When the Heart Lies - By Christina North Page 0,40
his head to the side, answering in a humorless tone. “Why I married Kinsley instead of a gold digging slut like you.”
The women gasped. Jackson covered his mouth with his fist and pretended to clear his throat while attempting to hold back laughter. Not because the comment was funny, but because of the absurdity of the statement. Were Nick’s balls actually this big, or were they just the best money could buy? Witnessing this scene almost made up for having to fly to New York.
“Jesus Nick,” Xavier said, grimacing and shaking his head.
She stood and slammed her chair into the table. “I’m no more of a slut than you are, Nick, and everyone knows it.”
“You’re right, Stephanie. Only difference is, I was plowed when I screwed you. If I hadn’t been, I would’ve remembered that you don’t know how to keep your mouth shut.” The unavoidable slap in the face came fast. It was brisk, but no more than a provocation. Everyone stared at Nick as Stephanie stomped away.
Both of Nick’s hands flew into the air and his mouth opened. “What? You can’t deny she had it coming.” He glanced around the table. When no validation came, he shrugged and returned to his steak.
Angela cut in. “I have to excuse myself to go to the ladies room and freshen up.”
Once she left, Olivia turned her attention to Xavier. “Xavier, do you think I could talk to you in private for a few minutes.”
“Sure. Let’s go over to the lounge.” Xavier stood and held his hand out, signaling to Olivia to take the lead as they headed in that direction.
Olivia’s maneuver effectively gave Jackson the time alone he’d need with Nick. Once Xavier and Olivia were out of sight, both he and Nick began to talk at the same time.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” With a nod, he signaled Nick to continue.
“No worries.” Nick said. “Just tell me to mind my own business if I’m being too forward. Are you two exclusive?”
Evidently, Nick wasn’t the type of guy who hinted around. His direct nature would make Jackson’s job a lot easier.
“No. Not at all. We’re friends—with benefits, occasionally.” He wasn’t comfortable labeling himself and Olivia that way, but he was posing as her date. Chances were he’d have to remind her of that. “Feel free to tell me to get lost, too—when I ask you what the hell just happened?”
Nick threw his glance in the direction Stephanie hightailed it to after she laid one on him and huffed away. “Like my mother said, she has some nerve. The woman nearly cost me my family. I took her out a few times. She got clingy and the entire club found out about the indiscretion within weeks. Happened nearly six years ago. I suppose she thought my wife would dump me. Kinsley’s not like that. She kept it in the family, and it blew over. We had our issues over it.” He motioned toward the lounge where Xavier and Olivia went. “You probably guessed. “That―has nothing to do with business.”
Jackson laughed. “Yeah, she told me about him ahead of time.” He wondered if Nick knew anything about what was going on with Kinsley. Xavier and Olivia stayed tight-lipped about Nick’s role when it came to Kinsley, and Nick talked about her as if she was still with him.
Nick widened his eyes briefly. “Sounds like a nice arrangement.” He lifted his chin toward the lounge. “She followed him around like a puppy dog for years.”
Unable to imagine Olivia exhibiting puppy-like behavior, he smiled. “Are you sure you don’t mean Rottweiler?”
They laughed.
“I’m sure she could be that, too,” Nick said. “Sexy woman, though. No disrespect, but I’d take a shot at her myself, if I didn’t think he might be love with her.”
The way Nick talked—infidelity was the most natural thing in the world. It didn’t appear he was trying to impress him either; clearly, this was his typical line thinking.
“Told me she couldn’t break him down in the long run, and he broke it off,” Jackson said.
“I don’t see why she couldn’t. He and my mother have been in separate bedrooms for a few years now. I guess they never recovered from the affair. The guy makes me come across like a vulture. He’s always doing the right thing, nearly a saint, other than Olivia for Christ’s sake.”
Jackson took a sip of his drink and stared at the glass he was rotating slowly in his hand. “Everyone has their secrets.” He met Nick’s