, most of these conferences were just one big photo shoot for the sports directors to hobnob and show off their eye candy. Whenever Nigel had to attend these things in the past, he would always take whatever supermodel he was dating at the time with him. Now, he was taking his plus-size, soon-to-be-ex-assistant with him. He’d be decked out in a suit and tie and she’d stick out like a sore thumb. This was total bullshit. Well, if he was going to put her in an awkward position, she would prove to him she could take anything he threw at her.

  To get her mind off of her issues with Nigel, she worked on the itinerary for the GCFA board members who would be arriving in the next few days. She still didn’t understand why they were coming. They were showing up one month earlier than their scheduled quarterly meeting. Also, the board members didn’t often come on the GCFA ship in the middle of a circuit. Something didn’t feel right about this and she knew Nigel was worried, even if he didn’t say it. That was why she was putting up with his crap.

  They both cared about the fighters. Both of them had fought hard to protect the GCFA fighters to get them better benefits and pay. Neither of them wanted someone else to come in and mess it all up. She worked for a few hours then around noon she decided to take a lunch break.

  She went to his door and knocked.

  “Come in.”

  “Nigel, I’m going to take a couple of hours for lunch, I’ll meet you in the lobby around two.”

  “You’re taking two hours for lunch?” Nigel raised an eyebrow at her.

  She smirked, “Yep, what are you going to do bossman—fire me?” She laughed at his frustrated expression. At least she could still get under his skin, even if it was with annoyance. Good to know he wasn’t completely cold and unfeeling. Not that it changed anything, he was still an asshole and she was still leaving after her two weeks was up. “See you in a few hours.”

  *****

  Several hours later

  Nigel couldn’t help but pace back and forth in the lobby. He was wearing his tuxedo with the white dress shirt and red tie. He felt the eyes of every female in the lobby on him. Normally that didn’t bother him, he ignored it for the most part.

  “Nigel, I wanted to speak with you before you left.”

  He fought to keep from growling as he turned and faced Phoenix. As much as he wanted to punch the male in the face, he couldn’t do that. “I’m busy, what do you want?”

  “I asked Lia to go for lunch and she told me she was going with you to some conference.”

  “Yes that’s correct.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Don’t you think you’ve done enough to her?” Phoenix stepped forward getting in his face.

  “You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

  “I do when I see someone kind and sweet like Lia being treated like shit. I care about her.”

  “You think I don’t?”

  “You have a funny way of showing it by skipping town after fucking her.”

  Nigel couldn’t believe that Amelia had told Phoenix about them being together. It bothered him but what made him furious was how Phoenix acted like it was his business.

  “That is between me and Amelia.”

  “I won’t let you use her and toss her aside like she doesn’t matter. That’s a dick move.”

  “I’m not using her or tossing her aside.”

  “Then you plan to have a relationship with her?”

  “I—” His words broke off when he caught sight of something behind Phoenix. Phoenix turned around and there she was; Amelia. She wore her hair down and had applied makeup emphasizing those beautiful eyes and her full lips. She didn’t need makeup but she did just enough to make her look sexier.

  “Phoenix, Nigel.”

  “You look amazing Lia.” Phoenix bent down to kiss her on the cheek.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re late. We need to leave now.” Nigel had to walk away or he was going to tear Phoenix limb by limb for daring to touch and kiss Amelia. He could hear them.

  *****

  “You don’t have to go. You’re transferring out of here, let him do this crap by himself.”

  “Stop, Phoenix, this is my decision and my job.”

  “I don’t like how he treated you.”

  “You’re my friend and I appreciate that you care. Let me deal with the situation, with Nigel.”

  Phoenix sighed. “If you need me I’ll be there for you. I won’t skip out on you.”

  “Thank you.” She hugged him before turning and leaving. She had to fight hard to hold her emotions in check. Nigel was waiting outside for her by the shuttle. He opened the door and she got inside. He slid in next to her without saying anything at first. When he did speak, it wasn’t what she thought he would say.

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you. You look beautiful too. I mean—handsome. Well, you always look handsome.” Damn it, she was jabbering ridiculously.

  “Thank you for coming with me today.”

  She turned in the seat to stare at him. “Why did you insist I come?”

  “I wanted a chance to apologize to you and I figured taking you to this conference would ensure that I got a chance to do that and that you would be unable to leave.”

  She snorted. “Tricky Nigel. You’re nothing if not tricky.”

  He winked at her. “I do my best.”

  Chapter 5

  Later that evening

  Amelia had had enough of the wheeling and dealing. What should been about three hours had been dragging on for almost five hours. She’d had to make pleasant talk with others in the sports franchise, and dance with Nigel several times while trying to keep it impersonal. Her body responded to him despite her attempts not to. She breathed a sigh of relief when Nigel finally told her it was time to leave. She took his arm and walked to the shuttle waiting for them.

  Nigel slid in next to her and yanked on his tie loosening it. “Damn, glad that’s over with.”

  “You didn’t have to go to this, there were no contracts in play here. Why come, and why bring me?”

  “I told you before, I wanted to have time alone with you to apologize.”

  “Funny, you’ve barely said two words to me in the last five hours. Go ahead and apologize and be done with it.”

  “When we get there.”

  She blinked at him. “Get where?”

  “To the hotel. I wasn’t sure how late it would be when we were done so I rented a suite for us for the night. We’ll go back to the GCFA ship tomorrow.”

  “No.” She shook her head. This was not happening.

  The shuttle stopped and the driver got out to open the door for them. She should refuse right here right now, tell him to forget his stinking apology and demand the driver take her to the GCFA ship. She didn’t do any of what she should have done.

  “I’m not sleeping with you again, just so you know.”

  He held up his hands in a sign of peace. “Sleeping with you is not what I had planned.”

  His words were supposed to be reassuring, but the tone of his voice, the gleam in his eyes, was not reassuring at all. She also felt disappointed that he might mean it and really not interested in being with her again.

  She followed him into the hotel and waited while he checked in. They scanned his thumb and activated it as the key to the room. She followed him to the elevator.

  “What floor are we on?” She looked at the buttons but there were no numbers, just levels.

  “The Sky Level, it has the best view.”

  “Have you been here before?”

  “Yes.” His answer was short which led her to suspect he hadn’t been alone when he was here before.

  “I bet she was the best view in town.” Her tone was brittle and harsh. She hated being jealous.

  Before he could respond the elevator door opened and she walked out first. She stopped
to wait for him to open the door to the suite. He pressed his thumb over the scanner keylock and it popped open.

  She knew it would be a beautiful suite. Nigel had expensive tastes when it came to the clothes he wore, the restaurants he ate in, the hotels he stayed at and even the females he preferred.

  She looked around the place and nodded. Yep, perfect and expensive. “Nice suite.”

  “Come look at the city from the balcony.” He walked over and opened the French doors motioning for her to follow him. His excitement was hard to ignore.

  She moved forward and followed him to the balcony. She stepped out and took in the fresh air. She could see lights in the distance of buildings and moving shuttles. Just beyond the city lights she could see the mountains. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Would you like something to drink? Champagne or wine?”

  “No, I’m tired. Which bedroom should I sleep in?”

  He cleared his throat. “I wanted talk to you.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Talk.”

  “I’m sorry, Amelia. My behavior toward you has been atrocious.”

  “What part?”

  He cocked his head. “What do you mean?”

  “What part are you sorry for?” When he didn’t seem to understand what she was saying she continued.

  “Are you sorry for seducing me, fucking me, or for leaving me while you ran off to fuck some other woman?” By the time she was done her heart was racing and her emotions were too close to the forefront.

  “I—you know about the female at the resort?”

  “You know what, I don’t want to talk anymore. I’m taking a shower then going to bed.” She turned to leave then realized she didn’t have anything to change into.

  “There’s clothes in the bedroom, I had someone bring them up from the gift shop before we checked in.”

  “Of course you did. You’re nothing if not efficient.” She grabbed the clothes and headed to the door she assumed led to the bathroom. All she wanted to do was shower and forget everything.

  *****