Page 48 of Blackmailing the Bad Girl

“Whew. Anyway, she wrote to Danny setting out the idea, and Danny came to me, and the rest is history.”

The waiter arrived at that moment, and they ordered food and more beers.

“So, you met three years ago,” Sherry said. “Did you go out with each other back then?”

“No, we didn’t go out, but we did become friends, and when I found out she needed a job, I insisted she let me help. And it all started from there.” He reached across the table and took Summer’s hand, squeezed. “Now we’re inseparable.”

“Aw, isn’t that sweet?” Danny didn’t sound impressed.

“Well, you did land on your feet.” Sherry appeared to have taken Summer’s boyfriend at face value. And even if she seemed a little incredulous, she hadn’t actually come out and asked what a gorgeous billionaire was doing with a girl like her.

Summer gave her a smile back. “Nik’s been so kind to me since I got out.”

“It’s good he knows about your little…time away.”

“We have no secrets,” Nik said.

“Somehow, I doubt that,” Sherry said.

It occurred to Summer that there might be more to Sherry’s dislike of her than mere jealousy. Maybe she was worried Summer was going to get Danny involved in her illegal activities. Danny had told her Sherry knew about their work together. He’d been straight since she went away; Summer’s being caught had knocked some sense into him.

She made a mental note to reassure the other woman, but now was not the time. She didn’t want to give Nik any inkling that Danny had been involved in her criminal activities. While she hated to lie, that wasn’t her secret to tell, and she’d never betray her friend.

“Nik has really looked after me.” Across the table, Danny raised an eyebrow. Ignoring him, she shuffled her chair closer to Nik. He still had hold of her hand; now he pulled her closer and placed a kiss on her lips. As she made to move back, his hands slid into the hair at her nape, and he held her firmly while he deepened the kiss. His mouth plundered hers, his tongue pushing inside. The room, the company, everything faded from her consciousness. The kiss only stopped when she ran out of air. She sat back, gulping oxygen, her gaze fixed firmly on his face. His eyes were sleepy, darkened with desire. Across the table somebody coughed, and she forced herself to look away and straight into Danny’s shocked eyes. Next to him, Sherry was fanning herself.

“Wow.”

She couldn’t have put it better herself. “Hot and bothered” didn’t begin to describe how she felt right now. Luckily, the waiter brought their food at that moment, so they were saved from having to give any more demonstrations of devotion.

After that, things went a little smoother. Sherry relaxed and appeared to enjoy herself. She even smiled at Danny, so at least the plan had worked. Danny didn’t look quite so happy and kept throwing Summer suspicious glances. But she returned them with a bland smile, then nearly jumped out of her skin as Nik’s hand slid up her bare thigh under the table.

He leaned toward her and whispered in her ear. “Just trying to be convincing.”

His hand slid up a little higher, and heat flooded her core. She took a sip of cold beer, trying to cool herself down. His fingers fluttered against the lace of her panties, and she closed her legs as tight as she could to stop any further movement. A glance at his face showed nothing.

Sherry asked her something, and she shook her head, having no clue what the question was. “Gotta visit the ladies’,” she said, jumping to her feet and dislodging his hand.

When she returned, she made sure she stayed out of reach, studiously ignoring everyone while she ate her food. Which was delicious.

Finally, the evening was over. They said good-bye to Danny and Sherry at the door. Danny had ordered them a taxi.

“I’ll walk you home,” Nik said.

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to. Besides, it’s what a boyfriend would do.”

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