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  Again, she could only nod. She tugged her gaze away from his face and tried relaxing against the seat. However, the sensual force of his closeness made relaxing impossible. Her pulse took a giant leap when Nicholas placed his arm across the seat and around her shoulders. A heated sensation shot from her toes to every single strand of hair on her head, forcing her to draw in a deep breath. The last thing she needed was something else to stimulate the sensations that were already sizzling through her. A quick glance toward the front of the vehicle indicated that Paul and the driver were deep in conversation and not paying any attention to what was going on in the backseat. She wondered how much longer it would take for them to reach their destination. She needed to keep all her wits about her if they were to be displayed as a happy engaged couple tonight.

  As if he knew she was worrying about something, he took her trembling hands in his, entwining their joined fingers into a tight knot. “If you’re worrying about tonight, don’t. We’ll survive.”

  His words were whispered in her ear, assuring her and arousing her at the same time. Shayla was tempted to tell him that she wasn’t as certain of that as he seemed to be. Because right then, while they were sitting close together, holding hands and surrounded by an invisible sensuous mist, she wasn’t quite sure she would make it through the night.

  Nicholas had to seriously question exactly what was taking place between him and Shayla. He had not been himself since meeting her, and being on this trip with her was making the situation even more complex.

  When she had opened the hotel room door for him and Paul, the sight of her had taken his breath away, literally. He had stood speechless, spellbound by her beauty. It had taken a few minutes to get his bearings. What he had told her earlier was true—she did look absolutely beautiful. The dress she was wearing seemed to have been designed just for her. He couldn’t imagine any other woman wearing it. The suggestion of all the nubile curves beneath her dress was staggering. She looked incredibly sexy in it. The outfit placed emphasis on every part of her body that he had been fantasizing about—her firm uptilted breasts, her tapered waist, which flared into graceful curved hips, and those magnificent legs of hers.

  Paul, who had been talking to the driver, suddenly shifted positions and turned around in his seat. He showed no surprise at discovering the two of them sitting very close together and holding hands. “So when is the wedding?” he asked, smiling.

  Nicholas blinked once, then twice. “What?”

  Paul’s smile widened. “I asked, when is the wedding. I’m sure that question will come up sometime tonight. Has either of you decided on a date? If not, I suggest you do so. It’ll make your engagement more believable, don’t you think?”

  Nicholas glanced at Shayla. “Do you have a date in mind?”

  Shayla shook her head. “No, but since this is all pretend I suggest we make it a rather long engagement. How about a year from now?”

  Nicholas’s expression showed he was pondering her suggestion. “That’s fine. Next March, then?”

  Shayla nodded. “Yes, that’ll work. What day in March?”

  “The first day of the month, to make it easy to remember?”

  Shayla nodded her head. “All right. March first.”

  Paul turned back around in his seat to hide his smile. Silence descended on the occupants in the limo once more.

  Chapter 9

  From the moment the limo drove past the entrance gates to Shin Ming’s home, Shayla was spellbound. The house sat high on a hill, and provided the dazzling effect of an ancient imperial palace. With its elaborate garden and spacious courtyard, it was a prime example of Chinese architecture.

  By the time the limo stopped in the circular driveway, the calm suddenly disappeared that had encircled Shayla as she sat beside Nicholas while he held her hands. Butterflies settled in her stomach, and her nervousness returned.

  “Just remember, I’ll be by your side as much as I can tonight,” Nicholas whispered when he felt the tension return to her hands. He tightened his hold on them, liking the feel of her soft skin. During the limo ride he could not resist brushing his fingertips against the sensitive skin of her hands. A couple of times he had felt her shiver when he had touched her that way, and thoughts had dominated his mind of making her shiver in another, more intimate way.

  Paul and the driver had already gotten out of the limo, leaving the two of them alone. Nicholas was glad to have the few moments of privacy with Shayla. “Are you okay?”

  She looked up at him and nodded. “Yes. I just hope I act appropriately. I’ve never been engaged before.”

  Nicholas smiled reassuringly. “Neither have I.”

  The headlights from a car that had come up behind them illuminated the car’s interior, and Nicholas’s gaze swept across Shayla’s face. He breathed in slowly. She was both beautiful and captivating. No doubt she would garner the attention of a number of men tonight, and the prospect of sharing her company, even for business reasons, bothered him.

  Paul’s thump on the roof of the limo indicated that it was time for them to make their entrance. Nicholas was shifting positions to get out when Shayla reached over and touched his arm, reclaiming his attention. He turned back to her. “Yes?”

  “Thanks for calming my nerves tonight.”

  His gaze went to her mouth before moving back up to her eyes. He smiled softly. “It was my pleasure, Shayla.” And he meant every word. Nicholas took her hand in his as they climbed out of the car.

  The structure looming before them looked huge and ancient. He couldn’t imagine anyone calling the place home. It seemed more like a museum. Carved into the walls leading to the entrance door were nine dragons in various sizes and positions. The designs evoked images of intrigue, philosophy, and power. Nicholas could tell only the best craftsman-ship had gone into the building, which had served as a second home for an emperor centuries ago. This place was grander than any home he’d ever visited in China.

  The servant who stood at the door ushered them inside and into a great hallway. While the outside made a statement, the inside made a bigger one. Numerous Chinese paintings and pieces of Asian art decorated the room, and huge, beautifully designed Oriental rugs lined the floors.

  Shayla took a deep breath, willing her anxiety away when she saw Mr. Ming and a woman she assumed was his wife approaching them. Surprisingly, by the time introductions were made she felt more relaxed, especially with the feel of Nicholas’s arm around her waist. Because of what they had to pull off tonight, she would temporarily forget that Nicholas was her enemy, that despite how much she enjoyed being in his company there was no place in her plans for a personal relationship with him. So, instead of concentrating on what could never be, Shayla would put all of her energy into making things go smoothly that night.

  It was soon quite obvious she dazzled Ms. Ming with her fluency in their language as well as her in-depth knowledge of Chinese history and customs. After several minutes of informal chatter, the Mings led them into another room, which Shayla concluded was a ballroom. Nicholas had been right. It was no short-order dinner party the Mings were hosting. The lights were dimmed, but Shayla could tell there were quite a number of people present. All of them, like her and Nicholas, were dressed for the elaborate occasion. With her hand resting in the crook of Nicholas’s arm, they entered the huge room, and some of those in attendance turned their gazes toward them.

  “Even in a semidark room you can automatically pick out the Americans,” Nicholas said, leaning sideways and whispering in Shayla’s ear.

  She arched a brow at him. “How?”

  “The women immediately turned to check you out, just to make sure your outfit isn’t a duplicate of theirs. The men are also checking out your outfit, but for a totally different reason. They’re straining their eyesight to see how good you look in it,” he quipped teasingly.

  His statement got the intended effect. Shayla gave him a radiant smile as she looked up into his wickedly teasing eyes. “Are you
saying that by nature most Americans are nosy?”

  Nicholas chuckled. “What I’m saying is that by nature American women are often envious creatures, and American men, more times than not, are lechers where a beautiful woman is concerned.”

  Shayla smiled and her gaze searched his. “Are you a lecher, Nicholas?”

  He shrugged. “I admit my eyes have checked out a good-looking woman a time or two, but not tonight. The most beautiful woman here tonight is with me, so I don’t have to resort to being lecherous.” The grin he gave her was a bit rakish, nonetheless, and made every part of her body throb when he added, “But I am feeling somewhat territorial.”

  Silence ensued between them, and during that lull the sexual tension they always seemed to generate returned. “Do you know what I’m saying, Shayla?” Nicholas rasped softly as he stepped in front of her, completely blocking her view so that her attention was entirely on him.

  “No, I—I don’t,” she admitted shakily, honestly, and truthfully.

  On a long heavy sigh that seemed to come from a forced decision, he said huskily, “I’ll explain things later tonight, after we return to the hotel.”

  He then captured her hand in his. “Come on. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”

  After an extraordinary dinner everyone retired once more to the ballroom, where a Chinese musical ensemble was providing the entertainment. A few minutes later, Shayla heard Paul, who had come to join them, release a disturbing sigh. “I can’t believe he’s here. And not surprisingly, he’s conversing with Ho Chin. What does that tell you?”

  Without thinking, Shayla automatically asked, “Who’s here?”

  Paul grunted before he responded. “Chenault Electronics’s major competitor, Thomas Jordache.”

  With a supreme effort at self-control, Shayla forced in a deep breath before allowing her gaze to follow Paul’s. She focused all of her attention on the tall older man standing across the room from them, deep in conversation with Ho Chin. As if the man somehow felt her eyes on him, he stopped talking and tilted his head. For an instant, their gazes locked, then Shayla quickly looked away. She knew she had just looked into the face of her biological father—a man she had never seen before, a man she couldn’t keep from despising after reading her mother’s diary.

  She lowered her eyes to get her bearings before turning to Nicholas. “Why do I get the feeling he’s bad news?”

  Nicholas’s face, unlike Paul’s, was very calm, but his gaze was penetrating. “Because he usually is. He’s determined to keep an old feud between him and my father going. It’s nothing that I had anything to do with, but it’s something that Thomas Jordache wants to make me pay for, anyway.”

  Shayla nodded as the full impact of Nicholas’s words hit her. She had the same agenda. Wasn’t it her plan to do the same thing to him? Make the son pay for the sins of the father?

  “Jordache is determined to destroy my company, and I can’t let him do that. He’s still holding a grudge because of something that happened years ago. He takes every opportunity to try to sabotage my business.” Nicholas’s voice took on a serious tone. “As an employee of Chenault, you need to know that and be aware of it, as well as cautious.”

  Shayla swallowed. “There’s nothing you can do?”

  Nicholas smiled. “I try to ignore him.”

  Paul snorted. “I prefer beating the hell out of him, if I ever get the chance. When I do finally get hold of him, I plan to make up for the old as well as for the new.”

  Shayla lifted her gaze and took a good look at Paul’s features. His eyes were intense, hard, cold. It was evident that he despised Thomas Jordache as much as she did. When she noticed Paul staring back at her with an odd expression, she lowered her gaze. Had her curiosity about Thomas Jordache concerned Paul? Had he picked up on something she’d said, or her shocked reaction to seeing the man? She made a wholehearted effort to convince herself that she was just imagining things, and that she hadn’t given anything away.

  “Well, I’ll be. Look who just walked in,” Nicholas said as his face split into a wide grin. He turned to Shayla. “Excuse me. A good friend just arrived, and I haven’t seen him in over three months.”

  Shayla watched as Nicholas quickly walked over to the man who had just entered. Like Nicholas, he was wearing a black tux and a white shirt. Also like Nicholas, he was tall, broad-shouldered, and extremely handsome. She watched the two men exchange hearty handshakes as well as bear hugs. That was the most affectionate display she had seen Nicholas give anyone, other than the one he had given her when he’d kissed her. She swallowed, not wanting to remember the passionate scene that had taken place outside her hotel room door.

  “They must be very good friends,” she said to Paul as she watched the two men.

  “Yes, they are.” Paul let out a chuckle. “Even I can’t believe it at times.”

  Shayla looked up at Paul and lifted a curious brow. “What do you mean?”

  Paul met her gaze. “They became friends before they realized they were supposed to be enemies.”

  Shayla frowned as she mulled over what Paul had just said. “I don’t understand.”

  Paul’s face was rich with amusement when he replied. “You will soon. You’re about to meet Trent.”

  The funny feeling that Shayla’d had all evening returned. Her stomach suddenly began to dance with uneasiness. “Trent?”

  “Yes, Trenton Jordache. He’s Thomas Jordache’s son.”

  Shayla took a sharp intake of breath. She closed her eyes, and a feeling of total shock consumed her, making her feel light-headed and dizzy. She opened her eyes and rubbed her forehead, suddenly feeling a deep pounding there.

  “Shayla, are you all right?”

  She glanced up to find Paul looking at her with a concerned expression on his face. “For a moment you looked as if you were going to pass out,” he added in a worried tone.

  She didn’t say anything for a scant few seconds as she tried getting a grip, retaining her balance, and reclaiming control of her senses. Doing all three, she found, wasn’t easy. “He’s Thomas Jordache’s son?” she asked in a shaky voice. “But I thought you and Nicholas said that Jordache has been trying to ruin the company, and that—”

  “He has. But Trent, thank God, is nothing like his father. He worked with the old man for a while, but couldn’t tolerate his father’s unscrupulous work ethics. Jordache has been trying for years to bring Trent back into the business. In a way I really wish he would go back. He was good at what he did. Besides, Trent’s the only person who can keep the old man in line.”

  “But how did he and Nicholas become such good friends?”

  Paul let out a throaty laugh. “It was nothing Thomas Jordache planned, believe me. As teenagers, Nick and Trent were sent to the same exclusive summer camp in Orlando each year. There weren’t many black kids at the camp, and the ones who were summer regulars bonded. Trent and Nick became the best of friends. They were in college before they discovered their fathers were business enemies. Alan and Thomas didn’t know their sons even knew each other. Later it was too late for either to do anything about it. The bond between Nick and Trent was set for life.”

  “How did the fathers handle that?”

  “Alan was fine with it, but then he was a fair man. He had wanted the feud between him and Jordache to end long ago, and thought it wouldn’t be right to pass it on to their heirs, anyway. Jordache, on the other hand, isn’t that gracious in his way of thinking. He despises the fact that Trent and Nicholas are such good friends. He’s tried a number of times over the years to destroy that, too, but so far nothing’s worked. Their friendship is too solid.”

  Shayla nodded. She then glanced back at Trent Jordache to study him. He appeared to be the same age as Nicholas, approximately thirty-one or thirty-two. A thought suddenly occurred to her. Had Thomas Jordache been married twenty-seven years ago when he slept with her mother?”

  She shook her head to clear it. There was no way she would believe her mot
her had knowingly gotten involved with a married man.

  “Is Thomas Jordache still married to Trent’s mother?” she asked Paul quietly, not taking her eyes off the two men, who were still standing across the room deep in conversation.

  If Paul found her question odd, he didn’t say so. “No, Trent’s mother died giving birth to him. For health reasons, she shouldn’t have gotten pregnant in the first place. Jordache knew it and got her pregnant anyway, intent on building a dynasty.”

  Shayla turned her attention to Paul when she heard the hard cold hatred in his voice. A constricting ache tore through her when she saw the torment in his eyes. She inhaled sharply. Not even knowing the full story, she felt that one thing was crystal clear—at some point in his past, Paul had cared deeply for the woman Thomas Jordache had married. “You knew her?” She whispered the question brokenly, still in shock about the information Paul was sharing with her. She saw the tense muscles along his jaw harden.

  He gritted his teeth and drew in a deep breath before he answered her. “Yes. She was my sister.”

  Shayla blinked several times before asking, “Trent’s your nephew?”

  “Yes. But during his childhood I couldn’t be a part of his life. Jordache forbade it, so we didn’t have any kind of relationship. I know that if my sister had lived things would have been different. At least now, since he’s become a man who makes his own decisions, Trent and I have established a connection. I’m so terribly proud that, although Jordache raised him, he turned out to be a decent man.” Paul shook his head. “But then, it really isn’t surprising. Trent’s mother was a very decent and loving woman.”

  Shayla knew she had no right to question Paul further about anything. She could tell by looking into his eyes that—although what happened occurred years ago—his pain was still deep.

  Just like hers had been after reading her mother’s diary.

  She glanced back over to the table where Thomas Jordache was standing. He was no longer indulging in conversation with Ho Chin, but was watching Nicholas and Trent with an unreadable expression on his face.