She’s gorgeous.
Nothing, no amount of research, could have prepared me for this.
She’s wearing an elegant long sleeved, full length evening gown, with a tiny peek at her strappy heel and her shin. She smiles widely at the woman she’s talking to. Someone who is significantly shorter than she is, with multi-colored hair, wearing an open back dress that displays a gorgeous set of tattoos and a corset laced with red and black ribbons to match the dress she’s wearing. Without seeing her face, I’m pretty sure she’s the reason this gala is happening tonight. Cami Michaels, CEO of Bold International, founder of We Are One, and wife of Award-Winning Actor, Tristan Michaels.
Both the women laugh.
“Mr. Tyler?”
“Excuse me,” I absently say to Carl as I walk away, toward her, dodging people coming in to say hello until I’m within earshot of their conversation. Cami talks about an opening on the board of We Are One and how she would like to discuss it further with Rebel.
“I’m flattered, truly,” Rebel says, and I can’t help smiling. I take another step closer, and her eyes, bright, vibrant blue, meet mine. I notice a very faint, barely there, blush that hits her cheeks before she looks away, back to Cami.
“I’ll reach out to Dawson next week, but we, Tristan and I, would love a chance to chat with you some more.”
“Excuse me,” I say to Cami, who turns toward me.
“Oh, Mr. Tyler, hello.” She offers me her hand and I take it. “Have you had a chance to meet Ms. McKay?”
I look at her again, the blush returns to her cheeks, and I know I’ve got her. “No, I can’t say I have.” Lie.
“Perfect, allow me.” Cami beams, “Skylar McKay, Xavier Tyler.”
“Pleasure,” I smile, offering her my hand. She takes it firmly. I shift my hand and bring hers to my lips for a sweet, but chaste kiss to her knuckles. The blush deepens briefly.
Cami continues, “Skylar owns Rebel Industries, one of Manhattan’s leading investment firms.”
I know.
“Among other things,” Skylar adds.
“And Xavier is the owner of DXT Logistics.”
“Oh,” Skylar squeaks, “It is a pleasure, Mr. Tyler.”
“Perfect,” Cami says with a wide smile on her face. “Now, if you two will excuse me,” she says. She disappears before either one of us can say anything.
“So, Mr. Tyler, I do believe we’ve worked together before, well, our companies at least.”
More than you know. “I believe we have, it’s great to finally meet you.”
“Likewise.”
“Ms. McKay, excuse me,” a woman says to her as she comes over. “We’re ready for you.”
“Oh, perfect, excuse me, Mr. Tyler.” She dismisses me.
Dammit. This didn’t go how I’d hoped.
“Of course.” I smile warmly at her and watch as she follows the woman. I catch a glimpse of her backside, and my cock jumps when I see the tattoos lining her back. They look like cherry blossoms, or something along those lines, and it’s gorgeous. I catch it only after I realize the slit in her dress nearly exposes her hip and a full leg of tattoos. “Jesus,” I breathe.
Chapter 5
Skylar
Just breathe, Rebs, breathe.
Mr. Tyler, Xavier Tyler, is…
My brain misfires like I can feel him watching me walk away.
He’s tall, exquisitely dressed in Armani, but no tie, just an open collar. Just enough to show off a well-defined neck that would make any woman swoon. Any one woman, except Cami, and her confidence makes me a little green with envy. I know I’m gorgeous, and I use it to my advantage, but there are sometimes, like right now, where I can’t keep my emotions in check.
Cami was talking to me about a board position on We Are One’s Board of Directors. The idea is intriguing, and I definitely wouldn’t mind volunteering my time, but I’d think someone with more time to dedicate to the cause would be better suited for the position.
Xavier ‘Walking Sex God’ Tyler.
Jesus. I’m impressed I didn’t make a complete ass of myself in front of him.
He has gorgeous grey eyes, strong cheekbones, the perfect jaw line accented by the perfectly trimmed thin beard that’s cut very short, tracing his jawline. and a beautiful goatee in a dirty blond color to match his long dirty blond hair that looks like he spent twelve hours with a blow-dryer to get it to look just right.
I shiver as I fight the urge to snag another look at him.
He’s tall, easily six-four or six-five, with broad shoulders and thick arms. I didn’t touch him, but it’s obvious he has no problem filling in the suit he’s wearing quite well.
The gal I followed leads me to a secluded area just off the main stage where she introduces me to the event’s coordinator. I listen as attentively as I can.
“Okay, perfect,” I say after she tells me a shortened version of the agenda for tonight. Cami and Tristan will be doing some introductions, some of the benefactors are in attendance tonight and will be recognized before I will be introduced.
For some bizarre reason, they asked me to speak tonight.
I was flattered, honored, of course, but I didn’t fully understand why.
At least, not until Cami started discussing a board position. Though, I think my large contributions both monetarily and voluntarily might have something to do with it.
There’s also the fact that I am a woman, a CEO, and bisexual.
We Are One is a one of the leading equal rights organizations that has quickly grown over the last several years. They provide a number of services, including financial and legal support to LGBTQ across the US. They also have an immigration division, along with some areas for abused and battered women support.
I chose to be a benefactor of this charity because of many reasons, but primarily the work they do with the LGBTQ Youths. Something this country desperately needs.
With each passing year, the acceptance of the community grows more and more. But this world is filled with parents just like Dawson’s, who still can’t accept that being gay isn’t a choice. When I first met Dawson, I knew the kid had been rode hard and hung up wet. He was barely 20 when he started as an assistant to Darla, my previous assistant, and he looked like he was 10 years older. In a way, it broke my heart. That kid has an amazing, hardworking, fighting spirit.
I leave the secluded area and return to the crowd, mingling and meeting new people, compliments of old friends and colleagues I’ve worked with closely.
“If I’d known, I’d have been your date,” a familiar voice says into my ear, and I turn to see Ryleigh, dressed to the nines in a gorgeous full-length lace and satin boat neck with full sleeves. Black lace over satin with a full skirt.
“How is it that we spent nearly two hours over lunch and neither one of us mentioned this?” I laugh and hug her. “You look amazing,” I whisper in her ear.
“You too,” she whispers back. “I was on the fence about coming, but I’m glad I did.”
“Me too,” I smile.
“I can see why you didn’t tell me, though,” she fans the program in my face.
I shrug, “Cami’s hard to say no to.” She laughs in agreement, and we both look around the room. Celebrities, millionaires, billionaires, and the stuck-up fill the space everywhere.
“You can say that again.”
I laugh, “She got you too, huh?”
“Well, she’s determined to get me at We Are One full-time.”
“Oh yes, because that doesn’t sound familiar…” I roll my eyes at her.
“I love what I do. Helping We Are One from time to time is great, and I enjoy the work, but so much of it keeps me out of the courtroom, and you know how much I enjoy that.”
“True, but being a powerhouse lawyer is more than spending days and weeks in a courtroom.” I tell her.
“It is, but when those verdicts come in, it’s a validation that I’m good at my job.”
“It doesn’t bot
her you that the people you’re fighting for may actually be guilty of their crimes?”
She laughs a little. “It does, but I have too much faith in people. Besides, I fight the hardest for the ones I truly believe are innocent of their crimes. I leave the sleaze balls to my staff to handle. There’s a reason they’ve lost more than they’ve won.” She laughs a little harder now, “Besides, everyone deserves a fair trial, I just give them everything I can and cross my fingers for the rest.”
I shake my head, but I have a smile on my face.
“Besides, doing things like We Are One consultations helps to keep me on the right side of the law. Those cases are a challenge that I enjoy, and the reward is so much better than anything I do on a daily basis, but before you get all ‘why don’t you do it Rye’ on me, it’s not easy work and it reminds me of where I come from.”
“That, I understand. But my offer stands.” I laugh just as the lights flicker indicating that dinner is ready to be served. “Where are you sitting?”
She points toward the opposite side of the room, “Next time, we’ll come together,” she giggles as she walks away and I make my way to my table.
But not before finding him once again.
He’s hard to miss.
A hulk of a man in Armani tends to stand out in a crowd. My pussy tingles with desire when I see him pull a chair out for someone. “A gentleman, too,” I grin at him as he leaves the woman he’s just helped. Normally, I’d ignore a man already on a date, but it’s clear, even before he walks away, that he’s not here with that woman, though I’m sure she wishes he was.
The benefactor’s table is the largest in the room. Most of the people sitting here tonight, I know or have met in the past. Which helps make my sitting here a little less awkward.
In the world of the elite, I’m an enigma. Between the dreads, tattoos and the fact that I am an unmarried 32-year old who’s amassed her own empire bigger and faster than a lot of the men in this room, I stand out. Almost all the woman you see here are either married to the money, though their husbands are probably not here. Were married to the money and are the divorcee who managed to take their husband to the cleaners in the divorce. Daughters of the money or a gold digger who managed to snag a date with one of the many bachelors in attendance. The occasional single woman, like Ryleigh, that are here are here because they either work full-time or pro-bono for We Are One.
Someone pulls my chair out for me, “Thank you,” I say softly without looking up.
“My pleasure,” the voice stiffens me as I turn to look over my shoulder.
My clit tingles. “Well, hello again, Mr. Tyler.” I say with a smile.
My attention is quickly diverted to a couple other people who have arrived at our table. People I’ve met in the past, though I’m not sure I could get their names right without some type of cue card. Greetings are exchanged and the room settles to a quiet rumble of hushed voices.
“So, you are here alone.” Xavier smirks at me.
I turn to see him sitting right next to me and my eyes dart to the name card in front of him and sure enough, Xavier Tyler is printed on it.
I give him a smile, “Always.”
“We’ll have to see about that.”
Just then someone steps onto the stage and he immediately has the audience’s attention. The question I was going to ask about his statement stays on my tongue.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to tonight’s Annual We Are One Gala.” The audience applauds and a few cheers ring out before the gentleman with the microphone continues. “It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Tristan Michaels.”
More cheers and applause erupt as they take the stage. I hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing Tristan before now and he looks great in his suit. He’s a good-looking man both on and off the screen.
“Thank you,” Tristan says. His voice is like a warm comfort on a cold night. “Welcome to tonight’s gala and we want to say thank you, to each and every one of you for your never-ending support.”
“This year, We Are One, opened its doors in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana. In doing so, we have officially opened our doors in 42 states across the US.” Cami smiles wide. Emotion high in her voice and the audience applauds, loudly. As they settle, she continues, “This coming year, We Are One plans to open doors in the remaining six states along with Hawaii and Alaska, putting at least one office in every state.” Even louder applause meets my ears and it’s humbling to know that just five years have passed since they opened their doors and they’ve managed to open doors in all 50 states and keep them open with funds from donors and volunteers.
Cami and Tristan trade off, discussing the plans for this coming year beyond opening the doors of several more facilities. Including several woman’s shelters in major cities across the country as well as three new immigration assistance offices in Texas, California and Arizona. My favorite is the acquisition of a large property in Ventura, California that will be undergoing renovations starting in the spring to turn the property into a camp for under-privileged LGBTQ teens.
“Complements of three of our benefactors that couldn’t be with us tonight. Keenan, River, and Bodie Carmikael.” I watch as Tristan’s face splits into a very wide grin at the mention of his fellow actor, Bodie Carmikael. Though the woman’s name is an interesting twist. I wonder if that’s their daughter.
I shrug it off.
“None of this would be possible without all of you,” Tristan says as he gestures toward the audience. After the applause dies down, he adds, “We’d like to acknowledge some of the hard work, not only here in New York, but across the country.”
They switch over to Cami, and she starts thanking some individual volunteers, all of whom are in attendance tonight, all sitting near Ryleigh. I catch a glimpse of her, and I can tell she’s freaking out. As much as that girl loves to be in a courtroom, she’s hates audiences.
“Ryleigh Montgomery, attorney,” Cami says, and Ryleigh stands, facing the crowd, and waves. “I’d like to tell you a little story about Ryleigh.” I watch as the blush spreads brighter and redder across her cheeks. “This last year, compliments of Ms. Montgomery and some very enthusiastic teenagers, We Are One opened its first ever LGBTQ Youth Center, here in Midtown. The center is open 24 hours a day, has classes—everything from tutoring, to basketball, and art—along with counseling available to any LGBTQ under the age of 18. The facility is staffed entirely by volunteers, teachers, coaches and professional counselors. Ryleigh assisted in helping We Are One not only acquire the property, but she single-handedly recruited several of its volunteers.”
Jesus, Rye, when did you have time for all this?
It takes a little while for Ryleigh’s applause to die down and even less time for her to lose it entirely. Her eyes glisten, and she blushes bright red all the way down her chest. She finds me, and I smile wide and raise my hands to clap to her. She smiles wider and shakes her head softly. Now what she said earlier makes complete and total sense to me. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.
Tristan and Cami continue for a few more minutes, naming names, and acknowledging a good quarter of the room for their hard work before moving on to the benefactors table. Gradually, each one of the individuals at the table stand to applause, including Xavier.
“And now, I think we’ve taken up enough of your attention, for now,” Cami teases. “It’s my honor, pleasure and privilege to introduce you to tonight’s guest of honor, Ms. Skylar McKay, founder, owner, and CEO of Rebel Industries, and New York’s most beautiful, big-hearted woman, we have the pleasure of knowing.”
The room applauds, Cami and Tristan too, as I stand and weave through the chairs to the stairs on the side of the stage. Once up there, my heart is pounding, my nerves getting the better of me. I should have downed a bottle of scotch before doing this. Both Cami and Tristan embrace and thank me before handing me the microphone.
I take it to the podium where my notes are loc
ated.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. When Cami approached me about tonight,” I look out over the crowd, there are easily a thousand people in attendance. The wait staff line the walls waiting for their cue, which will come from me in a few moments, and then they land on him. Grey orbs stare up at me, a slight quiver in his smile. I smile back and continue, “I didn’t hesitate to say yes. But I realized she wasn’t asking me because of my support of We Are One, or because I am a CEO of a major corporation, but she asked me because of a story I told her a few years ago.” I smile, “Children, teens, and young adults struggle with something every day. Their sexuality. For some, it’s easy. They’re straight, they don’t think twice about it, they like members of the opposite sex, but yet, their neighbor, best friend, classmate, might not be. For many of our youths, there is a war raging inside them. They don’t understand what that war really is about until someone is there to help them understand it.” I take a deep breath. “Sometimes it’s a parent, a teacher, a counselor, a family member, or a billboard on the side of the road that lets them know there is help available to them. It’s these kids who walk into We Are One’s facilities. It’s these kids who, every day, find the strength and courage to accept who they are. It’s these kids who struggle with how to come out to their parents, their friends, family, teachers, classmates. These are the children who need your help.”
I take another cleansing breath, my eyes finding his again. I don’t understand that glint reflected back at me, but there is a calming effect in it. “I didn’t have that help.” I pause, all eyes in the room on me, listening to me, waiting for what I have to say next. “I struggled for years with not knowing who I was. I was raised in a hard-working, blue-collar family. My father was a crab boat captain and he spent months out to sea. I spent those months living with a family that wasn’t my own. When my father was killed doing what he loved, I was raised by an aunt and uncle. They didn’t know me; they just knew I needed a family, and they did everything they possibly could to raise me in a way they believed in. But my aunt wasn’t my mother, and my uncle wasn’t my father. I didn’t know how to talk to them about such things. I didn’t think they would understand. So, I buried it. I fought my own demons on a daily basis. I struggled everyday with who I was meant to be. Until a high school counselor, my senior year, took time to talk to me. To help me, and to help me understand myself.
Always Love Me: A Standalone Second Chance Romance Page 5