by Alexx Andria
“Fair enough. But you have the money now. Payment was wired to your bank this morning. If you want to check your bank balance, you can. You have more than enough to hire a good attorney if you ever wanted to press Houston to terminate his rights.”
My breath caught. I’d forgotten about the payment. I didn’t want to rush to my phone to check my bank balance but... I looked at Nico, biting my lip with indecision. “Are you sure, I’d really like to check to see if it’s really there.”
He chuckled and gestured for me to go ahead. I picked up the phone and checked my bank balance. I nearly choked on my own tongue when I saw how many zeros were in my bank account. I looked at him, still stunned. “I can’t believe you actually paid me that much money. It’s too much. I feel like I’m taking advantage.”
“The fact that you’re worried tells me that you wouldn’t know how to take advantage of someone if you tried. It’s not in your nature. People who take advantage of others don’t think twice about it. And honestly, you’re worth it.”
I couldn’t help but warm under his praise. I didn’t even care if he meant it was for my writing skills or the fact that we clicked together really well in bed. All that mattered was everything that I’d ever worried about financially was over. I could pay off all my debt—which included two student loans—as well as put money aside for a nest egg. One of the worst things I suffered was the knowledge that I never had enough money left over after each pay period to put aside for a rainy day fund, something my dad had drilled into me since I was twelve. But I’d just made a year’s salary for a month’s work, and as long as I found a permanent job after, I could.
My eyes brimming with tears, I turned to Nico. “Thank you. You have no idea how money like that has the ability to change someone’s life.”
Nico shifted with discomfort. “Don’t be getting all sappy on me. It’s nothing.”
“But it is something to me. I understand that you were raised with wealth and this is probably pennies to you, but to me it’s everything. And I’m going to work my ass off to prove to you that it was money well spent.”
He surprised me with a quick but gentle kiss. “Baby, whatever happens from this point forward I already feel that it was money well spent. I meant what I said when I told you I liked you and Grady. You’re both cool people, and in my life finding genuine people is difficult at best. If this helps you work out the kinks in your life, I’m happy to do so.”
I couldn’t stop the tears this time. I’d sorely misjudged Nico in so many ways. I was ashamed of my judgment and how I’d been such a bitch when we first met. But I could change that. I would absolutely do my best to write his autobiography and do him justice. I didn’t know what his beef was with his brother, but I sensed that no one truly saw Nico for who he was.
And I would do my best to draw an accurate portrait with my words.
Sensing the moment was becoming too deep, Nico wiped my tears and helped me to stand. “I say we rinse off, fuck in the shower, rinse off again and then go get Grady to go sailing. Are you down?”
I nodded. “I’m so down.”
“All right, then,” he said, sealing his mouth to mine for another lingering kiss. “Let’s do this. We’re on a time crunch.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Nico
FROM THE OUTSIDE looking in, my sailboat wasn’t the fanciest, but that’s what I liked about the Celestial 48. I’d bought it used and then spent a year overhauling it, customizing the interior with rich teak and shiny chrome fixtures. The Nauti Kitty was my sweet mistress that I didn’t spend nearly enough time with, and yet she still purred like a kitten whenever I took her out.
“Whoa!” Grady exclaimed as I helped him and his mom onto the deck. “This is awesome! You own this boat?”
“Down to every bolt and barnacle,” I answered with a grin, loving how Grady’s eyes sparkled with excitement. I’d forgotten how exhilarating it could be to enjoy something through someone else’s eyes. My friends always mocked my little boat, saying I was the only billionaire who preferred to slum it when I could afford a luxury yacht ten times over, but there was something about this boat that I’d been drawn to.
Granted, the purchase had been on a whim. A drunken whim, at that, but I hadn’t regretted my decision, not even when I’d sobered up and seen how much work it needed.
“When I bought her, she’d been in sorry shape, but fixing her up has been more fun than I ever imagined it would be. Gave me the opportunity to make her mine.”
Lauren agreed with Grady and was similarly awed. “I think she’s gorgeous.”
My smile deepened. Somehow Lauren’s praise meant so much more than anyone else’s. “Let me give you a tour before we hit the open water,” I said, motioning for them to follow me below deck. The accommodations were cozy, but then, I wasn’t accustomed to bringing too many people here. Grady wandered from the galley to the head to the two staterooms, poking his head in each to give a nod of approval after his inspection.
“I like it,” he announced. “I think I could live here.”
Lauren laughed. “I’m not living on a boat,” she said, letting him down gently. “But it is very pretty.”
“That she is,” I agreed. I pulled a life jacket from a small supply closet and buckled Grady in. “Here’s the deal, little man. Anyone under the age of thirteen has to wear one of these if they’re going to be above deck. No exceptions, got it?”
Grady nodded solemnly. “Yes, sir.”
I chucked his chin playfully. “That’s ‘Yes, Captain,’ sailor. Got it?”
Grady grinned and giggled. “Yes, Captain!”
“Excellent.” To Lauren, I said, “If you’d like to wear a life vest, you’re welcome to, I have all sizes available right here. It’s up to you.”
“Are you a good driver or...um, sailor?”
I laughed. “I haven’t capsized yet so I take that as a good sign.”
Lauren grabbed a vest. “Just in case.”
I chuckled and we climbed back to the top, where Lauren and Grady settled into the bench seats, soaking up the sun, while I got the Nauti Kitty ready for launch.
The day was gorgeous, perfect for sailing. The wind picked up nicely, and by the time we’d maneuvered out of the dock and hit the open waters, we were on wind power alone and clipping along at a nice leisurely pace.
Because he was interested, I gave Grady a quick lesson on nautical terms.
I felt rather than saw Lauren’s attention on Grady and me. I cast her a quick look, and she smiled with a subtle blush at being caught. There was something happening between us that felt different from anything I’d ever experienced.
I didn’t know what it was—but it scared me as much as it was exhilarating. I’d been hoping for a new adventure, something to break up the monotony that’d become my life, but I realized as I ruffled Grady’s sandy-blond hair that I may have bitten off more than I’d planned.
My thoughts were consumed with Lauren and Grady at all times. I wanted to curl up with Lauren and explore each other’s bodies as much as I wanted to show Grady the wonders of the world just waiting to be discovered if one had the resources to make it happen.
“Have you ever been outside of New York?” I asked Grady.
He looked to Lauren. “Have I, Mama?”
She shook her head. “Traveling takes time and money, sweetheart. Good thing for us, there are lots of awesome things to see and do in New York City.”
I smiled but the world was so much bigger than one state could possibly hope to provide. “The resource part shouldn’t be too much of an obstacle now,” I said to Lauren with a wink, but she just laughed. “You ought to take a trip to Europe. My family is from Tuscany. Italy is a place everyone should see at least once.”
“Well, after I pay off my student loans and put money away for savings, there won’t be a lot left over to t
raipse around the world, but maybe someday.”
I frowned. “Do you need more money?”
“No, not at all. I’m completely satisfied with the amount agreed upon,” she said, shaking her head. “I just have different priorities, and running off to Italy isn’t one of them, unfortunately.”
I wanted Lauren and Grady to see where my roots came from, but I supposed that wasn’t my place to insist. Hell, I’d even pay for the entire trip, but again, I was wandering into territory that was strewn with tacks and broken glass—and best avoided.
I set the course and Grady helped me steer while Lauren went down to the galley to fix some sandwiches.
“Did your dad teach you to sail?” Grady asked, his little body in front of mine while we cruised along.
I chuckled. “Nope. My dad didn’t have time for sailing. I had a lot of time to fill in my childhood, so I found ways to keep myself occupied. I’d always been fascinated by sailboats, so when the opportunity arose, I snagged it. The old man I bought the Nauti Kitty from taught me to sail. He was a crusty old fart, but he knew his stuff. Best damn teacher ever.” I paused for a moment, before adding, “Unfortunately, he died a year after I bought the boat.”
“Why?”
Liver failure. The man had been a raging alcoholic, but I softened the truth by answering, “He got sick and it was more than his old body could handle.”
“That’s a bummer.”
“Agreed.”
“The Nauti Kitty was a good buy,” Grady said with firm approval. “As Mama would say, it was a bargain!”
I laughed. “How do you know? I might’ve overpaid. My friends say I should’ve got it for free and then given it a good burial at sea.”
“That’s dumb. This boat is fab.”
“Fab?”
“That’s what Uncle Ronnie says when he likes something.”
I nodded. “I agree. The Nauti Kitty is fab.”
We cruised along in amiable silence until Grady said, “Do you like my mama? ’Cuz I think she likes you.”
My tongue felt glued to my palate. I had to tread cautiously. I didn’t want Grady getting hurt by anything I might inadvertently set in motion, but I wasn’t being dishonest when I answered, “Hell yes. She’s pretty cool. Kinda cute, too, but don’t let her know that. I wouldn’t want her to get a big head or else she won’t fit in the narrow corridors below deck.”
Grady giggled and I warmed at the sweet sound. “She likes you a lot.”
“Yeah? And how do you know?” I asked, curious.
“Because she looks at you funny.”
“Ah, the telltale funny look. Maybe she thinks I smell?”
“Not that kind of funny look,” Grady said, laughing as he twisted to illustrate, “this kind of funny look.”
I guffawed at the googly eyes Grady was making on his mom’s behalf. “Boy, I must be blind because I’ve never seen that particular look on your mama’s face.”
I’d seen her eyes roll up into her skull as I made her come and I’d seen her eyes squeeze shut with total pleasure as I bent her in half, but I’d never seen those googly eyes.
Grady nodded with the confidence of a six-year-old who already knew his letters and how to write his name, saying, “Yep. She does,” and who was I to argue?
“I’ll bet it’s fun just being you and your mom all the time,” I said, fishing for a little intel. “No one to share your mom with or tag-team for extra TV privileges, right?”
Grady shrugged. “I guess.”
“You guess?”
“Well, most times. I like when we have movie night. She makes kettle corn and orders pizza. She even lets me drink soda on those special nights, but I overheard Auntie Claire tell Mama that if she doesn’t get a man soon her angina was going to fall off.”
I nearly fell over from laughing so hard. “Her angina? Sounds serious,” I said when I managed to catch my breath.
“I know! I don’t know what that is, but I don’t want my mama to lose anything just because my real dad is a jerk face and doesn’t want to be with her and me. Can you help my mama find a boyfriend so that doesn’t happen?”
The earnest request was so sweet that I almost readily applied for the job until I caught my mouth before making an ass of myself. I wasn’t boyfriend material. I was a commitment-phobe with an insatiable appetite for the new and undiscovered. I would only break this little family into pieces, but I didn’t want Grady worrying about his mom’s parts so I said, “Don’t worry about your mom. She’s one tough cookie and I don’t think she’s in danger of anything falling off, okay?”
Grady seemed relieved and I resisted the urge to kiss the crown of his head. He was such a great kid. How could Houston not want to be a part of his son’s life? I couldn’t possibly picture Lauren and Houston together—and I didn’t want to—but Houston never should’ve abandoned his son just because things didn’t work out between him and Lauren.
Lauren called out from below deck, saying the sandwiches were ready. I lowered the sails, dropped the anchor so we could enjoy lunch on the calm waters and headed below deck with Grady.
Just as we slid into the bench-style seats at the small table, Grady assured his mom, “You don’t have to worry, Mama. Nico says your angina is going to be just fine even if you don’t get a boyfriend,” and I wanted to slide under the table and die.
Right after I quit laughing.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Lauren
I WAS MORTIFIED to my toes, but Nico’s laugh was infectious, especially when Grady was beaming at me as if he’d single-handedly solved all my problems.
“You two seem to be partners in crime,” I said, shooting Nico a look as I shook my head. I knew I should’ve put a stop to whatever was happening between Nico and Grady, but sue me, was it wrong to let my kid enjoy some traditional male energy? I mean, I loved Ronnie from his glittery fingernails to his diva updo, but sometimes I wondered if Grady needed a break from the things Uncle Ronnie accidentally let slip.
Like learning how Uncle Ronnie’s boy parts never showed through the shiny, skintight dress that he wore for his act.
But Grady sure seemed to like Nico. Perhaps more than was healthy. I’d always assumed that because he never talked about not having a dad around that he really didn’t notice or care.
Maybe I’d been naive to think his silence meant he was unobservant. Honestly, I should’ve known better—Grady noticed everything.
Finished with lunch, we headed back up top and while Grady helped Nico take the helm, I stretched out on the comfy bench seats, content to let the wind ruffle my hair and the sun warm my face.
The ocean was calm and the winds light. It was a perfect day in so many ways.
A subtle pulling in my chest reminded me that Grady wasn’t the only one who needed to remember that this was all temporary. Nico wasn’t looking to sign on for the long haul, and I didn’t want Nico in that capacity either.
I smiled ruefully to myself at my own meandering thoughts. Nico, as a father? He was like a giant kid himself. My gaze drifted to Nico and Grady, and that subtle pull deepened to something far stronger. Nico was really good with Grady and Grady thought Nico was the cat’s meow.
As if hearing my thoughts, Nico swiveled his gaze toward mine, that sexy smile sending ripples of excitement in its wake. Hot potato, he’s delicious. I bit back a shy smile, afraid he might be about to read my thoughts with a single shot of that hot stare.
But Nico just grinned, his dimple flashing, and returned to teaching Grady the ropes about sailing when it was likely Grady would never have the opportunity to sail on a boat like this again as it wasn’t exactly within my budget.
“So, I have this dinner thing I have to attend,” Nico said, surprising me. “And I’d like you to go with me.”
“What kind of dinner thing?” I asked, curious.
He shrugged. “The usual kind—pretentious food and even more pretentious people—but it would make an interesting chapter in my book.”
“How so?”
“Well, seeing as my brothers, Luca and Dante, handle the actual business operations, usually I get thrown the appearances when a Donato is required for networking.”
“You’re the face of the Donato company?” Lauren asked.
“Well, to a point.”
I laughed but shook my head. “I wouldn’t know what to wear or how to act. I’m not sure I would be your best choice for a date.”
“And what if you’re the only choice I want?” he said, stunning me with his counter.
All jokes aside, Nico was serious. He wanted me to be his date? “What if I get in the way of your networking?” I asked, and by networking, I meant something else entirely.
Nico didn’t pretend to miss my meaning. “As I said, I only want you.”
Stop it, I wanted to growl, because my heart was fluttering dangerously like that of a lovesick idiot and I didn’t need the heartache of rejection or betrayal later down the road when everything went sour or when Nico decided he was finished with whatever game he was playing. “I don’t have anything to wear,” I said, hoping my excuse ended his interest, but I should’ve known better.
“Tell me your favorite color and I’ll have ten dresses delivered for you to consider.”
Grady piped up. “Mama’s favorite color is vanilla, like the ice cream.” The little coconspirator.
“Thank you, little man,” Nico said, smiling down at Grady in a way that made my heartbeat quicken. “Vanilla it is.”
And just like that, in Nico’s mind it was settled—I was going to be his plus-one.
I should’ve protested more vehemently, putting my foot down, but a part of me didn’t want to. I was intrigued by the idea of attending a dinner on Nico’s arm, not as the reporter skimming the edges of the room, watching body language and keeping an ear open for possible juicy news I could spin into a story.
