Forever After (Montana Brides, Book 3) Read online

  A blush streaked along her cheekbones. Her ice-blue gaze locked with his. He could almost feel steam blowing off her temper. If Sam wasn’t mistaken, there were a lot of not so good morning thoughts racing around her delectable body.

  “I’ll get my bag.” Stalking back into her apartment, Nicky grabbed her laptop and handbag off the table. She sashayed past him with her nose pointed in the air.

  As they rode the elevator down to the basement, Sam kept his eyes planted on the stainless steel doors. He didn’t need to look twice at her to realize she wasn’t impressed with his accommodation choice, or more precisely, him. “I’m a pretty considerate neighbor, you know. I don’t have noisy parties, I hardly ever set the smoke alarms off and I haven’t got dogs that bark at the crack of dawn.”

  “Lucky me.”

  Sam almost laughed when the doors slid open to the cool calm of the underground parking garage. Nicky bolted out of the lift, her gaze darting around the vehicles parked in half-shadowed boxes. Her high heels echoed against the concrete as she followed the numbers painted on the ground.

  A smile tugged at his mouth. Still the same Nicky. Navigating around complicated balance sheets and financial plans had never been a problem. Finding a parked vehicle was near on impossible.

  “Over this way.” He pointed toward the back of the building. “You’ll be here until lunchtime if you follow the numbers. The parking space for your apartment is opposite mine.” Sam glanced across at her, his smile growing wider at the irritated look on her face. “Just be careful how you reverse.”

  With a muttered oath, Nicky turned to him. “If you’re trying to soothe my temper, it’s not working.”

  The gleam in her eyes told him otherwise. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. I regularly visit the supermarket for food, so I won’t have any excuse to go near your door for a cup of sugar. In fact I doubt we’ll see much of each other outside of work.” Sam’s ego deflated at the relief sweeping across her face.

  “I’m not that bad, am I?” The blush staining her cheeks told him just how bad he’d become.

  His body tightened, remembering what had happened last night. Kissing Nicky made him remember a whole lot of reasons why it couldn’t happen again. “I’ll make sure I stay out of your way,” he muttered, stabbing the security alarm on his key ring.

  Nicky’s gaze locked on the blinking brake lights. “You’re right. We probably won’t see a lot of each other out of work. Let’s get to the office.”

  Grabbing hold of her hand, Sam pulled her to a stop. “I’m sorry about what happened two years ago. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Her hand felt soft and warm against his skin. His heart rate kicked up a notch at the wide-eyed look of vulnerability softening her face.

  “I promise that from now on our relationship will be completely professional.” He let go of her hand, his fingers curling into a tight ball. She gazed silently at him, a million thoughts flitting across her face, and not one he could understand.

  “A lot happened last time I was here, Sam. I never thought I’d be working for you again. I never wanted to work with you again.” She stared at him with sad eyes. “But I’m here and I don’t want the next six weeks to be unbearable for either of us. You’re good at your job and so am I. Between the two of us we should be able to work something out. How does professional friendship sound?” Her hand rubbed the soft blue material of her skirt, drawing his gaze down her legs to the highest pair of tan heels he’d ever seen.

  “Sam?”

  His gaze swept up her body to her frowning face. “Friends it is.”

  He opened the passenger door on his truck. Nicky slid inside, her long bare legs curling in front of her, the folds of her dress hugging her thighs. Sam sighed. After tomorrow she was on her own in the vehicle department.

  His truck revved as he exited the building. Easing his foot off the accelerator, Sam glanced across the cab. With her sunglasses wrapped around her face, anyone would think they were two friends leaving to explore the art galleries and craft shops dotted along Main Street.

  But friendship had absolutely nothing to do with the need gnawing in his gut every time they came within a few feet of each other. He had to get past what his body needed. Right now, what he needed the most were her brains.

  She was the only person he trusted to figure out who was stealing from the company. And the sooner she got to the office, the sooner she could start.

  ***

  Nicky gazed around Sam’s office. A chunky desk sat against the right-hand wall, glowing from years of oil poured onto the dark walnut.

  “You’ve kept granddad’s desk.” She walked toward it, running her hand along the silky smooth surface, remembering her visits to Scotson Construction. Her grandfather would give her a project to work on. She had to do all the planning, organize a budget and build whatever was needed. At eight-years-old she’d built a hamster house for her pets, and when she was fourteen, she’d built her new stepsister a wooden doll house. Her grandfather had let her sit in his chair, behind this desk. She’d imagined she was in charge of his company, building real houses and not pretend ones.

  “Your grandfather didn’t want to take it with him. It reminds me of why I’m here.” Sam sat at his desk. His fingers flew across his keyboard as he logged into the office system.

  “Why are you still here?” she asked.

  His head shot up. “What do you mean?”

  Nicky walked over to the plan table taking up most of one wall. “Seven years is a long time to be in one job. You were always set on conquering the corporate world. I thought you would have been head-hunted by other companies for bigger and better things.”

  His gaze fell back to his keyboard, his mouth set in a grim line. “Bigger isn’t always better. I’ve been offered other jobs, but I’ve got an incredible team here creating high-quality buildings.” He leaned back in his chair. “Last year we finished a major addition to the University. It’s better than anything you’ll see on any campus in the world. We’re in the process of creating two more luxury apartment blocks in Great Falls, as well as other commercial projects in Helena and Billings. Why would I want to leave?”

  “Don’t you want to try other things? Live somewhere more exotic?”

  “Look out the window. If you were me, would you want to leave?”

  A sick feeling settled in Nicky’s stomach. Her gaze focused on the mountain range sweeping across the horizon. It rose sharp and steep into the clear blue sky, cutting through heaven and earth for as far as the eye could see. No one would willingly want to leave this slice of paradise. But she had. She’d left for Denver as fast as the first available flight could whisk her away. And she hadn’t looked back. Until yesterday.

  Since she’d left Montana her life had been a rollercoaster of successes and challenges. Apart from losing her baby, she wouldn’t trade one minute for anything. She’d found a strength in her character she never knew existed. And she’d found the real Nicky Scotson, not the shy and awkward teenager who’d grown into a shy and awkward adult.

  Clearing her throat, she turned back to Sam, determined to get their conversation back onto work. He gazed across the room, sending a ripple of unwelcome warmth through her body. “So, boss, have you got a copy of your organizational structure for me?”

  Sam’s mouth tilted into a lopsided smile. “Come with me,” he said softly. Walking past her, he opened a door further along the corridor. “This is your office for as long as you’re here. I’ve emailed you the files I think you’ll need. All of our individual project details are listed in separate files.”

  Light flooded into the room through a huge floor to ceiling window. It gave Nicky the same impressive view of the Bridger Mountain Range that Sam had. A burnt orange sofa and potted plants made the space feel like someone’s permanent office, instead of a temporary hideaway for an undercover investigation. “What about copies of tender documents, invoices, and contracts for each project?”

  Sam sat down at her des
k and started the computer. “We keep electronic copies of all paper transactions in each project folder. Copies of all internal and external mail relating to each job are scanned and added as well.” He pushed back from behind the desk. “All you need to do is add your own password and you’ll be set for work tomorrow.”

  “I thought you wanted me to start today?”

  “I do,” he said. “This morning I’ll take you around the building, show you where everyone sits and tell you how the different teams work together. I’ve made an appointment for you to see Giles Buckley, our accountant, at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. He’ll show you what he’s uncovered so far.”

  Grabbing a notebook and pen out of her bag, she followed Sam down the corridor.

  “It looks as though we’re not alone,” he said. Knocking on a door, he disappeared inside another office. She poked her head around the door frame, not sure whether she should go in or not.

  “Nicky Scotson, meet Patrick O’Flynn. He’s the Project Manager for the Great Falls apartment development I told you about earlier.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Moving into the room, she smiled at the forty-something man sitting behind his desk, charmed by his easy smile and good looks.

  “Nicky’s here to make us all work more efficiently,” Sam said. “And the best place to start would be with this rascal.”

  Patrick laughed. “Don’t be taken in by what he tells you, Nicky. I’m not the only rascal in the room. If I hadn’t moved fast, Sam would have made a move on my dearly beloved before she got to know what a great catch I am.”

  “That was a few years ago.” Sam smiled. “I would have thought being godfather to two of your kids would have made up for it.”

  “It’s just as well Renee knows quality when she sees it then, isn’t it?” Standing up from behind his desk, Patrick moved toward an impressive model of two low-rise buildings. With a grin on his face, he waved his hand toward the table. “Talking about quality, Nicky, let me introduce you to The Oasis Apartments.”

  Her gaze roamed over the model. Each apartment had a wide balcony with lots of stone and wood features softening the outside of the building. “It’s beautiful.”

  Reaching for a book on the table, Patrick began flicking through the pages. “Tower one, on the left, has three residential levels and tower two has four. Both have restaurants, cafes, and specialty stores on the ground floor. From top to bottom they’re pure luxury.” Passing the book across to her, he said, “We furnished one of the penthouse apartments for these sales photos. What do you think?”

  Nicky’s mouth dropped open. He hadn’t been kidding when he’d said they were luxurious. No expense had been spared in filling the apartment with furniture and fittings meant to impress the most discerning buyers. “I love the marble counter tops in the kitchen and bathrooms and the living room is incredible.”

  Dark chunky furniture, softened with cushions in soft blue and aqua, turned the open plan room into a serene escape away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Sheer curtains framed a balcony that wrapped around one full side of the apartment, showcasing spectacular views of the Missouri River.

  Turning over the rest of the pages, she looked at models lounging in a zen garden, with glimpses of a huge indoor lap pool and spa area. “When will the apartments be finished?”

  “In about three weeks.” Patrick looked across at Sam. “I had a meeting with the developers last week. Sales are above their predictions so everyone’s happy.”

  “That’s good news, but what are you doing here on a Sunday?”

  “Renee’s taken the kids to a birthday party and I need to check some things for tomorrow. It seemed like a great reason to escape a mob of sugar loaded kids zooming around the park.”

  Nicky put the book down, laughing at the look of horror on Patrick’s face. “They can’t be that bad?”

  “Believe me, I know what I’m talking about. Two of my three kids will be the sugar loaded ones. One whiff of a hot dog, ice cream, or cotton candy and they go berserk. God help anyone around them if they devour all three in one sitting. My wife gets to chat with her girlfriends and I’m safe here. The perfect Sunday morning.”

  Sam nudged Nicky toward the door. “I’d better show you the rest of the building before Patrick pulls out his family photos. We’ll never leave before sunset once he gets started.”

  “Don’t scoff too soon,” grinned Patrick. “One of these days you’ll find yourself up to your eyeballs in diapers and baby formula. Guess who else will be escaping into work for some peace and quiet then?”

  Nicky tripped on the edge of a rug, grabbing the edge of a cabinet before she made a complete fool of herself.

  “I’m allergic to anyone’s kids but yours.” Sam laughed.

  Nicky kept moving down the corridor. He wouldn’t be laughing quite so hard if he knew how close he’d come to teething rings and rattles.

  ***

  Two hours later, Nicky had walked three floors of the building and sorted through some of the information sitting on her computer.

  “Ready for lunch?” Sam smiled at her from the doorway of her office.

  “Lunch?” Her breath caught in her throat at the mischievous gleam in his eyes.

  “Yeah, you know. Food, drink, friendly conversation?”

  Looking down at her watch, she couldn’t believe it was already one o’clock. “You don’t need to look after me. I’ll grab something from a café downstairs and head back to the loft once I’ve finished.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’ll get a bad reputation if I ask you to work more hours on a Sunday.”

  Moving another file into a new folder, Nicky frowned at her computer. “I thought your reputation had already been firmly secured. You’re a hard-nosed boss who stops at nothing to get what he wants.”

  Raising a finger to his lips, Sam said, “Ssh. Someone might hear you. It’s only my competitors that believe that stuff. I’m really a pussy cat at heart.” A grin spread across his face at her look of disbelief. “It’s true. Ask Amanda, my assistant. One word from her and I’m eating out of her hand.”

  Nicky wondered if that hand came with a full chest and long legs. His last few girlfriends, according to her stepsister, had super sized double F breasts, IQs that barely made it up to double digits and bodies that suction-cupped themselves to whatever piece of his anatomy they could find.

  He might be a pussy cat in his personal life, but other organizations had seen more than one sharp claw directed at them over the years. She didn’t let his smile fool her for one moment. If Sam Delaney wanted something, he got it. Including her – for six long weeks.

  She stared at the computer screen, hoping Sam hadn’t heard the growl rumbling from her stomach.

  “I’ll be on my best behavior. And if you want to be really hard-nosed about it, I’ll let you pay for your own meal.”

  Nicky shut down her computer and picked up her bag. “Okay, I give in. I’m not going to argue with the boss on my first day.”

  “Good choice,” he winked. “Follow me, I won’t lead you astray.”

  Nicky rolled her eyes. If only it were that simple. He’d perfected the art of leading women astray years ago. Eating with Sam might be safe for today, but from Monday she’d be buying her lunch on the way to work.

  ***

  Sam took a sip of cold white wine. Their lunch had been delicious, and as long as they stuck to conversation about their families, friends and work they were fine. “What have you got planned for the rest of the afternoon?” Sitting back in his chair, he nudged the edge of his glass with his fingers.

  Nicky’s gaze followed his hand. If the frown on her face was anything to go by there were more thoughts going through her head than enjoying the hot afternoon sun. He held his arms in the air in mock surrender. “Give me a break, Miss Prickles. I just wanted to know.”

  Nicky glanced at him with a guarded look in her eyes. She didn’t look like she believed him.

  A group of tourists
walked past their sidewalk table, sunhats perched on their heads and buckets of sunscreen turning their skin a whiter shade of pale. They stopped to read the menu of the Italian restaurant, happy chatter following a moment of silence as their brains digested the tasty dishes on the card in front of them.

  If only Sam’s life was as complicated as selecting a plate of food. Finding the money that’d been siphoned away from the company, and the person responsible, wasn’t the only problem giving him sleepless nights. Nicky had become another.

  He hadn’t thought twice about getting her back to Bozeman when their accountant first noticed an issue with their cash flow. He’d foolishly thought three years would be enough time to get her well and truly out of his system. What a joke. A lifetime wouldn’t be long enough to freeze the hot flow of lust lapping at the edge of his body. He jumped when she started talking, grabbing for his wineglass as it wobbled on the table.

  “I’m heading across to the library. My friend Erin finishes work at three o’clock.”

  “If you need help with anything don’t hesitate to ask.” He couldn’t help teasing her. “I’m only a phone call and a few steps away.” A smile started somewhere deep in his chest as a frown scrunched Nicky’s face into a cute hound dog look.

  The frown turned to a scowl. He’d definitely annoyed her.

  Her blue eyes shot to his. “I can manage on my own, Samuel Delaney.”

  “I’ve no doubt you can, Nicky Scotson.” He smiled as she fidgeted in her chair. “Can I tempt you into a scoop or two of gelato or sorbet for dessert?”

  “No,” she mumbled. “You can’t tempt me.”

  Leaning sideways to pick her bag off the ground, he got a tantalizing glimpse of her white lace bra. He was on a slippery slope to nowhere when the sight of a woman’s underwear sent his hormones racing ahead of his brain.

  “We’re not far from the library,” Nicky said. “I’ll walk the rest of the way. Thanks for suggesting lunch.”

  “I’m leaving at eight tomorrow morning if you want a ride into work. The rental I’ve booked for you doesn’t arrive until ten.”