Page 41 of Release You

I set my mug on the coffee table and immediately spotted my name on the ripped envelope sitting on top of today’s mail. One of the perks of living in a small town? Getting my mail delivered no matter where I went. By the fancy envelope, I had to guess this was the invitation to tonight’s Founders’ Day Gala. Nikki must’ve had the same thought. Why else would she open mail not addressed to her? I threw the letter on the sofa and rushed upstairs, swiping the hanging sheets out of the way. Theones meant to remind me which side of the hotel was mine, as if I could forget.

Leaning on the doorframe, I braced for impact and knocked. It was nine in the morning. She should be up. Another knock. Nothing. I pressed my ear to the door and pushed it open when I didn’t hear any movement. Suddenly, the hotel felt empty. Had she left for good? The hollow feeling in my chest grew as I rummaged through the room. Her clothes were in her closet along with the suitcases.

“Fuck. Nikki. You’re driving me nuts.”I sat on the bed and buried my head in my hands.

There was no time to worry about her right now. I had to get ready for the gala.

The last timeI stood at the front door of the manor, Jonathan had given the guards strict orders not to let me on the property ever again. But tonight was different. I was a guest in my own goddamn home. Admittedly, coming in through the main entrance sure beat the tunnels. I smiled at the security guard checking names on the guest list. He hadn’t even asked my name. His eyes darted across the page, blinking fast. I chuckled. What was he afraid of?

“There you are, Mr. Cavalier. Welcome.” He swallowed.

“Thank you.” I strolled in, taking in the foyer already crowded with Francesca’s friends.

When Mom was around, this party had been open to everyone in town. I put all thoughts of Mom and the past aside and relaxed my facial muscles. As usual, the bar had been set up in the study. Making my way there, I glanced at the tunnel access behind the velvet settee where three women chatted away, sipping champagne. The access in the kitchen was myonly option, but no doubt that room would be just as crowded. How the hell was I supposed to go back into the tunnels without being seen?

When I reached the threshold to the study, a laugh filtered out into the hallway, sweet and full of promises. My back tensed. I didn’t have to turn around to see who the laugh belonged to. Nikki was here too.

“Whiskey, please,” I said to the bartender. Maybe it was my imagination, but I could swear I felt Nikki’s eyes on me.

“Ms. Swift, you truly are a breath of fresh air.” Jonathan’s voice was like a jackhammer to my eardrums.

“Oh, Mr. Mayor, I’m sure you say that to all the girls.” Nikki laid it on thick.

I took the drink the bartender offered and spun around. Big mistake. If Nikki looked surreal in jeans and a silky top, she was absolutely breathtaking in that dress. The royal-blue velvet hugged her waist tight and pushed up those perfect breasts. I touched the glass to my lips. My gaze never left hers as I downed the whiskey.

I set the glass down and ambled over to Nikki, ignoring all the assholes ogling her. “There you are. Mr. Mayor, I see you met my girlfriend.”

The color drained from Jonathan’s cheeks. He glanced down at his empty drink, then turned to face me, the whites of his eyes bigger than normal. What did he expect? That I’d be home recovering from a beating or dead in some ditch?

“The lady didn’t mention you.” He blinked fast and swallowed.

What a pathetic excuse for an uncle, for a human being—full of tells and no spine. That was how I’d been able to beat him at poker. How I’d gotten a small piece of my father’s fortune back. Or half of it.

“Good for you,” Jonathan stammered.

“Yes, it is. Now if you’d excuse us, I promised my girlfriend a dance.” I took Nikki’s elbow and escorted her out of the study before she decided to call me a liar in front of everyone. “What the hell are you doing here?” I asked under my breath.

“Same as you.” She smiled at the men who wouldn’t stop looking at her. My mouth went dry when she pressed her body closer to mine. “I’m here to celebrate Founders’ Day.”

“You’re not staying.” I led her to the drawing room, where a live band played a slow song.

All the furniture had been removed, replaced with small tables that were arranged around a dance floor. She didn’t argue when I stopped in the middle of the room, pulled her close to me, and began to sway to the beat of the music. I didn’t feel like dancing, but I didn’t feel like letting her go either.

“That’s not for you to say. Just like it’s not for you to go around telling people I’m your girlfriend. I thought I had been loud and clear before.” She pushed on my shoulder, and I held her tighter.

My gaze dropped to the cleavage pressed against my chest. She made a little sound, something between a sigh and moan, before her eyes closed.

“You feel it too,” I whispered in her ear.

Desire rushed through my veins when her hand gripped the lapel of my tuxedo jacket. She shook her head once and glanced up at me. The glow from the shimmering chandelier overhead played with the golden highlights in her hair, and something tugged at my insides.

“I’m not going anywhere. I came here to get something, and I’m not leaving without it. I was making progress with your uncle until you showed up, by the way. Now because of you and your macho display, we have him, Francesca, and everyone else watching us like we’re on some cheesy soap episode.”

“You need to get upstairs?” I held her tighter.

“Do you think they’ll let you have a private moment with your girlfriend?” She relaxed in my arms and smiled.

Even if it was pretend, I liked hearing her say she was mine. Like Dom had said—it was hard to think clearly when your cock was in the way. But this plan might just work. I leaned in and pressed my lips against hers. God, I wanted to do more than that. I wanted to feel her tongue in my mouth, taste all of her, but I kept the kiss as innocent as I could and focused on our goal.

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