Page 73 of Stick to the Deal
I stare into my coffee and say nothing. Loudly.
“What did you do?” Daniel asks.
“I never told Nic about the earl’s gambling issue.”
“Bancroft!” He collapses onto the edge of the desk as if the wind is blown out of him. “What were you thinking?”
“I tried to. When we were in Sweden and she was talking about not needing a prenup. She kept saying it didn’t matter. Afterwards, I convinced myself it was true. I have zero intentions of divorcing her, so I figured what’s the harm?”
“And then she finds out in national print and might wonder if half her fortune is worth it to get rid of a lying husband.” I wince. “So I’m assuming you’ve never told her you love her, either.”
“How did you…”
“I’ve been your only friend for a long-ass time. When Nic is in the room, it’s like you come alive. I’ve never seen you happy before.”
I collapse into the nearby chair. “What do I do?”
“What does the hero do to win the girl in all those novels you’ve read?” He tips his head at me with a smile.
“Make a big gesture? I already tried that with the art show.”
He stands and pats me on the shoulder. “You gotta think bigger, mate. I’m heading home to shower and check on the team. Don’t wait too long to make your move.”
I’m still sitting in that chair, contemplating what Orpheus or Cyrano would do when my cell rings. I go to ignore the call but see my father’s name on the screen. A lifetime of conditioning kicks in and I answer the phone.
My father’s voice crackles through the speaker before I can even say a word. “What the hell have you done now, boy?”
I bristle at the accusation. “I did what you told me to. Found an heiress and married her.”
“A scandal wasn’t part of my instructions. Your poor mother has been in tears all day, too embarrassed to show her face.”
Nearly forty years of towing the line. Going to the schools they chose. The degree they dictated. The events. The committees… When does it end?
Did I get one thank you? One scrap of praise or warmth? No, never.
That bar just got set a little higher, and I was expected to jump like a trained dog. Well, that’s not quite true—at least the damn dogs were showered in affection. Well, I’m not rolling over today.
“Who’s fault is it that this got out?”
“Excuse me?” Father nearly stutters. “Who do you think you’re talking to like that?”
But there’s no backing down now. “It was Mother who was sharing all the sordid details with the Wentworths not too long ago. My money’s on Serena being the leak to the press, but I’ll leave the betting in this family to you.”
My father sputters. “You ungrateful rat. Sort this mess out and get back in line. We raised you better than this.”
“No. My entire life, I’ve done everything you asked, and I’m done with it. The schools. The hobbies. I even married a complete stranger because you told me to. It’s never going to be enough. I’m a grown man with my own passions and it is well past time I lived my own life.”
“You hang up that phone and I’m done with you. The title, the land, all of it will go to Monty.”
“Good. Let him have it. All I want is my wife.” I disconnect the call and slam my cell onto my desk.
A slow clap from the doorway draws my attention. Nic leans against the doorjamb, looking gorgeous in leggings and a slouchy tee. Exactly like the day we met.
In three strides, I close the distance between us. My fingers spear her silky black hair as I cup the back of her head and pull her in. Before she can speak, I capture her lips with mine, pouring every emotion I’m dying to say but can’t find the words to express.
With a sigh, she leans into me, wrapping her arms around my chest, digging her nails into my shoulders. Her mouth opens, greedily accepting everything, matching my energy and pushing for more, which I happily give.
I break the kiss, breathing heavily as I rest my forehead against hers. “The money never mattered to me. I should have told you about the gambling, but I was scared of your reaction. Divorce was never a possibility to me, so it was a lie out of cowardice, not malice.”
