Page 49 of Stick to the Deal (Friendship Springs Romance #3)

Reginald Decides

I f I wore one of those sports watches, I wonder how many steps I’d be up to. I’ve been pacing my office floor since my phone started ringing at three in the morning with calls from London papers.

Daniel showed up around eight, with bagels and a gallon of coffee. I’ve never been so happy that he reads that dreadful scandal sheet.

“Lord Ravenscourt does not have a statement at this time. He is in meetings regarding the launch of his magazine, Elysium, next week and is unavailable for comment.”

We should be preparing for our first issue. Final edits, layout proofs, confirming with printers. Instead, Daniel is fielding media calls for me. It would all be great publicity for the magazine, if only I felt confident on where Nic and I stand.

Why isn’t she calling me back?

I’ve left a dozen messages, sent an embarrassing number of texts.

“Ok, I may finally see why you hate that gossip rag.” Daniel sighs as he stretches his back and refills our coffees. “This is all a bitch, but why are you so stressed? This is an inconvenience, but it’s not like it’s going to alter things between you. You both knew the score going in.”

I wince as I take my mug from him. “Now everyone knows the deal.”

“Nic is a levelheaded woman. She’s no stranger to media spin. You two are perfect together. This isn’t going to change that. ”

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.”

Her lips quirk. “I know.”

My head jerks back as I search her eyes. “You do?”

“Well, I didn’t at first.” Her cheeks bloom pink.

“But after I calmed down, I thought about all the times you discussed purchases with me or tried to cheap out. If you were motivated by the money, you’d be spending a hell of a lot more of it.

I mean, you fly business class, for fuck’s sake.

” Her eyes drop to the floor. “I think I was more scared that I was the only one catching feelings.”

“Listen to me.” Pinching her chin, I lift her face back up to mine.

“I never cared for Serena. Even when I was with her, it was what my mother wanted and I was too weak to go against it. I didn’t even think to fight for myself until I met you.

You taught me that I deserve to set my own terms in life. ”

A single tear trails down her porcelain cheek.

“I don’t want independence anymore.” Her mouth opens and I plow on, afraid I’ll lose my nerve. “I want to be wherever you are. Here. Florida. Fucking Timbuktu if you want to go take pictures of goats.”

Her lips quirk into a sardonic smile. “Pretty sure we have goats here in the U.S.”

I grip her arms as I meet her smiling hazel eyes. “It doesn’t matter. I’m all in. The only thing I want is you.”

“I love you.” Her voice rings with confidence, but I can see the vulnerability in her eyes.

Heat courses through my body, radiating outwards from my chest. I’ve waited a lifetime to hear those words. It was worth every torturous moment to get here. Hearing it from the right woman.

“I love you, too,” I whisper against her lips before capturing them again. “Oh, in the interest of transparency. I don’t think I’ll be the next earl. If that matters to you.”

“Dammit, guess I better cancel that custom tiara order.” Her words drip with sarcasm.

“Keep it. You’ll always be my princess.” Her eyes darken as she bites her plump lip. I pull it free of her teeth with the pad of my thumb. “As much as I want to move onto the makeup sex portion of the evening. We have a scandal to squash and a publication to save.”

“Yes, sir.” My cock twitches at her response. Do I ever wish we had time to jump straight to bed. “I had an idea on the flight, but you might not like it.”

She’s right, I don’t like it. But over a deep-dish pizza, we debate ideas and reach a solution I can live with. Late that night, as I fall asleep with my wife tucked securely in my arms, I’m completely at peace without a fear of tomorrow hanging over my head for the first time in my life.