Page 42 of Daddy Billionaire Dragon

Will I be able to let her go after dancing with her? Surely I will be able to control myself enough not to do anything too embarrassing, like kissing her senseless on the dance floor? Especially with so many people around us?

I head toward Nic and her mother. They’re talking to an older guy who I know works in our accounts department, though I don’t remember his name offhand. But before I can reach them, Nic and her mother make their way towards the exit. I rush after her.

“Nic! Pam! Leaving already?” Nic whirls around, looking a bit startled to find me behind them.

“Mom has to catch an early flight tomorrow. I’m going to put her in a cab,” she says with a smile.

Pam gives me a brief hug and a strange, knowing look.

“Look after my daughter,” she whispers, giving my hand a squeeze. I can only nod dumbly as I watch them riding the elevator down.

Is it so obvious to everybody that I have feelings for Nic? Pushing a hand through my hair, I return to the party, pretending to make polite conversation with the people around me. But my eyes keep darting to the elevator again.

Why isn’t she back already? How long does it take to find a cab?

After I glance at my watch for the hundredth time, TJ pipes up.

“Remember that very first time at The Sitting Duck? Didn’t you intimidate her into running away from you?” he says with a wicked grin.

“Haha. You are a hoot. You didn’t fare much better either. Weren’t you hitting on her roommate?” I retort.

“But I’m not acting like a prize idiot.” His grin gets wider.

“Go!” Liam says, reading my thoughts.

Without a backward glance, I quickly make my way down. It has been nearly half an hour since she went to find a cab for her mother.

The elevator ride down takes only a few minutes, but I’m tapping my foot impatiently. I rush out into the lobby the minute it comes to a halt, then stop in my tracks. I find Nic talking to a man. He is holding her wrists and her palms are placed on his chest. My hands and feet go numb. I am tempted to run to where they’re standing and pull Nic away from him. But then what? I have no right whatsoever to stop Nic from seeing other men. I ball my hands into fists as I move closer without being observed. I want to know what they’re talking about.

I stand behind one of the large pillars in the lobby from where I can see and hear them, but they can’t see me. But the minute I take my position behind the pillar, I notice Nic’s shoulders tense. Does she know I’m here?

The man is tall and good-looking in a slick way. One look at him tells me he’s not the dependable sort of guy.

“… so you’re not dating him?” he asks eagerly.

“For the last time, Manuel, it is none of your business who I date or don’t date,” Nic says with a note of exasperation in her voice.

“But I want to make it my business, Nicola. I want you to be my business. I made a terrible mistake letting you go. I was an idiot. A moron. I want you in my life, Nic. I will give you everything you’ve always wanted—a home, lots of children. Heck, we will even get a dog. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted? Come back to me please, Nic.”

He is cupping her face now. I am tempted to rearrange his slick features with my fist. So this is her ex. The one who used her and then discarded her.

You’re not doing any better, my dragon says sulkily.

But I never promised her anything, I retort hotly.

Don’t go back to him, Nic, I say desperately in my head. She is still silent. Since she is facing away from me, there’s no way of knowing what she’s thinking.

“You are promising me everything I ever wanted?” she finally says softly.

She can’t be seriously considering going back to the schmuck?

“Yes,” she says with a hopeful grin.

I can’t take it any longer. If she kisses him, I might really pummel his face. I get away from the pillar and head to the elevator. Have I lost her forever?

Chapter 20 - Nic

I ride the elevator back up to the rooftop and walk out on wobbly knees. Never in a million years had I expected Manuel to show up here. He literally accosted me when I walked back into the lobby after putting Mom in a cab.

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