As soon as they were in his car, Raina whipped around in her seat to face him. Nick didn’t even look disturbed, just put the car in gear and pulled away from the restaurant.
“Thank you, Nick, for saving my pretty ass back there. That was such a selfless and kind thing for you to do,” Nick parroted in a high, feminine voice.
“Thank you? You want me to thank you for lying to everyone that we’re engaged?”
“Ridley told me what happened. That crowd wanted a story and they were going to keep digging until they got one. I figured if we just gave them what they wanted, maybe they wouldn’t keep pushing. Although I’m not entirely sure it worked.”
“Ridley told you what happened?”
“Well, she only told me that you were having a rough time. And that your engagement is off.”
“I can’t believe she did that. I told her that in confidence.” Incensed, Raina couldn’t even think of anything else to say. She’d never held anything back from her sister. It wouldn’t even occur to her not to tell Ridley something. But she’d never had to worry about her sister blabbing her business before.
It felt like she’d been slugged in the stomach.
“Don’t look like that. She didn’t mean to. I found one of those brochures for the sperm bank and I thought it was hers and Jackson’s. After an incredibly awkward conversation in which I offered to be their sperm donor, she might have let a few things slip. Although, you can’t really blame her. She was probably just flustered. I think I’m permanently scarred by that conversation, too.”
Raina tried not to smile. She was still pissed at him and was determined not to let him joke his way out of it. “Oh, well. Good. I mean, it’s really none of your business.”
“You’re right. It isn’t. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still want to know if you’re okay.”
Raina didn’t answer, just looked out the window as they raced along the streets and then pulled out onto the highway.
“Wait, where are you going? Town is the other way.”
“I’m not taking you back to town. I’m taking you to my place in Virginia Beach. Just hang tight—we’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”
“Are you crazy? First you take over my press conference. Now you’re kidnapping me?”
“You want to go back to your house right now with all those vultures watching?”
“I have to at least let Sam know where I am.”
Nick frowned. “Oh yes, you can’t make a move without letting your loyal watchdog know where you are. Will he be jealous?”
“Don’t be an ass. It isn’t like that with us. I’m his boss.”
“Hey, I’ll let you be on top if that’s the way you like it.”
“Ugh, you are such a pig.” She turned her back to him and typed out a text to Sam. He immediately replied.
- - - Where the hell are you? Tell Alexander I’m going to kick his ass.
Raina rolled her eyes. She was surrounded by machismo. Although, she figured Sam did have a point. His livelihood was keeping her safe and she paid him very well to make sure that nothing happened to her. Jumping in a car with a guy she wasn’t even sure she liked probably wasn’t the best move.
“Nick, you really have to take me back. This isn’t cool.”
“Tell your watchdog that he can meet you at my place tomorrow morning. My building has twenty-four-hour security on site. You’re going to be the headline in tomorrow’s gossip rags no matter what you do, Raina. But you can control whether it’s good press or bad press. Which would you rather be, the scorned ex-girlfriend or the happy, future bride?”
“Okay, fine. But Sam is coming to get me first thing.”
They raced over the darkened highways until they reached the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. The radio signal shut out as soon as they entered and the car filled with the sounds of static. She reached for the knob to turn the sound down. Her fingers collided with Nick’s and she yanked her hand back. “Sorry.”
She could feel his eyes on her as they drove, but he didn’t say anything else. After about fifteen minutes they pulled off the highway. Raina sat up as they turned off the main strip. The casual vibe of the tourist area changed into a more modern look with rows of white stucco buildings. They drove up to a gate and Nick leaned out the window and handed his key tag to the man in the security booth.
“I’ve never been to this part of Virginia Beach before. I had no idea you lived here.” Raina bit her lip. She hadn’t actually meant to speak the thought aloud.
“I’ve lived here for almost two years now. I like the privacy and it has a great view. I’ll show you.”