I gave him a hard stare. I didn’t care what he said. His assurances were a waste of air if whenever I crossed paths with Sophia, the look on her face told a different story. Until he’d severed their connection, she’d always dangle it in front of me.
“You’re mine, and the next time I see her face, I want her to know it. Call me jealous, and if that makes me ugly, then so be it.”
He pushed my hair back behind my ear. “I like that you’re protective. It doesn’t make you ugly.”
“Then end it with her. Please.” I softened in his arms, wishing he’d just do the right thing.
A long moment passed between. My resentment melted into a pile of disappointment.
“Okay.”
I lifted my gaze, but before I could say anything, his lips were on me, silencing me, giving me everything I wanted.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Marie stood behind me, curling small sections of my hair. Alli had a concentrated look on her face as she brushed some color onto my cheeks.
“You’re fussing too much, Alli. This is an engagement party, not the big day. I’m fine.”
She stood back, head cocked to the side. “You are now. You look perfect. Also, you should get used to it. Getting married is like prom on steroids.”
My lips lifted with a smile. “That’s what I’m afraid of. You keep saying things like that, I’m going to take Blake up on his offer to elope.”
Fiona looked up from her seat, another bridal magazine in her lap. “You wouldn’t!”
“No,” I relented. “You’re the only friends I have, and if I deprived you of this wedding, I’m sure neither of you would ever speak to me again.”
“Nonsense.” Alli fluffed a spiral of hair that Marie had just released. “We should go dress shopping soon though. I think that’s the key to getting you into wedding mode.”
I sighed. “You could be right. Maybe I should start looking at those magazines for ideas. I don’t even know where to start.”
“Well, don’t look too hard, because Alli and I have picked just about everything out for you already,” Fiona chimed in, her eyes glittering with humor.
I laughed. “Okay.”
“Satin and strapless.” Fiona opened it to a page, showing me a photo of a beautiful model bride.
“Hmm, pretty. What about lace?”
Alli widened her eyes a bit. “Is that what you want?”
“I don’t know, maybe. I think Blake likes lace.”
“Must run in the family,” Alli quipped, her eyes alight.
I laughed, trying to keep myself still so Marie wouldn’t inadvertently catch me with the hot iron.
Fiona did little to mask her look of disgust. “Oh my God, this conversation has to end. Please. You’ll give me nightmares.”
Alli and I laughed, sharing a look.
The door opened then, and Heath poked his head in. “Mom wanted me to tell you guys that people are starting to show up, so come out whenever you’re ready. Don’t make them wait too long to meet our guest of honor.” He winked.
“Go away, Heath. You’re going to make her nervous,” Fiona said.
“It’s fine. I have my liquid charisma right here.” I lifted my nearly empty champagne flute.
Marie loosened the last curl. “You don’t need liquid charisma. Everyone will love you.”
I warmed at her words. Of all the people here, Marie was my only family, though the more I thought of it, the more that line between Blake’s family and mine began to blur. Alli lived in both worlds right along with me, and I was far from an outsider in the Landons’ lives. They were a warm and welcoming family that I was belonging to a little more each day. The absence of my own relatives mattered less, and the times when I mourned not having a more normal family were fewer.
“We’ll be out soon. As soon as we’re beautiful.” Alli ran her fingers through her already perfectly straight hair.
“You’re already beautiful, gorgeous.” Heath smirked, his eyes fixed on Alli.
She blushed, pretending to ignore him.
“Gross, get out.” Fiona tossed a throw pillow at the door, missing her target as she closed the door shut, his laughter audible from the other side.
Marie curled the last piece of my hair. “You’re all set, baby girl.”
I stood, taking in my appearance once more. I wasn’t as concerned about how I looked as I was about holding my own in front of all of the Landons’ friends and family. This was going to be family overload, but I was as ready as I ever would be.
Alli hooked her arm through mine and gave me a little nudge. “Let’s go charm the hell out of the Landon family tree.”
“I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Blake met us as we left the spare room where the girls and I had stationed ourselves to get ready. He looked delectable in dark jeans and a pin-striped collared shirt rolled up at the sleeves and loose at the waist. He’d look good in a burlap sack, a toga, basically anything. While everyone else meandered farther into the house, I stayed back to steal a moment with him.
“You look stunning. I can’t wait to show you off,” he said, his eyes darkening.
“You like it?” I glanced down at the cream-colored strapless dress I wore. Covered lace at the top met sheer layers of the skirt that fell just below my knees.
“Love it. Very bridal. But of course, I love you more.”
He caught me up to his body and leaned down for a kiss, gentle and filled with devotion. That awareness, the ever-present arc of energy, crackled between us. His lips brushed against mine almost reverently. I closed my eyes and sank into the embrace. He traced the seam of my lips with his tongue. I sighed and opened to him, welcoming the sweet taste of him.
His tongue lashed deeper, seeking and nibbling. I moaned softly, pressing myself up to my toes. He pulled away slightly, shaking his head.
“Let’s go before I decide to steal you away from here and make love to you instead.”
I wouldn’t argue one bit, if I hadn’t known his parents were expecting us and had already put so much time into planning the party.
“Alli spent at least twenty minutes on my makeup. She’d kill me. Not to mention your parents and everyone else.”
He paused. “Are you nervous?”
I shrugged. “Maybe a little. I won’t know most of the people.”
“You will soon. They’re mostly my parents’ friends from when I was growing up. They’ll love you.” He clasped our hands together, lacing our fingers. Chest to chest, we made no effort to move. I could stay this way, hiding away in his arms all day. As if the rest of the world didn’t exist.
“I love you, Blake. We say it all the time, but sometimes I wish I could show you more. Nothing seems to do the words justice.”
He lifted my hand and pressed his lips to the band that adorned my ring finger. “You do show me. Every day, by being with me. And if that’s not enough, you have the rest of our lives to prove it to me.”
I smiled warmly. “Sounds like a good plan.”
“Come on. Let’s go.”
Blake led me into the large open living area that joined with the Landons’ designer kitchen and an impressive dining area. The combined rooms looked out onto the ocean through a wall of windows. The already expansive room had begun to fill with mingling guests. Before I could think of introducing myself, Catherine ushered over the first group of friends. Recognition lit up Blake’s face, and I steeled myself for the first of what would be many introductions tonight.
Hours passed as we went from one group to the next. The members of Blake’s extended family were as sweet and lovable as the immediate. To them, Blake was still a young man, a boy even. I could see it in their eyes and the way they interacted with him so casually. No longer the intimidating, dominating man who fought tooth and nail for what he wanted, Blake joked and even reddened a few times as people shared stories of his youth.
I repeated the story of how we’d met in the Angelcom boardroom, reliving the moments. The at
traction that charged our initial interest in each other had only grown since that time.
On the outside, Blake was perfection. Beautiful, wildly successful, rich beyond anything I could fathom, and he was charming to boot. So few people knew his heart, though. The darkness that lived there sometimes, and the passion that had deepened our bond. In the picture he painted of his youth, I saw a highly intelligent man searching for answers in our convoluted world. And in that seeking, he’d lost a friend.
Though he refused to talk about it with any depth, I knew he carried the weight of Cooper’s suicide with him. I’d guessed too that something had altered in him when it happened. A commitment to the control he so needed had been born. A fervent determination to never go through that kind of terrible experience again combined with the opportunity that Pope, his mentor, had given him to succeed with the software venture made control possible for him. He now had more control than any average person could ever hope to have.
I was lost in my own thoughts for a moment when Blake’s countenance turned stony. I followed the path of his gaze and stopped abruptly. Max stood casually next to the man I recognized from photos online to be his father, Michael. Dressed in khakis and a dark V-neck, Max carried his usual charming smile into the room. The two men were the same height and build, and Michael was no less attractive for being an older man. His skin was darkened by the sun, his hair white with the hint of blond that had faded out with age.
When Max’s gaze lit on us, he stilled a moment. Michael proceeded toward us. Without a word, he pulled Blake into a casual hug. The small gesture spoke to how their relationship went beyond the professional world. Max pivoted away and merged with another group of people in the party.
“It’s great to see you, Blake. And of course, many congratulations.”
When Michael pulled back, his eyes smiled. For a magnate, he possessed more warmth than I would have expected.
“I wasn’t convinced you’d ever get around to it, but I am very pleasantly surprised.”
His gaze slid over to me, with no less warmth or appreciation. “You must be the lovely Erica I’ve heard so much about. Catherine kept me on the phone for nearly an hour last week. I think she wanted to make sure I made the trip, but of course I would have anyway. I’m Michael, by the way.”
I shook his hand. “I’m so glad you did. It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”
Blake’s posture had relaxed only slightly. “You didn’t mention that Max was coming with you.”
Michael glanced back in the direction of the door where they’d entered. “To be honest, I didn’t know he would be. I let him know I’d be in town, and he already knew about the party, so I assumed your mother extended an invitation.”
Michael’s expression cooled slightly while Blake’s nostrils flared.
“Michael, Erica, if you would excuse me a moment, I’ll be right back.” His smile was tight, but the tone of his voice betrayed the anger that now simmered below the surface.
Michael sighed heavily. “I’ll die a happy man if that rivalry will settle itself one of these days. In the meantime, they’re taking years off my life.”
“I’m sure you’re not the only one who’d like to see it end.”
“Without a doubt. It’s unfortunate that two people with so much intelligence can devote so much time to trying to outdo each other.”
I couldn’t disagree entirely, yet I knew that of the two, Max was the aggressor. I bit my tongue though. Michael seemed mercifully in the dark about the finer details of Max’s tactics, or perhaps he simply ignored them. A man of his professional stature might not have much choice. He had empires to run while his son and protégé had it out over affairs that likely were not worth his time.
Blake and Catherine stepped out of sight. I felt for them both. Max shouldn’t have come, but now that he was here, worry knotted in my gut. He couldn’t be pleased with Blake removing him from the board, and I could only hope that an argument didn’t erupt and ruin the night.
Michael’s expression was thoughtful. “Perhaps you could be the one to make them see the absurdity of it all, Erica. They know you, respect you. Men can be awfully short-sighted sometimes. Reactionary. I’m sure you know this from experience. Maybe all they need is some guidance from an intelligent, compelling woman to make them see what a waste of time all this is.”
I felt myself flush. The man barely knew me. Besides, what power did I have over either of them? Max had gone to such great lengths to upset my company’s success. I was the last person who could bring them peace. I’d become a third party, inextricably involved in the whole terrible mess.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I think stepping between them would be dangerous.”
He nodded. “Perhaps. Max is my son, and Blake is very much like a son to me. Neither of them listen worth a damn to anything I say, sadly. You’ve certainly captured Blake’s attention though. Now if only Max would do the same, maybe we’d have some progress. It’s hard to care about much else when you have a beautiful woman in your arms.”
He smiled, and I warmed despite myself. I wanted to say more and try to enlighten this idealistic albeit sweet man with the truth. But it would do no good. Michael, Max, and Blake were like gods at war with one another, having no perspective on the potential impact of all those involved. Except Max knew exactly what his impact would be on me. The health of my business might have been a passing interest at a time, but it had considerably more importance as soon as Max realized he could hurt Blake through it.
Still, I hadn’t spoken to either Risa or Max since their site went up. As much as I wanted to tell them exactly what I thought of them, I’d chosen to stay silent.
“You look like you could use a drink.”
I spun to find Max extending a glass of champagne to me. I hesitated, but sensing Michael’s eyes on me, I took it, if only in the momentary spirit of peace. I masked the disgust for the younger man, painting on a tight-lipped smile.
Max nodded to his father. “Dad, Greg was asking about you.”
“Was he? I’ll go find him then.” Michael scanned the room and then turned back to me. “Erica, it was lovely to meet you finally. We’ll chat again before I go, but if not, perhaps you can convince Blake to come to Dallas for a proper visit. It’s been too long.”
“Of course. I’ll see what I can do.”
He kissed me on the cheek and winked before leaving me with Max. Being alone with him made me instantly uncomfortable. This was supposed to be a happy day, but I had nothing nice to say to Max. No matter Michael’s optimistic thoughts about everyone getting along, Max had wounded me and attacked my business in a way that was unforgiveable.
“Why are you here?”
He scoffed, feigning offense. “You’d think you might be happier to see me. I was a few signatures away from giving you two million dollars. Or did Blake’s four mil trump that whole thing?”
“No, but your propensity to shit on everything he does certainly colored that choice.”
“Was it a choice? Or did he back you into a corner? That’s how he works, you know. He manipulates and positions himself to the point where you can’t make any other decision but the one he wants. Is that the kind of man you want to marry?”
“What do you want Max? Or did you just come here to upset everyone?”
“I was hoping I could speak with you, actually.”
I shrugged, taking a sip of the champagne. “Here I am.”
“I’d like to discuss business, and I’d rather not do it in front of parents and childhood friends. Could we speak alone?”
He eyed me steadily. Looking around the room, I couldn’t see Blake, but the thought that he would intervene if he saw us speaking seemed likely.
“Blake doesn’t want you here. You should really leave. His parents put a lot into this party, and I’d rather not see it ruined because you two can’t get along.”
“Agreed. I’ll be on my way as soon as I can have a moment of your time
.”
I sighed, my aggravation growing the longer I stayed in this holding pattern with him. As much as I wasn’t in the mood for any kind of powwow with Max, I also didn’t want Blake to cause a scene. I’d let Max say what he needed to say and hopefully get him to leave so the rest of the night could carry on as planned.
“Fine. Five minutes, and then you need to leave.”
“Fair enough.”
Reluctantly, I led him from where we stood down a hallway that led to Greg’s den. The room was cool and quiet.
I walked in and turned at Greg’s large desk, leaning against it.
The door closed behind Max with a click.
“That’s better isn’t it?” He walked closer, something hidden in his guarded expression.
“Say what you have to say.”
He stopped a few feet away, a distance I assured myself was safe. My stomach tensed. An uncomfortable sensation prickled under my skin.
Lifting his glass, he smirked. “How about a toast?”
I rolled my eyes. “What would we possibly toast to, Max?”
“To Blake.”
I canted my head, waiting for him to continue.
“For winning the girl, driving me out of Angelcom, and managing to turn my old man’s eye from his own family for the better part of fifteen years. How’s that for a toast?”
Resentment laced every word. But when I considered what he’d done to both of us, I couldn’t muster an ounce of sympathy for him. I was glad he was losing his battle with Blake, and I could certainly toast to that.
“Cheers.” I lifted my glass to him and let the champagne slide down, the liquid welcome to my mouth now parched from the hours of introductions and conversations.
A smile lifted his lips. “So tell me, how’s business?”
I laughed. “Wouldn’t you like to know? You lost your inside connection. I suppose you’ll have to guess and hope for the best now.”
“You sound bitter, Erica. Why? I told you I was interested in the concept. You chose not to let me invest in it. Shouldn’t it show my commitment that I was willing to make it happen with or without you?”
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