“Yes.”

This was her chance to prove she had what it took to promote Blackwood Enterprises. Making connections and charming new clients was a huge part of these events.

“That’s good because I’ve heard rumors you two were an item. I’m glad to hear it was just that.”

A frog formed in her throat. Should she correct him? Keep her mouth shut?

“Why’s that?”

He smiled, but it was anything but friendly. “I work for his father. And, no offense, but he’s old-fashioned. He’d never agree with such a risqué relationship, if you know what I mean. He’d cut Darius off, disown him, you get the drift.”

“Yeah, I get it.”

“You’re smart. You know your place. You’ll do great as Darius’s PA.”

She nodded, emotion clogging up her sinuses, so she dared not speak.

“I’d hate for Darius to throw it all away like his sister did. You do know who bought her house, don’t you?”

Rose stayed silent. She’d never been more uncomfortable than right now. She felt small and stupid and never so alone.

“She was cut off, lost everything. Now she relies on Darius for an allowance. Fucking pathetic, if you ask me. But she decided to have a baby with no father. Those values aren’t representative of Arnold Blackwood. Reputation is everything.”

“Darius has his own company. He doesn’t rely on his father.”

He scoffed. “Who told you that? Darius? I’d tell the women I’m fucking I was the boss, too. The truth is, he’s a puppet. He pisses off daddy, he’s out on his ass like his sister.”

“Who are you exactly?”

“I work for Arnold Blackwood. Public relations. We have an image to maintain. You understand.”

She swallowed hard. “I should go.”

“Enjoy the evening,” he called out as she rushed away. Her eyes swam with unshed tears as she pushed unceremoniously through the crowd. She needed to get out of there, to think, to be alone. Rose hated bullies, but this was different. Their relationship could seriously jeopardize Darius’s future. He said he wanted to run away with her and forget the money, but that was easier said than done. It wouldn’t take long for him to resent her, for the fighting to start and the passion to fizzle away.

If she told him everything that had just happened, what if he walked away?

Even worse, what if he chose her?

She loved him too much to allow him to throw everything away for her. Who’d support his sister once he was penniless? Rose couldn’t be responsible for Elliot losing his home. For all of Darius’s hard work to come crashing down around him.

There was no point fighting his father on this. Even if she could prove she loved Darius and wasn’t after his money, he’d still hate her for everything she was. Rose was black, broke, and overweight. She had no fancy pedigree, just a history of broken foster home experiences. And she certainly wasn’t arm candy. She wasn’t the ideal image for Arnold Blackwood’s upper-class circles. It would never work. They were too different.

Rose burst out the side doors onto the balcony. She took deep breaths of the cool evening air, hoping to bring down her racing heartrate. The night had started out so promising, but now her chance for love with Darius was over. Had it ever really started if he only considered her his date? He didn’t even want to talk about it, brushing off her concerns.

She’d given him her virginity, her trust, her love.

And now she had to find a new job.

****

Darius found Ross in the empty ballroom. He’d done him a personal favor and took a few hours out of his paternity leave to bring him Rose’s ring.

“You found me,” Ross said. “I don’t remember these events being so big.”

“Do you miss them?”

“You know I love rubbing elbows with all the old money. I’ve become an expert in flattery and diversion.”

“I miss you. Can’t wait for you to come back next year,” Darius said.

“What about Rose?”

“She’ll still work at the company, but you were born for this position. I don’t think she’s crazy about the limelight, and to be honest, neither am I.”

Ross reached into his pocket. “Well, here it is, the one you showed me. You’ve got good taste. Expensive taste for sure.”

Darius carefully took the ring out of the box and studied it against the overhead lighting. It was flawless, picking up the light and sparkling at every angle.

“She have any idea?”

“No idea whatsoever. She’s starting to wonder why I haven’t taken the next step. I had to avoid the topic or risk spoiling the surprise.”

“I can’t imagine you married,” Ross said. “But I also haven’t ever seen you so damn happy. It looks good on you.”

“Feels good,” he said. “By the time you come back, I hope Rose will be ripe with our first child.”

“So fast?”

“I dream about it. I want a big family, lots of kids, and maybe even the white picket fence.”

Tags: Sam Crescent Erotic
Source: readsnovelonline.net