by Wynn, Renee
Ashton Campbell Sinclair II—better known as Camp—with a trace of wry amusement sparling in his eyes, greeted his son with a slap to the shoulder and a handshake. “Congratulations, son.”
“Thanks.”
“You were always the secretive one. This one caught us by surprise but what a nice one it is.” Camp grabbed Nicole in a bear hug. “Welcome to the family, little lady.” He was a big, tall robust man with a hearty laugh and untamable blond hair. His eyes were green but always held a twinkle. Most people underestimated Camp Sinclair because of his carefree attitude but that was his advantage. He was no pushover when it came to business and before his opponent realized it was too late.
Coming from three generations of Texas oil barons hadn’t changed his disposition. He was tough but a softy when it came to his family. Anyone looking at Ashton saw that he got his strength and masculine looks from his father.
Nicole smiled at Ashton’s father “Ah…Thanks, Mr. Sinclair.”
“Now we’re going to have to change that. You need to call me dad or Camp. Take your pick.”
“Camp, please don’t pressure her.” Alexa’s lips were tight as if she just sucked on a sour piece of candy.” If she still wants to call you Mr. Sinclair, she may do so.”
“Honey, stop being so formal. We’ve known Nicole since she came to live with Marjorie. She’s family.” Ashton’s father gave her another hug.
Alexa swung sharply to look at Camp with an expression on her face Nicole couldn’t interpret. Irritation? Anger? It was so quickly replaced by a smile that Nicole almost missed it.
Alexa gestured to a hallway opening. “Why don’t we go into the study and you can tell us how the two you came to be married.”
“Mother.” Ashton’s voice held a note of warning.
Alexa Sinclair laughed without mirth. “Since we weren’t invited to the wedding, I want all the details.”
Nicole snuck a quick glance at Ashton’s mother. The woman was wasn’t happy. Not one bit.
“Alexa, give her room to breathe. She and Ashton just arrived.”
“Well, she was extremely close with Brent. I’m sure she’s used to us by now.”
Ashton glared at his mother. “Are you trying to make a point, Mother?”
The edginess to Ashton’s voice made Nicole uncomfortable. She didn’t want to come between his mother and him.
A flush gracefully tinted Alexa’s face. “Of course not, dear.” She cleared her throat. “Nicole, your aunt and I are best friends and since she’s not here, I do hope you’ll let me step in for her.”
Nicole cut her eyes to Ashton. He remained stoic but his eyes narrowed to slits.
“Thank you, Mrs. Sinclair.”
“Nicole!” A shout came from behind her. Nicole turned at the screeched high-pitch sound. She smiled when Gia Sinclair hurried toward her. She was a beautiful woman with flowing blonde hair that fell in ringlets down her back. She was petite and had a small compact body that would made men stop and take a second look.
All of the Sinclair children were blessed with gorgeous blue eyes. Whereas Ashton’s were almost blue black his siblings were piercing blue with very slight flecks of green.
“Gia, must you scream?” her mother admonished.
She ignored her mother and wrapped her arms around Nicole in a tight hug and then turned to her brother, planting a kiss on his cheek. Putting an arm through his, she leaned in and whispered. “I see you finally caught the prize.”
“Don’t be a brat,” He placed an affectionate kiss on her cheek.
“I’m just stating the obvious, big brother.”
Ashton sister trained her eyes on Nicole. “You’re truly my sister now. Isn’t that great, Mother?” Not waiting for an answer, Gia continued, “We must get together and do a girl’s day or night. How about lunch next week?”
“I would like that, Gia. How long are you going to be home?”
Gia Sinclair was living in New York working as an apprentice with a well-known interior design firm.
She looked at her parents. “I’m moving back to Dallas. Trying to break into the interior design business in New York is tough. Don’t get me wrong, I love working for Gautier’s Designs but I want to start my own business.”
Alexa rolled her eyes. “You’re twenty-two, Gia, and have only worked for them for one year. You need more experience under your wing. No one is going to give someone your age the responsibility of decorating an entire house, complex, or office. I know I wouldn’t. It’s just not done.”
“Well done, Mother. I appreciate your vote of confidence in my abilities.”
Camp frowned at his wife and then smiled at his daughter. “Now Gia, I’m sure you mother believes in you, baby. She’s just worried—”
“Daddy, not this time. I know exactly what my mother thinks of me.” She turned to Nicole. “I’ll call you for a date, okay?”
“I would love it.”
“Take care of her, big brother. She’s a treasure.” She hugged Ashton again and walked away.
“Well, I never. I just don’t know what’s wrong with her. I can’t say anything without her getting defensive,” Alexa huffed. “Camp, you’ve spoilt that girl. She needs to grow—”
“Alexa, drop it,” Camp said.
She glared at her husband but didn’t say anything. However the tightening of her lips surely indicated her anger.
“Dad, can I talk to you a moment?”
“Sure son.”
Ashton took Nicole’s hand. “Will you be okay?”
Alexa threw out a short laugh. “Goodness, Ashton. Of course, she will. What do you think is going to happen to her?”
Nicole touched his arm. “I’ll be fine.”
“I won’t be long.” He kissed her and they walked away.
The silence between Nicole and Alexa was heavy and tense. Nicole had always been a little intimidated around Ashton’s mother and today wasn’t any different.
Nicole took a deep breath and spoke. “Mrs. Sinclair, thank you for having the luncheon. It’s really lovely.”
“It could’ve been grand if I had more notice.”
Oh, boy. Here we go. “I’m sorry. I know the wedding caught you by surprise. Everything happened so fast. When Ashton sets his mind to something, there’s no swaying him off course.”
Lips pursed, she stared at Nicole for a long time. “My son is not spontaneous. Everything in his life is planned down to the last detail,” Alexa stressed each word carefully.
“We fell in love,” she lied. “It caught us both by surprise.”
“Really? Do you expect me to believe that?”
Stunned, Nicole mouth hung opened lost for words.
Before she could recover, Alexa took her arm. “Never mind, dear. Come along, I need to introduce you to a few people.” She propelled her toward a group of women on the other side of the large room.
After a half hour listening to her mother-in-law and the women talk about roses and the latest society gossip in Dallas—none that Nicole was interested in—she scanned the room for Ashton. She spotted him, his eyes already riveted on her. She smiled and turned back to the women.
###
Ashton didn’t like it. His mother wasn’t happy with his decision to marry Nicole. But he wouldn’t stand for any interference.
His father snapped his fingers in his face. “Earth to Ashton.” He threw out a hearty laugh “Son, you really got it bad. I knew when it happened you would fall as hard as I did with your mother.”
“Do you do have a problem with me marrying Nicole?”
“No. Why do you ask?”
“It seems as if Mother does. I don’t want my wife upset.”
“Your mother would never do anything to hurt you or Nicole. Since both of our sons decided to marry quickly without a formal wedding, I think she may be a little hurt. Give her some slack. You know your mother; she likes to believe she knows everything about her sons. Your marriage threw her a curve ball. But I always knew you h
ad feelings for Nicole.’
“What?”
“You could never keep your eyes off her.”
“I tried to not let Brent know that I wanted his girl.”
“Son,” he laughed. “If Brent didn’t know how you felt, it was because he chose to ignore it. Remember the time at the annual picnic when one of his friends tackled Nicole during touch football and almost knocked her unconscious? You got so angry. I had to stop from you punching the guy out. I knew then it would be just a matter of time. You were becoming surly and more tense than usual. But it all worked out. Brent married Melissa and you got Nicole. Now don’t worry about your mother, she’ll come around.”
“It doesn’t matter if she does or not.”
Camp lifted his brows. “Ashton, she’s your mother. This isn’t an attitude I expect or will tolerate. Your mother loves you. You’re her first born. She wants the best for you.”
“I know that but—”
“There’s no but. Your mother has always been one hundred percent behind her kids. She’s a fierce lioness and your happiness is her main priority. But I am worried about Nicole being so young. I think Alexa might’ve thought when you did get married it would be to someone around your age and more experienced. But, we respect your decision.”
“That’s all that I ask. But I won’t have Nicole shunned or feel as if she’s not welcome in this house.”
His father straightened to his full six feet five height and frowned deeply. “That will not happen. I have never mistreated anyone, no matter who they are. Creed, color, or nationality have never been problem with me or Alexa. I taught you kids to do the same. I live by my own code of ethics, Ashton. I thought you knew me better than that.”
He didn’t back down. “I want her happy.”
“I see that you do love her.”
“You doubt otherwise?”
“I wanted to be sure. I knew you wanted her but I see that it’s different from your other relationships.”
“What other relationships? I never brought anyone home to be introduced.”
“No, you didn’t but we heard rumors.”
“I did date but it wasn’t ever anything serious.”
“Nicole’s a nice girl and comes from a good family.” Camp paused for a moment. “I don’t want anything coming between Alexa and Marjorie’s friendship.”
“I love Nicole. I would do anything for her.”
“Good. I’m happy to hear it. I’m sure your mother and Marjorie—”
“Will interfere? I know. It’s part of their nature.”
His father chuckled and slapped on his back. “Son, you got it right. Both women will think she’s too young for you and both will think neither of you are good enough for each other. It’s a mother thing. No one is good enough for their child.”
“Mother never had a problem with Melissa and Brent.”
“She’s known Melissa since she was born. Besides it was always an unspoken understanding between the families they would marry someday.”
“Did you tell Brent that Nicole and I are married?”
“Yes, I did.” His father cleared his throat.
“And?”
“He was surprised.”
“She completes me.”
“I understand. You waited a long time. With your mother, I don’t think I would’ve had the patience. I look at her now and I can’t imagine my life without her.”
Ashton grinned. “You sound romantic, Dad. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“I’m a true romantic. Just ask your mother.”
“Too much info.”
“I know it’s not one of your virtues. You’re too much like me in that regard. But try to be patient with Nicole. We go after what we want and damn the consequences.” He grinned. “Come on. Let’s go and get a drink.”
He followed his father to the bar and scanned the large room. “Why in the hell did Mother invite all these people? She never said one word to be me about it. If I had known, I wouldn’t have thought twice about coming.”
“Alexa knows you. That’s probably why she didn’t tell you.”
Again, Ashton looked around the room. “Are Brent and Melissa coming?”
“They left for a belated honeymoon to Fiji a week ago. They should be back soon. It’s sad, but Melissa lost the baby.”
“I’m sorry. How is Melissa?”
“Not good. She really wanted the baby. Brent on the other hand hasn’t said a word. I don’t know if he’s relieved or upset. The boy has been sullen for the last few weeks. I don’t know what’s gotten into him but I suggested they go on this trip. He and Melissa should’ve taken their honeymoon months ago but Brent kept putting it off. I practically had to threaten to take his job away to get him to leave.”
“Melissa deserves to get away after experiencing something so tragic. Brent forgets what’s important.”
“We’re Sinclair men. It’s a trait that we have to conquer.” Camp drained his glass and set it on the bar counter. “Do you mind if I leave you for a moment? I see someone I need to speak with.”
“No, go ahead. Uh, thanks, Dad.”
His father squeezed his shoulder. “I’ll see you later, son.”
Ashton leaned against the bar and took a sip of his drink, his eyes zeroing in on his bride. She was stood with his mother and a group of women. Nicole’s head was swinging back and forth between the ladies as they bombarded her with questions. As soon as she opened her mouth to answer, another one threw out question. She glanced up at him, smiled and then shook her head, the dark waves of hair sweeping her shoulders.
Damn, he had it bad. Even her hair caused his heart to flip. He took another sip of his drink and continued to watch. He would’ve broken up the little group and rescued his wife but she was holding her own.
He reached to pluck a stuffed mushroom off the tray of a passing waiter and when he turned back around Natalie Blackstone was standing in front of him.
“Hello Ashton.”
He observed the tall blonde woman whom he bedded briefly a short time ago. She was extremely beautiful and poised with large green eyes which could cause many men to fall at her feet. But he was never one for fawning over any woman…until Nicole. His sexual relationship with the woman had been a mistake. She’d caught him in an unguarded and vulnerable moment when he thought that Nicole would marry his brother.
At a huge social event, he had escaped to the balcony to get away from the noise and to take a breather. Unaware of his presence in the dark corner, Nicole and her aunt walked out to the balcony. Not wanting to disturb them he kept quiet. But hearing Nicole’s declaration of love for his brother had caused him to drink far more than he usually did.
Leaving with Natalie that night hadn’t been one of his brightest decisions. She was a long-time acquaintance. She always made it known she was interested in something more. But he’d chosen to ignore it not wanting to destroy their friendship. But everything changed when she took him back to her house and her bed.
He made another wrong decision and fell into a casual sexual relationship with no strings attached. After few weeks, she’d become clingy. He ended the sex portion of relationship abruptly with no regrets and never looked back.
“Natalie.”
She laughed softly. “Is that all I’m going to get? I think we’re more than hello, don’t you?”
He squinted, stared at her and waited.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Has it?”
“Six months, four days and sixteen hours.” She laughed cruelly. “But who’s counting.”
“Don’t do this, Natalie. It’s over.”
“And you couldn’t tell me that?”
“I did tell you and I meant it. You chose not to believe it.”
When she’d called him to inquire about the picture of him and another woman in a magazine, he’d refused to tell her the woman had been a potential client and not a date. He hadn’t wanted her to get any ideas of reconciliatio
n.
“I thought we were friends, Ashton. I deserved more than that.”
“You wanted more. I told you at the start it would never be anything serious.”
“I’ve known you a long time. I thought…” She took a deep shaky breath. “I thought it meant something.”
“I never gave you any indication that I was looking for a girlfriend, companion, or a wife.”
“You’re a cold-hearted ass, Ashton.”
He chewed the inside of his jaw to keep from saying something that would’ve hurt her. She knew exactly what type of man he was. Why pretend their sexual encounters had been special? “So I’ve been told.”
She blinked. “Didn’t you feel anything for me?
No one could dispute the fact that Natalie Blackstone was a very beautiful woman and any man would be glad to be with her. The sex was good but not great. It was nothing to what he had with Nicole. It didn’t even come close.
There was a natural poise about Natalie that made you realize right away that she was her own person. She was everything most men would want in a woman, smart, savvy in business and wealthy in her own right, but she wasn’t what he wanted. Ashton always appreciated the fact that Natalie stood on her own. But she changed, calling throughout the day and evening, trying to get him back into her bed or asking him to escort her to some event or other. It irritated him. He wouldn’t be pressured into anything.
“You don’t want to hear the answer.”
“Try me.”
“It was sex, Natalie. Once the act was completed, I was done.”
She glared at him. “You son of a bitch.” She threw her long blonde hair over her shoulder, and struggled to regain her composure. “You told me marriage wasn’t for you…that you would never get married. Those were your exact words. But you married Nicole.”
“My marriage is off limits.”
“You didn’t fool me, Ashton. I saw the way you watched her when you didn’t think anyone was looking. You were pathetic.”
He lifted a brow but remained silent.
She snickered and continued. “Ah, you thought your lust for your brother’s girlfriend was a secret? I’m nobody’s fool. Is she the reason you stopped seeing me?”
