Seducing a Good Girl (Book 3 of the Billionaire Bad Boys)

14

Dominic hugged his Mother as he came through the door. “How was the tour?” She asked.

“Very good. I sold a lot of pieces.” He said proudly.

“Good for you.” His father said from the couch where he lounged lazily.

“Um, I thought we could all go out for dinner tonight. On me.” Dominic suggested.

“That sounds lovely.” His mother said with a smile.

“Good because I have someone I want you to meet.” He said casually.

His father smiled knowingly at his mother who also had a look that said she suspected something. “It wouldn’t happen to be a girl would it?” Damien Sanchez asked.

“Actually yes, it is.”

“We suspected,” Eve said walking over to a shelf and took down a tabloid and tossed it on the decretive table next to him. “Is it this woman?” She asked with a sly smile.

Dominic saw the cover was him in Florida kissing Nicki on the red carpet. “Yes, actually it is.” He confessed.

“She’s not your usual breathy blond bombshell.” His mother noted with a happy tone in her voice. She seemed pleased he had met someone. Maybe this wasn’t going to be as bad as he first thought.

“No, she’s not.”

“How’d you meet her?” His mother asked.

He was reluctant to be honest because it would only encourage his mother’s meddling but he smiled awkwardly. “We met online.” He admitted.

Eve grinned. “On that site, I signed you up on?”

“Yes.”

“What site?” His father asked getting up. He looked questioningly at his wife. “You didn’t sign the boy up on dating site, did you?”

“I did.”

“He’s a Sanchez he can’t be hooking up on dating sites.” His father said annoyed.

“He wasn’t meeting anyone of substance, so I gave him another avenue.”

“Eve we’ve talked about meddling. You said you’d stop.”

“He met a nice girl.”

“I’m so glad you think that,” Dominic said with a smile. “Because I married her.”

“What!” Both his parents snapped. The smile on his mother’s face was replaced by horror.

“You did what?” His father asked in disbelief.

“I got married… in Vegas… five days ago.” Dominic smiled and held up his hand to show off his wedding ring.

“Are you insane?” His mother snapped. “You barely know the woman.”

“I know her better than you think.”

“She’s a gold digger.” His mother snarled.

“No, she’s not.”

“Yes, she is. What sort of woman marries a rich man she doesn’t know unless she’s a gold digger?” She asked.

“You married Dad.” He reminded her.

“That was an accident,” Damien said, getting slapped by his wife. “Don’t get me wrong it was a wonderful accident but an accident nonetheless. That’s Vegas for you; you shouldn’t be allowed to get married when you’re that drunk.”

“I wasn’t drunk.”

“That makes it worse.” His father said. “How could you get married when we haven’t even met this woman?”

“Nicki is a wonderful woman if you give her a chance you’ll see that. She’s sweet, she’s beautiful, and she’s intelligent. She’s everything I could want in a woman. I love her, and I want you to like her.”

“Tell me you at least had enough sense to get her to sign a prenup?” His father demanded.

“She insisted on one,” Dominic assured them.

“Well, I suppose that’s a good thing,” Damien said with relief.

“I want to see it.” Eve insisted. Dominic figured she would so he brought it with him. He took out the paper and offered it to his parents. Eve looked at it and then looked at him with disapproval. “I hope this is a joke.”

Damien took the paper and looked at his son like he’d lost his mind. “Tell me you’re joking. This isn’t a prenup. This is nothing. It’s not legal. It’s not enforceable.”

“It’s what I have. Even if it’s not legal the fact that she signed it says something.”

“Yeah, it means she was smart enough to know you can’t enforce this and that she’d still get everything. You said yourself she’s smart. Damn it, Dom; you got played.” Eve snapped

“Ok, let’s all calm down.” Damien said trying to calm his wife, “She sounds like a lovely woman, and I’m sure I speak for your mother when I say we look forward to meeting her.”

“Great because you can meet her tonight at dinner.”

“Oh my god,” Eve grumbled. “What does this woman do?”

“She was a farmer… until…”

“Until what?”

He had to tell them. “Ok here’s the deal. A year ago, Nicki was attacked, and the assault left her crippled. She walks with a cane, and she’s very self-conscious about it. So please don’t draw attention to it.”

“What do you mean she was attacked?” His father asked.

“It was a home invasion. They beat her up and shattered the bones in her left leg. They reconstructed it, but it left her with a very noticeable limp. So, she is in rehab for the last year she doesn’t work.”

“That’s terrible,” Eve said.

“It is.” Dominic agreed. “She’s a perfectly wonderful woman, and I think you’d like her if you gave her a chance. After all, I met her because you signed me up for that site and it worked.”

“In all honesty, I thought you’d meet a lawyer or a doctor, or at the very least a businesswoman, someone independent and successful, but instead you run off with a poor farmer who’s not even that anymore.”

“You didn’t like Max or Cassia either.”

“But at least they both had jobs.”

Dominic shrugged his shoulders. “You know what, forget about dinner. If you can’t be supportive and nice, I don’t want you to meet Nicki. I won’t subject her to your abuse.” He said heading for the door.

“Dominic, don’t be that way.” His father said stopping him. “Your mother promises to be nice.

Both father and son looked at Eve as if waiting for her to commit to her husband’s promise. When Eve didn’t answer, Damien took his wife by the arm and escorted her to the farthest corner of the room and lowered his voice. Dominic wasn’t sure what was said, but they were arguing most likely about her behaviour. Dominic couldn’t tell which of them was winning, but from experience he’d bet it was his mother. In all his life she’d never lost a fight.

***

“The boy has lost his bloody mind,” Eve said harshly. “He married a stranger.”

“He seems to be in love with the girl.”

“So, what? He’s infatuated. When it wears off, he’s going to realize he was tricked but he’ll already be trapped. If he leaves her, she gets half of everything he is. It’s diabolical.”

“Maybe she does love him too. We don’t know; we don’t know her. We should meet the girl before we judge the girl.”

“I don’t need to meet her to know she manipulated him.”

“Think of it this way. Dom believes he’s in love and if we don’t accept the girl, we will only drive him off. He’ll stop talking to us and grow to resent us. All we can do is accept this crazy marriage and hope for his sake it works out.”

“And when it doesn’t.”

“Then we’ll be there for him, and we’ll help him. Until then trashing his wife will only isolate him from us. I know you can be sweet when you want to be but attacking this woman like a mother lioness protecting her cub will only cause problems.”

“He married a stranger.” She could not stress that point enough.

“It could work.”

“It will not work.”

“That’s what people said about us.” He reminded her. “We have to trust our son is smart enough to make his own life choices. You’re an excellent mother you raised the boy well. It’s time to trust him.”

Eve sighed she knew her husband was right but she didn’t want to admit it. Fine, she’d meet the woman that stole her son and try to be nice. “Fine, I’ll try to be less critical.”

“And not so mean.”

“I’m not the mean one you are.”

“Maybe with the rest of the world but when it comes to our boys’ girlfriends, you are simply vicious.”

“I’ll be nice.” They turned and went back to their son. “We would love to meet Nicki.” She said trying to keep the annoyance out of her tone.

“Really?” Dominic asked skeptically.

“Yes.” Eve sighed. “She’s important to you, so we want to meet her.”

Dominic smiled. “Ok, I’ll meet you at Alfonzo’s in two hours. I’m going to go get Nicki.” He said happily and then walked out the door.

“I hope you’re right.” Eve snarled at her husband. “But if it turns out I’m right all bets are off. If that woman breaks my boy’s heart, I’m going for the jugular.” She warned and walked away.

***

Nicki enjoyed her hot bath. It was very relaxing. It was so calming Nicki had fallen asleep in the tub and woke when she heard her cell phone ring. Nicki reached for the phone next to the tub and answered it. It was Dominic telling her to dress up they were going out for dinner at a fine Italian restaurant. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” He’d said before hanging up.

She supposed it was time to get out. The water was getting cool anyway. Getting out was a little harder than getting in. Climbing up the slippery steps without her cane was a struggle, but she managed. She dried off and dressed in a pair of black slacks and a blue silk shirt. She was brushing out her hair when Dominic walked through the door.

“Great you’re ready.” He said looking her over. “And you look great. Let’s go.”

“What’s the rush?” She asked as he ushered to the door.

“We have people waiting on us.”

“Who?” She asked as he locked the door.

“My parents.”

Nicki’s heart almost stopped. “Your parents? Oh my, I don’t think I’m ready. Do you think I am dressed right?”

“Yes, you look fine.” He assured her pressing the elevator button. “They are going to love you, just be your usual charming self.” He smiled at her.

“What if that’s not good enough?” She asked worriedly.

“That’s the woman I fell in love with it will be enough.” He promised.

The whole drive over was tense. Nicki was worried about meeting Dominic’s mother. He’d warned her about this woman and frankly, his warning, which should have prepared her, had only succeeded in frightening her.

They pulled up in front of the restaurant. They started inside, and as they went through the door, Nicki chickened out and turned around heading back out the door. “I can’t do this.” She said fleeing.

Dominic grabbed her and redirected Nicki back inside. “Come on Doll; you got to meet them eventually, it might as well be tonight.”

Dominic walked Nicki to a table where an older couple was already seated and served drinks. The man was in his late sixties but gorgeous with his dark hair, bright green eye, and clean-shaven jaw. If this was the Son of Sin Nicki could defiantly understand why. Next to him was a stunning dark-haired woman with the same steel blue eyes as Dominic. Nicki recognized her from Dominic’s painting of the ballerina. It was cute to see them together. They had been talking quietly, and they were holding hands openly on the table.

When they saw Dominic and Nicki, they stopped holding hands and stood up to greet them. “You must be Nicki?” The man said. “I’m Damien, Dominic’s father. This is my wife, Eve.” He introduced them as he shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Damien then looked at his wife whose expression was less than pleased, but she took Nicki’s hand and shook it anyway.

Suddenly Eve smiled which made her more intimidating, which was strange given she was a fairly small woman. Eve Sanchez was short and dainty. Though she no longer danced, she maintained a dancer’s body. She looked so elegant and sophisticated in her peach dress, with her dark hair scooped up off her slender shoulders. “It’s so nice to meet the woman that has stolen my son.” She said with a smile.

Nicki wasn’t sure she’d heard her right. “Sorry?”

“I said it was nice to meet the woman who has stolen my son’s heart,” Eve said taking her seat.

Nicki was pretty sure that was not what she’d said the first time. She looked at Dominic and Damien, and from their less than pleased expressions, Nicki knew she was right. Damien shot his wife a ‘what the hell’ sort of look as he took his seat.

Dominic glared at his mother for a moment and then smiled at Nicki as if she hadn’t just been rude. Dominic pulled out the chair for Nicki and took the seat next to her. “Order anything you want Doll.” He said handing her one of the menus that had been sitting on the edge of the table waiting for them.

Nicki looked at the menu. “Oh, the seafood linguini sounds good,” Nicki said getting excited by the menu.

“Good choice,” Eve said as her eyes scanned the menu. “I think I may have the same thing?” Eve placed the menu down on the table in front of her.

“So, Nicki what do you do?” Damien asked and received an annoyed look from his son. “Sorry. I mean how do you spend your days?” Damien’s eyes narrowed like he knew he’d said the wrong thing again. He was trying not to draw attention to the fact that she did nothing.

Nicki knew she wasn’t like Cassia and Maxine she didn’t have a glamorous job or a fancy education. She wasn’t talented or well bred. She wasn’t beautiful or sophisticated. His parents must have been wondering what Dominic saw in her because she brought nothing to the relationship. She was a poor pathetic cripple she would do nothing but bring Dominic down.

“It’s ok; I don’t do anything… anymore.” She sighed. This dinner was shaping up to be a disaster.

“Do you have any goals?” Damien asked.

Did walking again count as a goal? “No.”

There was a strained silence at the table, and the waitress appeared beside them asking if they were ready to order. They each ordered their meal. “Would you like a drink?” The waitress asked.

“God yes,” Nicki said quickly. “A whisky in water.” She ordered. “Thank you.” She was going to need something strong to get her through this dinner.

The waitress returned quickly with their drinks and Nicki drank the whole thing nervously and handed the glass back to the waitress. “Do you think it wise to drink that fast?” Eve asked reaching for her water, “It’s going to go straight to your head.”

“Nicki doll, calm down. It’s ok.” Dominic whispered. “She’s just nervous. You’re making her nervous.” He complained as he took Nicki’s hand in his and gave it a supportive squeeze.

“There is no reason for her to feel nervous,” Damien said with an easy smile. “Right?” He said looking at his wife.

“Right.” She said humouring her husband, but Nicki wasn’t feeling the love. “So, Nicki you must have some aspirations, and now that you’re a Sanchez you have the means to achieve anything. What would you like to do with your life?”

“Nicki reads a lot,” Dominic said when she didn’t answer right away. “She’d like to be a writer. I think she’d be a very good writer.”

“A writer?” Damien seemed impressed. “What kind of writer? Fact or fiction?”

“Um, fiction… I guess.”

“What genre?”

“Mysteries.” She always enjoyed reading them she could probably write one.

“I enjoy mysteries,” Damien said with the first genuine smile he’d offered her. “It would be interesting to have a writer in the family.”

“Have you taken any writing classes?” Eve asked.

“No.”

“Then what qualifies you to be a writer?”

Nicki shrugged, she supposed nothing. “How about passion or raw talent?” Dominic suggested. He had such faith in her even though she had none in herself.

“And does she have either?” Eve asked.

“You're awfully pessimistic.” Dominic snapped at his mother.

“I'm realistic. If she doesn’t believe in herself, no one else is going to. She’ll never be a successful writer if she can’t sell herself.” Eve said and then reached for her water.

“Mom.” Dominic snapped.

“No, she’s right,” Nicki said. Eve wasn’t wrong. If Nicki couldn’t convince herself she was any good, then she would never be able to convince anyone else.

Eve put her glass down and looked across the table at Nicki. “Look, Nicki; I think Dom has the misguided belief that I don’t like you.” Funny she got that feeling too. “It’s not that I don’t like you. In truth, I don’t know you enough to tell if I do or don’t but as a mother, I worry for my son. I, more than anyone, want to see Dom settled down and happy, but this marriage is a little sudden. You’re a smart girl I’m sure you can understand how that can be concerning for his father and me. You must know how this makes you look.”

Did she suggest Nicki was only with Dominic for his money? “I’m not manipulating your son,” Nicki said in her defence.

“That’s yet to be seen.”

“Mother.” Dominic snapped.

“Now I’m not trying to be rude. God willing I’m wrong. I would never be happier to be wrong. I believe in love. After all, I found it, but even with my hasty marriage people thought I was a gold digger. Men like my son are often targets.”

“You think I’m using Dominic? That I’m in it for the money?”

“I think what my wife is trying to say is that we wouldn’t be good parents if we didn’t look out for our children’s best interest. If we didn’t at least question the motives, we wouldn’t be looking out of him.” Damien came to his wife’s defence. “So far, you seem like a perfectly wonderful woman.”

“And our son seems very taken with you,” Eve added. “So, we hope this works out we do. We feel it might have been rushed. That maybe you two would have benefited from getting to know each other a little better before you jumped into the deep end. I mean how do your parents feel about this?”

Nicki cast her eyes down. “We haven’t told my father yet.”

“Why not?” Eve asked. Nicki couldn’t answer. “You don’t think he will approve?”

“Mom.”

“No, if her parents wouldn’t approve of this crazy marriage why should your father and I be held to a higher standard?”

“Look I know I don’t bring as much to the table as Dominic does…”

“That’s an understatement,” Eve muttered.

“Mom!”

“I’m just saying she got the better end of this deal.”

“You know what I might not be Harvard educated or come from money, but I’m not going to sit here while you tear me down. I have enough s**t in my life. I don’t need you two adding to it.” She stood up grabbed her cane and headed for the door.

Dominic glared at his parents and then got up and followed Nicki outside. “Nicki,” he called to her catching up to her outside, “I am so sorry about my parents.”

“I’m sorry I can’t sit there and smile while they insinuate I’m not good enough for you. You know I’m not with you for the money.”

“I know.” He said caressing her face. “I’m not defending their behaviour, but your father wasn’t any warmer to me if you would remember.”

“My Father didn’t suggest you were worthless.”

“No, he called me a pedophile, which if you ask me is far worse.” He said taking her hand. “It will take time, but they will learn to accept you like your father will learn to accept me. We can’t let their opinions define our relationship.”

“She’s right though. I don’t know why you are with me. I bring nothing to this relationship. I am nothing.”

“You are everything to me, and you can be anything you want to be. I’ll help you achieve any goal you set.”

“I’m a farmer. I have no education. I’m not qualified to do anything.”

“So, go to school. Pick something, and I’ll pay for you to get an education in anything you want. You’re twenty-one it’s time to decide what you want to do with your life and do it.”

“My leg-”

“You have a limp; you have to stop letting your disability be all you are, it’s time to start your life.” He was right she knew he was. These past few weeks off the farm had shown her there was life outside her little-sheltered world and she enjoyed it. She wanted to be more. Dominic believed in her it was time she showed him he was right to do so. He deserved a wife that was the best she could be and stopped feeling sorry for herself. Suddenly Dominic smiled. “You know what? I think I know what will make you feel better about yourself.”

“What?”

“We need to get rid of this cane. You need to start going back to physiotherapy, and we need to get you a better brace. Something custom made for your needs.”

“But my physiotherapist is in Helena.”

“New York has doctors too, some of the best in the country. I’ll make some calls and see if I can get you an appointment.”

“Doctors take weeks and referrals to get appointments.”

Dominic chuckled. “Not when you’re a Sanchez. The thing you got to learn is there is nothing we can’t do.”