Flawless: (Fearsome Series Book 4)

by S. A. Wolfe

  “Really?” I tease. He’s so ridiculously cute and sexy at the same time. I’m tempted to ask him to pull over so I can throw myself at him.

  He grins. So wicked to have such self-control.

  “What do you think?” He motions for me to look in front of us. It’s Pickwick. We’re entering the estate from the other side, a road I’ve never driven. Peyton must have known taking the back road was the only way to keep his destination a surprise.

  “I love this place. Everything is so green.” I look at the ancient trees and overgrown farmland left by years of neglect. “It looks so majestic.”

  “It looks decrepit.”

  He parks the truck and brings the fast food bags with us. We walk to the area where a small botanical garden used to flourish. Peyton places the food on a stone table surrounded by a half-crumbling stone bench.

  “This is a beautiful spot,” I say. “Imagine what it looked like a hundred years ago. See the three dancing cherub statues over there? That used to be a pond. Kimberly showed me some old black and white photos at the library.”

  “She told me. I have to confess she’s the one who gave me the idea to bring you to this garden. Or, what’s left of it. She had lunch with us the other day when Bash and I were going over business projections. Kim said the fountain garden has become your favorite place here.” He pauses. “There’s something I want to tell you—”

  “I’ve decided to buy Pickwick,” I say urgently, cutting him off.

  “Sure, I get that it’s your dream to reopen it as an inn, and when the time comes, I want to help you with the financing. That’s what I wanted to tell you.” He smiles, proud of his surprise, his grand gesture. And it is truly a surprise.

  I keep seeing new sides to this man, and all of them are adorable ways to seduce my ovaries and my heart into a gleeful Rockettes chorus line of high kicks. It’s only natural that visions of sex and marriage float around my head, maybe with some babies and puppies thrown in. Finn would be my stepson!

  Peyton keeps upping his offerings, and it’s making him pretty irresistible. However, this expression of his love to help me buy Pickwick is formidable as much as it is breathtakingly generous. This is his grandest gesture, and I’m going to squash it.

  “Peyton, you’ve misunderstood me. I already decided to buy the home and the land, and the financing is being processed as we speak. I have the money.”

  His jaw twitches. He blinks a few times. “How? Did you get Archie to open his vault of cash?” he jokes nervously. “Please don’t tell me you went to my brother and Carson for the money.”

  “No and no. Norma left me a little money. Not enough to buy this property, but it helps to show I have something in the bank. I have a secret investor.”

  “A secret investor? You mean a silent partner?” He sounds anxious. “Adam?”

  “No, not Adam. He did help with the business plan, though.”

  “I bet,” Peyton mutters.

  I laugh and think back to two weeks ago, when my mother called me to the door to greet an unexpected visitor.

  Harmony stands on the small front stoop, dressed in one of her designer suits, looking like a Vogue model pretending to be a businesswoman. She wears a bold red lipstick, and I assume she must have reapplied it before ringing our doorbell because no woman looks this put-together at the end of a long work day. I’m sure she’s here to give me another lecture, warning, or threat because Peyton and I are dating.

  When I cross my arms in defiance, instead of saying hello, my mother grumbles in Polish to me and leaves us alone.

  Harmony extends her hand, and I look at it, wondering what Ms. Crazy Pants is trying to say.

  “Take it,” she urges gently with a smile.

  I accept her hand, thinking the woman is going to go berserk on me at any moment. She’s going to pull some kind of ninja move and throw me to the ground.

  “Hello. I’m Harmony Davis. It’s a pleasure to know you, Talia Madej,” she says, shaking my hand.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Why should we dislike each other when it’s easier to get along?”

  “I thought you hated me.”

  “Hating is a lot of work, and it eats away at your insides. There was a time when I thought I hated my father. He would only support me and Finn in exchange for me cutting all contact with Peyton. I couldn’t even tell Peyton about our baby without threats from my father. I hated him. For a while, I thought I hated everyone except my son.

  “I heard you have problems with your dad, so maybe you understand how I felt. I was miserable for a long time until I accepted the fact that my hate could poison my son. So, no, I don’t hate you. I could never hate someone who saved my son, and I could never hate someone who cares for my son in my absence. I don’t hate you, Talia.”

  “I’m relieved. You must know I’m a little intimidated by you. Your strength as a mother. And your place in Peyton’s life.”

  “You don’t have to be jealous of my relationship with Peyton. I intentionally let you believe otherwise only because I was concerned about Finn’s welfare. Peyton and I are co-parents, and we’ll both be a part of Finn’s life forever, but there is nothing other than friendship between us, as you know. I do trust you with Finn. You’re really good with him.”

  “I was prepared for a tongue-whipping from you.”

  Harmony narrows her eyes. “A tongue-lashing from me? Why are people so afraid of me?”

  “I have no idea.” Because beautiful people who look like you tend to get what they want, lady! I shake my head and shrug. “I’m glad we can be friends. I really do like you, too.”

  “Well, let’s not get carried away.”

  “Oh.” Damn this woman. I can’t win with her.

  “I’m joking. You’re growing on me, and I’m here because I also have a proposition for you.”

  “Really? I’m intrigued. I think.”

  “I hope you’ll like my idea. I’ve been paying attention to how much Peyton talks about you, and he gave me some interesting information. That Pickwick estate, the place he says you romanticize. He said you go on and on about how you want to refurbish it and turn it into a working organic farm and a boutique inn. Peyton doesn’t have your vision. He likes restaurants that are trendy and flashy for mass appeal. It’s what he knows and what he’s good at. But I was fascinated by your idea for this Pickwick place. I didn’t get a good look at it the day I found you and Peyton there … when we had the Finn incident.”

  I bite my lower lip, thinking about that awful day. I didn’t like her then, and I certainly didn’t like her threats. Nevertheless, it felt deceitful after her ultimatum, especially since Peyton and I did more than have lunch.

  Finn’s disappearance and the race to find him was my wakeup call. For better or worse, Peyton, Harmony, and Finn are a real family, and my little dalliances with him were starting to make me feel like a homewrecker. But that was then.

  Harmony doesn’t seem to notice my discomfort and continues, “So recently, one day after I dropped Finn off at Peyton’s house, I made another trip out to the property. I walked around it.”

  “What did you think of it?” My heart starts racing to think she and I could have something in common! A love of historic farms and old houses? Sounds strange, but I’ll take any commonality I can find with her.

  “I think you’re right, and Peyton doesn’t get it. It’s a beautiful piece of land and a magnificent old estate. It has so much potential. I also know you have a solid reputation as a chef, not only in Hera but in the surrounding towns. Not to mention, Pickwick’s location is perfect as a destination spot. It would appeal to people in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut who want to escape their urban lives.”

  “Yes, exactly. Hearing you talk about it makes me want it more, but I don’t have the funds or collateral to acquire the kind of business loan I’d need. Unless I ask Archie or the Blackard brothers, which is what everyone else does.”

  “No. Forget the men. Yo
u can do this without them. They already have enough businesses going on. Those guys have their hands in everything.”

  “I agree, but I don’t have the money.”

  “I do. My father left the bulk of his estate to me. I’m rich. Peyton may not understand the appeal of Pickwick. I do. I can totally picture what you want to do with it, and I want in. Fifty-fifty.

  “A little bird, the loud brunette one—”

  “Imogene?”

  “Yes. Her. Finn’s aunt.” She chuckles. “She said you have been meeting with someone about a business plan.”

  “Adam. He runs a hedge fund, and he’s helped me put together the numbers so I can present it to investors and a bank.”

  “There you go. You have a plan and an investor—me. I can put up all the money. I’ll be the silent partner, and you can run the business.”

  I’m astounded. I want to scream yes!

  “This is insane, Harmony. We barely know each other, and then there’s Peyton. We started dating, you know. Is that going to be a problem?”

  “Peyton has nothing to do with our business partnership. Maybe you two will end up together. Maybe not. Our business relationship is separate, and we can be professional about this.”

  “And we can be friends.”

  Harmony laughs lightly again. I’m determined to win this woman over.

  “All right. And friends. I also want to rebuild the stables and have a few horses. They’re expensive to keep, but I want Finn to have the experience I had—weekend riding lessons. I figure we can give him a minimum-wage job cleaning the stalls or something.”

  “I like how you think.”

  After listening to the story, Peyton contemplates this new information, stunning news to us both, and I’m worried he’s somehow upset by the turn of events. Maybe he’s hurt because I turned down his offer, or I come across as not needing him at all. He could be one of those men who needs to have the upper hand in money and career. I think of Flora at her high-powered, legal firm and how she and Peyton had a very volatile relationship.

  “It happened a couple of weeks ago. When she came to my house,” I explain. “It happened so fast, and it was so surprising. Harmony and I agreed not to tell you or anyone until the paperwork was filed. I didn’t want to bring it up with you until I knew it was real. That’s why I’m telling you now. It’s official. It’s real!”

  “So, Harmony is your business partner?” he asks as if he’s trying to wrap his head around the idea of his current girlfriend being in business with the mother of his son.

  “Yes, she is. This is already happening, Peyton. We signed the paperwork this morning.”

  “She never mentioned a word of this to me. She’s good at keeping secrets.”

  If he thinks I’m going to feel guilty about pursuing this without him, it won’t work. Marko cured me of macho guilt trips.

  “You amaze me,” he says. “I brought you here to wow you with something huge. A big gift is what I was aiming for. I thought my offer would convince you of my good intentions.”

  “I am wowed by your offer. I thought you’d be happy for me because I’m taking the initiative to pursue my dream.”

  “I am happy for you.” He sounds unsure. “You’re doing this with Harmony … that’s interesting.”

  “Remember, you’re the one who told me I saved myself. Your words helped me do this. I own this.”

  “That’s great. I mean it. It’s absolutely remarkable what you’re doing and that you took the initiative, but where does it leave me in all this? If I can’t help you with major things like this, how are we supposed to be closer?”

  “I didn’t help you with Swill, and we became close anyway.”

  “Let me rephrase this. How do I earn your trust?”

  “Oh.”

  We’re still standing next to the stone table, the grease from the untouched food beginning to seep through the paper bags, and Peyton is looking at me with adoration now. I take all this in. It is the precise moment when I know.

  “You have my trust. You support my wild ideas, and you do everything you can to hold me up. I lack experience and education in some things, but you never tear me down about my flaws. That’s everything to me.”

  I hook my fingers into the belt loops of his jeans and rise on my tiptoes to kiss him. He lowers his head and kisses me thoroughly, a dazzling touch with erotic slowness. I caress the stubble on his chin with my lips when I come up for air, and then he claims them again, kissing me more urgently.

  I am spent by that kiss. My lips feel bruised and worn out. It’s only when I smile and look into Peyton’s eyes that he finally smiles, and I see his confident swagger return.

  Any doubts either of us has about a future together are forgotten for these few minutes. The only thing between us is the same chemistry that drew us together all those months ago when I followed him into Swill and he changed my life.

  We sit and eat our burgers and cold fries, stopping every few minutes to kiss. Everything has changed. We’ve changed. All because of one small word. Trust.

  “Let me guess; you and Harmony are going to call your new inn … Tableside Dung?”

  “Harmony would love that,” I say dryly.

  “Organically Overpriced?”

  “You’re hilarious. Make fun all you want.”

  “Oh no,” he feigns worry. “We’re not back to The Wounded Peach, are we? Please tell me you’re not going to give it one of those sad, touchy-feely names.”

  “We haven’t decided yet. I can assure you we will not be needing to consult you on the name.”

  His robust laugh is comforting.

  He drives me home, and when he pulls into the driveway, I suddenly don’t want to be separated from him. I don’t want to walk into my home, where the walls close in on me, where I watch my mother try to navigate her life in square feet rather than miles.

  “Thank you for today,” I say. “You’re pretty terrific. I’m rather fond of you, I hope you know.”

  He gives a low, throaty chuckle. “I have one more thing for you.”

  “Want to take me back to your place?” I say with a sly smile. We both know I’m only teasing.

  “Yes, I do. However, I can wait until this dating stage is over and we enter the adult entertainment stage. Again. Until then … I’d like you to go on a vacation with me … and Finn.”

  “The big beach trip you planned with Jess and Carson? In two weeks?”

  He nods. “And a few of the others. Greer and her kids, too. It would give us a chance to spend time together relaxing, instead of slicing out time for each other between our busy schedules. Cape May is a great beach town, and we’ll be staying in a nice hotel. Historic and old, just what you like.”

  The word hotel conjures up a lot of images, mostly of me as a naughty mistress in front of a nine-year-old boy. Peyton notices my concern.

  “I already discussed this with Harmony. She thinks it’s fine. Finn says he’s cool with it, too. He’d have his own room, and he’d be my priority, but we have enough relatives on the trip who can watch him when you and I want some alone time.”

  “I would love a vacation with you two,” I say, thinking about me in a swimsuit for the first time in ages. With a big scar down my chest, and the questions and looks from others on the beach. Then there would be the room situation. “Finn doesn’t mind being in his own room and not with you?”

  “Hmm,” Peyton says and lets out a deep sigh. “I was hoping we could enter the next stage. You and I will share a room, unless you think it’s still too fast. I’ve got to tell you, though, I’m ready for more—”

  “Me, too!” I say so fast that Peyton’s mouth snaps shut.

  “So, you’ll go?” He perks up. “I was actually expecting you to say no, either because of work or because you would feel uncomfortable with everyone hanging out with us … watching us.”

  “Aleska and my mom can fill in for me. My mother will love the work. As far as our friends, they know everything
anyway. It’s more important that we’re appropriate in front of Finn. I don’t even know what that is. Harmony told me whatever I have with you is separate from our business relationship, but we never discussed me going on vacation with her son.”

  “She’s the one who encouraged me to ask you to go. I made a comment about wanting to take you somewhere because I need more time with you, and she suggested I take you on this trip. I was a little shocked, but Harmony has mellowed out a lot over the last month—she’s more comfortable sharing parenting duties. I wasn’t about to disagree with her, because I really do want you with me. After your little surprise today about Harmony, now her behavior makes perfect sense. She thinks you’re good for me. She likes you.”

  “I think she and I are going to be good friends!” I squeal.

  He rolls his eyes. “Could you focus on me first?” It’s followed by a smirk.

  I unbuckle my seat belt, throw arms around his neck, and smooch his cheek. “I can’t wait for this trip. I’m going to go start planning! I need a bathing suit!”

  “Want me to come in and say hi to your mom? We can make one of those lists you love so much.”

  “No. You can go back to work.” So I can take a cold shower and calm the hell down before I climb naked into your lap. “I’ll talk to my sister and mom and get everything arranged. I’m very excited.”

  He points to his crotch. “So am I.”

  I slap him playfully on his rock-hard bicep. Big mistake. That just arouses me more.

  I have to get away. I’m delirious with lascivious thoughts and anticipation of this vacation. I jump out of the truck, slam the door, and wave goodbye.

  “Your phone!” Peyton launches the telephone-shaped purse at me through the open passenger window, and I catch it against my chest.

  I give him a thumbs-up, then run inside the house, breathless and giddy.

  Everything is perfect.

  Everything is not perfect. I enter the house to find my mother and Aleska in the front room. Aleska is brooding, and my mother is wiping her tears.

  “You won’t believe this,” Aleska says, her arms crossed. She looks at our mother and shakes her head. “Tell her.”