Chapter 32 Nikki

My eyes almost burst out of my face as they widen with shock.
“Pick anything you want Nicole.” My eyes peer past the menu, lowering it enough for Bronson to see my widened look.
“Yeah, see I would, however that would require you to put out a personal loan.” I put the menu down on the table littered with more glassware than we will ever need and stare in awe as Bronson chuckles once again.
It’s the second time I have been able to make him laugh and I swear it’s starting to become my mission. Brody is used to my sarcasm; Charles absolutely loathes it and Mick, and the other Bandits normally ignore it. I’ve never made someone laugh from my strange and quick-witted sense of humor and knowing I can bring a man like Bronson Fortworth down a notch with it, is surprisingly heartwarming.
“Nicole, please don’t look at the prices. It’s the same thing as the clothing. I make good money and I am not ashamed to go to expensive places and get what I want.”
“I understand you not caring for prices Bronson, but even you have to see that these people are making fools of you.” I grab my glass of water and take a sip looking around as I notice the place packed with patrons around the dining area and the bar. Everyone is dressed in elegance and littered with thousand-dollar suits. I look down and want to shy at the fact that I’m wearing a pair of jeans and a long sleeve tee. Bronson didn’t seem to care when I got dressed and met him down at the hotel lobby, but now that we are here, I wonder if he feels embarrassed being around me.
“You have to live a little Nicole.” Again, my eyes meet his and I see the warmth still resonating around as his blue eyes darken. I give him a question look and he clears his throat, sits up forward and continues. “I make a lot of money, but I don’t necessarily do my job for the money. I like the power it gives me, the ability to demand anything and everything. I enjoy my work and put one hundred percent of myself into it every single day. I make no apologies for what I want, and if I want to spend nearly a thousand dollars on a simple dinner with a beautiful woman, then that is what I will do.”
Beautiful.
He called me Beautiful.
I hate that I can feel my cheeks warm along with my neck and ears. Bronson has been nothing but kind and sweat since I’ve met him and despite me being a complete brat with him most of the time, he’s still here, by my side, wanting to help.
I don’t exactly know how to react with him anymore.
“So, Nicole. What sounds good tonight? Don’t look at the prices, for once in your life, forget about second guessing yourself, let your guard down and just pick.”
“You really want me to just let go?”
“For one night.”
Why does it feel as though we aren’t talking about dinning in a restaurant?
I pretend to ponder his request, tapping my finger on my chin earns me a chuckle then I smile and look him in his eyes. “Then you have to stop calling me Nicole. I get that you’re being courteous and I suppose I dug my own grave my not admitting we are friends, but Bronson you’ve come to be important to me and I want you to start calling me Nikki.”
He looks at me for a while. I’m sure I’m going to either get some reprised start of the conversation about how Nicole sounds more distinguished or some lighthearted jab at my retort on our non-friendship statement, but instead, his eyes warm and his heart opens into his words.
“Nikki it is.”
And that’s how we spend the rest of the evening. The waiter comes by and takes our order, Bronson holds back his chuckle at my trying to order something in French, and we make light conversation. We eat our delicious meal, split an amazing tiramisu and when it comes to paying the bill, Bronson surprises me by giving the waiter his card without looking at the bill once.
“So, no family outside of your grandfather?” I ask as the waiter walks away with the bill in tow. Bronson had just finished telling me the story of him getting the company he now owns in his grandfather’s will. We’ve been making light conversation all night, making sure to steer clear of our pasts but when Bronson brought up him running the company from his grandfather, I unfortunately had to know more.
“Yes.”
“How vague of you.” I giggle then sip at my third glass of wine.
“I don’t mention them much. No one really knows me well enough to ask about family and I suppose I’ve gotten used to not talking about them.” He shrugs.
“Then consider me lucky.” I state. Bronson shifts uncomfortably and I take note in all his uncomfortable gestures. He wasn’t lying when he says he’s gotten used to not talking about them.
“I have a mother, a father, a brother and a sister. I don’t speak to any of them and I, like them, like to keep it that way.”
“So, your whole family isn’t close?”
“No. They’re close, just not with me.” I look down and nod my head, twirling my thumbs around each other. I can tell that was hard for him to admit, and I don’t want to push him on the subject. Tonight, started out as an amazing night and I don’t want to ruin that with dredging up his dark past. I have one of my own and would hate for it to be on the spot.
“Thank you for taking me out tonight Bronson. It’s been a while since I have laughed like this or had this much fun.”
I’m granted a soft smile and stand when he does, coming over and extending his hand with mine. The waiter comes and thanks us and before we leave, I grab Bronson’s wallet, pulling out his wad of cash and laying it on the table, winking at the young waiter and laughing at his gasp for his tip. I have no idea how much I just placed onto the table, no doubt something that could cover ones rent for a few months but instead of anger, Bronson just chuckles and calls me a but then takes my hand once again.
Walking out, I watch as he walks right over to the waiting SUV where I notice Rand is driving and Landen is in the passenger seat. Bronson opens the door for me, and I hop in smirking at Rand’s narrowing gleam. Once Bronson steps inside we head back to the hotel where I sleep soundly for the first time in years.