“We’re in need of another knowledgeable sales associate,” the older man says. “We’d love to interview you.”
“That would be an honor.”
We don’t leave right away so we don’t draw suspicion, even though I have the tennis bracelet in one pocket and the ring in another. “I’ll call you as soon as possible, sir.”
We spend a little more time by the watches and examine a few luxury pieces.
“Manny,” the woman says with a frown. “Have you seen the ruby ring I took out? I swear it was right there.”
“Oh, you brought it to the back,” Nicolette says brightly. “On the velvet pillow. I saw you.”
“Did I?” The woman leaves and goes looking for it.
I lean in and whisper in Nicolette’s ear, “We’re going to walk toward the wall. When we do, I want you to pretend to swoon.”
“Not hard with a husband as hot as you.”
“Flirt later. Work now.” I lean in and kiss her cheek.
“Do you have your belongings?” I ask Nicolette as the man is still looking for the necklace and pearls.
“I do. Henrique, I… I feel faint,” Nicolette says to me.
“Let’s get you back to the hotel, love.” I turn to face the older man. “Thank you so much for the job offer. I will be in touch at the first opportunity.”
“Henrique—”
Nicolette places her hand on her forehead. She actually looks pale. “I can’t—”
She falls backward expertly. I catch her and in so doing, hit the fire alarm behind her back so it looks as if it were an accident. A siren blares.
“Oh my goodness! Are you okay?”
“I’ll have to take her home right away,” I say as lights flash and the siren wails. We open the door and head out straight into the street. Thunder crackles as rain pours from the sky.
Fuck.
As soon as we round the corner, we ditch the disguises and I call a ride. We duck into a shop doorway to take cover from the rain, but it’s a hopeless cause.
I reach for her hand and place the tennis bracelet and ring into her palm.
“Job offer. Tennis bracelet. Ring.” She goes up on her toes to kiss my cheek, which right then and there makes it all worth it. “Mission accomplished.”
“My mission was accomplished, too,” she says triumphantly, holding the bag of jewelry up.
“Good girl. You did very well.”
“Why thank you.”
As our ride comes around the corner, sirens cut through the sound of pouring rain. I glance at her to see if she’ll panic, but she stays calm and collected. They pull up to the store and come to a stop as the driver opens our door.
I let Nicolette in first, then follow suit behind her.
No one pursues us.
“We’ve pulled off our first practice.”
Nicolette holds up one of the necklaces she bought and places it around the bare skin at her neck.
“Gorgeous.” I kiss her again. “And the jewelry isn’t half bad, either. But we’ve got to get ready for the wedding. It’s in an hour, and we look like a pair of drowned rats.”
“Dammit. Can you turn the car heater up?”
I ask the driver to dial up the heat. Nicolette bends over and threads her fingers through her hair, moving it from side to side to dry it. “I can get ready in ten minutes. You?”
I bend my head beside hers and shake off the rain drops. “Same.”
“You look like a puppy shaking off after a bath.”
My growl in response makes her cover her mouth with her hand and giggle.
She thinks she’s going back in two days.
I have two more days to win her over.
“Alright,” she says. She looks excited and energized after our success. “That was… alright, invigorating. I wouldn’t make a habit of it or anything, but I am so ready for our next plan. You?”
I draw her onto my lap and kiss each cheek. First one, then the other, before I brush my lips against hers.
“I am absolutely ready for the next plan.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Nicolette
We get ready for the wedding in record time. My phone, an older model I inherited from Gwen when she upgraded, doesn’t hold a charge very well, so I put it to charge while I get changed.
Fabien, of course, decides not only do we have enough time to get ready, we also have enough time for him to bend me over the side of the bed and fuck me, hard, mercilessly, and so perfectly I have not one but three orgasms in rapid succession. I swear I’ll be hoarse by the time we finally get to the wedding.
I slump over the bed, panting.
“I’m gonna need another shower if you keep this up,” I say in between gasps of breath.
“Hmm, the shower,” he says, as if he’s considering taking me there, too.
“Fabien, we don’t have time! Your mother will kill you.”
Both hands clamp on my hips. “Who decides whether or not we have time?”