The King Next Door

This little conversation had started out as just another of their ploys to keep people from guessing what was going on between them, but somehow it had taken a turn toward truth. Fine, she wasn’t really angry at him anymore for the kitchen fire. But he had yet to admit that it had happened simply because he hadn’t believed her capable of doing something on her own. Pride? That was the one thing about her he should understand.

Nicole had known the Kings for more than a year now, and a more prideful bunch didn’t exist. She would be willing to bet a fortune she didn’t even have that there wasn’t one of them that would willingly let go of his pride.

Well, she wasn’t a King, but her pride was just as important to her as theirs was to them. And it didn’t hurt to remind Griffin of that.

Turning to Lucas, she asked, “Did you ever hear from my insurance company?”

He glanced at Griffin, then looked back at her. Responding to the glint in her eye, he straightened up and said, “Yeah. I did. We’re good to go with the remodel, except,” he added with an uncomfortable wince, “for the deductible.”

“I know.” Nicole wanted to wince, too. She really hated raiding her already-small savings account to pay for a remodel that hadn’t been in her budget at all. But the upside, she reminded herself, was that once the deductible was met and the work done, she’d have a lovely kitchen where everything worked. Best to hold on to that thought.

“I’ll take care of the deductible,” she said, lifting her chin. “I’ll have a check for you tomorrow.”

“Nicole—”

“My house, my problem.” She faced Griffin and met his gaze squarely, not flinching at all from the banked anger she saw there.

“Fine,” he ground out. “You want to be stubborn, go ahead.”

“Wow, so gracious of you to allow me to pay my bills and meet my responsibilities,” Nicole said. “Thanks so much.”

“Play ball?” Connor asked.

“Not now, sweetie,” Nicole said at the same time that Griffin answered, “Sure.”

Lucas rolled his eyes.

Nicole narrowed her gaze on Griffin. “It’s Connor’s naptime.”

“Doesn’t look tired.”

“My son,” she said. “My call.”

A long, humming second passed before Griffin scowled and nodded. “Fine.”

Still holding Connor tight, Nicole headed out of the room. She paused in the doorway to look back at the men watching her. Lucas looked wary, but Griffin’s expression was a mixture of disgust and tightly reined anger. Well, he’d have to get used to the fact that Nicole ran her own life. She didn’t need a big, strong man making her decisions or paying her way. She didn’t need his help to raise her son, either. She’d gotten along fine on her own before he swept into her life, and she’d do just fine again once he was gone.

Although she didn’t like the sound of the word gone.

They were playing a strange game. Lovers at night, friendly enemies by day. He’d become a part of her routine, the two of them sharing everything from kitchen duties to time spent with Connor. They were building a relationship on a foundation that didn’t exist.

This was the craziest thing she’d ever done, yet she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.

Lovers or enemies?

Nicole wasn’t sure which was the truth anymore. Or if either was.

* * *

“Okay,” Lucas said when she was gone. “That was awkward.”

“Yeah.” Griffin walked to the fridge, opened it and grabbed two beers. He straightened up and tossed one of them to his cousin. “Welcome to my world.”

“She’s still completely pissed at you over the kitchen.”

“Seems that way,” Griffin mused, tossing a glance at the empty doorway. A sizzle of irritation buzzed inside him. Damn woman had a head like a rock. Hell, she should have been born a King. She would have fit right in with the rest of them.

But if she’d been a King, he wouldn’t be having her now, and that he couldn’t imagine. Still, the game they were playing was getting harder to put up with.

Yeah, most of what had just passed between them had been an act. Keep up the tension between them in front of other people so no one would suspect what was really going on. But, Griffin thought, what she had said also carried enough truth to be convincing.