Instead, he watched Lizzie move from table to table, talking to elderly relatives, covering strawberries in chocolate for a growing line of children. She laughed, held the berries under the chocolate fountain little hands couldn’t reach. One child tried to grab a strawberry too quickly and it splattered chocolate across the front of her dress. Nic held his breath, waiting for her smile to give away to exasperation or worse, anger. A second later he was holding his breath as she laughed, raked a finger across the stain and tasted it. He wasn’t close enough to hear what she said to him, but Nic could hear the young boy laughing.
Lizzie dropped down to the kid’s level and hugged him tight. When she straightened a caterer had arrived and put someone else in charge of the strawberries. The caterer handed her a damp cloth and she dabbed at the stain, but her expression never flickered. The women he knew would have gone nuts if chocolate had been smeared across their dress. His stepmother or sister would already be halfway back to their hotel in a panic. Nic couldn’t believe she genuinely wasn’t upset.
She was smiling when she snagged a wine bottle on the way to the bride and groom’s table. She filled everyone’s wine glass before sitting down. They were ribbing her about the chocolate but her smiles got brighter.
She was too good to be true. No one was that sweet. Or cute. Nic didn’t do cute.
“She’s not your type.” Pam distracted him.
Startled, he realized they were alone at the table. Couples had started dancing, including Angie and Rogan with Zachary perched on Rogan’s shoulders. His nephew was oblivious to his parents’ on-again-off-again separation.
Nic knew what it was like to be a child caught up in an adult dispute. He refused to let Zachary endure the same helpless fear when everyone fought for control of your life without thinking twice about what was good for you. No, the moment his nephew was affected by his parents’ inability to grow up, Nic planned to step in.
“Have you decided what you’re going to do?” Pam asked, pulling his attention back to her. “I’m asking because I’ve gotten another text from your father’s PA.”
“I’m not giving them an answer until Monday,” Nic reminded her. “If he texts again, the answer is no.”
“You’re going to give the old man a heart attack.”
Nic sipped his wine and swallowed down the bitter anger he’d been trying to ignore for the last two weeks. He’d known Andreas Maretti had no head for business. He’d recently lost a huge deal with a Russian oil company to Mac Sellers and now Maretti Oil was on the verge of bankruptcy. Nic couldn’t understand how Andreas had squandered the fortune his second wife brought to their marriage, but now that it had happened, he couldn’t say he was surprised.
Andreas Maretti loved money. He loved to spend it, but had no idea how to make it.
Nic accepted he was partially to blame for Andreas losing the deal, but that deal had never been Andreas’ to lose. Now, as much as he despised the idea of giving the old man one red cent, he couldn’t watch his sister and her son lose their inheritance. He watched Angie and Rogan dance. Their son’s cheek rested on Rogan’s head as the little boy tried not to fall asleep. No, he couldn’t let Maretti Oil fail.
“Wait.” Nic set his wine glass down and Pam paused typing on her phone. “Tell him I’ll be there Monday morning. We’ll sort it out.”
Pam made no effort to conceal her shock. “You are supposed to be on a flight to Hong Kong Monday morning.”
“Delay it for a few days.”
“I can’t believe you are going to bail him out.”
“I can’t either…” Distracted by a familiar flash of green, Nic turned and Lizzie was all he could see. She was dancing with her father, who for such a big man was light on his feet.
Nothing had changed over the years. She looked innocent and untouchable. He couldn’t help remembering how sweet she’d been the first time they’d danced. When he’d pulled her into his arms she fit like she’d been made for him.
“She’s very young,” Pam said before he could take a step.
He hesitated. “Yes.”
“She has worked this entire room without once glancing at this table.” Pam traded her phone for her wineglass. “She’s too sweet for you, Nic.”
He nodded again. She’d get no argument from him.
“You’re not going to do the smart thing, are you?” She sighed, shaking her head when he said,
“No.”
She pushed away from the table and held her hand out for him. “Dance with me first before you jump off that cliff.”
Pam was right. He should leave her alone.
He wasn’t going to.
Chapter Two
“Nic Maretti has been watching you all evening. You want to tell me what that’s about?”
“Your imagination.” Lizzie evaded as she danced with her father.
“He’s not for you. You have a brilliant career ahead of you and do not need the distraction. He’s too old and too much of a player.”
“He’s not that much older.”
Mac huffed. “He’s a decade older, but, Lizzie love, it wouldn’t matter if you were the same age. He won’t like it when he finds out how smart you are. I know I didn’t like it when I found out you’re smarter than me.”
“I’m not smarter than you. You always beat me at chess.”
“You let me win.” Mac’s voice gentled, making the conversation harder to bear. “He’s looking for an ornament. An undemanding girl who spends most of her time getting ready for him. Not researching millennium problems and trying to solve the secrets of the universe. His ego won’t take it.”
She tried to laugh, but it was a forced, choked noise. Because she knew her dad was right. Nic would never be interested in someone like her. “You know—” she cleared her throat, “—if he’d ever asked me out I might pay attention to what you’re saying.”
Mac laughed. “Stubborn little cuss, aren’t you?”
“You’ve obviously confused me with Stefan.”
“Stefan wishes he was as stubborn as you. Maretti has not asked you out because I made it clear at Rogan’s wedding that you were too young and off-limits.”
“You did not,” Lizzie cried. “Tell me you didn’t.”
She tried to stop moving but Mac kept them going on the dance floor. “Damn sure did and again at Zachary’s christening. He was smart enough to walk away then too. You’re twenty-one now. I’m staying out of it, but, sweetheart, he’s all wrong for you. I’m asking you to tell him no.”
“You’re worried about nothing.” Lizzie tried to lighten her voice but her throat was too tight.
“I don’t think so.” The music started to slow down. “One more thing, baby girl, I’m asking you politely to say no for his sake too. Because when he hurts you, I will tear him limb from limb and you don’t want his blood on my hands, do you, sweetie?”
“Okay,” she agreed, needing the embarrassing conversation to end.
“Good.” The music slowed to a stop and Mac glanced past her. “Maretti.”
“Sellers,” Nic rumbled from behind her, sending the hairs on the back of her neck to attention.
“Hmm.” Mac gave Nic a look that sent most men running. Lizzie swallowed hard, surprised when Nic held his ground. Mac turned to her. “Remember what we talked about.”
As soon as Mac was out of earshot, Nic held out his hand for her. “Let me guess, I’m too old for you?”
Caught off guard, she laughed. “Maybe.”
Nic eased her into his arms before she could protest. Not that she wanted to protest. The world faded to a distant memory. The heat of his body and his spicy lime scent had the same effect as a bunch of tequila shots.
“Did he really warn you off me?” Lizzie cringed.
Nic shrugged. “He did. It was refreshing. I’m used to society parents shoving their daughters at me, not trying to keep me away.”
“We’re not exactly society, are we?”
He tightened his arm aroun
d her. “I think the four hundred-odd people attending this wedding would disagree with you.”
The hand at the small of her back pressed against her before she could move away. She melted into him and tried not to think about the four hundred people she wished weren’t in the room with them.
“Lizzie, relax.” The gentleness in his voice made it worse.
“How?”
He leaned down, brushing his mouth across her forehead and setting off a chain reaction inside her. She would've jerked back if he hadn’t tightened his hold on her again.
The hand at her back stroked her lightly. “It’s okay, dance with me.”
This wasn’t a simple dance. Nothing was simple about being in Nic’s arms. She forgot reality. The connection between them felt so real it was easy to forget it was an illusion.
“I’m in town for a few days.” The music slowed. “Let me take you out to dinner.”
Her forehead hit his chest as every cell in her body screamed yes. YES! Then she remembered what her father had said. “My life’s kind of complicated right now.”
Nic flinched. “That’s my line. It’s a good one too but it won’t work this time.” His mouth brushed the top of her head. “You know as well as I do it’s only a matter of time.”
“Can I think about it?”
He nodded with a wry smile. “Yes. Think about where you’d like to go to dinner.”
She glanced sideways as Jen and Stefan moved past. They both had their eyes closed and were lost in each other. Her chest tightened, and she blinked back tears. She loved them both and she was happy for them, but things would be different now.
“They seem happy.” Nic’s hand stroked up her spine, soothing her into him again.
“They are,” Lizzie agreed. “Finally.”
“Finally?” He sounded surprised.
She took a deep breath, not wanting to think about how Judge Robicheaux and his granddaughter Madlyn had tried to break up Stefan and Jen. Anyone could see they were made for each other.
“Jen’s been through a lot. Her entire family was killed when we were kids.”
“I know about the accident. Madlyn was engaged to Robert Taylor when he was killed.”
“Madlyn?” Lizzie missed a step and he paused. “You know Madlyn Robicheaux?”
Nic’s smile was bland, but his eyes narrowed on her. “Yes, for a long time. She introduced me to your brother and Rogan when I first invested in their company.”
All the magic around her started to die. She hadn’t known Stefan and Rogan had met Nic through Madlyn. “You’re friends with her?” Lizzie choked the words out. “Do you know what she did to Jen? She lied to her, tried to convince her Stefan didn’t love her. She and her grandfather have been conspiring to take over Jen’s Trust. How can you be friends with—”
His mouth touched hers, cutting her off with an electric shock.
Lizzie tried to push back from him, unable to believe anyone would want anything to do with Madlyn Robicheaux after the things she had done. “They tried to have her committed,” Lizzie hissed, lowering her voice as her anger rose. “I can’t believe you’re friends with the Red Queen.”
Nic’s hold tightened. A tiny chill licked up her spine, sparking off a strange heat that streamed through her. He could be dangerous, she realized. Excited when she really shouldn’t be.
“She knows you call her that but I’ve never understood why.” He said it like they were discussing the weather. “I know she can be intimidating but I don’t think she’s ever decapitated anyone.”
“Not the Queen of Hearts.” Lizzie tried one last time to pull back.
“Not going to happen, bella,” he said softly, ramping her up from turned-on to nuclear meltdown.
What the hell was wrong with her? He was scaring her and she liked it? Maybe she had walked through the looking glass.
His smile told her he knew everything she was feeling. He opened his mouth but Lizzie beat him to it. “Don’t you dare tell me to relax.”
He leaned down until all she could see were his eyes. “Bella, the only thing you should be afraid of is getting blood on your dress if your father slips the short leash your mother currently has him on.”
She bit back a smile. “That’s not funny.” It might not be funny, but it was ridiculous.
“Don’t worry.” His smile turned gentle. “We’re all mad here.”
Lizzie caught her breath and couldn’t help returning his smile as he quoted the Cheshire cat, one of Lizzie’s favorite characters from Alice in Wonderland. “You know the difference?”
“Yes, but I don’t see how Madlyn compares to the Red Queen. Is it because she always wears red?”
“The Red Queen is the chess queen not the card queen. She may appear to be helping you but she has her own agenda. She’s cold and calculating and will make any move she wants to.”
“Ah.” Nic’s smile widened in appreciation. “True. You have to watch yourself around Madlyn. You might lose more than your head.”
“Exactly,” Lizzie whispered, not used to anyone catching on to her strange logic.
“You should tell Madlyn. She’ll love it. We can discuss it more at dinner, but right now I want to hold you a little longer.”
She made the mistake of looking up. He smiled that slow, sexy smile and Lizzie was lost. Why did he have to be so heartbreakingly beautiful? Why did she have to be such a sucker for gorgeous fallen angels with dangerous smiles?
“Okay.”
He brushed his mouth across hers. “Any more and I won’t stop, bella.”
She nodded and melted into him, knowing there was no way she would ever get him out of her system. She floated in his arms, drinking him in and enjoying a temporary slice of heaven. This tiny moment of perfection was all she would allow herself. She couldn’t go to dinner with Nic. Walking away from him when the song ended would be hard enough. Dinner wouldn’t stop at dinner. How would she be able to walk away then?
Nic watched Lizzie work the room. He couldn’t seem to stop. He was fascinated by the way she interacted with her family and friends. She was all smiles and laughter but her demeanor changed depending on which generation she talked to. With her elderly relatives she asked questions, nodded and listened to their answers as if she hung on every word. With her parents’ contemporaries she answered their questions politely and smiled while they hung on her every word, laughing as she floated to the next group.
With her friends she let down her guard. Laughing, kidding around, and making everyone laugh, she was a human ray of sunshine who somehow escaped being annoying. There was a kindness in Lizzie, a sweetness. He’d let himself taste it in the past. Now he wasn’t sure a taste would be enough.
“I kind of love her, Nic.” Pam nodded toward Lizzie and her father.
Lizzie was pointing out two men sitting at the Bride and Groom’s table to her father. They’d danced with other people all night, but not with each other when it was obvious to everyone they were together. Mac listened to Lizzie, shook his head in exasperation and stalked across the ballroom. He barked something at the couple and they knocked over their chairs trying to get to the dance floor fast enough to satisfy him. Lizzie hugged her dad, who brushed the whole thing off.
“You should marry her,” Pam announced. Nic choked on his wine. She patted him on the back. “Not today, Maretti, but don’t wait too long.”
“Do you want me to fire you?”
She grinned.
Then everyone was getting ready for the bride and groom’s big exit. Lizzie appeared with a large basket full of bird seed tulle pouches and handed them out to a line of children. Even his nephew, who never stood still for any reason was listening to her as she warned them with adorable fierceness to wait for her signal before they pelted anyone with the contents of their patches. They followed her out like little soldiers.
Pam was laughing and shaking her head in disbelief. “She’s good with kids.”
He sighed and tried to shake off the
pesky warm feeling turning him soft. Pam was right. She was too sweet for him but when they danced, the heaviness of his world fell away. Lizzie was different. That difference drew him like nothing ever had. He wasn’t sure what it meant, but she was twenty-one now. No reason he couldn’t find out this time.
He followed the others outside, watching as Jen stood in the back of the red convertible and threw her bouquet straight at Lizzie with such precision it was impossible for Lizzie not to catch it. Although, to her credit, Lizzie did try to sidestep but the bouquet hit her square in the chest then fell down in her arms.
The crowd roared their approval and clapped. Lizzie covered her initial horrified reaction with a bright smile. Then pulled the bouquet apart and gave all the little girls around her flowers.
Pam nudged him with her shoulder. “Seriously, I like her.”
“Seriously, you can be replaced,” he shot back, but there was no heat in his words.
He liked her too. She was a breath of fresh air and so lovely it made his chest hurt. Coming to this wedding had been a huge mistake. Dancing with her had been a critical error. Because for those few short minutes he held her, there’d been nothing but the music, how good she smelled, how soft her skin was and how peaceful and beautiful everything had seemed. It was a seductive illusion. Nic wasn’t easily seduced, but for some reason, this time he had no desire to put up a fight.
Lizzie watched the red convertible slide away in a hail of birdseed and confetti. She swallowed back a strange sinking feeling. Everything had changed without her noticing it. She wrapped the tulle bow around her wrist and decided she was going to get Jen back the first chance she got but not tonight. Not when her friend was swept away on the fairytale she’d almost given up on.
“You need a ride?” Rogan asked as he stepped up behind her. She was turning to say yes but stopped. He wasn’t alone. Angie glared at her with more open animosity than Lizzie was ready for. Nic and his assistant were standing next to her.
Outnumbered, Lizzie smiled. “No, I’m riding with Jared and Adam.”
Solving for Nic (Self Made Men...Southern Style Book 2) Page 2