Tempted

“My birth parents were drug addicts. I was placed in foster care at the age of five, and that’s when your grandma found me and took me in. They couldn’t conceive on their own. I don’t remember much from those first five years, but no child should ever have to live through what I do remember. Your grandparents saved me in so many ways. They gave me things I would’ve never experienced. They were great people.”

I have so many questions, but I can tell she isn’t finished.

“I met your father through the usual social channels. I always knew I wanted to marry someone like your grandfather—strong, hardworking, loving—and I got the first two. I thought your father loved me, but soon after we married, the charade dropped, and it became obvious I was just another step to his world dominance. Ha. My trust was quite large, and it helped to get his empire started as opposed to mine. I was a fool. His family had money, but nothing like mine. He wiped my trust clean and made sure I wouldn’t receive a dime of his as a part of our prenuptial agreement.”

I hate my father and all that he stands for. What he’s done to my mother is unforgivable.

“I don’t want you to worry about me, Drew. I’ll be fine. We have a gala to get ready for.” She smiles. “I want you to have something.” She walks out of the room and returns shortly.

“Here, open it.”

I open a box to find a ring. It looks antique with a large diamond encased in smaller ones.

“What’s this for?”

“This is the ring your grandfather gave your grandmother. You remind me a lot of him. He was a reckless young man who grew into a strong, powerful, loving man. He may not have been our blood, but he was every bit my father from the day he adopted me. Seeing you with Bailey made me happy because I can see that you’re finally happy. I believe she’s helping you to find the man you were meant to be. I want you to have this. Maybe one day . . . you will give this to her.”

Is it that obvious? Can everyone see what this girl is doing to me? I don’t like feeling vulnerable, and that’s exactly what I feel right now.

“You’re more like him than you are your father. Stay that way, Drew. Promise me you won’t lose that kindness I see in you. Take care of Bailey, too. I can tell she’s had a rough go of things, but she’s a good girl.”

I don’t even realize it until the first tear slides down my cheek, but my mother’s praise means more to me than anything in this world.

63

Bailey

As I make my way down the hall to where Drew is, I watch as he takes me in. His eyes go wide and sweep from my head to my toes. As I move closer, his breath hitches, and his Adam’s apple bobs. Leaning toward me, he brushes his lips lightly against mine.

“You are breathtaking, Bailey. I’ve never—” He chokes up, and I smile at his reaction. “I’ve never been prouder to have a woman on my arm.” I peck his cheek, eliciting a smile from him. “You ready?” he asks, his words tickling my mouth. It feels like the soft petals of a flower, and I lean into him once more, never wanting to break away. A laugh escapes me at the sensation.

“Come on, we’re late.” He grins.

He pulls away, and my mouth immediately misses him. Our fingers entwine, and we walk into Cipriani on Forty-Second Street. As we make our way inside, I can’t muffle the gasp that leaves my body. The room is breathtaking. Large marble columns rise toward the soaring ceilings as delicate trees of orchard branches climb out from the tables lit only by candlelight. I’ve never seen anything so magnificent in my life. A waiter with a tray of tall flutes of champagne walks past us, and Drew lifts an eyebrow to me. I shake my head, and he grabs one for himself.

I beam up at him, and he smiles down at me. He looks so incredibly handsome in his slim-cut black tuxedo, I can barely stop staring at him. He must know it too because his lip quirks up, and he leans in.

“I can’t wait to get out of here and see what you have on under that dress.”

Not much.

Drew trails his hands up and down my skin, sending shivers and goose bumps all over me. He lifts his eyebrow with a smirk.

“Cold?”

“Hardly,” I choke out, my eyes dilating.

“Let’s find my mother, dance a little, and then get the fuck out of here. It’s been way too long since I’ve been inside you.”

And, god, has it. It feels like an eternity since this morning.