I’m on my own. And very much alone.
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Being toward the end of the alphabet, I’m used to being called last for attendance and at big class gatherings. So I sit in the back rows of students. We are all dressed in black caps and gowns, the only contrasting color the occasional gold cord and sash to acknowledge graduating with honors. I’ve managed that despite everything, and I lift my chin up, reminding myself to be proud.
Finally the dean reading names reaches the Rs and my row. We stand and walk toward the stage single file.
I hear my name. “Chloe Reynolds.”
Reminding myself to shake with my right hand, accept the diploma with my left, I walk across the stage, handle the exchange, and smile.
A little while later, we turn our tassels. Toss our caps. And students search for their family and friends. Friends I do have, and I hug and kiss the few people who have been a part of my life these past four years. The ones who’ve been nice and stood by me. Ignore the ones who snickered and laughed behind my back. Sex-tape girl graduated just like the rest of them.
There’s no family to greet me or hand me flowers. No one to hug or congratulate me. I tell myself it’s fine. I didn’t expect my parents to come.
Liar. I’d hoped they’d show up and surprise me with a change of heart. Tell me they’re proud of what I’ve accomplished.
I shake my head and laugh. That’s about as likely to happen as I am to pick a guy I can trust.
“I’m glad to see you can still laugh.”
The familiar voice snakes through me, taking me off guard. I spin around in shock. “Zach?”
He walks toward me. He doesn’t look like the man I know. He’s wearing dress slacks and loafers. They’re Gucci and expensive. His pale blue button-down shirt gives him a more sophisticated air than I’m used to, but surprisingly, the look suits him. He carries a bouquet of roses in one hand.
“Congratulations, Princess.” He holds out the flowers.
I accept them with shaking hands. “Thank you.”
“I’m sure you have plans, but I was wondering if we could talk for a few minutes?” He sounds uncertain.
I’m confused. I’m as drawn to him as ever. He’s handsome, sexy, the same man who protected me … yet he’s not. He’s a sophisticated stranger, and I realize there’s more about him I still don’t know.
I shake my head. “I don’t.”
He exhales a long breath. “Yeah. Well, it was worth a shot.” He turns to go.
“Wait. I meant I don’t have plans.” I draw a deep breath and remind myself I don’t do pathetic. But this is Zach, and he knows everything. “There’s no one here for me but you,” I say.
His green eyes flash with anger on my behalf. I recognize that look because I’ve seen it in his gaze so many times before. It’s that realization that allows me to hope.
He’s here, after all. And I’ve been miserable. Could there be more between us than revenge? Can I forgive him if there is?
“Can I take you somewhere to celebrate?” He’s hesitant, bracing himself for rejection.
I draw a deep breath and nod. “I’d like that.”
We’re back to uncomfortable and wary around each other, and I don’t like it. Does that mean I’m breaking down and forgiving him already?
I turn in my cap and gown and meet him at the parking lot. We settle into his truck. The warm, familiar scent of his cologne wraps around me, and he starts to drive. I don’t ask where we’re going, but soon I see we’re headed out of the city, upstate.
I turn to him, confused. “I don’t get it.”
“You will.”
I blow out an impatient breath, which makes him laugh.
“I missed you,” he says, suddenly serious.
I glance at my hands. “I missed you too. But I don’t understand—” I cut myself off. What can I say? I don’t understand what between us was real and what was a lie? What was forced and what meant something to him?
Because it was all true for me, and it meant everything. I swallow over the lump in my throat.
“Revenge is a lot easier in theory than in reality,” he says into the silence.
I remain quiet.
“I wanted to avenge what he did to my sister. I wanted to make sure he never forgot that he destroyed someone good and real. Someone who meant something to other people.”
I nod. I couldn’t speak if I wanted to, and right now I don’t.
“Once I decided you were the one I needed to get close to, I looked into you. I had a plan. But as I watched you at work, I knew you were special. I couldn’t bring myself to make a move. And I couldn’t bring myself to walk away. Both for my sister’s sake and because I was drawn to you.” He flexes his fingers around the wheel, opening and closing his hand.
“Then I was attacked.” I can figure out that much.
“I couldn’t stand to see that bastard’s hands on you. I went crazy.”
I close my eyes. “I remember.”
“And then I got to know you. Really know you. You weren’t just beautiful but you were good. I wanted to get to know you better … for me. Everything between us was real,” he says.
I choke back a low moan. I needed to hear that so badly. I open my eyes. Tears are dripping down my cheeks, and I wipe them with the back of my hand.
“But?” I ask. Because I know there’s more. He installed the cameras, so obviously there’s more.
“Just like I said, every time I let down my guard, every time I forgot I was supposed to have an agenda, something would happen to remind me. Ferro called you. He showed at the bar. I visited my sister. And was forced to remember.”
“And the cameras? The video?”
He groans. He pulls the car off an exit on the Hutchinson River Parkway. The sign says Town of Scarsdale. I’m vaguely aware that we’re now in a wealthy area.
My brain is scrambling to catch up with where he’s taking me and to keep him talking. “Zach?”
“The night I saw you and Ferro at the bar, I okayed the install. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I never am when it comes to him, and seeing him with you, it was like waving a red flag in front of an already enraged bull.”
I wrap my arms around myself, and he lowers the AC. “Chloe, just because the camera was there didn’t mean I would have let the video go viral. It was a stupid, impulsive act that night, just like yelling at you was. You were pissed at me, and I couldn’t stand it. I sent flowers, chocolate; I just wanted to make things right. When you agreed to come over, I wasn’t thinking about revenge or videos. I was just thinking about you. Me. Us.”
I want to believe him so badly. He’s done nothing to make me think he doesn’t care. Our meeting was set up but since then? What has he done except take care of me?
“Are all our secrets out in the open?” I ask.
He hesitates. “Almost.”
I swallow hard. “What could be left?”
He turns onto a tree-lined street where houses are hidden, and the ones I can catch a glimpse of are huge. “This is mine,” he says, turning into a nearly concealed driveway and pulling all the way through to a massive home built from stone, with a four-car garage attached.
He stops the truck, and I climb out without waiting for him. He joins me out front. “The Queens house?” I ask.
“My grandfather’s like I told you. He left it to me. I loved the old man, so I never sold it.”
“How do you afford this?” I sweep an arm toward the stone mansion in front of me.
“Like I told you, I dabble. I have my PI license, but I’m in business too. I did well with stocks and bonds, and now I do consulting from home.” He shrugs sheepishly.
“Why lie about it?” I ask him.
“Would you have trusted me if you thought I was wealthy like your parents? Or were you drawn to me because of all we had in common?”
I blink back tears again. “I was drawn to you. The guy in jeans and a tee shirt—”
“That is me. I’m dr
essed up today for your graduation. I didn’t want to embarrass you in front of everyone by showing up dressed like I didn’t give a damn when I do.”
“The guy who cooks—”
“Again, I do. You’ve seen it for yourself. I just have a much bigger kitchen here. State-of-the-art. I think the chef in you will love it.”
He pivots me around until I’m facing him, and he looks into my eyes. “You know me. All of me. More than anyone else in my life knows. I confided in you about Grace, and I don’t talk about her to anyone.”
I manage a nod. “I want to believe I can trust what I feel for you, but I’ve been burned badly.”
“By me too. I know this.” He grasps my wrists and holds on. “But I meant what I said that last night. I fell in love with you. And I’ve never said that before to anyone.”
I can’t hold back anymore. I don’t want to. “I love you too,” I say and throw myself into his open, waiting arms.
I’m not sure how long we stand in the driveway, arms wrapped around each other. I just know I need to feel his hard body against mine until I believe I’m here with him, he’s real, and he’s mine.
He eventually releases me. “I want to show you around.”
“Okay.”
“Question.”
I tip my head and look up at him. “What plans did you make for when you move out of the dorm?”
“Umm … I was going to sleep on Callie’s couch until a real solid job came through and I could afford a place of my own.”
Without warning, he drops down on one knee. “I know it’s soon, I know you probably want to live life on your own for a while, but I also need you to know I’m in this for good.” He slips his hand into his pocket, and suddenly I’m looking at a ring.
A real diamond engagement ring. “It’s here whenever you’re ready to wear it,” he tells me. His hands are trembling as he holds out the gorgeous sign of his intentions.
Oh my God. He’s here, he’s real, and he’s offering me something I’ve always wanted but never ever had the courage to dream I’d have — someone who loves me unconditionally. Who will be there for me in good times and bad. I’ve never had a real family in my life, and this man is offering that to me. And if it weren’t something he truly wanted, he wouldn’t have come back to me. Which means this is all real for him. I know it. I feel it in the deepest part of me. And it’s that knowledge that strips me of my fears and lets emotion and my love for him take over.
“I can wait—” he says.
“I can’t.” I hold out my own shaking hand and let him slip the ring onto my finger. It’s a perfect fit. Just like we are.
“I take it this means you forgive me?” he asks.
“Hmm. Any more secrets?” I ask, teasing him.
“Umm—”
“Zach!”
“One more little thing. Maybe two.”
I lift my eyebrows and wait.
“I may be a member of The Westchester Country Club where you wanted that sous-chef position.”
“What?”
He grins. “Have been since I moved here two years ago. Which means I might be able to pull a few strings. But I also just might have found the perfect place to open the most decadent breakfast place in the county, if you’d prefer to give that a try.”
I’m startled and overwhelmed and so in love I want to cry. “You’re offering me all these things… I have nothing to give you in return.”
He shakes his head and grasps my chin in his hands. “Don’t you know that you’re giving me the most priceless thing in the world?”
“What’s that?” I ask through happy tears.
“You,” he says before sealing his lips over mine.
A Note From The Author
If you enjoyed The Seduction, please help other readers and leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads! If you would like to read more of Carly’s books, you can find her newest series, Dare to Love on her Amazon Book Page link - http://www.amazon.com/Carly-Phillips/e/B001I9W0MS/
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About The Author
N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly made the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. She also hopes to rediscover the pure joy of writing without expectations. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.
CARLY’S BOOKLIST by Series
Below are links to my series (newest on top) on my website where you will find buy links for each novel!
Dare to Love Series
Dare to Love
Dare to Desire
Dare to Surrender
Serendipity Series
Serendipity
Destiny
Karma
Serendipity’s Finest Series
Perfect Fit
Perfect Fling
Perfect Together
Serendipity Novellas
Kismet
Fated
Hot Summer Nights (Perfect Stranger)
Bachelor Blog Series
Kiss Me If You Can
Love Me If You Dare
Lucky Series
Lucky Charm
Lucky Streak
Lucky Break
Ty and Hunter Series
Cross My Heart
Sealed with a Kiss
Hot Zone Series
Hot Stuff
Hot Number
Hot Item
Hot Property
Costas Sisters Series
Summer Lovin’
Under the Boardwalk
Chandler Brothers Series
The Bachelor
The Playboy
The Heartbreaker
Stand Alone Titles
Brazen
Seduce Me
Secret Fantasy
Love Unexpected Series
Perfect Partners
Solitary Man
The Right Choice
Midnight Angel
The Arrangement: The Seduction (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 7