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“Yeah,” he said. “You pretty much flipped the bird at your parents as soon as you got out. How did you manage to buy your house so quickly?”
“I’m surprised you didn’t get that information, too,” she said. “My grandfather on my mother’s side left me a small trust. I quickly learned the joys of economizing.”
“You and I have more in common than you think. I learned the so-called joys of economizing early. You learned them later. I bet that wasn’t easy.”
“I actually had to read a few books on the subject,” she confessed. “Need versus want. I learned to budget.” She laughed. “Tabitha considered the word budget profane.”
“I can see that. I went shopping with her in South Beach a few times.”
“You went shopping with my sister?” Nicole said in surprise. It was hard for her to imagine Rafe indulging her sister to such a degree.
“Jewelry shopping,” he said. “She wanted diamonds, but never in the form of a ring.”
“Oh,” Nicole said, and actually felt embarrassed for her sister’s greedy behavior. “Sorry.”
“You live and learn. At one time, I would have said it was part of her charm.”
“And now?”
“Tabitha was a taker.”
Nicole couldn’t defend her sister, because what Rafe said was partly true.
“Very different from you,” he said, studying her. “I wonder what would have happened if I’d met you first.”
“It wouldn’t have made any difference,” Nicole said, sitting back, after she realized she’d been leaning toward him, her hand inches from his knee. “We’ve already discussed this. Tabitha was like a flower to bees when it came to attracting men.”
“The challenge with Tabitha was to keep her entertained,” he said. “With you, the challenge is getting in the door. I can see through the window,” he said, sliding his hand over her brow. “There’s a lot inside.”
“Not worth the trouble,” she said lightly, despite the fact that she felt herself tremble.
He shook his head and rubbed his thumb over her lip. “You’re a terrible liar, Nicole. I like that about you.”
After Rafe and Nicole arrived at the charity function, Rafe introduced Nicole to his business acquaintances and she excused herself to say hello to the speaker. He couldn’t help but notice her enthusiasm as she talked with the man, and fought an odd jab of irritation.
Rafe turned back to his client and was displeased to learn that he’d been having talks with Nicole’s father. He wondered if Nicole had somehow picked up on one of his conversations and leaked some information to her father. Would she help her father steal one of his deals? The possibility made his blood boil.
As Nicole walked toward him, he decided to conduct a test. “Nicole, I’d like you to meet Derek Crawford. Derek owns a yacht-leasing company and we’ve been working together for the last month.”
Derek, a middle-aged man with a huge ego, appeared to stand a little straighter at the sight of Nicole.
“Derek, this is Nicole Livingstone,” Rafe said and watched both Nicole and Crawford. Crawford’s smile dipped slightly.
“Livingstone,” he repeated and cleared his throat. “What a coincidence. You wouldn’t be related to Conrad Livingstone Yachts, would you?”
Nicole nodded. “He’s my father,” she said and accepted the man’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Rafe tells me you’re an astute businessman, so I can see why you enjoy working with him.”
“And what would you say of your father?” Crawford asked with a cagey smile.
“My father kept his business separate from family, so I don’t have any real experience. He’s obviously been successful, though,” she said in a neutral tone. “Do you live in Fort Lauderdale most of the year?”
“Since I own several yachts, I live anywhere I want. How did you meet Medici if not through your father?”
Nicole hesitated. “Through my late sister, actually. Oh,” she said glancing toward the crowd of people moving toward the seats. “It looks like they’re getting ready to start the keynote. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Crawford.”
“All mine,” he said then looked at Rafe and lifted his eyebrows. “I’ll be in touch. Can’t beat the combination of a Livingstone and a Medici.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats in preparation for our guest speaker,” a man at the front of the room announced.
“That’s our cue,” he said and led Nicole to their table at the front.
She stiffened at his touch. “Is that the reason you wanted me to come tonight? Because you’re competing on this deal with my father?”
“What are you talking about?” he asked in a low voice.
“Is the reason you wanted me to join you tonight so you could parade Conrad Livingstone’s daughter in front of the competition? Your chance to use me to get ahead?”
He narrowed his eyes. “On the contrary. The first I heard about your father trying to steal my deal was through Crawford tonight. I wondered if you had overheard me and warned your father so he could make a deal.”
Her jaw dropped in gratifying shock and Rafe had his answer. Nicole hadn’t tried to sabotage his business deal.
Anger glinted through her blue eyes. “You don’t know me at all,” she said and turned her attention to the speaker.
Throughout the speech, he could feel her seething in her seat. While he was tempted to escort her out of the room so they could settle this once and for all, Rafe bided his time. They had the entire drive back to South Beach.
The second the speech ended, Nicole sprang from her chair. Rafe joined her, circling her wrist lightly with his fingers.
She turned her head to glance meaningfully at his hand. “I want to say hello to the speaker.”
“Introduce me,” he challenged.
She exhaled in frustration and tugged her hand away from his, going to the front of the room. “Great job, Gerard, as usual.”
The rough-hewn man with shaven head cracked a grin. He stepped toward Nicole, and Rafe noticed a slight limp. “Always glad to get praise from Atlanta ’s prettiest peach. I only got to talk to you for a minute before my speech. I didn’t get to ask you what you’re doing down here.”
Gerard glanced past her shoulder, meeting Rafe’s gaze. “Are you with-”
“Nicole is with me,” Rafe said, extending his hand. “Rafe Medici.”
Nicole tossed him a sideways glance. “This is Gerard Thomas. I would say he’s ex-marine, but-”
“Once a marine, always a marine,” Rafe finished for her.
Gerard nodded, his gaze observant as he appeared to assess the relationship between Nicole and Rafe. “Is this a permanent move?”
“Not-” Nicole began.
“I’m working on it,” Rafe said.
“It’s complicated. Rafe is Joel’s biological father.”
“Oh. I didn’t know he was in the picture.”
“I am now,” Rafe said.
“It’s a transition period. Rafe lives in South Beach.”
Gerard nodded. “I’d hate to see the veterans in Atlanta lose you.”
“Nothing is settled,” she said.
“I don’t live far from here, so give me a call if you decide you want to work down here.” He turned to Rafe. “Nice meeting you, Mr. Medici. We all think a lot of Nicole. She’s a special woman. Joel has always been her number-one priority.”
“He still is. Good meeting you,” Rafe said, stepping aside with Nicole as other people pushed forward to speak with Gerard. “Ready to go?” he asked Nicole.
She gave a single mute nod and he sent a programmed text to the chauffeur. As they walked outside, the limo appeared and Dan quickly opened the door.
Rafe followed Nicole inside and set down the privacy panel. His cell rang and it was Maddie asking about the Crawford deal. “I have it under control,” he said.
“Do you need me to come over in the morning for a briefing?” she asked. “I know this is a big deal.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’m staying on this one personally.”
“Okay, I’ve found some more yachts on Grand Cayman you might be interested in. Would you like us to take a quick flight down tomorrow? I can make the arrangements.”
Rafe glanced at Nicole, who had opened a bottle of water and was flipping through a magazine. “No. I have other plans.”
“Okay, but I know how you hate to miss out on a good deal. I think some of these are distress sales.”
“They can wait. I’ll see you Monday morning,” he said and turned off the phone. He allowed his gaze to rest on Nicole. Her sophisticated black dress dipped just low enough to draw his attention to her br**sts. The sight of her silky brown hair made him want to feel it all over his n**ed skin. The possessiveness that tugged at his gut took him by surprise.
“Anything I should know about you and Gerard Thomas?”
She glanced up at him in surprise. “What do you mean? I’ve known him for about two years. He was seriously injured after 9/11 and was honorably discharged. He’s a tireless advocate for veterans, and he’s always been supportive of me and kind to Joel.”
“Joel?” Rafe echoed. “When did he meet Joel?”
“A few times when he was in town. He always brought a toy.”
“I thought you said you hadn’t been involved with any men,” he said.
“I haven’t. Gerard’s a colleague and friend.”
“Who wanted and still wants more,” Rafe said.
Nicole shrugged. “He may have asked me out a few times, but I didn’t-” She broke off. “It wasn’t good timing.”
“Now?”
“Now, it’s worse,” she said, then frowned. “Why are you asking me this?”
