Solving For Nic by Lexxi Callahan

money he was about to give to his worst enemy.
    Andreas’ PA swept into the room, breaking the tense silence. “Mr. Maretti, I’m very sorry. He’s been delayed by an international conference call.”
    Nic did not acknowledge the younger man, but Pam did. “Steven, please make sure your boss understands he has two minutes before Mr. Maretti leaves this horror of an office, then walks out of this building while Maretti Oil goes under.”
    Steven nodded as he hurried out of the room.
    “Amateur,” Pam hissed under her breath. “Why are we here again?”
    “Zachary,” Nic said and Pam nodded.
    “You could take this money and start a new company for Zachary. This is crazy, Nic.”
    “Maybe you’re right.”
    “I’m always right.” Pam pushed back in her seat and prepared to stand.
    Nic waved her back down. Zachary was only one of the reasons for the loan. Guilt was the other one. Gnawing, soul-sucking guilt Nic hadn’t been unable to shake for over twelve years.
    The smoked glass doors pushed open and the pompous peacock strode in wearing a new custom suit and enough Botox on his face to paralyze an army. He was every bit the gracefully aging Italian aristocrat. He should have been standing on the deck of his yacht or gambling at a casino on the French Riviera. Andreas was pushing sixty-five but didn’t appear a day over fifty. Preservation didn’t come cheap. Nothing about him suggested he was drowning in debt and Nic was throwing him a life preserver.
    Nic regretted not insisting on signing the paperwork separately. Arrogant as usual, Andreas had demanded they sign the paperwork at the same time. Nic hadn’t been surprised Andreas had the nerve to try and dictate terms.
    He should’ve refused. Agreeing to meet in person had given Andreas the wrong impression. Nic hadn’t been the eager-to-please son for a long time. Andreas’ ego would be his downfall.
    “Nicolas.” Andreas was all delighted charm and winning smiles with his arm extended as if they were a loving father and son.
    Nic had no choice but to stand and shake hands. He reminded himself this man had no power over him. He swallowed down his bitterness as Andreas clasped his hand in a too-tight grip. The same grip that had dragged a six year old Nic away from his mother’s graveside and away from the only home he’d ever known.
    “Son, it’s good to see you.”
    Nic’s molars ground together as he forced out a semi-polite response.
    “How long are you in town? You should come out to the ranch. Claudia would love to see you.”
    “Nic has a flight leaving in two hours,” Pam answered for him. “We’re on a tight schedule. Let’s get started.”
    Unruffled, Andreas took the seat at the head of the table and made a big show of putting on his reading glasses and looking the paperwork over. He asked some questions he already knew the answers to and expressed concerns over details teams of lawyers had worked out weeks ago.
    Nic let Pam answer the questions while he took a deep, calming breath and tried to picture the waters off his place in the Keys. He did have a flight but it was to Miami, then he was driving to his house in Key Largo and spending some time shaking off the anger that always followed his meetings with Andreas. Except this time, the marine blue waters off his home weren’t what came to mind. No, it was a pair of blue eyes widening in shock as he took possession of her for the first time.
    Nic’s whole body tightened as the night with Lizzie replayed itself. She had been sweeter than she looked. His fingers clenched into fists but there was nothing he could do now but let the memory wash over him. He could still taste her, hear the tiny cries of surprise, and still feel the hard bud of her nipple on his tongue. The whimpers that had given way to delicate growls of pleasure had pushed his control to the limit as the heat of her body took him deep, shredding away all his expectations of sex and showing him how jaded he had