Jilt Trip

“Good God almighty, what’s this?”

“Defatted chicken broth,” she replied in that same conciliatory voice. “It’s good for you.”

He rolled gritty eyes toward her. “You’ve shanghaied me. Don’t pretend you’re concerned about my health.”

Her lips drew together in a thin line, her most unattractive expression. “It’s your own fault. I had no idea you had become the sort of man who would guzzle champagne moments before he was to walk down the aisle.”

“I was provoked. Set up.” Since there was nothing else, he drank more broth. Not bad. In fact, the rancid taste was beginning to leave his mouth. He swallowed again, noting that he didn’t feel as queasy. The stuff even muffled the drums in his head, allowing a few thoughts to filter through. “I’m not too clear on recent events. Am I married?”

Nikki gazed at him steadily. “It’s a little complicated, but, yes. You are most definitely married.”

“Damn.” Carter drained the last of the chicken broth. “I don’t remember the ceremony. I do remember passing out,” he said sternly. “I don’t remember when I came to. What did I do then, dance on the pews? Insult the bride’s mother?”

Nikki avoided his eyes as she took the mug.

That was a very bad sign. “If I’m married, what am I doing here? Where’s Dee Ann? Is she topside?”

“No.”

“Still at the reception?”

“I doubt it.”

He tried to visualize Dee Ann in her wedding dress and couldn’t. Another bad sign. “What have you done to her?”

Nikki glared at him. “Nothing.”

He folded his arms and focused his eyes until her two images merged into one. “All right, Nikki. Talk.”

Her gaze turned wary, her eyes assessing his mood.

His mood was black, but what did she expect? Focusing was too much trouble. He closed his eyes. “You might as well tell me everything.”

“I will when you’re ready.”

He felt her weight leave the berth and grabbed for her hand, missing but catching her leg instead. “I’m ready now.”

“I’m not,” she said, pulling free. “Wait here and I’ll be back with the stats.”

Stats. And he’d so hoped he wouldn’t be required to open his eyes again anytime soon.

While he waited for her return, he peeled off his socks, removed his cummerbund and undid the button Nikki had started to undo, as well as two more.

He was removing his cuff studs by the time she returned.

“All comfy now?” she asked.

Rather than respond, he tossed the studs toward the built-in dresser. One made it, one didn’t.

Instead of picking up the stud, Nikki ignored it. “Do you want to look at the papers here, or in the dinette?”

“Here.” He watched her carefully as he rolled up his shirtsleeves.

She was doing a good job of maintaining her business persona. Did she find it difficult to do here on the Honey Bee? Was she uncomfortable in the master stateroom with him now?

He certainly hoped so.

Sitting down on the berth and tucking one leg underneath her, Nikki spread open a blue file folder across her knee.

Carter’s glance swept over it. “This is the same stuff Bob showed me at the wedding.”

“But you ignored us at the wedding.”

“Obviously a tactical error on my part.”

The briefest of smiles flickered across her lips as she pointed to a column of names. “This is a list of major stockholders in Belden Industries. You currently own thirty-eight percent and are still the majority shareholder—”

“Look, Nikki, I don’t want to hear all the whys and wherefores right now, just get to the bottom line.”

She looked up and said bluntly, “You’re going to lose control of your company.”

“Impossible,” he denied, even as something twisted in his stomach.

Mutely, Nikki gestured to the folder.

She was being an alarmist and he was just seasick. “I don’t believe you.”

That got to her. “I know you don’t,” she snapped. “That’s why you’re here and not on your honeymoon with Miss Texas!”

“That would be Mrs. Texas, wouldn’t it?”

“Not…exactly.”

He expected fireworks. Instead, his comment seemed to allow her to regain control and slip back into the I’m all-business demeanor she’d adopted in the early days after their separation.

He’d hated her cold facade, but understood her reasons. Gradually, excruciatingly, they’d both thawed until, as far as Carter was concerned, everything was back to normal—until he’d announced his engagement to Dee Ann Karrenbrock and Nikki had frozen again. But Nikki wasn’t the only one who was cool toward the idea of his marriage to Victor Karrenbrock’s daughter.

No one on his staff liked Dee Ann, but then, they didn’t have to, did they?

“Nikki, I realize you don’t like Dee Ann, so keep her out of this discussion.”

“Gladly,” Nikki responded.

Carter smiled slightly. “Now,” he said, mimicking her tone, “I want information somewhere between that—” he pointed to the blue file “—and losing Belden Industries.”

She gazed at him, her mouth set, her eyes narrowing a fraction. “You currently own thirty-eight percent of Belden’s stock.”

She’d already said that. “Currently. I’m buying back more.”