by Kayla Oliver
“It’ll happen,” I whisper to her as we walk. “But let’s go eat.” Hand in hand, we walk toward the group of people.
“Thank you,” she says softly and I stop beside Jake.
“Can she sit here so she’s across from me?” I ask and he looks up at me in shock, then looks at her with a heat I recognize in his eyes.
“Of course,” he says and she smiles at him and sits down. Once they’re settled, I walk toward the spot I was in before. As I sit, both Cliff and Shane ask me questions.
Dakin breaks in and tells them to back off before I get overwhelmed. He puts a plate before me and I realize I’m starving. I dig in as he takes the seat next to me and quickly answers questions.
“Your potato salad is incredible,” I tell Shannon, my mother-in-law to be. She smiles, a little twinkle in her eyes.
“I’ll give you the recipe,” she says and I feel so very welcome and at ease as Dakin turns to me.
“I love you,” he mouths.
I whisper back, “I love you more.”
Things couldn’t get any better. My life is amazing. I’m not fucking perfect. I’m just me, and I’m happy.
Dakin
She has no idea why I set this whole thing up. I’m so in love with her it aches. I stay awake at night long after she’s drifted off to sleep and I stress and worry about the agony I’d feel if she left me. I think about how hard it would be to lose her. To let her go. I would, of course, if she wanted me to, but it would scar me deep in my very soul.
I’m going to ask her to marry me. I’ve got her father’s blessing. I’ve got Grandma’s ring. I’m going to ask her to love me forever right here in front of the people who mean the most to us in this world.
And I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.
Sure, it’s fast, but like the cliché line goes - when you know, you know.
As the conversation around us surges, I listen to my guys talking rocks, to Amber and Jake talking quietly about something that they’re in total agreement on. The way they lean in close warms my heart, and I think I know what’s been eating Jake up lately.
Amber is a beautiful girl, though she could never hold a candle to Camille, and while she’s quick to temper, I feel like she’s a good match for my oldest friend.
I scan the table, glad to see so many people who I care about talking, eating, and enjoying their conversations and lives. Shane and Brice are talking about love and how that crap will never be part of their lives. I have to smile at that, because it’s going to get them when they least expect it. That’s just how it works. And when it gets them, I’ll be right there to rub their faces in it.
Mom smiles at me while talking to Cliff, and dad winks at me. It’s nice to know they’re in on it. Hell, I think everyone knows except Camille.
And it’s nice to know I’m going to surprise her.
She’s been such a surprise to me. She’s smarter than I knew when we talk business, and she’s logical and controlled until we heat up the sheets. Then she’s unrestrained, unabashedly sexy and incredible beyond words. She’s perfect. While I’m sure she doesn’t think so, I know she’s aware of her flaws, but I’m in love with her and know her flaws have made her into the woman I’ve come to care so much for over these last months.
She never ceases to surprise me.
And now, as conversations lull and silence seems to eat into the moment, I decide to get to it. People are waiting. I get out of my chair and turn to Camille. She looks up at me in surprise.
And I get down on one knee and see the tears begin to sparkle in her eyes, along with joy, fear, and something more exciting: love.
“Camille,” I say, glad everyone is listening and silent. “Ever since you walked into my life, you’ve challenged me.” I hear Jake let out a quiet snort and know he’s thinking about how I’d carried Camille upstairs over my shoulder like a damned cave man.
Camille smiles and I know she’s remembering it too.
“You’ve pushed me to be the man you thought I was, even at my worst.” I think about how she’d told me I wasn’t the monster I wanted her to believe I was. She’d been so sweet, so sure, and even when I’d tried to make her realize I wasn’t that good man she thought I was.
“You monster,” she whispers, and there’s a ripple of laugher throughout the table.
I grin, unable to hide my amusement at her humor. It’s one more thing I love about her, how quick she is to laugh at herself, at me, at life.
“You’re perfect,” I tell her, needing her to understand what I mean. “Your imperfection, your flaws, you,” I emphasize, “are perfect for me.”
“Our baggage matches,” she jokes, and I let out a little laugh. How many times we’ve shared that sentiment as we dig into who we are, how broken and fragile, how human and real we are and what changed us every step of the way through our lives. She swears we met by chance, but I’m certain she walked into my life because I needed her.
“You’ve asked me questions no one else thought to, you’ve trusted me, and you’ve challenged me. And I love it. I want you to keep making me think on my toes for the rest of our lives.” I take out the ring and hold it a moment. It’s a beautiful bit of Alexandrite surrounded by tiny diamonds.
Grandpa had given it to my grandma because he said it reminded him of the shift of liking her to loving her over time. Perhaps because the gem itself changes color. In the sunlight, it’s a brilliant blue with vibrant green overtones, but inside the house, under artificial light, it’s a deeply red gem with a hint of raspberry color.
And now, as I offer it to the love of my life, I suddenly understand. The feelings had started deep and over time had lit into a raging inferno of joy and passion that I couldn’t have imagined love could be. It’s better than I’d even imagined.
Camille gives me her hand and whispers yes. I slip the ring on her finger, joy imploding in me as I rise to my feet with her in tow. She throws her arms around me and our lips meet as the people we care about most clap.
With her, I can do anything.
Camille is everything I need, everything I want. For her, I’ll be the best man I can be. Together, we’ll live a flawed, perfectly imperfect life. And it won’t always be easy, but it’ll always be worth it.
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Preview of Temptation
Chapter One
The ceremony ended an hour ago, but it was taking forever for the visitors to leave. Hundreds of people had flocked to the funeral to pay their respects to Robert Parker, the iron-fisted founder of Parker Industries. The entrepreneur had built his million-dollar business from the ground up and managed to achieve the American dream. Under his rule, Parker Industries bought out and built up two different currier services, a mega-chain auto rental, and more. He was ruthless when it came to business, and most of the visitors were business associates. It was a room full of the pretentious and rich. There were few people left in the world who had truly loved Robert Parker.
They say that he'd hardened his heart after the death of his wife twenty years ago. He left behind three sons, and the funeral guests, who weren't there to network, were there to see the notorious Parker brothers.
Garret Mason loosened his tie and frowned. The expensive suits still made him a little uncomfortable even though he'd been wearing them for years. In high school, Robert Parker had made him a deal. If Garret proved himself in college, Robert would make sure that he always had a job with Parker Industries waiting for him when he graduated. The old man kept his word, and Garrett was named Press Release Manager five years ago, but it was still hard to shed his old skin. "This is ridiculous," he muttered. "Do we h
ave to do this today? They just buried their father."
The skinny and bespectacled man shifted nervously from one foot to another. As Garret loomed over him, the shorter man’s balding head gleamed under the lights. Todd Harris. Garret could tell that something was unnerving the lawyer, but the man was tightlipped about the terms of the will. He only insisted that he meet with the brothers and the board directly after the funeral. "I told you. It was Mr. Parker's wish," he said nervously.
"Relax, Garret." Blake, the eldest of the three brothers, put his hand on Garret's shoulder and squeezed. "You're making Mr. Harris nervous."
"I don't know why. I'm just pointing out the obvious."
"I'm fairly certain that Cole and Hawk don't mind. As soon as we establish the terms of dear old Dad's will, the sooner they can skip town and move on with their lives. It's better that we get it all done at once." Blake, always the efficient one, cracked a rare smile. Blake had been groomed since practically birth to take over Parker Industries. When Garret first met Blake, he thought that the quiet and far-too-serious high school kid was an easy target.
He was wrong.
"Did you see the tabloids yesterday?" Garret asked grimly. "Hawk was so drunk at the club that they actually kicked him out. I can only imagine how bad he must have been for the club owners to throw a notorious Parker brother out."
"Damn fool. The faster we get them out of here, the better. Parker Industries is under critical scrutiny, and we can't afford any embarrassing scandals right now. Why the hell is Cole talking to Wiltshire? Please tell me that he's not trying to expand his connections at our father's funeral. And Wiltshire, of all people."
A scene between Blake and Cole would end badly, so Garret reached out and grabbed his friend's arm. "I'll get them to the office if you want to go ahead and meet us there. The crowd should dissipate once we leave."
Blake gave his brother one last look of disgust before nodding. Leaning down to give a quiet word to Todd, the two men walked out together. Garret decided that breaking up whatever deal Cole might be making was his highest priority.
"Mr. Wiltshire," Garret said as he flashed his most charming smile. "You'll have to excuse Cole. He's needed elsewhere. I'm sure you understand."
"Of course," Wiltshire nodded. "Cole, we can pick this up at another time. I am interested in your ideas, but you have a lot on your plate. I am sorry about your loss. I’m interested in seeing how Blake will fill his shoes."
More like interested in getting his grubby hands on the company if Blake failed. Garret reached out to shake the man’s hand and tried to keep his temper in check. Robert Parker wasn’t even in the ground yet, and the wolves were already circling. "There's a car waiting for you out front. Blake and the lawyer are already on their way. Have you seen Hawk? The two of you can ride together."
"The hell we're riding together," Cole muttered darkly. "He can take his own car."
Garret was about to ask Cole to wait when he saw two men approaching them. Not wanting to cause a scene, Garret conceded. "Fine. I'll get Hawk myself."
This meeting was going to go real well.
When Garret met the three brothers, they were loyal to each other. The ridiculously expensive private school they attended took boys of all ages, so they looked out for each other at school. When Robert paid for Garret to attend the same school for the last two years, Garret quickly found out that money only made some kids meaner. Many of the kids were the spoiled offspring of Robert Parker's competitors, and they shared their daddies’ hatred for the man. Hawk, as the youngest, always felt the brunt of their cruel jokes.
Garret was never really sure what happened after he and Blake graduated. They stayed friends during college and while they worked together, Robert made Blake work his way up to the top just like everyone else, but Cole and Hawk didn't want anything to do with the business. They moved to the different corners of the country for college, and the brothers drifted apart.
Way apart.
"Mr. Mason." The blonde gentleman cleared his throat, and Garret realized they worked with the funeral home. "We hate to bother you, but there's a gentleman with a lady in one of our offices."
He was about to demand why that was his problem when he saw the fear in their eyes.
Damn it. Hawk.
"I'll take care of it. Which office?"
Following their directions, he opened the door just in time to see the youngest Parker brother with his hands sliding up some young woman's bare thigh as she knocked things off the desk. She giggled breathlessly, and Garret cleared his throat. "Forgive me for interrupting," he said dryly. "But this is a funeral."
"Garret." Hawk smiled as he straightened. "I should have known that you'd be here policing my father’s funeral. Darling, meet Garret Mason. He was just some rat on the street that my father took in and turned into a real man. Garret, meet…" Hawk frowned. "Actually, I don't know your name, sweetheart."
Garret let the insult slide off him. He could smell the whiskey on the man's breath. "Miss? You should go." With wide eyes, the attractive redhead slid off the desk, straightened her dress, and hurried out with a muttered apology.
"Did Blake send you here to make sure that I was behaving myself?"
"Actually, Blake is on his way to the office. You and your brothers have a meeting with the board and the lawyers. I'll call for a car to pick you up."
Hawk leaned against the desk and shrugged. "I'm not going. We all know that our father left the company and the house to Blake. I'd say that he's the favorite, but Blake was just the first one out. The rest of the cash assets will be divided evenly."
"You still own controlling shares, and you need to attend if for no other reason than to sign the paperwork. The sooner you get this over with, the sooner you can go back to your life. Whatever that may be."
Hawk narrowed his eyes. "Whatever," he muttered as he strolled out from the office. Garret called one of the drivers to pick up Hawk and escaped to his own car. No matter how much money he made, Garret couldn't imagine paying someone to drive him around. He loved the control that he felt behind the car too much.
The last to arrive at the meeting, he wasn't surprised by the tense silence. Blake had already taken his father's chair at the head of the table. Cole looked angry, and Hawk looked bored. The board members looked confused, and poor Todd looked terrified.
Yup. This was going to go swimmingly.
Todd cleared his throat nervously and stood. "Mr. Mason. Now that you're here, we can get started. As dictated by the last will and testament of the late Robert Parker, I have convened everyone here to discuss the arrangements of Parker Industries. This will was created on…"
"For the love of God," Hawk groaned. "Can you please skip the formalities and just get to the good stuff. We all know that Blake will take the controlling shares, so just tell us what to do."
"Hawk," Blake hissed. "I'm sure your plans to waste your life with sex and alcohol are important, but I think it can wait."
“You’re just pissed because I have a life.”
"The two of you getting into another pissing match is only going to make this longer,” Cole chimed in. "We don't want to be here. You don't want to be here. They don't want to be here. So let's just get this over with."
"Gentlemen," Garret said forcefully. The brothers fell silent, and Garret nodded to the lawyer. "Mr. Harris, I think we'd all agree that it's best if you just get to the point."
Todd paled considerably, and Garret frowned. He had a feeling the man was about to say something that no one would like.
"Very well," he stuttered. "As it so happens, the majority of the shares don't fall to Blake. They are to be split evenly among the three brothers. Blake, Cole, and Hawk are to evenly share the responsibilities of Parker Industries for at least a year. If they attempt to sell their shares or shirk their duties in that year, their shares will be transferred to Wiltshire and Donovan LLC."
At first there was stunned silence. Then the whole room exploded. Garret was
too shocked to do more than just watch the chaos. Poor Todd visibly trembled as everyone yelled at him. Blake was furious to lose what he'd considered his birthright. Cole was ripping the copy of the will from the lawyer's hands, and Hawk was cussing everyone else out. Even the members of the board were outraged.
What the hell was Robert thinking? For all the time that Garret knew him, the company was Robert's baby. He put it before everything, even his sons. This act was so uncharacteristic of the bastard. He was practically throwing it to the wolves. Wiltshire and Donovan had been trying to buy out Parker Industries for years, and Robert had resisted them at every turn.
So why now?
"Enough," Garret roared. "Everybody settle down!"
The room quieted, and he took a deep breath. "Todd, have you looked to see if there was any way around this?"
The poor man slowly sat down. "I'm afraid not. Since his death, our whole team of lawyers has been looking for a loophole. It's ironclad."
"Great. That’s just great. So who's to judge if the brothers are shirking their duties?"
"Well, after our meeting here, I have to provide Wiltshire and Donovan with the details. If they can prove to a judge that the brothers aren't all active in running the business, they can take over."
Garret caught Hawk looking at the door and clenched his teeth. "Hawk. Cole. You are aware that if you don't participate for at least a year, you'll lose your source of income, correct?"
Hawk shrugged. "I don't give a damn about the company."
"Do you give a damn about me?" Blake hissed. "I am not about to lose Parker Industries to the slimy hands of Wiltshire and Donovan. Give me a year, and then you can bolt."
As the brothers bickered, Garret sat back and closed his eyes. He knew what the board was thinking. Even if he did get the brothers to agree to this ridiculous charade, that didn't solve their only problem. When the brothers took over, the press would have a field day, and the reputation of the Parker brothers would be under scrutiny. Wiltshire and Donovan could use that alone to take over.
