“Nicole, could you stay behind please?”
She glanced at Monique, who patted her reassuringly on the back as she resumed her seat, crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap. Victor gave her an encouraging thumbs-up sign, to which she smiled. Both she and Alex waited until the room was empty before speaking.
“Did Monique show you the Bettina line info?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any questions?”
“Not presently.” She kept her responses brief and crisp.
He frowned. “Is anything wrong?”
“No, nothing.” She shrugged and pursed her lips, but the words continued to flow. “I so enjoy being embarrassed in front of my new colleagues.” His lips thinned at her flippant tone.
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“Didn’t you?”
“No, I was simply stating the facts,” he coolly replied. “If your skin is this thin, you’re never going to make it around here.”
She stiffened her back at his rebuke. “My skin is plenty thick enough, Mr. James.”
“We’ll see,” he darkly promised.
“Yes, you will.” She uncrossed her legs. “Is there anything else?”
He stared at her long and hard, and she didn’t flinch or look away. “No, that’s all for now.”
She stood and left without another word. Alone, he smiled slightly. She was a spitfire. He’d soon see what she was made of, and he had a feeling he would enjoy doing it.
* * *
The days flew by, and before Nicole knew it, the week was half-over. On Wednesday evening, she absently returned numerous goodbyes from her coworkers, including Monique, and continued happily working. She barely registered that bright sunlight had given way to pale moonlight. When she glanced at the clock, it was after 8:30 p.m.
She studied her sketch and smiled. Picking up her charcoal pencil, she continued working on the lines of the skirt she was sketching. Just a few more minutes, and she would call it a day.
“It’s way past quitting time.” Nicole jumped, then glanced up when Alexander’s voice disturbed the comforting silence.
“Mr. James.” She placed a hand against her thudding heart. “You scared the life out of me.”
“Sorry.” He pulled up a tall stool and sat beside her.
“I thought everyone had gone home.” She was acutely aware of his closeness.
“Everyone has, except us.” He glanced at her sketch, picked it up and then replaced it on the easel. His face was unreadable.
“What do you think of it?” She asked simply to have something to say.
“It’s adequate.” He half smiled at her apparent displeasure with his blasé description.
“Adequate?” She glanced at the drawing she had spent the entire day revising, intent that it would be perfect before she showed it to him. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothing’s wrong with it,” he insisted. “It’s not finished, is it?”
“No.”
“Then I think adequate is an appropriate assessment,” he rationalized. “I need to see the finished product before I know whether it fits with the Bettina line.”
“Of course.”
He cocked his head to one side. “That displeases you?”
“No.” She drew out the single syllable. “You’re right, of course.”
“I know I’m right.”
They stared at each other silently. She contemplated what to say next. She didn’t want to be constantly at odds with him. She wanted them to get along and have a good working relationship; therefore, she bit back the angry retort that was on the verge of jumping from her mouth. When she spoke next, her voice was calm and measured.
“I really want this job to go well,” she softly admitted. “I know I was late. I’ve apologized, but I couldn’t miss my brother’s wedding. My love for my family doesn’t mean I’m not dedicated to being the best designer I can be. I know I can learn a lot from you—if you’ll give me a chance. That’s all I’m asking, Mr. James.”
* * *
He silently studied her long and hard. He had expected an angry rejoinder to his frankly baiting previous statement; she had surprised him again. Her sincere plea affected him more than anything else she could have said.
“You’re talented, Nicole. You wouldn’t have gotten the job otherwise.” He paused before admitting, “I’m not sorry I hired you.” Her eyes brightened at his admission, and he was absurdly glad.
“You’re not?”
“No.” He smiled slightly. “I think you have great potential, and from what I’ve seen of your work so far, if you apply yourself, you’ll make a name for yourself in this business.”
“Well...” She seemed at a loss for words at his generous compliment.
“Nothing to say?” he teased.
“I... Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He suddenly stood. “Now close up shop and go home.”
“But I wanted to finish...”
“No buts.” He switched off her light, took her hands and pulled her to her feet. “Go home.”
“All right.”
He released her hands, picked up her jacket and held it out for her. As she slipped it on, he felt her nearness. His hands rested on her upper arms for a second longer than necessary. She slowly turned around and looked at him, and he swore he saw desire in her eyes, but it was gone so quickly, he wasn’t sure—although he definitely felt the heat between them.
“Can I give you a lift to the hotel?” Why had he said that?
“No.” She took a few steps away from him. “I’ll take the metro.”
“You’re in a new city. I don’t like the thought of you taking the metro by yourself at night.”
“I’ll be fine,” she assured. “I’m a big girl, Mr. James.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed.” He couldn’t keep from sweeping his eyes appreciatively over her from head to toe and back again. “Mr. James was my dad. Call me Alex.” He frowned when she smiled and laughed lightly. “What?”
“Victor said exactly the same thing when I called
