Seduced by Second Chances

by Reese Ryan

  “There’ll still be the perception that the builder employs shoddy materials and workmanship.” Gideon cursed under his breath. “We have no choice but to go with option two.”

  “Which is nearly ten percent higher than the initial bid. We’ll also need a bigger contingency.”

  Gideon’s head was starting to pound. “Of course.”

  “I don’t mean to push, but have you had the opportunity to sit down with Matt Richmond?”

  “There’s been a lot going on.” It was an excuse he’d call bullshit on if one of his employees had offered it. But his breakfast meeting with Matt had been interrupted when his friend’s assistant alerted him to a problem at Richmond Industries’ Miami office. “We still have a few days, so don’t panic, Landon. Besides, we have a bigger issue.”

  “Even if Matt says yes, I doubt you anticipate getting the full remaining investment from him,” Landon said. “And the total amount needed has just escalated.” The man was silent for a few minutes. “Mr. Johns... I’ve been thinking. In light of everything that’s been going on with this deal...maybe the timing just isn’t right for it.”

  “It’s the nature of the beast, Landon,” Gideon said calmly. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a tiny residential rehab, a towering skyscraper or a commercial complex. Shit happens. Sometimes it’s a little. Sometimes it’s a lot. And the bigger the risk, the more shit is going to hit the fan. It’s as simple as that.”

  “So you’re not worried?”

  “It’s my job to worry. I do that whether we’re behind the eight ball or way ahead of the game.” Gideon checked his watch. He needed to get over to the main building for the welcome party. He didn’t want to miss Jessie’s performance. “Your only worry should be doing your job and doing it well. Everything else will be fine. Now, I’ve got this under control. Go out and enjoy your weekend. We’ll hit the second-tier potential investor list hard on Monday morning.”

  Landon agreed, sounding more upbeat.

  Gideon ended the call, straightened his tie and got ready to join the party.

  * * *

  Gideon stepped onto the patio of The Goblet. The tented space was elegantly decorated. The patio was overflowing with some of the most elite and powerful captains of industry in the fields of technology, information science, entertainment and more. A four-piece live band stood on the stage playing soft jazz.

  “Good evening, Gideon.” Teresa grinned as she approached him. “What do you think?”

  The woman had traded her usual pantsuit for an elegant silver dress with a low-cut back and crystal detailing on the front. Her blond hair fell to her shoulders in soft, beachy waves. She stood beside him and admired her work. It was one of the few times in the past two days that he hadn’t seen the woman moving so fast on her designer high heels that she was practically a blur.

  “It’s quite lovely, Teresa. I’m impressed, especially since you’ve done this on such short notice.” Gideon accepted a glass of red wine from a passing server and took a sip. “And holding the event at a boutique hotel with a working vineyard. That was a stroke of genius.”

  “It was, but sadly, I can’t take credit for the selection of the location. It was Liam Christopher who suggested it.” She nodded toward Liam, who stood on the far side of the patio, eyeing them.

  The man acknowledged them with a quick nod. Then he averted his gaze and moved to talk to another partygoer. A beautiful redhead wearing a long, flowing green gown.

  The slightest frown furrowed Teresa’s brow.

  Neither of them is exactly subtle. No wonder rumors are flying about them.

  “I’d like to keep this venue on the map for a real estate investor retreat I’m planning next year. I’m focused on another project right now, but give me a call in a few weeks. I’d like to do some preliminary planning. You did such an amazing job at my last party. You are the only event planner I ever want to use.”

  Teresa beamed. She tapped out a memo on her cell phone. “I’ll have Corinne give Landon a call later next week.”

  She nodded toward her assistant, who spoke animatedly to a member of the hotel staff. The woman wore a long, simple black gown. Her corkscrew red curls were pulled into a low bun.

  The mention of his assistant reminded him this wasn’t just a social call. He needed to nail down Matt Richmond’s investment and identify a handful of smaller investors.

  Teresa excused herself to go and speak with one of her staff members.

  Gideon finished his drink, then moved toward Matt and Nadia, who stood together near the center of the party. Now wasn’t the time to pin Matt down. But he could continue to sow seeds of interest and perhaps reel in other potential investors.

  He was embroiled in a lively conversation with Matt, Nadia and two other guests when Jessie Humphrey swept into the space. She was stunning, stealing his breath away in the midst of a conversation about his most recent visit to Dubai and the building explosion there.

  The flowing red floor-length gown had a simple but lovely top with a deep vee that showed off the buttery smooth skin of her toned brown shoulders. The bottom portion of the dress boasted intricate beading over a sheer fabric that overlaid the satin skirt beneath it. The dress commanded attention and partygoers gave her a wide berth as she moved about. He’d venture that their reaction was as much because of the incredible beauty of this woman in her stunning ball gown as because of her celebrity status.

  “Someone is certainly an admirer.” Matt chuckled. “Pretty sure I’ve never seen you speechless before.” He leaned in closer so only Gideon and Nadia could hear him. “I could introduce you.”

  “Not necessary.” Gideon loosened his tie and cleared his throat. Suddenly the space seemed much hotter than it had been before Jessie arrived. “We’re already acquainted. In fact, we have a breakfast date tomorrow morning.”

  Matt’s and Nadia’s eyes widened.

  “There must be a story there.” Nadia smiled. “Why don’t I take these gentlemen to meet our guest of honor. That should give you a chance to tell it.”

  Matt gave his wife a quick kiss on the cheek before she ushered the other men toward Jessie.

  “Nadia is working with Teresa now, isn’t she?” Gideon inquired.

  “As a contractor, not an employee. But not at this event. Teresa insisted that she should just enjoy the event with her husband. And I couldn’t agree more. But don’t change the subject,” his friend teased. “You certainly didn’t waste any time getting to know Jessie Humphrey.”

  “Actually, I’ve known Jessie for many years,” he clarified. “I dated her older sister, Geneva, when we were teenagers.”

  “Well, baby sis is all grown up now.” Matt nodded toward her.

  Amen to that.

  Gideon sighed without response, his eyes trailing Jessie as she flitted about the room meeting partygoers.

  She is so damn beautiful.

  A partial updo allowed soft spirals to spill down one side of her lovely face. Her makeup was perfect. Naturally luminescent rather than overly done. Her eyes sparkled and her teeth gleamed as she flashed her brilliant smile or launched into the contagious laugh he remembered so fondly.

  The woman was mesmerizing and she exuded confidence, which made her sexier still.

  He was in serious danger of falling for her.

  * * *

  Jessie smiled and nodded as she mingled with a few of the guests before her performance. It was part of her contract.

  Not that she wouldn’t have mingled with the partygoers anyway. She’d just prefer to wait until after she’d performed, so that she could remain focused.

  Despite being most comfortable onstage in front of an intimate audience, she still tended to get nervous before she performed. But the jitters she felt and the fluttering in her belly had more to do with the tall, dark, handsome man standing on the other side of the room staring
at her.

  Jessie hadn’t met Gideon’s gaze, but she’d angled her head so that she could study him. His tasteful black suit, complete with vest, fit his large, muscular frame well. A burgundy tie and pocket square were the perfect choice. And the shoes...gradient burgundy and black oxfords with an elegant style and shape that made her reasonably sure they were a pair of Corthays.

  “Will you be performing songs from your current album tonight, Jessie?” a beautiful blonde woman in an elegant white dress asked eagerly.

  “A few.” Jessie kept a smile plastered on her face. It was a sore point. Of course people wanted to hear her perform the bubbly pop hits that they’d heard on the radio. But that wasn’t what she wanted to play. “At an intimate event like this, I try to provide something you can’t experience listening to a Top 40 pop station. So I’ll also be performing new material.”

  The woman squealed, gripping the arm of the handsome man accompanying her. “I can’t wait to tell all my friends I was one of the first people to hear Jessie Humphrey perform an original song. Would you mind taking a selfie with me?”

  “Not at all.” Jessie smiled graciously and stood beside the woman.

  This part never got old. Sure, there were times when she just wanted to sit in peace and enjoy her dinner or get onto a plane in her sweats and baseball cap without being spotted. But in those inconvenient moments she always reminded herself to remain grateful. And she remembered how badly she’d wanted her name on that marquee, instead of solely in the songwriting credits.

  After taking several photos together, the woman thanked her.

  “You look absolutely stunning, Jessie.”

  Her spine stiffened at the sound of the smooth, honeyed voice that washed over her and made her pulse race and her spine tingle.

  “Good evening, Gideon.” She turned to face him.

  The man was even more handsome up close, and he smelled absolutely divine. Jessie had the urge to lean forward, press a hand to his broad chest and inhale his delectable scent.

  He bent toward her and whispered in her ear, “You’re the most beautiful woman in this room, and you are incredibly talented. You’re going to kill it tonight.”

  Jessie’s face warmed as she inhaled his masculine scent and absorbed the heat radiating from his body. She smoothed down her skirt with trembling hands.

  “Thank you, Gideon.” Her words were soft, meant only for him. “You saying that...it means a lot to me.”

  “I’m only stating the obvious.” Gideon seemed pleased by her admission. “Look, I know you have to mingle with the crowd, but I’d love to buy you a drink and chat later, if you have time.”

  “That would be wonderful.” Jessie gave him a reserved smile, then watched as he disappeared into the crowd. Her body tingled with desire for this man. That certainly hadn’t changed. But getting involved with Gideon was a bad idea.

  * * *

  The sun had just gone down when Jessie sat on the bench in front of the gleaming baby grand piano. Matt Richmond had introduced her and escorted her onto the small stage. She scanned the glamorous, well-dressed crowd of people eagerly anticipating her performance.

  She hadn’t seen Chase Stratton or Dixon Benedict in attendance at the event yet. It was disappointing, but it wouldn’t change how she approached her performance. She would be authentic and give the audience her very best, leaving it all on the stage.

  That was her policy for every performance, be it as the opening act on a stadium stage or in a small club that could barely accommodate a baby grand piano.

  Jessie started to play the chorus of an older song of hers that she didn’t intend to sing. She leaned into the microphone mounted over the piano.

  “How are we doing tonight, beautiful people?” she asked in a soft, intimate rasp that prompted the crowd to shout variations of good or fine.

  “That didn’t sound very convincing, now did it?” she teased. The crowd laughed in response. “Why don’t we try this one more time. I said, how are you incredibly beautiful people feeling on this amazing starry night?”

  The crowd shouted back more enthusiastically.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” She nodded. “And are we having a good time tonight?”

  The audience shouted back yes, many of them holding their drinks up as they did.

  She started the set by playing snippets of a few of the songs she’d written for top acts. Something that always got the crowd going. Then she amped up the party by playing a couple of the songs from her recent album that had made it onto the pop charts.

  Jessie played the bluesy intro from her first EP as a bridge to the emotional, deeply sentimental songs she’d play next.

  “This next song is one of the first songs I ever wrote.” Jessie continued to play the piano as she spoke. “I was a shy teenager and I’d had my heart broken for the first time.” The audience aw-ed in unison. “I know, right? We’ve all been there. But it wasn’t all bad. Because if it hadn’t happened, I don’t know if I’d be sitting here with you tonight.”

  Many people in the audience nodded as if they could relate.

  “So I picked up my scented gel pen.” The audience laughed. “Hey, I was still a teenager, y’all.” She laughed, too. “But I picked up this pen and I decided to write some poetry. I wrote my little heart out and it was...trash.” She laughed. “Utter and complete garbage. I filled two wastebaskets trying to get my thoughts on paper in a way that empowered me and healed my broken heart just the tiniest bit. Eventually, I wrote something that felt right, except it didn’t quite feel complete.”

  She dramatically played the chords that made up the chorus of the song she was going to sing, and people cheered and clapped with recognition. Then she returned to playing the intro.

  “It needed that little oomph. It needed music. The kind of music that touches people’s souls. So I converted my sad little love poem into lyrics, and I wrote the bars of the chorus. The rest worked itself out from there. So if you’ve ever had your heart broken, if you’ve ever needed someone to remind you that no matter how bad it feels right now, it’s not the end of the world, this song is for you.” She scanned the crowd, pleased by their enthusiastic responses.

  “The sun will shine again tomorrow. And when you wake up, in all of your fabulousness...” She waved one hand over the crowd. “You’ll get the chance to eventually get it right. Whether it be with the same person—” her gaze involuntarily met Gideon’s “—or with someone new.”

  Jessie launched into the opening bars of “Next Time I’ll Get It Right,” her voice strong and clear. She sang the song with every bit of her heart and soul. Just the way she’d written it. It gutted her every time she told the story of this song. Every time she performed it. But tonight it felt surreal, performing the song that had launched her songwriting and eventually her singing career. Knowing the man who’d inspired it was standing in the crowd, just a few feet away.

  Fourteen

  Jessie’s pulse raced after the extended applause from the audience at the end of her performance. Regardless of how many people were in the crowd or how long she’d been doing this, an enthusiastic response was always exhilarating.

  Matt Richmond returned to escort her off the stage. He and Nadia were gracious hosts.

  She’d taken official photos with them before she’d gone onstage. Afterward, they both raved over how much they enjoyed her performance. Nadia even confessed that back when she was hopelessly in love with Matt, who also happened to be her boss, she’d taken solace in Jessie’s songs.

  Jessie returned to the party to mingle and take photos with many of Matt Richmond’s business friends. After taking what felt like her hundredth selfie of the night, she was finally standing alone. Gideon, who’d been watching from his perch on a barstool all evening, approached her.

  “I’ve been listening to your albums for the past fe
w weeks, and I have to tell you, I didn’t think you could possibly top the recordings. But that live performance was brilliant. It was intimate and gut-wrenching. Yet you left us on a positive note. It was truly outstanding.”

  “You’ve listened to my music?” Jessie had never given thought to whether Gideon was out there in the world listening to her music. He’d loved rock and hip-hop. What she sang was neither.

  “Absolutely. I’m not stalking you on social media or anything, but I’ve followed your career enough to know you’ve written some pretty damn amazing songs for the biggest artists out there. You’re unbelievably talented, Jessie. Guess those piano lessons your parents made you take paid off after all.” He chuckled softly.

  “Guess they did.” Jessie couldn’t help smiling, remembering how she’d whined and complained because Geneva didn’t have to take lessons. “Of course, they’re disappointed that I’m not making real music.” She used air quotes.

  Gideon’s expression soured. His voice was suddenly tight. “How are Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey?”

  He grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing server and handed her one.

  “As pretentious as ever.” She accepted the champagne flute with a bitter laugh. “Though my mother isn’t above musing to her friends about just how close she came to having a billionaire for a son-in-law.”

  Gideon frowned. “I doubt your father shares that viewpoint.”

  Jessie sipped the bubbly liquid. It tickled her nose.

  “My father believes that had he not deemed you unsuitable for his daughter, you’d never have developed the drive to become a self-made billionaire.” She hated repeating her father’s words, but she wouldn’t lie to Gideon. Besides, after his history with Milton Humphrey, she couldn’t imagine that he’d have expected anything less of him.

  “I’ve often contemplated that very thing.” Gideon took a healthy sip of his champagne. He shrugged. “Maybe he’s right.”