Page 29 of If the Suit Fits
“And I cleared out the gift table from our failed wedding and banked the cash.”
He sighs, stroking my back until goosebumps sprint all the way to my toes. “You heathen.”
“It’s common knowledge that I was the problem, not him. And I’ve been ignoring these people for so long, I guess my silence was confirmation in their eyes.”
“You dirty, disrespectful whore.”
I choke out a laugh and make patterns in his hair with the tip of my finger. “Drew is yet to speak to me. It’s not like I want him to, but the fact he won’t makes me a little salty. He’s a coward, and he knows he was wrong for all this. He’s too scared to approach me.”
“That’s your power.” Nick pulls back just far enough to look down into my eyes. “He’s pissing his pants scared, and you’re out here dancing with the sexiest dude in the room.”
“Exactly.” I tilt my head back and accept his gentle kiss when he puckers his lips. Because we’re putting on a show for everyone else, and couples… kiss. It’s that simple. “Karla doesn’t want me here, which means she was pressured into it bysociety.” I roll my eyes and enunciate every syllable in the word. “And now she’s officially signed the certificate, which means she’s stuck for life. Or until she finds a good divorce lawyer.” Pleased, I go back to resting against his chest. Right where I can listen to his heart beat. “She could leave. But I hope she doesn’t expect to take the weddinggifts with her. Drew’s parents have probably already put those in the car.”
He chuckles and turns us, changing the scenery, I suppose. Giving our audience a new angle to stare at. “I don’t say this to discredit your feelings, Princess. But fuck,” he pulls back again and searches my eyes, “I have no clue how you could let these idiots affect how you see yourself. Someone you respect? Sure. If they say something is lacking, and it’s true, then you’re gonna take a moment of reflection and work on your shortcomings for a better you. Butthem,” he glances across the top of my head, “these good for nothing, achieved nothing, social climbing, bottom of the barrel, braindead weasels? If you wouldn’t go to them for relationship advice, why would you accept their opinions on who you are?”
“Breeding, mostly.” A million stolen moments where they pushed me down, when all I wanted to do was stand up. Countless frowns, when all I wanted to see was a smile. Decades of criticism, when all I dreamed of was acceptance. “They made me think they matter, and then they made me feel likeIdon’t.”
“Criminal.” He reaches between us and drags my bottom lip free of my teeth—a habit I hardly notice anymore—then leaning in, he kisses the hurt and makes better what my anxiety damages. “Absolutely criminal. A lioness does not care for the opinion of the dung beetle, Mel. They live entirely different lives, and their views are simply not on the same level. You’re the queen, and they…” He taps my chin with the pad of his thumb, “They’re vermin.”
“You should write hallmark cards.” Turning my face, I press a kiss on his wrist. “I sincerely mean that. You have a way with words, Nick, that could turn a hardened woman into a puddle.I’m not sure of your financial security—”Have I established yet if he’s homeless? Not entirely,“—There’s a lot of money to be made in the romance industry, and you’re leaving it all on the table by not sharing your gifts.”
His eyes glitter with amusement while his hands come down to tease hazardously close to my ass. “I’ll keep that in mind. Iwouldn’ttake the advice—business, relationships, or otherwise—of the dung beetle. But I sure as fuck would consider that of the lioness.”
“Melanie?” Startling, I pull away and attempt to turn, except Nick’s grip is absolute, and his inclination to let me go is… well, not happening. So I continue dancing, but I look over my shoulder and gulp when I’m met with my boss’ stare.
Because, of course, he’s here.
Birds of a feather and all that.
“Mr. Manson.” I clear my throat and half-turn to give him my attention. “Sir. Hello.”
“A word, please?” He curls his finger in summons. His eyes a striking brown that sends chills to the base of my stomach. “In private.”
“Um… Of course.” I peek back at Nick, my heart skittering too fast and the color draining from my face. But at least he loosens his grip and allows me space. “Sorry. I have to?—”
“It’s alright.” He kisses my cheek and uses the opportunity to whisper, “Want me to kick his ass?”
He wants me to laugh. To relax. He wants me to be a friggin’ lioness. But all he gets is a worrying shade of green filling my cheeks and to watch my hand drop to my stomach. Because this is bad. Itfeelsbad. “No. I’ll…” I frown and take a step back. “I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
“I’ll get us something to drink.” He looks to Manson and tips his chin, then lowering his hands and digging them into his pockets, he frees me.
The little bird whose cage is opened.
“In the hall, if you don’t mind, Ms. Hamilton.”
Oh God. Kill me now.
THIRTEEN
NICK
Igive them a three-second head start before I turn the opposite way and swipe two flutes of champagne from a passing server’s tray. My swift move earns curious eyes, and a surprised gasp from a waiter not expecting the weight distribution change. But I couldn’t give a single fuck if the entire tray topples and lands on the mother-of-the-bride’s head.
I circle the outside perimeter of the room, keeping Mel in my sight, as well as the man who walks ahead of her. So when he opens a door that leads into the hall, I open one too, albeit forty feet earlier, so we exit the ballroom at the same time, but my presence remains hidden by the curvature of the walls.
They would’ve been a bitch to build and smooth.
“Uh, Mr. Manson?” Mel reverts to the woman I met weeks ago. Softly spoken, uncertain, and entirely too lacking in confidence, which is all pretty fucking ridiculous considering her skill at a drafting table and how utterly beautiful and smart and kind she is. “Is-is there a problem, sir?”
