Roman’s eyes bore into hers. “I’m sure Ms. Lancaster could be helpful, but I would much rather work with you. So, if not lunch, let me take you to dinner. We could not only talk about the organization, but perhaps, we could have some personal conversation as well.”
The man was definitely flirting with her. That was unmistakable. Nicole cleared her throat. “Oh. I see. Well, as flattered as I am that you would like to have dinner, I don’t think my husband would approve.”
His eyes, dark as coal, glittered. “He doesn’t have to know, does he? I’m fine if you want to keep it . . . shall we say . . . between you and me.”
Nicole’s smile faltered. “Mr. Abboud, I understand you just donated millions of dollars, but, if it comes with strings, you can keep your money. I’ve heard you are a man of great integrity. So, forgive me if I’m mistaken.”
Roman bowed slightly. “You’re a beautiful woman, and I couldn’t resist. I apologize if I offended you. That was not my intention.”
She nodded. “Again, thank you for your generosity, and if there is nothing else, I must get going.” Nicole couldn’t believe it. She turned and walked away. The nerve of some men. They thought just because they were rich and powerful, it gave them permission to say or do whatever the hell they wanted. Maybe it worked with some women, but not with her. She quickly said her goodbyes, gathered her things and left.
Roman stared as he watched the sway of her hips and the curve of her ass when Nicole strutted away. She was perfect. Sculpted like a goddess, but sexier than anything was her fire. Nicole had done something men were afraid to do—she stood up to him—and he liked it—a lot. Roman continued to stare after her long after she was gone. She may have gotten away today, but there would be other opportunities. Roman would make sure of it. He quickly pulled out his cell to make a call. He may have to rethink a few things.
As Nicole made her way to the escalator stairs that led down to the elevators, she pulled her cell phone out of her purse to check for messages. There were several texts, but she ignored them all except for Jane’s. It was the first one.
Jane: DJ is okay. He has bronchitis and an ear infection. Dr. Swanson prescribed a different medication and gave him a dosage before we left the office. He’s sleeping and seems to be resting well.
Bronchitis? That was insane. She had to get to her son ASAP.
Nicole was just about to respond when she was nudged on the escalator. Actually, it felt more like a strong push. She looked up just as her feet slipped off the step she’d been standing on. Her phone, purse, and portfolio all went flying out of her hands. She tried to gain her balance, reaching out to grab hold of anything that would steady her, but her hands found nothing but air. Everything happened in slow motion. She could see herself falling down the flight of escalator stairs. Fortunately, there was no one in front of her that might get hurt, nor anyone to break her fall. She tumbled down the stairs, hitting her head every time she rolled over and scraping her legs and knees in the process. A sharp pain pierced her side. She could barely breathe.
Nicole’s head slammed particularly hard into something, sending her entire world into complete darkness.
Chapter 6
Nicole’s vision slowly started to come into focus. Darkness gave way to light. She blinked a few times to clear the blurriness, and when her eyes finally opened, they connected with a familiar pair of worried green ones. She croaked out his name. “Davis?” It was all Nicole could manage. It hurt to talk, breathe, or move. Her entire body ached.
He smoothed her unruly curls away from her lovely heart-shaped face. “I’m here.”
Nicole realized she was lying in a hospital bed—and then her fall. “I fell down the escalator stairs.”
“Yeah, you did, but you’re going to be fine.” When Davis received the call from the Angel Foundation President, he had initially been frozen in fear. She hadn’t known how severely Nicole had been injured only that she had been unconscious when the paramedics rushed her to the hospital. Terrified, his initial paralysis left, and he had one singular goal—to get to Nicole as quickly as possible. Davis broke every transportation law on the books in an effort to do just that.
He called Jane from the car to tell her about the accident. They decided it was best for her to stay with the kids. Jane’s husband, Russell, would bring their twins over to wait it out and keep Rayna company.
Nicole’s moan brought him back to the present. She whispered a few words. “I hurt everywhere.”
Davis tried to smile while his heart beat a mile a minute. It was still about to pound out of his chest, but seeing those big round hazel eyes staring
