Page 91 of Timelessly Ours
“A kid? Forget it then. I’m not tryin’ to be anybody’s daddy.”
I keep my expression blank, but my tone playful as we continue to stand side by side, watching the crowd like we’re looking for someone more interesting to talk to.
I kink a brow. “Hmm. Too bad.”
An audible breath escapes his lips. “Fuck, you’re way better at this than I am.”
“You should go,” I murmur as Angel starts heading back in our direction.
With a nod, Royce excuses himself and steps away. I can almost feel how much it pains him.
Sometime later, I find Garret and Rielly lounging by a red sofa on the other side of the room. Without a second thought, I b-line toward them. I know Nick told me to stay out of it, but if anyone can catch a liar, it’s me.
But I’m stopped by someone. Someone who grips my arm not too tightly, but not very friendly either.
“Nicole, right?” the team's GM asks before he spins me around to face him.
I see red as I stare at the unwelcome hand around my arm. I don’t answer him but my brow turns up. The one that says you have two point five seconds to get your hands off me.
He does as soon as he has my attention. “Grove Randall, a pleasure to meet you.”
My jaw clenches with the fact that I can’t react the way I want to.
“Are you having a nice time?” he asks as if this is his event.
“Not at the moment.”
He chuckles. “In that case, I’ll cut right to the chase. Do him a favor, when you’re out in public, be the nanny.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He watches me. “My mistake, thought you could read between the lines.” He steps closer if it were possible. “It’s not good for him to be seen with you—as anything more than the nanny.”
“Still having trouble reading between those lines,” I say curtly.
“I don’t care what happens in his home. But not here. His job is on the line right now. Today’s win means nothing. Don’t feed the media with something that will only hurt him. Do you understand?”
I swallow. “Thanks for the tip.”
He touches my arm again and I lean in close. “Put a hand on me again, and I’ll cut off your dick with my pocketknife and hand it to your wife as a souvenir.”
He blinks and drops his hand.
“See how easy it is to speak plain English?” I whisper, then turn and weave through the crowd until I reach the balcony, desperate for the cool air to touch my burning skin. For the cold to freeze my tears in their tracks.
I’m not alone for long. Behind me, I hear the door slide open and someone stepping beside me.
“Can I tell you a secret?” Royce’s voice soothes me, and for the moment, I forget the last five minutes.
I nod in response.
“I’ve waited two years to say these words to you.” He holds his elbow out for me. “You wanna get out of here?”
24
Rory is still fast asleep in her daddy’s arms as he heads up the stairs with her.
I move in front of him and turn down her bed. Then help change her into pajamas. She barely lifts an eyelid the entire time.
