"Mr. Bronson will be down shortly." I hear Rand speaking downstairs to whom I'm assuming is Nicole. I don't hear a reply but step forward from my home office and step into the hallway upstairs. Rand takes a few steps and greets me in the middle. I'm far enough away that Nicole cannot see me, but close enough that I can see the back of her hair as she looks around my living quarters."Sir?" Looking over at Rand and his confused glare I stand straighter, unaware that he was speaking to me."What was that?""I said she's here sir.""Yes, I see that. How did she take it." I state, my eyes going back down to where she is continuing to look though my books along my bookcase on the wall beside the fireplace."She's a firecracker, didn't trust me one bit, even came up with some plan and made herself look like a true homeless person in order to win me over. She's been conning people a while, that much I can tell."I say nothing, just stare down the stairs that lead me to Miss Myers."S
How do I get myself into these types of situations?My eyes pierce that of Bronson's and when his apparent smirk appears, I want to march over and stomp on his pride with my chucks.He wants me to move in with him. As in move inside this huge penthouse that looks as though it could go on forever. He wants me to wake up on a thousand thread count sheets and live comfortably in downtown Manhattan on the top floor of the most expensive, luxurious penthouse?I don't think so."You have got to be kidding me." I state flatly wondering if this man has hit his head in the last twenty-four hours."I'm not.""I'm not moving in with you. I don't even know you.""And what are your other options?""Excuse me?" I stand and walk over to the fireplace, placing my drink down on the mantel. Facing him I cross my arms at my chest and give him my best death glare. It's a beautiful place, this room in particular, but this isn't an option for me. I can't leave my brother, can't leave the bandits and
"What is it you really want Bronson? You want me to be your charity? You want them to name a damn soup after you because you helped the poor homeless foster girl who can't even get a high school diploma?""Nicole, there is nothing I want with you other than to help you. We do not have to tell anyone. It could be our secret.""Oh, so what you're really after is sex." I state but he doesn't flinch. He must have guessed I would make my own assumptions."I don't want sex Nicole. Trust me when I say, I wouldn't need to bribe a woman in order to get that."I believe him. But that doesn't mean I fully trust him. No one, especially someone as put together and wealthy as Bronson Fortworth, gives up his piece of mind and sanity by allowing a thief to live with him and better herself in the meantime.""I really just want to help you." His words are soft, not hard and professional, but humane and kind. It's a nice change to his constant need to always have it together."Why?""You saved my
I f*cked this up.Hurting Nicole was the last thing I wanted to do, and yet, as I stare at the closed door leading to my elevator, I know I did exactly that. She ran out of here before I could give her a proper apology and I cannot blame her one bit.Pulling out my phone, I send a message to Rand knowing he already headed out for the night. He responds right away; a fact tat I am grateful for.Me: She's heading back to the hotel. Follow her.Rand: Sir, do you really believe that's for the best?Me: Do it.Rand: I'll find her sir, but it is late, and it seems like she left angry. I don't know if she will come back with me.Me: Understood Rand.Blowing out a deep breath, I contemplate on why this girl is able to drill such a hole in my head. I've never been intrigued by someone, had someone get under my fingers the way Nicole does. I despise the fact that she ran from help, help that could potentially save her life, but at the same time, I loved that she fought me every step of th
"What happened Nicole.""I said, nothing." She holds her stance, matching my angered glare. Damn this woman brings out such a fight within me. Something I'm growing to both crave and be annoyed with. I've only just met her, and yet I could see myself easily having arguments with her all day and night. "Now, are you going to calm down so that I can speak with you?"I hold her stare a few seconds later, then finally blow out a deep breath and take the towel being handed to me from Rand. He nods his head, gives Nicole one last look I cannot decipher, then leaves us. Wrapping the towel around my body I look back over at Nicole whose eyes are glued to my abs.F*ck this girl is doing this to me."So, you're not going to tell me who did that to your face?""Would you believe me if I did?" I deserved that, I know I did, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to kill someone."Nicole.""Bronson.""Fine." I huff out a breath of irritation then indicate with my chin for her to follow me to
What a clusterf*ck.Although things are now going to plan, my face being a little on the swollen side wasn't exactly the part I was looking forward to sporting.I had run out on Bronson, there was no way I could take his deal and stay here rent-free while 'working on myself'. But that wasn't good enough for Mick. He was angry, angrier than I have ever known him to be. He hated the fact that I made a decision that affected the bandits without running it by him first.Which all in all, brings me to where I am now.Mick wanted me here, he didn't care what I had to do, but if Bronson Fortworth was offering me a roof over my head, access to everything surrounding his life, his business, his wealth, then Mick wanted me here. I couldn't exactly say no, Brody was my brother and Mick had something that I didn't.Mick had power.With the help of Mr. Kenneth Alfonso, he could easily get my brother out on bail. But I had to do something first. I had to agree to this strange plan. Mick knew I
reread the same line on the email for the fifth consecutive time in a row, then place the phone down, irritated with the fact that I cannot for the life of me, concentrate.Nicole.The only thing that has been on my mind all day, has been Nicole. I woke, immediately feeling relief that she had indeed taken my opportunity in the wee hours of this morning. Only to have that feeling vanish when I went and checked on her, opening the door and peering down, watching as she slept.Her blonde hair was fanned over the pillow in an angelic way, her eyes fluttered as if she were fighting her safety even in her deepest slumber, and her thigh, somehow escaping the comforter of the bed at some point, was smooth and creamy. I had to step back, slamming the door with a loud thrust, grateful when she didn't stir moments later.Nicole Myers was quickly becoming something I wasn't sure I could stay away from. A drug, a symptom of a cold I didn't want to get rid of. I had only met the woman a few day
Her eyes water but I ignore her outburst. I didn't become the most powerful businessman by giving out empathy left and right. A sudden heaviness lands hard on my chest as the images of Nicole beaten and bruised enters my mind. She didn't ask for any hand outs and yet I'm giving her more kindness than I've ever shown any else.Shaking my head, ridding my thoughts to leave me, I nod my head at Bethany and wait as she does the same before retreated from my office. Once she's gone, I take out my phone and send Rand a message. I didn't want Nicole alone today, not after what that piece of sh*t did to her last night, so I had Rand keep an eye on her today. My fingers type quickly as I send Rand my first slew of messages about Nicole Myers.Me: How is she?Rand: Swimming sir. She seems to love the pool as much as you do.I smile, thinking of the graceful yet hard ass swimming around in my pool. A frown is replaced quickly when I think of her in a bathing suit, gliding across the water. Shakin