Page 42 of Nigel

"That's good.Use it." Leaning forward, he kissed her cheek. "And eatsomething before Lionel starts in on you for not partaking of hisexcellent meal."

She smiled at him andwatched as he rose to go and join his wife and daughter and the restof them. Bolstering a smile, she went to do the same.

Chapter 9

She was shaking andas soon as she finished working and decided that it was time, shestarted trembling and almost changed her mind several times. She toldherself that after what she said to him and the way they had leftthings, there was no way he would want to have anything to do withher again.

One thing she knew,he was in town. She had called his corporate office on the pretext oftrying to set up an appointment and was told by his lofty assistantthat he would not be available for the rest of the day. So, he wasaround. Her hands were sweating and her heart hammering inside herchest.

The minute thetowering building came into view, the tremors got even worse. Sheshould turn back and forget this.

He would neverforgive her. But she found herself driving into the large parking lotand sighing with relief to see his car, the silver blue Mercedes Benzparked in the slot. It was after seven and he was still here. Justlike the first time.

Stepping out of thevehicle, she smiled at the man she recognized as Joe as he camehurrying forward. "Ms. Ava." he beamed at her.

"You recognizeme."

"With thebeautiful dimples." His ruddy face went red. "I apologize-"

"Don't. I acceptthe compliment. Look, I don't have an appointment but I did call-"

"Just go rightin Ms. Ava. The boss is in his office."

"Thanks Joe."

Taking a deep breath,she hurried through the revolving glass doors and towards theelevator, pushing the button. All the way up, she tried out differentapproaches, but the ride was so short that it did not give her enoughtime to prepare.

Taking a deep breath,she walked through his assistant's office and tentatively pushed openhis office doors.

"I thought youhad left- I-"

"If you arereferring to your assistant, I think she is gone."

He had his backturned and was looking out the window and she saw when his broadshoulders stiffened.

"I didn't thinkit was appropriate to say what I had to over the phone." Shestood just inside the doorway and watched him square his shoulders,but still, he did not turn around.

"I said somenasty things and I would not blame you if you told me to get the hellout." She waited for him to turn around and felt a rush of panicand fear when he didn't. "I was a bitch, of the worse kind and Iam here to ask for forgiveness."

He turned then andshe could see how gaunt and haggard he looked. "I am listening."His deep voice was cool and impersonal, his face expressionless.

Taking a deep breath,she plunged on. "I was scared. I still am, but I cannot stopthinking about you."

She waited a beat forhim to say something and when he stood there looking at her, shecontinued. "I-I am not used to feeling like this and I ran. AndI hurt you. God, Nigel I am so sorry. I don't understand what this isbetween us, but I want to try-"

"It's too late."His tone was bleak, his eyes hooded.

Her heart splinteredinside her chest as she stared at him. "You have moved on."

"You said ityourself; it was madness and it was happening too fast." Hestrode over to the cabinet to select a bottle and poured some of theamber liquid into the glass. "I might have misspoken-" Heshrugged and took a sip of the liquid.

"But you wereright - It was too intense, too powerful and you were right to take astep back." He tossed the liquor back. "I would like you toleave."

She was trembling somuch that she could not move. Her knees would not be able to supporther. She had waited too long and now he did not want her anymore. Shewould have turned away and left, if she had not seen the tremors inhis fingers.

"No."

"Pardon?"