I couldn’t get over her clingy fucking dress, accentuating all the curves of her luscious body.
Suddenly, the music changed to a slow song, blaring through the speakers as I started walking toward her. Once I was standing in front of her, I reached out my hand, simply stating, “Dance with me, darlin’.”
She smiled, grabbing my arm. “I’d love to.”
Leading us to the dance floor, I molded her body against mine and pulled her tighter into my chest.
“Look at you, Caleb. I didn’t know you could dance.”
I winked, guiding her arms up around my neck. Leaning into my embrace, she slow danced with me. We swayed to the beat, in sync with each other.
“You feel good in my arms, Evie.”
“You don’t feel so bad yourself.”
“Are you having fun?”
“I am. Your family is amazing, Caleb. I still can’t believe I’m in the home of Beau Hawkins or that I’m in the presence of the Hawkins dynasty.”
“It’s just a brand.”
“It’s more than a brand. Your family is a legacy. Do you ever have regrets of walking away from all this?”
“No.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. I know what it involves, and I never wanted any part of it.”
“Not even when you were younger?”
“Especially when I was younger.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to make a name for myself that didn’t involve my family’s money.”
“Your grandfather is still the CEO?”
“He is. My grandmother passed away several years ago, and he’s never been the same. She was the love of his life.”
“I love how your family’s marriages have all been together a lifetime. That’s so rare to find these days. Who’s going to take over the company when he retires?”
“My cousin Tristian wants it. He’s worked for my grandfather for as long as I can remember.”
“Why haven’t you ever talked about your family before?”
I thought about it for a second.
“When I was growing up, it was hard to make friends I could trust. Everyone in this town knows who we are. It’s one of the reasons I moved to Texas. I wanted a fresh start where people didn’t know my last name and what it stood for. If it wasn’t for Tristian, I would have spent a lot of my childhood alone.”
“Are you still close to him?”
“I am. We’ve kept in touch throughout the years. Even after he was sent away.”
“Sent away?” Her eyes narrowed. “What happened?”
“My family name happened. When I saw what they did to him, it reinforced my desire to not have anything to do with the company.”
“And your parents were okay with that?”
“They were. My grandfather wasn’t, but over time he realized the business I established for myself was lucrative and successful, and he forgave me.”
“What about your brother?”
“What about him?”
“He didn’t want it either?
“He was never considered.”
“Wow. So who gets all this”—she gestured to the house—“when your grandfather passes?”
“It will all go to the heir of the company.”
“So Tristian?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“What about your grandfather’s fortune?”
“I’m sure it’ll be split up among the family.”
“Then your kids will be set for life?”
“You could say that.”
“That’s inspiring. I really thought your family would be all stuffy and pretentious, but they’re not at all. They’re so humble and kind. Very welcoming too. They made me feel right at home.”
“Wherever I am is your home, Evie.”
She smiled, lighting up the room.
“Have I told you how stunning you look tonight?”
“Do you like my dress?” she baited, beaming.
“I’ll like it more when it’s on my bedroom floor.”
“That’s quite presumptuous of you, Mr. Hawkins, considering I had to sneak back into my bedroom this morning.”
“You only did that for the kids, not me.”
“I also did it for your parents. I would have died if your mother had walked in on us.”
“Darlin’, I’m a grown ass man.”
“And what a man you are,” she teased as I spun her, guiding her back to me.
“But I still want to be respectful in their home.”
Unable to hold back any longer, I repeated for what felt like the hundredth, “Marry me, Evie.”
She smirked. “I don’t think I’ll ever tire of you saying that.”
“Soon it will be give me a baby, Evie.”
Her lips parted. “You want more kids?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t?”
“I mean, you already have the perfect boy and girl.”
“I do, but I want to make more perfect babies with you.”
“Babies? As in plural?”
“Who knows,” I rasped in her ear, causing shivers to course down her spine. “My baby might already be inside of you.”
“Is that why you haven’t used protection?”
“Since when have we ever used protection?”
“I was on the pill back then.”
Rubbing my facial hair along her neck, I asked, “Are you implying you aren’t now?”
She giggled. “You need to behave. Your kids are around here somewhere, and they still don’t know about us.”
“And what us would that be?”
“Caleb…”
“Marry me, Evie.”
“I—”
“Caleb,” my uncle Robert interrupted, much to my disapproval.
“I’m sorry to cut in, but Tristian is losing his shit in your grandfather’s office right now.”