The Return of the Tycoon by Kate Lambert

cardigan. Nick eyed her up and down when she came out of the dressing room. She couldn’t help grinning at the barely concealed desire burning in his hooded gaze. Nick, too, looked fantastic, and although she had watched him dress in the hotel room, she hadn’t really taken him in until now.
    Although the white dress shirt was tucked neatly in his slacks, the top few buttons remained undone, the sleeves rolled to his elbows, exposing his corded forearms. It was difficult to believe he sat behind a desk most of his days. Joining him, she pushed her way to the counter, withdrawing her wallet.
    “What are you doing, Jules ?” Nick asked, his voice steely with resolve.
    “I’m paying for my clothes,” Julie sniffed, withdrawing her credit card. “I’m not one of your models, Nick. I can take care of myself.”
    Nick shook his head before taking her by the elbow and dragging her to the door.
    “I don’t doubt that,” he assured her, “but I’ve already taken care of it.”
    Confused, Julie looked around. She saw only one salesperson, and she’d helped Julie the entire time. How could Nick have already paid? Her answer came not from Nick, but from the saleswoman herself.
    “Thank you, Mr. Maxwell,” she called after them, putting the empty hangers into a bin behind the counter. “I’ll be sure to send the bill over to Tom in the morning.” Julie could only blink.
    “Wait,” she stopped him outside, “you’ve done this before, haven’t you?” She saw Nick stiffen, his eyes not quite meeting hers. “You co me here all the time. ” She hadn’t seen any men’s clothes in the boutique, so there was only one way the saleswoman knew Nick. Julie felt her stomach knot with anger. Face fuming, she addressed him again. “You probably do this every other weekend. Bring one of your sluts here, take them to the house and the steak restaurant and buy them clothes, and—”
    “I’ve never taken anyone to the house before, Jules ,” Nick interrupted her, his voice soft and strong at the same time.
    Julie shook her head. “I don’t want to go anywhere you’ve taken other women,” she insisted, knowing that the statement itself was probably unrealistic. Nick had had so many women in his life that everywhere she went with him would be tainted.
    “ Jules ,” Nick said, his voice calm. “I just want a steak, and I want to eat that steak with you.” Taking her chin in his hand, he tilted her face to meet his. Nick really did live up to his reputation when it came to his power of persuasion over others. Julie felt herself going along with him.
    “All right,” she relented, softening to him. “We can get some dinner at your favor ite restaurant, but after we need to talk about us. In order for me to even consider forgiving you I need some kind of assurance that you’ve changed and that the same thing will never happen again, you see. And I don’t want any reminders of the other women in your life. ”
    Nick smiled down at her. “Neither do I,” he assured her, tucking her hand in his and leading the way. Leaning down, he planted a kiss on her head. “You look beautiful, by the way,” he murmured. “That dress looks fantastic on you.” Despite herself, Julie basked under his approval as they entered the restaurant.
    “All right,” Julie calmed herself, “we’re here now and—” Julie broke off when they were approached by a tall, well-dressed brunette.
    “Hello, Nicholas,” the brunette addressed him. The way she purred the words gave Julie a sinking feeling. At the sight of the other woman, Nick straightened.
    “You should have called me the moment you got into town,” the brunette continued. Julie felt the first tendrils of rage begin to bubble inside her. From the look of her, Julie felt sure she stood face to face with another of Nick’s women. First, Tina and, now, this bitch. As long as she continued to see Nick , she would have to get used to sharing him with a half dozen women in every