Decadent Desire by Zuri Day

Author:Zuri Day
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

She sent Vince a text with a payment plan. Five thousand now, and five more for the next three months. He didn’t reply. A second text and again, nothing. She learned the one thing worse than hearing from Vince Edwards was not hearing from the extorter at all. Not knowing his movements. If he’d considered her offer. When or if he still planned a trip to PC.

When she finally received a text a few days later, his answer wasn’t what she wanted—he said no, with a smiley face and a LOL. He countered, once again demanding the whole twenty grand. She countered back and offered ten. It would take going into her savings and her first couple checks. Didn’t matter. Right now his absence was more important than a nest egg. He wanted her to wire the money. She wanted him to sign off on it first. Have it in writing that he’d no longer harass her, he wouldn’t come west and she’d pay him in full.

That exchange had happened days ago. He’d never responded. Her stomach nerves had been coiled ever since, in knots tight enough to puke. Couldn’t let the feelings show now, though. She’d signed the agreement to become the community center’s artistic director. Today’s Sunday brunch was being held in her honor at the country club instead of the Drake estate. Time to put on a positive game face. All eyes would be on her.

“How do I look?”

Julian took in the simple dress that on Nicki’s toned, curvy body looked elegant and chic. The deep cranberry color brought out the golden tones of her skin. The curly black locks usually kept bound were loose, framing her face and tickling her shoulders. A low-slung belt accented her small waist, and its gold trim was complemented by the jewelry she wore.

“You look beautiful, babe. I feel like the shy, nerdy kid who snagged the cute, hot girl and wondered how he got so lucky.”

“You sure? I’m nervous.”

“Really?”

“A little bit.”

“Why? It’s going to be mostly family there.”

“I know. But today it becomes official. I’m going to be here for at least a year.”

While the Friday night dinner had closely resembled it, Nicki had avoided the famed Drake Sunday brunch. Having been in their town a month, this was a fete, and a calculated one at that. Individually, each Drake exuded a certain type of power and confidence. As a group they could be quite intimidating, especially for someone like Nicki, who’d grown up an only child and cherished her privacy. That she and Julian had dated for two years before she met the family had gotten her labeled “the invisible girlfriend” and made the first meeting awkward. It had taken that long for her to admit she was actually in a relationship, something she’d sworn wouldn’t happen. Her first and only love was dancing. Until Julian Drake walked into her life.

“Baby, why are you tripping? You know everybody. You’ll be fine.”

“Yes, but I’m not used to seeing everybody at once.

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