Tempt Me: A First Class Romance Collection

by Hawkins, Jessica

  Several seconds pass as we watch the fellow making giraffes and dogs. It reminds me a little of Central Park, and I decide there’s no time like the present.

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you… I have a very important business function next week in New York. It’s an overnight trip… I’d like you to come with me.”

  Again, I’ve stumped her. I kind of like knowing I have this power over her.

  “We’ll be attending a gala for tech developers and investors like me,” I continue. “So you’ll need a formal dress. I can help you with the expense if you need—”

  She finds her voice. “I can afford a formal dress. But what about Lillie?” Her eyes dart forward to where my daughter is jumping up and down and asking for a unicorn.

  “Eleanor has agreed to take care of her while we’re gone.”

  “I don’t know about this.” She exhales, looking down and crossing her arms. “I can’t date you, Remi. You’re my boss.”

  “You can think of it as more of a work function.” Bullshit. It’s a total fucking date.

  My girl is too smart for that.

  My girl? What?

  I kind of like the way it sounds, though.

  Dark eyes slant up at me, and she’s so pretty. “How is it a work function?”

  “I have to take a plus one.” I shrug, adopting a very professional tone. “I don’t have the time or the inclination to find some woman to go with me. Your salary is dependent on my business being successful, so you’ll go with me. And we’ll have a nice time.”

  “Will we be staying in the same room?”

  “No.” Technically. “I booked the penthouse suite at the Four Seasons We’ll each have our own rooms.”

  “In the same, bigger room? I don’t think so.”

  I like that she’s apparently considering it. “How is it different from our current arrangement?”

  “A floor and a mother-in-law.” We take a few more steps. “And a little girl.”

  I’m standing just behind her shoulder, and I trace a finger up the back of her arm, thinking how soft her skin is. “None of that made a difference last night.”

  Goosebumps break out on her skin, but her gaze is focused straight ahead, on my daughter. “You’re not helping your case.”

  My tone changes to coaxing. “Come on, Ruby. It’ll be fun, and I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have with me.”

  Turning, she looks up at me. “Why?”

  For a beat, I’m taken aback. “Because I like talking to you… because you’re funny and smart.” Because you’ll look amazing on my arm as we meet potential clients and intimidate the competition.

  Her lips press into a line. “How is it you don’t have a date? You’re easy to talk to, funny, and smart.”

  “I don’t know. I guess I’ve been too focused on my work, on Lillie.”

  What I don’t say is no one interested me before I met her. I don’t want to go back to that lonely existence. At the same time, I’m not interested in meeting someone new. I only want to be with her. She completes a part of me I didn’t know had been yearning for completion. She loves my daughter, she fills my house with light… She’s kind of perfect.

  “Look, Daddy! Ruby, he made me a colorful unicorn!” Lillie comes running back to us waving a white, lavender, pink, and yellow balloon horse over her head.

  Ruby squats down to greet her, admiring the latex creation. “That’s amazing! Did he make it just for you?”

  Lillie nods dramatically, and Ruby tweaks her nose before standing and taking her hand. She catches my gaze and does a little chin lift. “I’ll think about it and let you know.”

  “Let me know tonight.”

  19

  Ruby

  Lillie’s in her bedroom playing with her dolls, and I scoop up my phone tapping out a quick text.

  Help. Need help. Emergency. 911!

  The gray bubble floats a second before Drew’s reply appears.

  OMG! Are you okay? Did you crash the car?

  I’m already tapping out my reply.

  Remi asked me to go to NYC with him. Overnight. Penthouse. 4 Seasons!!!

  More gray dots. I’m chewing my lip like crazy. My heart is beating out of my chest, and all I can think about is a penthouse at the Four Seasons, me in a formal gown, Remi in a tux, dancing at a ball… It’s straight out of a Disney movie.

  Are you at the hospital? Are you bleeding? Don’t text 911 unless you’re injured. You almost made me go into labor.

  I exhale a little growl.

  You can’t go into labor at six weeks. Would you focus please? He wants me to give him an answer tonight. I can’t… can I?

  Drew is taking too long to reply. I stand and pace my room, looking out the French doors down at the lake. My stomach is in knots. After last night, I’m not sure what will happen if we’re alone together again. As much as my brain says I can make it one short month, my body is on overdrive when we’re together.

  Today at the park was a prime example. He knew what he was doing, licking that cone and watching me with those eyes. My panties almost melted right off. Sitting here now, I can’t even remember what Henry said to me.

  Drew’s text finally appears, and it’s one word.

  Go.

  All that, and just one word? I tap back quickly.

  Everyone will know. Everyone will be talking.

  She replies just as fast.

  You only live once. And everybody’s already talking. Go.

  “Ruby!” Lillie’s voice cuts through my mental meltdown. She prances in the room holding her pink Lottie doll. “Gigi says it’s time to eat dinner.”

  Tapping quickly, I say goodbye with a reminder.

  The shower is Saturday noon at my mom’s. Can you make it?

  Yep. Can’t wait to hear the latest hot nanny gossip.

  Good grief. She’s teasing, but who knew when I said yes to this job it was going to turn into some kind of twisted soap opera? More like one of those telenovelas.

  “Let’s go then.” I take Lillie’s hand and square my shoulders.

  I feel like I’m heading into battle.

  “Grass-fed buffalo filet, flown in from Montana just for you, ma’am.” The female server, who I now know is named Tessa, puts plates in front of us, and Jake, her helper, slices Lillie’s as usual.

  “It wasn’t for me.” Eleanor pretends to be appalled. “This steak is for Mr. Key. He loves a good ribeye, and it’s been weeks since we’ve had red meat.”

  She motions to Tessa, who disappears into the kitchen again.

  Lillie pokes a slice with her fork then looks up with wide eyes. “It’s bleeding.”

  Eleanor is unaffected by her granddaughter’s horror. “Your meat is cooked medium rare, Lillian. Take one bite. It’s the perfect cut prepared the perfect way. Don’t you think, Remington?”

  Remi quickly cuts a piece and puts it in his mouth. “It’s delicious. Thanks, Eleanor.”

  “Is that all you have to say?” She laughs, and puts her hand on her chest. “I’ll have to import Kobe beef to impress you next time.”

  I watch as Lillie pushes her meat into a pile on the side of her plate before dipping a scoop of whipped mashed potatoes with her fork. I’d be worried about her being hungry, but she had a good lunch at Ma’s and a late snack today.

  I take a bite of buffalo, and it’s pretty darn good. “You know, I read they massage those Kobe cows with Sake and give them beer to make them eat. It sounds great, but some say it’s inhumane.”

  “I guess you would know.” Eleanor doesn’t even look at me before taking a sip of wine.

  “How would Ruby know?” Remi’s voice has an edge in it. It makes me uncomfortable, and I don’t know why I decided to share that tidbit of knowledge.

  “Oh, Asians know Asian practices—”

  “Ruby’s American.” The way he says it fills me with a weird mixture of pride and defensiveness.

  I’m not ashamed of my heritage, at the same time, Kobe
beef comes from Japanese Black cattle. Once again with feeling, I’m not Japanese.

  “Oh of course she is.” Eleanor dismisses the topic with a wave of her hand as Tessa returns to the room carrying that fucking bottle of port. “Remi, look what I found today in the bookcase. It’s that Tawny Port from the Prager Winery. Remember this?”

  My throat is so tight, I’m sure I won’t be able to eat another bite. I have no idea what’s about to happen, but I sneak a glance at Remi.

  “I do remember.” His voice is soft, and his expression is happy with a little sadness around the eyes. “It was a special trip.”

  “It was your honeymoon. I’ll never forget when you got back, how happy you both were. Sandy said we had to save this a few years. I think we should have it now before it goes past its prime.”

  “After dinner.” Remi takes another bite of steak, seeming to recover. “I miss being on the West coast. Seattle has a wine region as reputable as California’s. I wouldn’t mind taking a trip back home and scoping it out.”

  Eleanor’s face goes from smug to startled. “You’re not thinking of moving back there? But it’s so far away. How would I see Lillian?”

  “I want chicken,” Lillie whines, and I can’t help thinking Bok bok, bitch!

  I fight it, because it’ll make me laugh, and it’s definitely not the time for laughter. Eleanor dug up that old memento to take us down a difficult memory lane, and guess what? Backfire!

  Still, the last thing I want is to appear frivolous or insensitive.

  “I’m sure we’d figure it out.” Remi doesn’t seem upset at all. He seems really healthy.

  “My tummy hurts.” Lillie starts to whine, and I say a silent prayer of thanks.

  “You should not have had ice cream so close to dinner.” I don’t know who Eleanor is scolding, but I put my napkin beside my plate.

  “I can take her up and give her a bath. She’s had a busy day. I’m sure she’s tired.”

  “Thank you.” Remi’s eyes meet mine, and my insides warm at the emotion I see in them.

  I know from my work how complex his situation is, and the last thing I would ever do is hold his feelings against him. I want to tell him to take his time. I’m here to help. Instead, I take his daughter’s hand.

  Eleanor’s loud voice makes me pause. “Don’t you want to try the port?”

  I’d like to try shoving it up your butt.

  I do not say that. I pause and smile. “I don’t really care for fortified wine, but thank you.”

  Lillie gives me a pull, and I follow her up the stairs, away from whatever scene Eleanor thought she was putting together.

  If she thinks she’s going to pit me against the memory of Lillie’s mother, she’s wrong. As much as my feelings for Remi are growing, as much chemistry as we share, I’m not a monster. I don’t expect anything from him.

  I’m here to do a job, and that’s my primary focus now. I’m almost through week two. Two more weeks, and I’ll have made it through the month.

  20

  Remi

  Stopping by my daughter’s room after dinner, I hear her voice coming from the tub.

  “Henry’s ears stick out. He looks like Gus Gus in Cinderella.” Water splashes, and I change my mind about interrupting. I’d like to hear how this conversation goes.

  Ruby’s voice is gentle. “People can’t help things like ears and noses, so it’s not nice to point out if they’re big or shaped funny.”

  “I like Gus Gus. He saves Cinderella with the key from her wicked stepmother’s pocket. Even though Lucifer tries to eat him.”

  More water sounds. I imagine Ruby’s rinsing her hair with a cup. “Henry does look a little like Gus Gus. But he’s not fat.”

  I cover a silent laugh with my hand, and they continue stirring the water. It sounds like Lillie’s playing. “What’s evolve mean?” My daughter’s tone is sweetly curious.

  “Where did you hear that word?”

  “Henry said it.”

  “You should probably call him Dr. Pak. You should get out before you turn into a prune.”

  “What is it?”

  “Evolve?” Ruby exhales. “It means to grow and change. To learn from experience.”

  “You sounded like you don’t like it here. Do you like it here?” Noises of standing, stepping out of the tub, send me from the door into the hallway. I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but I have to hear Ruby’s answer.

  “I like you.” Ruby carries her into the bedroom, and I can see from the doorway Lillie’s wrapped in a hooded towel. “I like your pretty house and my pretty room. I like our garden.”

  No mention of me. My jaw clenches, and I think about what happened at dinner. Ruby was eager to get away when Eleanor brought out the port.

  “Are you going to go out with Henry?” Ruby pauses in scrubbing my daughter’s head with the towel. I realize I’m holding my breath.

  “I don’t know.”

  Her answer pisses me off more than it probably should.

  Or hell, maybe it pisses me off the right amount? Go out with Henry Pak? Leave here? After what we’ve shared? Turning on my heel, I jog down to my office. Adrenaline is pumping in my veins as I pace in front of my desk, and I know I’m not getting any work done tonight. Not with all these thoughts racing in my mind.

  Leaving my work station, I storm down to my bedroom and strip off my slacks and work shirt. I go to the dresser and take out a tee and some nylon jogging pants. In less than five minutes I’m out the door, running down the circle driveway and out to the path leading past our house and through this expansive neighborhood, around the lake.

  Every lot in Eagleton Heights is two acres. It makes for a nice, long path for walkers and joggers. I loop past the condos, where I now know Dr. Pak is setting up residence. Without even thinking I pop the bird at the new construction before circling around to where I started.

  My legs burn with exertion, and I’m covered in a sheen of sweat when I arrive back at the house. I drop my hoodie in a basket in the laundry room and strip off my sweaty tee. I don’t feel like going upstairs for a new one. Luckily a stack of folded clothes sits on the drier, and I grab a white undershirt from it.

  I didn’t eat much after Eleanor dragged out that port. I don’t know what kind of reaction she expected me to have, but I’m pretty sure from her response it wasn’t what she got. My feelings about those days are only good.

  I never believed I would get here, but five years out, I look back on my honeymoon and the short time I had with my wife as cherished memories. A blessed time, followed by one of the darkest times of my life.

  When I was in therapy, Drew said I would eventually get to this place of peace with the past, and a desire for a future. I didn’t believe her, but now it seems she was right. Those memories will always live in my heart, and I hope I’m blessed enough to have more to come.

  My stomach rumbles, and I walk to the refrigerator. Eleanor keeps us on a relatively healthy diet, so I’m not expecting to find much in the way of snacks. Thinking about it more, I decide it’s time to take back this portion of my life as well. I want some fucking snacks in this goddamn house.

  I grin, remembering how Ruby made pigs in blankets her first day here. They were delicious, and it sends my mind along a trail of all the ways she’s different from the women my mother-in-law associates with, different from Sandy’s old friends, the women I see when I take Lillie to preschool.

  Ruby is fiercely independent, and she has her own unique style. She’s not a follower. She’s not a member of the herd. She doesn’t seem to want anything from me other than honest work, and she’s amazing with my daughter.

  A soft noise behind me draws my attention, and when I see her, emotion hits me hard in the chest. My feelings for her have grown so strong over the past week and a half. I don’t want her to date Henry. I want her to stay here with me.

  “What are you doing in here?” Her voice is soft, a little flustered, but I can tell she’s trying to tease me.r />
  She’s standing there in cotton shorts and a thin tee with “Dream Big” printed on the front. A robe hangs from her shoulders, but it’s open. I watch as her eyes travel over me fast, her cheeks blushing pink.

  “You blush easily.”

  “Do I?” Her voice is soft, and she grins, her cheeks growing pinker. “I never did before. I didn’t mean to catch you in your underwear.”

  Glancing down, I see the wife beater I’m wearing doesn’t cover much. I’m sweaty, my hair’s a mess, and I’m standing barefoot in the kitchen. “I just got back from a run. I thought everyone had gone to bed.”

  “Lillie’s in bed.” She comes closer. “I don’t know where Eleanor is.”

  Lifting my chin, I return to the refrigerator, where I’m holding the door open. “I just needed a little something more to help me sleep. I was thinking about Lillie’s leftovers, wishing we had something like cookies or pigs in blankets.”

  She almost laughs. “Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to contaminate Lillie with my horrible food choices.”

  “You should have a baking day, make cookies.”

  Her voice turns sassy. “Are you saying you want my cookies?”

  “I’ll eat your cookies.” I give her a wink, meaning it in every way.

  She snorts a laugh, and it makes me smile. I love when she plays with me. Returning to the fridge, I take out a plastic container of what looks like cantaloupe. When I open it, it smells like alcohol.

  “Hm.” I study the salmon-colored fruit. “This might be bad. I’m going to need you to taste it for me.”

  “I don’t think so. That’s not my job.” She does a hop, and she’s sitting on the bar.

  Perfect. I step between her legs, lifting out a cube. “You’re saying you won’t taste this to be sure it won’t hurt me?”