Page 32 of Taming Nikki

“Give me the damn thing. I’ll hand it off,” I growled.

Her head jerked back like I had slapped her before she glared at me. “No. This is my job, my contract. Fuck off, Vitale.”

She shoved past me and left the room. I sucked in a breath, trying to come back to myself. No woman in my entire life had ever affected me as much as Nicole did. She made my blood boil in more ways than one and I needed to get ahold of myself. I wasn’t going to be the cause of this job going poorly.

I slipped from the room while using a handkerchief to clean the lipstick off my face. I caught up to her as she exited the ladies' room. Her makeup and hair were fixed like it never happened. I slipped my hand around her waist and ignored her narrow-eyed glare as we made our way back into the ballroom. The senator stood at a podium, giving a speech to the crowded room about the charity they were all supposed to be there for. I was well aware these events were covers for deals just like the ones I made, so it didn’t surprise me that Nikki was doing business here.

The senator finished his speech and waved as he headed off the stage. Nikki’s chin went up. Apparently, I pissed her off enough that the nerves were gone. She slipped her hand into the crook of my arm and stepped forward at the senator’s approach. He took her hand and kissed it lightly, a bright smile on his face. I thought she made the exchange like last time, but I didn’t see him put anything away.

“Nikki, I’m so glad you could come. Your donation has been incredibly helpful. I can’t thank you enough. You look stunning, by the way.”

She smiled, a hint of her normal fire coming out. “Senator Haggerty, are you flirting with me?”

He laughed, his hand against his stomach like she said the funniest thing on the planet. He wasn’t a great actor. Nicole’s eyes danced, her focus solely on the senator. I was so busy watching her, I didn’t notice the waiter trip until he knocked into her, sending her straight into the senator’s arms. She gasped and fell against him, her hands on his chest, while he gripped her elbows, looking stunned.

“Are you alright?”

She righted herself, looking embarrassed. “Yes, thank you. Are you?”

He gave her a soft smile. “I don’t think I should be complaining when a beautiful woman falls into my arms.”

The flirting was starting to piss me off. I couldn’t help but slide my hand across her lower back. I shot her a feigned concerned look and was surprised when she reacted with a reassuring smile, leaning against me. “I’m alright, honey. The senator made sure of it.”

Senator Haggerty smiled at me and thrust out his hand. “John Haggerty. How do you know this dazzling young woman?”

I gripped his hand, keeping my face blank. “Leo Vitale. Nicole is my fiancée.”

I saw the tension cross her face, but she kept up the façade and smiled lightly at the senator’s surprised expression. He masked it quickly with an exaggerated tragic look and put a hand over his heart.

“Say it isn’t so. You’re breaking a lot of hearts by settling down, you know that, right?”

Her laugh was soft and sweet. “Oh, please. I’m sure women are falling over themselves to be with you.”

A slow grin spread across his face. “Maybe. Just not the one I’ve been pining after.”

My grip tightened on her waist, done with the flirting, but she ignored me as she beamed at the Senator. His gaze flicked to mine, taking in my narrow eyed expression before he laughed again.

“Well, I hope I see you again soon. It’s always a pleasure, Nikki.” He dipped his head in my direction before he strode away, joining a group of older men who weren’t far from us.

Nicole kept her face calm and happy until we stepped into the hallway. She elbowed me hard, her teeth bared as she hissed at me.

“I can’t believe you! Why would you tell him that?”

I glared at her. “It’s the truth. Let’s go.” I took her by the elbow and dragged her toward the door, but she yanked it free, her eyes wide and angry.

“Not a chance in hell. I’d rather walk home.”

I grabbed her and pulled her against me as I leaned in close. “People are watching you. If you want your business to thrive, you need to learn to control yourself in public. You can’t leave alone. People will ask questions.”

I felt the tension roll through her, but she knew I was right. Eventually, she relaxed and her hands slid around my waist. She pressed her face against me, playing the sweet fiancée as she hugged me. I followed her lead, wrapping my arms around her, and dropped my cheek to the top of her head.

“Come on, honey. It’s getting late. I’ll take you home.” I brushed her hair out of her face as she leaned back and gave me a soft smile. She didn’t say anything. She just slipped her arm in mine and leaned her head against me, sucking in a breath as we stepped outside and back into the fray of the paparazzi. She didn’t stumble this time, and she kept up the persona until we pulled past the gate of the senator’s mansion. It was like a switch went off and she turned rigid, scowling at me.

“Remind me to never do a job with you again.”

“Pretty sure without me, you’d have been caught. You were almost trembling the first time you planned on meeting with that asshole.”

She scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself. We had a plan. It’s not like I’m inattentive enough not to notice a waiter falling into me.”

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