"You're too pleased with yourself," he muttered.
She shrugged. "Yeah well it's not a distinction too many women share, so you'll have to forgive me for gloating."
"So how're things going with Nick?"
She frowned. "Not real well. He's frustratingly withdrawn."
"So when have you ever let that stop you?" He ribbed Mara. They had a close friendship that had withstood both a fling and a breakup. She'd take his jokes in the helpful spirit in which they were intended.
"You sound like Annabelle," Mara said.
"Do I? What's Annabelle been saying?" he asked, leaning closer.
"That I should let Nick know I'm interested in him, for one thing."
"And for another?'
Mara bit down on her lower lip, probably wondering whether or not to confide in him. Finally she said, "Annabelle suggested that I not approach Nick unless I'm seriously interested."
Considering her eyes lit up at the mere mention of Nick's name, Vaughn doubted lack of interest was an issue. How serious Mara was about his friend or how Nick would react, Vaughn didn't know.
He had no idea what Nick wanted out of life, he realized. Did his friend want an affair or something long-term with the right woman? Vaughn had given up thinking the perfect woman existed, or at least the perfect woman for him, and he'd shoved that view down his best friend's throat so many times Nick probably wouldn't bother expressing his feelings on the subject if they differed from Vaughn's own. And they might.
Look at Yank and Lola. Vaughn had encouraged Yank to give her a chance. Vaughn had gone as far as to insist the choice to opt in or out of a relationship with Yank ought to be Lola's to make. But he didn't think the same rules applied to Annabelle.
And when Yank had said Annabelle needed a good man, Vaughn knew the other man was politely insinuating Vaughn wasn't him. Because despite all he'd overcome in life, he was still the kid who couldn't succeed and the man Laura had left behind because he was lacking. In the years since they'd been close, Yank obviously had come to believe that, too. Vaughn might help Annabelle ease her insecurities at night because it was what she needed, but long-term he owed it to her to make the best decision for them both.
Nick, on the other hand, didn't have the same hang-ups or insecurities. He glanced at Mara who, used to his long silences, merely waited until he was ready to talk.
"I think Annabelle's right. You should go for it," he told Mara at last.
She jumped up and gave Vaughn a big kiss on the cheek, just as Nick walked in, catching them.
Vaughn shook his head in frustration and shot an apologetic look Mara's way. "I'm outta here, kids," he said to his partner and assistant.
Nick clenched and unclenched his fists, his expression hard and unyielding. Mara definitely had an uphill battle ahead of her, Vaughn thought.
Good thing she was woman enough for the job.
He strode out of the office and headed to find Annabelle. She had a heart of gold and knew how to reach people on a gut level. She was bringing to the job the same skills Vaughn lacked to help his lodge. If he wasn't trying so hard to convince himself otherwise, he'd say they made a great team.
NICK WATCHED AS VAUGHN left the room after being caught with his arms around Mara, then he exhaled slowly. How many times in his damn life would he have to come in second or back off from something he wanted because of Vaughn-a man he had the utmost respect for and considered closer to him than his own brother? It made it all that much harder.
"Nick."
He turned, his thoughts unexpectedly cut off by Mara. Every time he looked at her, he felt that kick to the gut signaling getting over this woman wouldn't be easy. He liked her outspoken manner and business sense, enjoyed her sense of humor and bold laugh.
And he loved how her brown hair framed her face in chunky layers, disobeying her fingers when she brushed her hair back from her cheeks. No, he thought, getting over her wasn't happening soon. But as he'd told Annabelle, he wanted a woman who was all his, not one who had lingering feelings for his best friend.
"What?" he barked at her.
She folded her arms across her chest and her chocolate-colored eyes locked with his. "You're an ass."
"So you've told me many times," he muttered. "What prompted it this time?"
Head held high, she stormed over to him and grasped his forearms with her much smaller hands. "High school was a long time ago, and Vaughn's just my employer and my friend."
He swallowed hard. "And I care because?"
"Of this." She leaned in and kissed him on the lips, taking him off guard.
He didn't know what the hell was going on here, but he wasn't stupid and understood interest when he felt it. Going on instinct alone, he lifted her by the waist and sat her down on the desk. Then he sucked her lower lip slowly and gently into his mouth, taking control of this situation. And of her. The kiss went on, dueling tongues and undeniable chemistry aflame between them. By the time they broke apart, Nick wasn't sure who'd started it any more than he could say who actually had control.
With the way his hands were shaking, he doubted it was him. He met her gaze. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes dilated. Maybe it was a draw.
"What was that for?" he asked. He ran his tongue over his damp lips, tasting her.
"I'm not interested in Vaughn."
He raised an eyebrow, unsure of how to respond.
"So you can stop acting like an idiot-or should I say a typical man-and take me to Annabelle's party or you can forget this ever happened and find yourself another woman to scowl at every day." She exhaled hard. "Whew. So what have you got to say for yourself?" she asked.
He grinned. "You've got yourself a date."
CHAPTER TWELVE
WORKING IN PR, Annabelle was used to creative ideas that had to be implemented at the last minute. Inviting Vaughn's top employees to The Hot Zone's party wasn't a daunting feat and she was nearly finished handing out the invitations she'd created and printed that morning.
As she extended the last invitation, she looked up into a familiar face. "How are you, Roy?" she asked, politely taking a step back.
Something about the other man disturbed her, though she couldn't say what since the few times she'd seen him around the site, he'd been nothing but polite, perhaps even a bit distant.
"I'm good. Busier with the break-in and all," he said.
Annabelle nodded in understanding. "Well if you and your wife are interested in taking a night off, The Hot Zone always throws a good party." She passed him the final envelope.
He grasped the paper, taking the opportunity to brush her hand with his and hold on a few seconds too long. As she tried to shake free, she smelled Vaughn's unmistakable musky scent and felt his overpowering heat. Boy was she happy to see him and for once sexual attraction wasn't the reason.
"Vaughn!" She whirled away from Roy and toward her savior, gratitude and relief washing over her.
"What's going on here?" Vaughn's gaze darted to his foreman.
"Miss Jordan was just inviting me to her shindig in New York." Roy grinned showing too many teeth.
"Actually I called a meeting and invited all of the people important to this project." She wanted him to understand the facts, not Roy's distorted perspective. "I even invited their wives," she added.
An unexpected smile crossed Vaughn's face. "You're just full of surprises," he said and obviously catching on to Roy, he wrapped a casual arm around Annabelle's shoulder as if staking his claim.
Roy stood up straighter. "And you know what, boss? I know my wife'll want to go. She's always up for a party."
"Yeah, to keep an eye on you," Annabelle said under her breath.
Vaughn inclined his head toward the lodge. "Don't you have work to do?"
Roy nodded. "That I do." With a wave, he slunk back toward the main building and the work that needed repair.