The Broody Brit for Christmas (Holiday Springs #1) - M.J. Fields Page 0,89
could have at least cleaned up a bit. If not for the meeting, for Nikki.
“What’s up, Nikki?” He shuts his door and walks toward us.
She straightens her shirt. “Morning, Shep,” and walks toward the building.
He chuckles like he thinks she’s cute, and it pisses me right off.
As he steps forward, I put my arm out, blocking him from advancing. “A minute.”
He looks over at me, a smirk still in place. “Something on your mind?”
“Plenty of things, but could you start by telling me why it is you asked me to be here for the meeting? Nikki is downright offended.”
“I’ll answer after you tell me. You planning on sticking with her?”
“I certainly didn’t ask her to live with my son and me if I had alternative intentions.”
“Then she’s going to want you here.”
“I don’t think a woman like Nikki needs her boyfriend to come to work with her.”
“She’s family, Rafferty. Like it or not, I know her better than you do. Hope you see the value in her and keep her around long enough to know her as well as I do.”
Shit ass grin still on his face, he walks toward the building. I increase my pace, refusing to be a step behind. “One more question.”
He turns his head, surprised to see me by his side. “Shoot.”
“Are you high?”
“Yep.” He chuckles. “I grow the best.”
Jesus Christ.
Walking in with Shep, we stop at the receptionist’s desk. Donna, I believe her name is, greets us. “Good morning, gentlemen. Mr. Hawthorne and Miss Winterfield are already in the second conference room. Third door on the left.”
Shep takes out a toothpick and puts it between his teeth. “Any coffee in there?”
“Yes, sir. Pastries, as well, if you’re hungry.” Her cheeks turn pink.
He smiles, a twinkle in his eye, as he leans his arm on the desk. “Damn, they’re pulling out the pastries for me?”
She giggles. “Apparently, you’re important.”
“We’re all important.” He winks, the smirk still on his face.
Breathlessly, she replies, “I couldn’t agree with you more.”
I step around him, not needing to sit and watch the show. “Nice to see you, Donna. Shep, let’s go.” I move around him to get into the conference room.
I walk in with Shep right behind me. Beckett smiles. “And there they are.” He’s wearing a crisp navy suit and matching tie.
Shep takes a seat at the head of the table. “Here I am.”
Watching Beckett try to hide the fact that it annoys the fuck out of him that he’s in Beckett’s seat amuses the hell out of me.
Beckett, always the gentleman, sits down and asks, “Would you like some coffee?”
Shep moves the toothpick around between his teeth. “You serving or Nikki?”
“I’m more than capable.” Beckett winks. The fact that the tips of his ears are starting to turn red says otherwise.
“Black. But only if it’s hot, eh? Can’t stand lukewarm coffee.” He leans back in the chair, clamping his hands behind his head.
He’s just about to make himself really comfortable and put his feet up on the table when Nikki smacks him in the back of the head and hisses, “Manners.”
“Nikki, Raff, would you like a cup?” Beckett asks.
“Any tea?” I ask, knowing damn well this is killing him.
Beckett looks back at me. “It’s good coffee.”
“He’ll take it with cream,” Nikki answers, “and I’m all set, thank you.”
I pull the white legal pad from the center of the table and take a pen from the holder. In large letters, I write: Let it be noted that on this day, the 23rd day of November, Beckett Hawthorne served coffee at his own business meeting.
When he sets my cup in front of me, I show him.
“You’re a fucking wanker,” he mumbles beneath his breath.
Sitting down at the end of the table, he clears his throat and turns on his iPad. “Guys, you there?”
We hear a few loud yeses, and he turns the iPad around. On the screen are his two brothers, Lex and Theo.”
“Hello, boys,” I call out, lifting my hand.
“Oh, heya there, Raff. Long time no see, ay?”
“Shep, Nikki, these are my brothers. They handle Hawthorne Hotels Europe. But seeing as this is such a big conversation, I thought it would be good to have them here as well.” The door opens, and in walks a woman with short dark hair and a dark skirt suit.
She sets a briefcase on the table. “Hello. My apologies for being late. I’m Leigh, Mr. Hawthorne’s attorney.”
Shep stands up to greet her. “Shepard Granger.”
“Nice to finally meet you.” She smiles, but I can see