Resisting Nick (Wicked in Wellington) Read Online Free PDF Page B

asked.
    “I had a sandwich with Tyler earlier.”  
    And you didn’t say I’d be included.
    The men ate, starting their discussion with sports teams and the never-ending rivalry between Australia and New Zealand. Slowly they moved to business matters and Sammie began to take notes.  
    Nick rose to get more beers a little later. He set them on the table, picked up the last piece of sushi, and moved to her side. He held the little roll to her lips, and when she opened her mouth to object, he tucked it inside, pushing one finger in further than necessary. Sammie bit down on it and held him trapped for a few seconds. Their eyes met—hers furious, his amused. He was demonstrating ownership in front of the other three men. Well she wasn’t having that! As soon as she could speak she said, “You’ll spoil my appetite for a special dinner out tonight.”
    “A celebration?” Rich asked, keen eyes observing the by-play between Nick and herself.
    “Yes, I’m moving in with Kelly.”
    She hoped Nick didn’t remember Kelly was Tyler’s sister’s name. No—let him conjure up a handsome hunk with an even better body than his own. Let him stew about the possibility of her sharing a bed with someone else. He’d put her up to this silly game and he could cope with the consequences.  
    His brows lowered and his eyes sharpened.  
    Good . Serves you right.
    “Would anyone like tea or coffee?” she asked, reverting to gracious hostess mode. She rose to tidy the table so they could lay their papers out.
    The meeting rolled on. Australian Rod was a realtor, with properties of interest to Nick. She heard Bondi, Coogee, and Manly mentioned—all beach suburbs where people wanted beautiful bodies. But could he get a bite? Nick played it carefully, committing himself to nothing. The discussion flowed back and forth for another hour.
    Finally, they wound to a close. It was all very genial, very optimistic, and absolutely not finalized. Sammie suppressed a grin; Nick was good. No wonder he’d done so well with his businesses.

    “Come and look at Sleeping Beauty,” Rich said a few minutes later, beckoning them along to his office.
    They peered in. Tyler lay sound asleep in the recliner chair, face flushed, dark hair in disarray.  
    “She shouldn’t still be working,” Sammie whispered. “Her baby’s already overdue.”
    “Best P.A. I ever had,” Nick said. “And when she heard Julie had walked out on me, she insisted she’d help someone new settle in.”
    “She needs to go home.”
    “I’ll take you both.” He jingled his car-keys.
    Sammie glanced at her watch. It was less than three-thirty.
    “You started early and you missed your lunch-break.”
    “Thank you. But who’ll look after things here?”
    “Whoever hears the phone will grab it. Anything else can wait until tomorrow.” He walked across to Tyler and joggled her shoulder. “Come on Snoozie. On your feet. I’m taking you home.”
    “What?” Tyler said blankly, drifting awake, looking horrified when she discovered the time. Her sheepish expression set them all laughing.  
    She and Sammie collected their bags from the staff lockers and progressed carefully down the stairs. Sammie had had quite enough of the Manolos, and was grateful for the ride. Tyler still looked pinkly embarrassed from napping so long.
    “Oh My God!” she exclaimed, finally noticing Sammie’s change of image. Her jaw dropped and stayed that way.  
    “It’s only for fun. Nick joked about wanting someone who looked like a serious secretary for his meeting, so I called his bluff.”
    “I need to get my figure back so I can wear clothes like that…”
    “They’re not mine—my sister-in-law bought them in New York.”
    Tyler rolled her eyes. “I’m not aiming that high. Anything with an actual waist will do.”
    By the time they reached the sidewalk, Nick had driven around to the front entrance. The car sat there growling like a restrained and annoyed animal. Sammie squeezed