by Starla Kaye
He was supposed to have flown with Sabrina in her personal jet to a resort in Cabo this weekend, but his enthusiasm had waned. Before leaving Houston, he’d told her about changing his mind. She hadn’t sounded disappointed. She would find someone else to go with her. Her basic lack of concern should bother him, except it didn’t. Their relationship wasn’t important to either of them.
He thrummed with longing to spend some intense hours loving a woman. These women were using him far more than he did them. He’d become on-call for when they wanted sex. But sex with each of them had become boring. It was more about how quickly they could reach the point of explosion and then go their separate ways.
He couldn’t remember the last time any of his women spent time just talking with him, even arguing with him. He’d appreciated Essie’s quick mind, her sharp intellect, and spent many evenings engaged in discussions on this or that. Until he had gotten too busy for them, and for her.
Why think so much about her? Maybe because he’d seen her a week ago with the lawyer she was now involved with. Daniel Brantley, if he remembered right. The man left her alone a number of times while going off to network with someone else. She’d looked so…lonely, but accepting. Dammit, she deserved better treatment!
Ass that he’d been, he hadn’t treated her any better. Hindsight. If you knew something you could have done differently…. But you didn’t get do-overs in life.
He got up from his favorite leather chair and began pacing around the room. To his annoyance, he sported a killer erection. However, he refused to call any of his women. They weren’t who he wanted. And who he wanted didn’t want him anymore.
He stopped in front of the window, puzzling over the problem. Jackson Castillo. He hadn’t talked with his friend in months. Jackson was involved with some woman who liked playing matchmaker to clients in need of help meeting someone new. From what he remembered, she arranged short arrangements for people she accepted as clients.
A one-night stand might be exactly what he needed to get him out of this funk of the moment. He didn’t want to put himself out in the Houston dating scene again and be approached by a swarm of women—as before his current arrangement—who wanted the multi-millionaire bachelor and not the man behind that image.
Okay, what was her name? Jackson called her Madame something.
He pulled his cellphone from his jeans pocket and called Jackson. Hopefully, he would answer and be able to help him get connected with the matchmaker.
Yet his gut churned. Did he really want to do this? No. But, again, he’d blown his chance at the woman he couldn’t forget.
***
Essie drew in a steadying breath, standing on the front porch of her parents’ massive Colonial-style house with all its elegance and manicured lawns, a showcase house designed to impress people, a place to hold extravagant parties for Houston’s elite. It wasn’t a “home,” and it didn’t make her comfortable. These every-Sunday brunches with their strained atmosphere were not something she looked forward to. Particularly this one.
Get it together. Be confident. You can do this.
Good thoughts, but she was still anxious about seeing her family today…revealing her new look. She all but shook in the high-heeled boots, looking in concern down at the pants she wore. Most of the time she chose a traditional dress—simple, tasteful—to these get-togethers. She had bought several new dresses yesterday, too. Tighter, with lower necklines to reveal some cleavage. She’d decided to save those for another time. Besides, she felt comfortable in these tight, black leather pants.
Do it. Just ring the doorbell and get on with it.
She tugged her slim shoulder bag up once more and pushed her thumb on the doorbell button. A symphonic-sounding ring echoed through the house. Breathing deep again, she waited for someone in her family to answer the door.
She’d parked in the circle drive behind Monty’s sleek black Corvette and Samantha’s Lexus SUV. Everyone was here. Good. It would be better to confront her parents and older brother and sister at one time. Better, not necessarily easier, although she didn’t expect more than surprised looks from her siblings. They would not be her problem.
Her sister’s significant other, Harrison Wadsworth, pulled open the oversized door. His eyes widened, and he blinked in surprise, then he smiled and his eyes twinkled.
Tipping her chin up, she said, “It’s not funny.”
He shook his head, still smiling. “You’re right, it’s not amusing. Startling, for sure. You have to know that.”
She did, which was part of why her stomach fluttered with nerves.
“My amusement had to do with thinking about how Thomas and Amanda will react.” He chuckled. “I almost begged out of this today, but now I’m glad I came. This will prove to be interesting.”
“A huge understatement, I’m sure.” She stepped around him into the Italian marble foyer. The floor sparkled like glass. “I suppose the others are already at the dining table, waiting for me.”
He closed the door and moved beside her. “I’ve got your back, Essie.” He took her purse and set it on the antique, ornate hall tree, where she always placed it when visiting here. Her sister’s purse already sat there.
His comment and implied support meant a lot. But it was up to her to follow through with revealing her new look, as well as her decision to finally be more aggressive, more in charge of what she chose to do and where she went. And with whom.
Still, it was reassuring to walk with her sister’s handsome partner in business and in life. Her parents hadn’t been overjoyed when they first met him. Despite his former reputation as something of a playboy in Houston, Samantha and Harrison had been together almost two years. He—actually, both of them—didn’t want to go the marriage route. It had taken time for her parents to accept their decision.
If her year-older sister could stand up for herself and do what she wanted, Essie could, too.
They walked together in silence to the formal dining room where the others waited. She was about ten minutes late for the meal always scheduled for exactly one o’clock on Sundays. If she hadn’t almost changed her mind about coming and sat in her car outside her condo, telling herself to be an adult about facing her parents, she would have been on time.
Harrison inched back and let her step into the room first. Her stomach knotting in discomfort, she went to her usual seat next to her brother, on her father’s left side. Like Harrison, Monty gaped at her and then gave a hint of a smile.
“What have you done?” her mother asked in a distressed voice from the other end of the table. “Your hair.” She swept her gaze up and down Essie’s new clothes. “That…that outfit.” Her tone grew louder with each word.
Essie fought not to reach up and touch her short locks, or to squirm under the steady appraisal. “I’m trying something…more interesting…more me.” All right, even she was still adjusting to her changes.
“Are you having some kind of midlife crisis?” her father accused, his eyes narrowed.
Harrison stepped behind her and then pulled out her chair. As she sat and he helped her move closer to the table, he leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Be strong.”
She hadn’t grasped how everyone, including her parents, must have seen her as unwilling to stand up for herself. Why had she acted so unassertive for all these years? Because she picked her battles and hadn’t found a worthy one until now.
She picked up the linen napkin beside her plate and carefully placed it over her lap, thinking about her siblings. Unlike her brother and sister, she’d allowed her parents to mold her. Samantha had gone off to college and returned to Houston but declined a position with their father’s oil company. Having always intended for all of his grown children to work there, he’d tried to change her mind. Samantha held her own and went to work for Harrison’s successful tourist business instead, where she was currently a full partner.
Monty, like Essie, did work for the family oil company, but by his choice, as CFO. Once,
he’d been manipulated by their parents. They’d convinced him to date and soon after to marry the daughter of one of their father’s longtime friends. Their divorce a couple of years later frustrated both families. He still worked for the company, but he didn’t allow them control over his personal life anymore.
She smoothed her hands over the napkin, digging up her courage, and looked straight at her father. “This isn’t a midlife crisis. I’m too young for that.” She refused to look away from his annoyed expression. “I simply wanted to make some changes. It’s long past time I did so.”
“Some drastic changes,” her mother challenged. Her perfectly made-up face pinched in irritation.
Her sister intervened. “I like it. The haircut, even the darker color. It looks nice on you.” Her eyes twinkled. “And I must say those pants—”
“Look ridiculous,” her father blustered, commanding attention again.
Essie fisted her hands in her lap, considered getting up and leaving. But her brother reached over under the table and squeezed her knee in sympathy, encouragement. He leaned closer and said quietly, “I’m proud of you for doing this.”
Her father scowled at him, but Monty squeezed her knee a final time and straightened in his chair. “Are we to expect more changes? More inappropriate clothing?” He reached for the platter of sliced roast beef in front of him, passing it to her sister.
Essie watched Samantha take the platter and fork some of the delicious-smelling meat onto her plate. She noted gentle understanding on Harrison’s face, the exasperation on her mother’s. She tipped out her chin and said, “Yes.”
Her father’s expression tightened, as if waiting for more of an explanation. He wouldn’t like any of it. Yet she knew that it was time to tell them about breaking up with their latest chosen man for her, someone they approved of who would fit into their social world. A nice, decent man. A respected Houston attorney with political ambitions. Nice, but oh so boring.
“I’ve decided to express myself my way. My new wardrobe is only one of the changes I’ve made.” Just tell them. “Daniel and I are no longer seeing each other.”
“What?” her father snapped, his gaze revealing incredulity.
“Since when?” her mother added, bristling. “If you had an argument of some kind, I’m sure—”
“We didn’t argue. I realized we weren’t right for each other and would never be. I ended the relationship.” The second one she’d ended. The first one having been harder. Unlike Trevon, though, who hadn’t tried to convince her to stay with him, Daniel hadn’t taken the breakup, the hit to his ego, well. He offered her a week or so to come to her senses. She’d told him she had. The jerk left her sitting alone in the middle of their favorite restaurant.
Her father shook his head, grumbling, “I’ll have a talk with him. We’ll work this out.”
“You should stay out of this,” Samantha inserted, pinning him with a stern look. “We all love you and Mother, but you can’t control our lives.”
“Certainly not yours,” he declared, frowning at Harrison.
Harrison looked him in the eye and said, “It’s been the best decision either of us has made.”
An uncomfortable silence reigned for a couple of minutes.
Monty focused on his father, body tense. “You’re going to have to accept what makes Essie happy, whatever changes she chooses to make.” He didn’t back down at his father’s frown known to bring most people in line with his way of thinking. “Or you might lose her.”
For the first time Essie could remember, the hardness left her father’s expression, concern replacing it. Both of her parents loved her, in their own far-from-emotional way. And she loved them as well, but she couldn’t remain under their control.
“I’ll be all right, Dad. So will you and Mom.” It had been a long time since she’d referred to them as anything but the more formal Mother and Father.
It took him a second before he sighed and nodded. “I’ll try, but….” But it would be hard went unsaid but understood.
Her mother didn’t say a word. Her brow furrowed in thought.
Essie looked from one to the other, feeling calmer now, stronger. “Trust me. I’m not going to go crazy on you. I just need to express myself in my way.”
Samantha passed the platter of meat to Harrison. “Well, I’m glad that’s all settled. Let’s eat. I’m starving and this roast looks wonderful, as always.”
Essie knew things were far from settled between her and her parents. Baby steps. She needed to go slow in revealing the changes she still wanted to make. One thing she wouldn’t be telling them about was her trying to make an arrangement with the matchmaker.
Chapter Two
I am delighted you contacted me after being recommended by Kendra Barlow. Kendra Carter, I mean. It pleased me that her arrangement with the two cowboys worked out for everyone involved. And they have such a beautiful baby girl now, which I’m sure you know. Evie, named after me, I’m told, which means a lot to me.
Essie had snuck away from working on the latest complicated project with the other chemical engineers. She had been checking her email almost constantly since sending a message to Madame Evangeline five days ago. The waiting left her a mess. Many times she’d almost sent an email about changing her mind. It was a relief to have been answered at last. She returned to the message, anticipation threading through her.
I am pleased to tell you I accept you as a client. In fact, I have already begun my search for the type of man you requested. Someone who, apparently, is quite different from the kind of men you have been seeing. This I learned from your friend Kendra. She didn’t want me to take the “sexy beast, stud muffin” idea too far. Of course, that was what she got, times two. Still, she worries about you.
Essie sighed. She understood her worry and forgave her good friend for butting in. But she hoped the matchmaker would stay focused on what she had requested.
Drawing in a nervous breath, she returned once more to the lengthy message.
She meant well, I’m sure. But I will pursue finding a man such as you requested. Actually, I already have several possible men in mind. I will get back to you in a few days with my recommendation.
Sincerely, Madame Evangeline.
A few days? It was hard to wait any longer, especially with having second thoughts about this kind of arrangement. Okay, second, third, and fourth thoughts. But she would not to back away.
She didn’t know whether a response from her was expected, but she wrote one anyway.
Thank you for agreeing to take me on as a client. As you said, Kendra has my best interests at heart. She sees this whole idea as far from my normal behavior. True, but I still wish to do this. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Essie Reynolds.
Her father stepped into her office doorway just as she hit SEND, capturing her attention. Her face heated at the idea of him finding out about what she was doing. He would be horrified.
Closing her email, she looked up at him. “Did we have a meeting scheduled I’ve forgotten?” They didn’t run into each other here, unless they had a meeting. She often got so involved in a project she forgot everything else, including meetings.
He shook his head, walking with his usual confidence into the room. Then his glance caught the low-cut neckline of the top she wore beneath the lab coat. He blinked in surprise, even after she’d warned him about making changes. He took a second before he said, “Another new blouse, I see.”
“Top, Dad,” she corrected him, though it seemed silly. She didn’t want to move out from behind her desk because he would surely have a stroke if he saw the skinny jeans she wore. With the kind of work she did, she didn’t see the point in wearing dresses anymore, unless she had a meeting.
“Yes, top,” he repeated, as if it were a new word he was trying to understand. She suspected the hint of cleavage made him uncomfortable. To his credit, he didn’t comment.
“Is there something you wanted?”
&n
bsp; He straightened his shoulders beneath the tailored suit coat. His chin appeared set in determination, but she noted a surprising hesitance in his troubled eyes. “I’ve talked with Daniel. He’s calmer now, ready to forgive you—”
Irritation thrumming through her, she cut him off. “You shouldn’t have talked with him. My decision stands. We are not good together.” They never were, not from their first awkward date. They’d just become a habit. One she’d stopped.
Her father’s mouth tightened for a second. “Nonsense, Essie. The two of you have a lot in common.”
“No, we really don’t.” Maybe the way they’d been raised, their financial states, and certain social functions. Not enough, in her biased opinion.
“Your mother and I—”
She held up a hand. “I love you both, but it’s time you let me handle my life.”
“I warned you this would be hard for me.” He blew out a deep breath, looking torn. “So, no more matchmaking?” He sounded like he still didn’t want to back down.
Matchmaking. Her stomach fluttered as she thought about Madame Evangeline’s matchmaking attempt for her…at least for one night. She couldn’t tell him about that. Ever. It would be embarrassing.
“I can manage my own romantic relationships.” Since she didn’t run into a lot of unmarried men during her workdays, or any place else, she would have to resort to online matchmaking websites. A depressing idea. Yet, she wanted to have a full life, like Kendra and her cowboys. She longed for a husband and children.
“Okay.” He appeared defeated. “Your mother will be harder to convince, though.” With a last look at her, he turned and left the office. She knew the powerful owner of a major Texas oil company was sulking. He usually got his way. She collapsed back in her chair, relieved the encounter hadn’t gone too badly. Yeah for me.
