Oh, the joy. I jumped up off the couch, startling both Nix and Harley and yelled out, "Mom...I mean....Mother...that's great. I'm so happy. You're going to love Danny so much. And Ryan misses you a lot."

I was jumping up and down, dancing around the apartment when I stole a look at Nix. His full attention was on me and he was grinning at me from ear to ear.

My mother's laugh had cut in, and I remember her vaguely saying, "Mom is fine, Emily. I kind of like it now."

It truly had been a marvelous day. I was so happy after hanging up the phone with my mom that I threw myself into Nix's arms and practically begged him to do dirty things to me. We had an amazing afternoon in his bedroom.

All too soon, it was time to get ready to go to the fundraiser.

I had brought my Monique Lhullier cocktail dress with me and Nix borrowed one of Linc's tuxedos, which thankfully they were both the same height and build.

I have to admit...Nix would look amazing in a burlap sack. Hell, I've never seen him dressed in anything other than a t-shirt and jeans, and he'd always looked edible to me. But tonight...in a tuxedo? He looked impossibly stunning. He even styled his hair a bit so it was layered back away from his forehead and temples, showcasing the beautiful lines and angles of his face. He didn't shave, which I loved. His forever look of stubble made sure no one ever forgot that Nix Caldwell was a rough man. And that was fine by me.

He was my rough man...for now.

When I came out of the bathroom after putting the finishing touches on my makeup, Nix stood there looking very nervous, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Are those for me?" I asked, my throat dry and my eyes threatening to fill with tears.

He nodded. "I ran down to the corner grocery while you were in the shower. It seemed like a night where flowers were in order."

I took the bouquet and held them to my nose. They didn't have much fragrance but they were lovely, and they were given to me by an incredibly closed off man. The mere fact he thought to do that for me had my heart dangerously threatening to crack wide open and suck him inside.

"They're beautiful, Nix. Let me go put them in some water."

I didn't say anymore because I could tell he was nervous and I was threatening to cry. As I went to walk by him, his arm snaked around my waist, bringing me to a stop. He put his lips against my temple and said, "I've never brought flowers to a woman before, Emily. It's a first for me."

I turned my face into his and our lips met...softly, quietly. He pulled back. "I'm having a lot of 'firsts' with you."

My heart had been hammering with excitement over those words as we drove to The Waldorf-Astoria.

Yes...it had been a practically perfect day leading up to this fundraiser.

And here I stand now...in the corridor outside of the restrooms, getting ready to go in.

And Todd Fulgram is standing here with his hand on my arm. He had appeared out of the blue, with no warning.

His move was not made with aggression, and had it not been for a slightly sad air to his whole demeanor, I would have screamed my lungs out for being trapped here. But he said quietly, "Emily...I really need to talk to you...to explain my situation."

I shouldn't trust him. I should make polite excuses and walk the other way...or run into the bathroom. But his tone is different. It's not pleading, childish, threatening or arrogant in the usual Todd Fulgram way.

It is sorrowful and scared.

My heart, damned fiend that it is, says I have no choice but to stay and listen. "Okay."

He releases my arm and pushes a hand through his hair. "First, I'm sorry for coming here. But I knew you'd be here and I had to talk to you...in person."

"I'm listening," I say carefully.

Todd leads me over to an upholstered bench set against a wall in the hallway. We both sit down, our knees angled inward. He's nervous, twining his fingers around each other.

"Emily...my father is putting an incredible amount of pressure on me to get back together with you. He wants to be tied to your father by more than just money."

I nod at him. I so get that. My mother was doing the same exact thing to me.

"He's done everything from threatening to cut me off financially if I don't seal the deal with you, to kicking me out of the family. It's why I have been so frantic for you to resume our relationship."

I almost take Todd's hand in sympathy but refrain. I don't want him to think there is any hope of something there. "I'm sorry, Todd. I know what it's like to be used for gain."

He gives me a small smile of understanding. "Your mother wants the same thing for you. You understand the importance of appearances."

I nod but I'm not sure where he's going. I thought he was on the verge of apologizing, but now I'm not so sure.

Todd is silent. He has more to say, I know it. He looks around and the hallway is quite busy. He stands and pulls me up, leading me over to a corner bordered by plants and a large four foot vase with flowers. It offers a little bit of privacy. My back is to the wall and he's facing me. He looks left and right to make sure we're alone.

"That's not the worst of it, Em. I'm really desperate here and I need your help..."

Something is obviously wrong, but Todd doesn't come off threatening. He looks frightened and overwhelmed. I'm starting to feel scared for him now. "What is it, Todd? You can tell me."

He takes a deep breath, looks up at the ceiling, then down at me. His breath comes out in a whoosh. "I can't tell you everything, but I really need to have the appearance that we are together. My father cannot know I've failed at this."

"What? You want me to have a pretend relationship with you?" The idea is preposterous.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Look, people do it all the time. I know you don't feel anything for me, and I know you're with that other guy. If we could just act like we're together, I don't care what you do on the side."

Okay, now Todd has gone overboard and is verging on complete idiocy. "Todd...that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. And the answer is no. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back."

I move to the left to walk past Todd but he reaches his arm out, grabbing mine. He pulls me to a halt and his grip is biting. "Emily...please listen to me. This is serious."

I laugh at him. "Nothing is so serious, Todd, that we would have a farce of a relationship. I'm sorry...find someone else to play your games."

I try to jerk out of his hold but it remains tight. And then I realize I've made a mistake by even giving Todd the time of day. I try to pull my arm out one more time, but I can't break free. I decide to go with a threat instead. "If you don't release me, Todd, I'm going to scream the house down."

That seems to work and his hold eases. "Emily," he says with overt desperation, but he lowers his voice to a harsh whisper so no one can hear. "I'm gay and I'm in big trouble if it comes out."

What. The. Hell?

I can't help it but I know the look on my face is probably a mix of horror, sadness, sympathy and anger all at once. However, before I can even say anything, movement over Todd's shoulder catches my eye and I gasp.

Nix is walking toward us...his eyes focused on Todd. His fists are clenched and pure savagery has taken his face hostage. The first thing that pops into my mind is the fact that Nix has suffered in the past from rage issues. He has wanted to rain violence down when he gets that way.

And I'm suddenly very frightened for Todd right now. I can tell by the furious mask on Nix's face that he's witnessed the entire exchange between Todd and I. Oh, he wasn't close enough to hear what was said, but I'm sure he saw me struggling to get out of Todd's grasp.

I immediately pull my arm away and step around Todd, walking to intercept Nix. I'm scared of him...by the look on his face. He wants to kill Todd...or at the very least do severe bodily harm to him. And there is a good chance that his wrath may be inadvertently misdirected at me.

I meet Nix five paces from where Todd and I were standing. I lay my hands on his c

hest and quickly say, "Nix...I'm okay. He wasn't hurting me. In fact, it's not what you think at all."

Nix doesn't even look at me but continues stalking toward Todd. I, of course, have no choice but to keep my hands on his chest and now I'm walking backward to keep myself in between the two men.

Tags: Sawyer Bennett Off Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net