Chapter 7 Alex
I WATCHED NANCY WALK AHEAD and tried to remain cool, but her curvaceous hips, gift-wrapped in a pinstripe pencil skirt, were almost too much to bear.
She looked different from the day before, more confident and determined.
Her hair was twisted back and held in place by a tortoiseshell claw, and her single-button blazer was fastened tightly under her breasts, straightening her back and emphasising the low-cut lace trim of a baby pink cami.
Has she dressed like this for me?
I stood beside her and hit the button for the top floor.
After a moment, Nancy reached over to select forty-eight, but before she could press the button, I took her hand.
She whipped around and for the first time I saw her eyes: deep brown irises, darkening at the edge, and flecked with gold in the centre. Well worth the wait.
“You’ll be based on the top floor with David. It’s where I’ve set up your secure office for the audit.” The fine hairs on the back of her hand stood upright as I held onto her.
“Oh, right,” she muttered, withdrawing it slowly and tucking it under the other as if dealing with a rabid dog.
We stood in silence while the numbers climbed.
Excellent job on making it awkward, Toverton, I thought, keeping my focus on the display.
There was a polarity about Nancy I couldn’t put my finger on.
She was shy yet direct, reserved yet entrancing.
Perhaps it was the disconnect from the woman on the motorcycle that threw me.
Astride the bike, she was assured. I’d watched her zipping through traffic with a confidence that didn’t seem to reach other aspects of her character.
Then there was her remoteness.
I honestly couldn’t recall the last time I’d met a woman who was attracted to me, didn’t want anything from me.
Whether attention, prestige, sex, or money, there was always something.
Most women who made it their business to cross my path were fortune hunters or celebrity junkies looking to build their brand and climb the social ladder.
I’d learned to spot the signs and remove myself quickly.
Other than that, I socialised with the daughters of the wealthy and titled who were rarely shrinking violets. Bred to be arrogant, even cruel, they enjoyed playing power games and treated their relationships like pieces on a chessboard, where assets and influence were the ultimate prizes.
But Nancy didn’t come across like either.
Her eyes met mine with such authenticity, it was as if she saw the truth simply by looking.
Even a few metres away in the lobby and meeting room, I could feel her unrepressed energy humming.
I wanted to wrap myself up in it. After learning she’d be working here for the next six months, I couldn’t get her out of my head.
I’d managed to get through the back-to-back meetings the day before, although I was distracted by thoughts of how to approach her.
Usually, I’d have just asked her out, but her wariness told me she’d bolt if I took that step too quickly.
She had her guard up, but not through indifference—it was more like vigilance.
Of course there was every chance she remained remote despite her attraction because she was in a relationship, but something about her character suggested not.
Nancy Cooper was simply too fascinating not to investigate further. That was why I’d already taken several steps to learn more about her.
First, I wanted her number, so I wrote a note on my business card offering company parking in the hope she’d feel obliged to send me a thank-you message. This worked exactly as planned. Although her texts were formal, she followed my lead and replied quickly. All good signs.
Second, I’d waited for her to leave for the evening, concealed in the back of my blacked-out Range Rover.
Once I’d got her number plate, I returned to my office, turned on the smart glass, and locked myself in.
The room was set up with a static IP and encryption, allowing me to conduct background checks covertly with little chance of being traced.
While illegal and invasive, I justified it by only taking what I needed to ensure my safety.
There were creeps and weirdos everywhere.
Next, I’d hacked into the government’s back systems and brought up Nancy’s driving licence, giving me her date of birth and address.
I was surprised to discover she lived on World’s End Estate.
A hulking red brick housing complex, hugging the Thames, which I saw most days but rarely considered.
It was only a short drive from my house.
This intriguing woman had been living down the road from me all this time.
The next step was to download Nancy’s ID and enter her details into the police database, pretending to be a prospective employer.
It was the easiest way to check if she had any convictions, which thankfully she didn’t.
I did a quick credit check, too, for good measure.
It was only rated Fair, but I could see that was due to Nancy lack of credit.
Her aversion to borrowing didn’t bother me; what did was debt.
A person could get desperate when in need of money, especially when it was tantalisingly close. I’d learned that the hard way.
The final part of my search was online, although I found little information.
Like me, Nancy wasn’t a fan of social media.
Her only presence was a brief professional profile on LinkedIn.
Unfortunately, this made it difficult to determine whether she was single, so I turned to the dating sites, but they returned no results.
Nancy Cooper was a digitally aloof young woman—which only made her more intriguing.
The rest of my plan would take time and patience.
Before making my move, I intended to build rapport and put her at ease, so I’d set her and David up in the secure office on the top floor, where we would see each other most days.
I was sure she felt the same attraction.
It was simply about putting the pieces into place and seeing if the puzzle fit.
As the car ascended through the floors, a strange warmth ran through me that was difficult to put into words.
Perhaps it was something between anticipation and gentleness.
I would woo this woman the traditional way, and at the end of it, if all went well, she would be mine.
It was so classic, like something from a Jane Austen novel.
“What are you thinking about?” Nancy interjected into my daydream, and I realised I’d been smiling serenely for the last minute.
“Nothing much,” I attempted blandly, but she continued to give me an assessing stare. “I was just thinking about new beginnings.”
“And here I thought you were a stuffy traditionalist,” she said deadpan—then bit her lip. I let out an involuntary laugh at her barb. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure why I said that.”
“Because it’s the truth, I expect.” I allowed the smile return to my face. I couldn’t expect her to lower her barriers if mine were raised.
“Sorry, I don’t have the best internal filter when I’m nervous.”
“And why are you nervous?”
“Because it’s the first proper day of the audit.” She looked away at her reflection in the steel door, and I followed her gaze.
“You know the truth suits you better.”
She turned back, about to speak in her defence, but, seeing my warm amusement, her mouth rose into a smile. I wonder how those plump lips will feel against mine? The lift chimed on seventy-one, and I shook the thought, gesturing for her to enter the atrium where David and Evelyn were chatting.
“Morning, both.” David looked at us curiously as we walked in together.
“Good morning, Warner. I bumped into Nancy downstairs and brought her straight up. Nancy, this is my EA, Evelyn Wainwright. If you have any queries or requirements, she’ll be happy to help.”
Evelyn smiled and extended her hand. “Lovely to meet you, Nancy.” She turned to me. “Lord Toverton, you have Mr Reeves from Moolah Bank on the line. I explained you’d call him back, but he wanted to hold for you.”
“Of course he did. Let me get settled. Could you set David and Nancy up in the secure office?”
“Certainly. Would you like a coffee?”
“Please.” I turned to Nancy. “I’ll leave you here.”
“Thank you.” She gave me another bashful smile, and I pulled myself away, trying to get my mind on track to deal with the ever-demanding Mr Reeves.