With His Love (For His Pleasure, Book 16) (3 page)

“First, I want to say how much I love you, and how much everything we’ve been through together has only strengthened the love I have for you, Nicole. You’re the strongest, smartest, sexiest woman in the universe, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with you, right here, right now.” He held his glass aloft expectantly.

Nicole picked her glass up and they clinked with each other, and she took a quick, obligatory sip. Then she put the glass down. “Okay, Red. Now I want to hear about this opportunity.”

“Jeb called me the other day, out of the blue.”

“Your brother Jeb?” Nicole said, surprised, as Red nodded.

The last time they’d seen Jeb, it had been a very difficult conversation because Red had been angry and, to her knowledge, the two of them hadn’t spoken since.

“At first, I thought he was going to give me the old song and dance about Mom, tell me how badly I’d treated her, that sort of thing. But actually, he really just wanted to reconnect. And it turns out that a good childhood friend of ours is involved in building a big new Vegas casino. Jeb is really involved with it and he wanted to bring me in on the deal.”

Nicole sighed. “I mean, I don’t know anything about Las Vegas or casinos or any of that stuff. But I’m happy you’ve reconnected with Jeb.”

The thing was, for some reason she didn’t actually feel that happy about it, even though she knew she should.

Red nodded, smiling. “I waited to tell you about it because I needed to make sure I did some due diligence on the entire operation. And so I got in touch with our old friend—“

“Wait, so who is this old friend you keep talking about?”

“Jeb and Patrick and I were all friends in high school. Patrick was kind of a class clown type, voted most likely to streak naked at the Oscars, that kind of thing.”

“Wow, sounds like a fun guy,” she said drily.

“Actually he is. Anyway, he sent me information, I had my best people run the numbers and check that it was legit. And I’m sure that it is. This new casino is going to be huge, Nicole. Huge. I’m certain of it.”

“And you’re going to—what—become an investor?” she asked.

“We’re definitely going to acquire shares in the company,” he said. “But more than that, I’ve been offered the chance to become the face of the casino’s indoor arena, which is going to cater mainly to the younger, male audience that these places covet.

We’re going to be hosting the biggest mixed martial arts organization’s fights—all of them—exclusively through our new fight venue.”

Nicole felt confused. “So, you took the job? This has all happened already?”

“I haven’t officially accepted the gig yet,” he told her. “The thing is, if I really do this, it’s going to take time to get it off the ground. The casino’s grand opening isn’t far off, and they need me to be there consistently for the first twelve months.”

Nicole’s jaw dropped. “Twelve months? Twelve months in Las Vegas?”

Red licked his lips. “That’s why I brought you here, tonight. I want us to go as a family, Nicole. It would be such a crazy, fun adventure!” He leaned forward, his eyes alight. “Las Vegas is an amazing town, Nicole. It’s like Manhattan on steroids.”

“Is that supposed to make me want to go there?”

“I think you’ll love it.”

“And what about Riley? Las Vegas isn’t a good place to raise a child. It’s full of gambling and drugs and prostitution—”

Red shook his head. “That’s old Vegas,” he said. “It’s not like that anymore.

People bring their entire families on vacation now. “’‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’ isn’t the town motto these days.”

“I don’t know,” she said, pursing her lips. She wanted to share his enthusiasm, but it wasn’t working. She stared at her wine glass.

“I was really hoping you’d see what I see,” he said, his voice growing despondent. “The vision I have of us out there as a family, the excitement of opening a big casino and living someplace new, someplace different.”

“What’s wrong with where we are now?”

He looked at her, startled. “Nothing.”

“Why does it have to be new and different?” she asked. She started to realize what bothered her so much about Red’s plan for their future. “You know, it’s not just about us anymore, Red. We have a little girl.”

His jaw set. “I’m well aware, Nicole. Don’t act like I’m being the naïve, self-involved dad who doesn’t get it.”

“I won’t act like it if you don’t act like it.”

He snorted, was about to say something back, but the waiter appeared with their food. “Prime rib?” he asked, proudly offering the plates as evidence.

Red nodded curtly and Nicole thanked him as he set the identical plates on the table. Unfortunately, her appetite was gone and she picked at her food.

“Well, this didn’t turn out as I’d hoped,” Red told her. He cut a piece of prime rib and stuck it in his mouth, chewing mechanically.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you what you want to hear. I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Well, maybe I can go on my own to Vegas.”

Her head snapped back as if he’d struck her, and she felt like her eyes were as wide as two headlights. “Are you joking? Leave me and Riley for Las Vegas?”

“Keep it down, Nicole,” Red whispered, gesturing with his hand for her to tone down the volume.

“I don’t care if people know we’re arguing. I’m pissed off. How could you even suggest that you’d leave us to spend a year out of state?” Her eyes were starting to burn with unshed tears.

“Listen, now, hold on.” He put his fork and knife down. “I mean, I could come back every single weekend, do three days here and four in Las Vegas. And then, say—

once a month—you and Riley come down for a week with me. We’d be together plenty.”

“I’m not going to talk about this anymore right now,” she said. “I can’t. I’m going to get even more upset if you say another word.” Her hands shook and she grabbed her napkin just to have something to do.

“Okay, okay.” He ran a hand through his hair. “What a mess I made of this evening out,” he said, as if to himself. “I’m sorry, Nic.”

“Let’s just go. I want to go home,” she told him, rising from her chair.

“Okay. I need to pay the bill.”

“I’ll wait for you outside,” she told him. She could feel the gazes of strangers, those who’d overheard at least part of their argument, watching her as she left. She didn’t particularly care, though.

What bothered her was that Red had acted as though he’d actually be okay with an arrangement where he was away from her and the baby more than half the time. What did that say about him—and what did it say about their relationship?

For the first time in a long time, she was wondering if she knew her husband as well as she’d imagined.

***

Riley was sleeping when they got home. Red paid Jess, the baby-sitter, well for her time, and then the car service drove her home.

Riley, who was asleep in her crib, roused a little after the front door slammed.

Nicole heard her making noise and went into her room. “Hi, little one. You need to go back to sleep, sweet girl.” She walked over and kissed Riley’s forehead.

Her eyes were confused and bleary. “Ma ma,” she said petulantly, her arms outstretched.

Nicole couldn’t help herself. She picked Riley up and held her close, feeling the warmth of her little baby’s body, so relaxed and content. Moments later, Riley’s eyes had closed again, but Nicole continued to hold her, rocking her softly as she stood by the crib.

Red appeared at the door. “Hey,” he said, softly.

“Hey,” she replied.

“I’m really sorry about tonight. I’m an idiot.”

“No you’re not.”

“I’m a real jerk. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

Nicole kissed Riley’s forehead again and then gently laid her down in the crib.

She stirred, but never woke up again. Nicole put her finger to her lips and then carefully walked out of the nursery. Red went with her, closing the door most of the way.

They went to the master bedroom and Nicole made sure the baby monitor was on and they could listen to Riley’s sleeping sounds.

In the bathroom, Red and Nicole got ready for bed, brushing their teeth, washing up, not talking very much but smiling a little at one another. Some of the tension was gone now.

Nicole watched Red gargling his mouthwash and laughed.

“I love you,” she laughed.

He spit into the sink. “What’d I do right?”

“Nothing, you’re just you.” She went over and hugged him. Suddenly, she felt like she’d been really hard on him. After all, this was something that his brother had come to him with, and they’d reconnected, so obviously it was emotional for Red. And he
had
wanted to include her and Riley.

When they got into bed a few minutes later, Nicole turned to him. “If you really want to do this, I’ll consider it,” she said.

Red had a book in his hand, but he put it on the nightstand and looked at her. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

“I just freaked out. You caught me off guard and I took it the wrong way. My feelings got hurt.”

“Why?”

“Because I felt like you just wanted to move somewhere more exciting, like me and Riley are boring you or something.”

“Nicole, are you serious? You’re the love of my life and Riley is my princess. I could never feel that way about my family. But at the same time, I really want to find a way to make this work. I have a feeling this casino is going to be huge, and the arena is something that could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money. But we also have a lot of money already.”

“That’s true,” Red nodded. “But not as much as we once had. After Kane took over my company, I lost a huge portion of my net worth. I’ve gotten some of it back since then, but this move could put me right back on top. And it would be a chance to work with Jeb and Patrick.”

Again with this old friend of his, she thought. For some reason, just his name set off alarm bells in her head.

“I support you.”

“Will you come with me this weekend? Just spend a day or two in Las Vegas and see if you can envision living there for a few months?”

“Twelve months,” she said.

“Give or take,” he said, smiling.

“I don’t know how I let you talk me into these things,” she sighed.

He grabbed her and pulled her close, kissing her cheek. “You’re my angel, you know that.”

She gave him a sidelong glance. “I’ll try my best. We’ll go for a couple of days together and I’ll do my absolute best to imagine myself there, to find a way to make it work. But if I can’t do it, you promise not to be angry with me when it’s all over?”

“I promise,” he said, and saluted her. “Scout’s honor.”

“I don’t think you were ever any kind of scout. But that’s good enough for me.”

They kissed, and Red held her for a long while. And then she drifted off to sleep, dreaming vaguely of flashing lights and jingling coins and the laughter and catcalls of people living a different kind of life. People that Nicole didn’t know but could imagine, and she tossed and turned through the night.

***

Danielle was shocked when she met Nicole at the mall that morning for one of their weekly “stroll and chats.” Usually once a week, they would meet early in the morning, before most of the stores in the mall had even opened, and walk together. Riley was happy in her stroller, dozing, while Danielle and Nicole got in some exercise and a chance to gossip.

“He wants to up and move to Las Vegas?” Danielle asked, swinging her arms back and forth dramatically as they headed toward the large fountain in the middle of the East wing of the mall. “That’s crazy, Nicole. He must be having a midlife crisis or something.”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

“I’m telling you, Nic. Kane is doing the same stuff. Lately he’s started going to this boxing gym and he actually gets in the ring and punches people! He says that it’s good to release his testosterone or something.”

Nicole looked at her. “Are you serious? Kane’s boxing now?”

“I’m totally serious. He loves it. It must be the age.”

Nicole didn’t bother mentioning that Kane was significantly older than Red.

Danielle was sensitive about Kane’s age, just like she was sensitive about everything having to do with their relationship. “Well, all I’m going to do is spend a couple of nights in Vegas and see if there’s any chance of making it work.”

“I think it’s a bad idea.”

“Maybe so, but I’m doing it.”

“What about Riley? Are you bringing her?”

“Of course.”

“To a weekend getaway in Vegas? How is that going to be any fun?”

“I can’t just leave her home.”

“Why not?” Danielle said. They slowed down next to the fountain and she sat down on one of the chairs nearby, and tied one of her shoelaces.

“For starters, I don’t have anybody to watch her.” Nicole slowly moved the stroller back and forth, keeping the motion going so Riley didn’t wake up and cry. She could be cranky at this time of day.

“I’ll watch her,” Danielle said, finishing with her laces and looking up. “I’d love to do it.”

“That’s sweet of you, but I couldn’t.”

“It wouldn’t be a problem. Kane and I could play house together.” She grinned.

Nicole was unsure of the idea. Did she even trust Danielle with Riley? She wasn’t certain that her best friend truly understood how demanding it could be to watch a child for that length of time. “She’s a lot of work, Danielle.”

Danielle stood up and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You don’t think I can do it.”

“Of course I do,” she said, but maybe her heart wasn’t in it.

Danielle glared defiantly at her. “I better be able to do it, because I’m pregnant.”

Nicole was stunned. She literally was at a loss for words.

And that’s when Danielle began crying. She buried her face in her hands and started to sob uncontrollably.

Nicole hugged her. “It’s okay,” she soothed. “Shhh...”

“You think I’m going to be a terrible mommy!” Danielle cried.

“Not at all. I’m just surprised. You never mentioned anything about wanting kids, or that you and Kane were trying. Does he know about the pregnancy?”