of course. I mean, you’re both lucky to have found love in this city where people usually end up down on their luck.”
He’s tall and thin and usually smokes like a chimney, but never in front of me. I told him at the first interview that if he lit up, I’d knock him out. I don’t want that shit near my lungs.
“Let’s get started. I want to be one of the first to wish you well on your marriage.” Rick sits down, signaling to his camera guy.
“Thank you.” I put my hand on the small of Nikki’s back, leading her to the couch. “Let’s keep away from topics like where we’ll be living and where Nikki is from. I don’t want anyone harassing us there.”
Rick nods as he looks at his papers but glances up. “You do know people will find out anyway.”
“Let them dig it up on their own. I’m not giving up the information willingly.”
Nikki sends me an appreciative smile.
“All right then. We have some pictures Vince gave us. Can we show those?” Rick asks.
Nikki groans, but doesn’t say anything.
“We’d prefer you didn’t. We’ll be upfront that we weren’t exactly stone-cold sober when we wed, but I don’t think people need to see those pictures.”
“You’re killing me right now, Logan.” Rick sighs.
“If you don’t want the interview, I’ll find someone else.” I go to stand, and he holds up his hand.
“No. Sit down. I’ll make do. Just come off like you just got out of bed fucking for the last day.”
Nikki fidgets in her seat, and I wrap my arm around her, resting my palm on her shoulder.
I lean in and whisper, “Just relax. I’ll do most of the talking.”
She nods, and I kiss her temple. She tries to veer away, but I hold her firm against me and she finally realizes why. All eyes are on us.
“Let’s get this rolling.” Rick signals toward the camera.
Nikki straightens her back, placing her palm on my thigh as though it’s as natural as crossing her legs. My dick stirs in my pants, but there’s no time to address it since the cameras are rolling, so I put on a smile and hope like hell I’m as good an actor as I am a fighter.
An hour and a half later, we’re out of the hotel room, saying goodbye to Rick.
“Back to the airport?” Nikki asks.
Vince is lingering. I wish he’d go away at this point, but he’s adamant about talking to me without Nikki.
“I thought we could at least catch a show and dinner,” I say.
Nikki purses her lips. She does that a lot, I’ve noticed, but not in a mean way. She does it when she’s thinking. Almost like she weighs the good and the bad of every decision. “But we can go home first thing in the morning?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“You two should definitely go out and be seen together. Let people snap pictures and ask for autographs.” Vince butts in.
Nikki looks at him and back at me. I’m not sure she cares for Vince very much. “What am I going to wear?”
I grab her hand, linking our fingers. “Did you know Vegas has great shopping?” I tug her down the hallway. “I’ll catch you later, Vince.”
“Log!” he calls.
“I said later.”
We step into the elevator and the doors close on a very unhappy Vince. But there’s no way I can handle him telling me how to handle this right now. Being with Nikki is the first time I’ve felt like myself in so long. Before I was Logan Stone, MMA fighter.
“You can talk to him. I’m sure I can keep myself busy.” Nikki loosens her hand out of my grip.
I let her, but as soon as the elevator doors open, I’ll be grabbing it again. Especially if we’re spotted. “No. I want to spend the day with you. You’re nice enough to do all this for me. I want to pay you back with a nice meal and show.”
“You’re paying me back by getting me five guests for my podcast,” she says in a tone that suggests I might’ve forgotten my end of the deal.
“I know. Don’t worry. I’ll get them for you.”
The elevator doors open, and I take her hand. It’s so petite and soft. I love the way it feels in mine.
We’re on the casino floor in no time, and I walk us out the doors and into a waiting cab at the cab stand. It doesn’t take long to reach some stores attached to one of the