“You’re not leaving,” he whispered fiercely.
“You say that now . . .” She shook her head, a new wave of exhaustion almost making her sway. “I need to lie down right now. I’m not kidding.”
He slid an arm around her and walked her to his bed. “Here. I’ll make sure no one bothers you.”
Too tired to argue, she lay down. “Go be with them,” she said. “In case Vanessa says or does anything, you need to be there.”
“You’re right.” He stared down at her and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Are we okay?”
“We’ll be fine.” Her eyes slipped closed.
He sighed. “That wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been . . . Ava is happy about it, and Myles is excited.”
“They’re all precious.” The corners of Lisette’s mouth curved up. “He has to understand I’m not another mom, but he is so adorable.”
Charles watched over her. Within sixty seconds, her breathing grew slower and deeper, and he knew she was asleep. She hadn’t been kidding; she’d fallen asleep so fast . . . Feeling weighed down by the world, he flopped onto the loveseat. He watched Lisette sleep as his children’s words echoed in his head, and hoped to God he’d done right by them, and by her. Because if he had moved too soon, out of what he thought was optimism but was actually arrogance and willfulness, and someone ended up hurt, he’d never forgive himself.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lisette stared out the window of the limousine at the frenetic scene as they pulled up in front of the Waldorf Astoria. There were so many people, all dressed up. Flashbulbs went off, and paparazzi called to some of the more famous partygoers as they entered the iconic, magnificent hotel.
So many people. Too many. Glitzy, powerful people. Ugh, she didn’t belong here. How the hell had she let Charles talk her into this?
“Exciting?” he murmured in her ear. “Or overwhelming?”
“Both,” she admitted. She cleared her dry throat and tried to smile.
“Shit, you look terrified.” His arm slid around her shoulders to pull her into his side, and he kissed her temple. “We can go home right now if you want.”
“No, you have to be here. It’s your family’s event.”
“I can do whatever I want. If I want to leave, I leave.”
“Tess is counting on your being here,” Lisette pointed out.
At that, he paused. “That’s true.”
“You’re not going to let her down because I’m a scaredy-cat.”
He smiled and kissed Lisette’s cheek, mindful of not ruining her lipstick. “I’ll be right by your side the whole time, scaredy-cat. Your hand in mine. All right?”
She nodded and gazed at him. Few men could wear an Armani tux like Charles did. He was breathtakingly handsome. No glasses tonight, he wore his contacts, and his blue eyes were sparkling with anticipation. She reached up to touch the few silver glints in his dark wavy hair, peppered around his ears. He disliked them; she adored them. She drew a shaky breath. “This is crazy.”
“Hey. Any time you feel like a fish out of water tonight,” he said, “please remember that I love you.” He drew her in for a hug.
She closed her eyes and drank in his affection. Will you still feel the same when I tell you about the baby? She wanted to believe he would, but she was anxious. Her nerves felt like jangling live wires tonight.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get this party started.”
* * *
Charles exited the limo, extending his hand down to Lisette to help her out. She emerged like a vision, a movie star. The dark green chiffon gown she wore was simple, elegant, and striking—just like her. Small cap sleeves, scoop neckline, an A-line cut that flattered her figure, swirling around her ankles with feminine grace . . . He’d never seen her look more beautiful. At the house, when she’d come down the stairs, ready to leave for the ball, he had not been able to stop staring.
Now, Charles grasped Lisette’s hand in his as they walked into the Waldorf. Flashes went off, and he ignored them, only focusing on her. He wanted to make sure her jitters didn’t get the best of her. He was used to this kind of thing, but it was all new to her, and she didn’t like crowds under normal conditions, much less a circus like this. He squeezed her hand protectively. “You okay?” he asked her as they walked through the grandiose lobby.
“So far so good,” she said, squeezing his hand back as she looked around.
He reached up to touch her hair, down and loose in flowing curls, then stroked her soft cheek. “I have a surprise for you later, by the way.”
Her eyes danced as she insisted, “Give me a hint.”
“Then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
“Does it involve sweets? You know how I love sweet things . . .”
He kissed her cheek, then whispered in her ear, “You’re the only sweet thing I intend to devour tonight.”
She shivered and her breath caught. “Oh, my.”
Grinning wickedly, he pulled back and took her hand once more. “Come on.”
They followed the din to make their way to the tremendous ballroom. The lively buzz of more than five hundred guests talking filled the huge, magnificent hall. Charles scoured the room as they entered. It was already almost filled with guests, dressed to kill in their finest. Near the entrance stood Tess, Dane, and Julia. Dane was in a tux, Julia in a deep sapphire dress that hugged her voluptuous curves, and Tess, in a silver gown, stood and sparkled like the elegant, graceful hostess she was.
“Ah, the welcoming riffraff, I see,” Charles said as he and Lisette approached them. He watched the split second of surprise that washed across all of their faces. Then Tess, God bless her, moved forward to grasp both of Lisette’s hands with a dazzling smile on her face. “You look stunning. I almost didn’t recognize you! Welcome.”
“Thank you,” Lisette murmured as Tess kissed her cheeks.
“‘Stunning’ understates it,” Dane said, charming as ever. He flashed his famous smile and lifted Lisette’s hand to his lips. “Belle of the ball, that’s you. Well, you and my wife. And my sister. It’s a tough call.”
Lisette blushed and thanked him.
“That dress is goooorgeous,” Julia gushed after she kissed Charles hello. She stood back to look Lisette over from head to toe. “It’s perfect on you. And that color! It’s like this steely green, not hunter, not olive, with a silvery cast . . . I love it. Where’d you find it?”
“Um, Nordstrom, actually,” Lisette said. Charles could see she was both slightly uncomfortable and flattered at the same time. It was adorable.
“You win. You totally win.” Julia turned her sharp gaze to Charles. “No, you win. You’re a lucky man.”
“I know it,” Charles agreed. He glanced down at Lisette, who’d visibly relaxed at his siblings’ warm welcome. “Where are Pierce and Abby? Are they here yet?”
“They’re here somewhere,” Tess said. “Getting a drink or something.”
He moved forward to hug his sister. Standing more than six feet tall in her Louboutin stilettos, shimmering in her sparkly dress, Tess was more than stunning herself. “This is a major triumph you pulled off here. Congratulations on your success.”
“Thank you so much.” She pulled back and smiled brightly. “Gotta admit, I am feeling like a queen tonight.”
“You should,” Charles said. “Tonight, you are the queen. Relish it.”
“Really outdid yourself this year, Tesstastic,” Dane said.
“Thanks.” Tess beamed at their praise. “I worked my ass off.”
“Any totals yet?” Charles asked her, referring to the charitable donations for the function.
“Already looks like we topped last year,” Tess pronounced. “By at least 2 million. I’ll know exact figures tomorrow.”
“Got my check, right?” Charles inquired.
“Of course. You didn’t have to do that, you know.” Tess shook her head
at him, but her eyes lit like starshine. “Very, very generous.”
“More than I sent?” Dane teased. He mock sneered at his brother. “Goddamn COO, throwing your weight around.”
“Not my weight,” Charles joked. “My funds. If not for charity, then what for?”
“Thank you both,” Tess said to her brothers. “Neither of you ever have to contribute, and you always do. I appreciate it. The foundation appreciates it.”
A waiter floated by, holding a tray of crystal flutes filled with champagne. They each took a glass; Charles took two, handing one to Lisette. She eyed it strangely, but he raised his glass and said, “A toast. To another fabulous Harrison Foundation success, masterminded by the unique, brilliant, amazing Tess Alexandra.”
“Hear hear!” Dane cried jovially, and they all clinked glasses.
Charles noticed that Lisette took such a tiny sip, it was as if no champagne even passed her lips. But before he could say anything, Julia asked him, “Charles? Dane doesn’t think Pierce and Abby are going to Christmas dinner at your father’s. Do you know for sure?”
“Oh, they’re not,” Tess confirmed. “They’ll be with Abby’s family for the day.”
“Does that surprise anyone?” Charles asked. “But they’ll be at my house for Christmas Eve. He promised. He wants to see everyone, but he’s already splitting his time with Abby’s family.”
“I’ve never seen him this happy,” Tess gushed. “It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”
“Long overdue,” Dane said. “And Abby’s fantastic.”
“She’s always been very sweet to me,” Lisette chimed in. “Pierce too, really. I’m happy for them. They make a fantastic couple.”
Charles leaned in and kissed her forehead.
“Speaking of happy,” Dane ventured, “you two look pretty smitten. So . . . you’re here, out in public. Just fess up. Totally together?”
Lisette blushed and looked up to Charles. He met her gaze, smiled softly, then turned to the others. “She’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. We told the kids last night. So, now it’s time to let the world know that I’m a lucky man, and she’s all mine.”
Lisette blushed, but she couldn’t hide the brightness of her smile.
Tess grasped her by the hand and said, “You make my brother happy. You don’t know what that means to me.” She kissed Lisette on the cheek. “I’m happy for you both. Glad that you found each other. You’re both lovely, and I wish you luck.”
“Thank you so much,” Lisette murmured, visibly moved. “He makes me happy too.”
Charles saw the glimmer in her deep brown eyes, and it warmed him right down to his toes. Then something occurred to him; he leaned over to Dane and whispered, “Where’s Dad?”
“Around here somewhere.” Dane subtly pulled him aside. “He’s gonna flip the fuck out about you and Lisette. We all know that.”
“I don’t care,” Charles said. “I just don’t want a repeat of what he did to Pierce and Abby at your party last year. I don’t think he’d dare, but I want to keep her away from him tonight just in case.”
“Good idea.” Dane squeezed his shoulder. “I’ve got your back. And hers. No worries.”
No worries. When it came to their father, Charles knew better.
* * *
The evening was going much better than Lisette had thought it would. Charles introduced her to everyone he saw with such pride and affection in his voice, it made her heart squeeze each and every time. The four Harrison siblings were working the room, pressing the flesh with guests and being the famous host family that they were. While they did, Lisette got to eat unbelievably delicious food and chat with Abby. When Charles returned to her, he immediately pulled her into his arms and dropped a light kiss on her lips. He greeted Abby, then offered Lisette an apologetic smile. “Sorry I was gone for so long.”
“Don’t be,” she said. “Abby has been wonderful company.”
His smile grew as he nodded at them. “I’m sure she has. Excuse us a moment, though, Abby?” He put an arm around Lisette’s waist and pulled her off to the side, behind a tremendous vase that overflowed with flowers in all shades of red. “How are you?” he asked. “Enjoying this at all?”
“I am, actually,” she said, surprising both of them. “I mean, it’s a wonderful party. Obviously, I’ve never been to anything like this in my life. The grandeur of it . . . I love looking at all the dresses, the people . . . I feel like I’m at the Oscars or something.”
He chuckled and kissed her forehead. “I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
“I’m glad too.” Her fingertips played along the silver glints in his hair, then curved around his ear before she pressed her mouth to his. “But when can we go home?”
“We’re not going home tonight,” he said.
She blinked at him. “What?”
“The surprise I mentioned earlier?” His blues sparkled as he grinned. “I reserved a room for us. We’re staying here tonight.” His hand lifted to caress her cheek. “You mentioned you’d never been here before, and I promised you we’d make up for lost time and for your not having any hot hotel sex, so I took the liberty . . .”
“Charles.” He was being sweet, and maybe she was being oversensitive, but she suddenly felt she needed to set him straight. “You don’t have to keep taking me to fancy places, getting me gifts . . .” She held his face and stared into his eyes, those stunning blue eyes she adored. “Listen to me. This is important.”
“You have my undivided attention.” He nodded solemnly.
She brushed her lips against his. “I love you for you. I don’t care about your money. If you lost it all tomorrow, I wouldn’t care. I know full well you’re used to extravagance, but I’m not. So you don’t have to keep doing things for me, getting me things, taking me places . . . I really need to know that you know that.”
“I do know that,” he said, low and somber. Both his arms banded around her waist. “But that’s one of the reasons doing these things is so fun. I know you appreciate it.” He kissed her long and sweet, sipping from her lips. “I have to go check in with my father, just show my face. Then maybe we’ll get out of here. Okay?”
“Sure. Why don’t you go do that,” Lisette suggested, “and I’ll take a little walk. I want to look around this palace of a place more anyway.”
“That’s not a bad idea.” He lowered his head and kissed her softly. “Meet you back here in half an hour? I mean, it might take me ten minutes just to get through this crowd and reach him.”
She watched him go, making his way through the sea of partygoers. She’d only verbalized out loud what he hadn’t said and hadn’t wanted to say: that he needed to see his father without her at his side. He’d been fine, even happy, to out their relationship to his siblings, but apparently wasn’t ready to tell his father. Part of her was relieved, because she was sure when Charles’s father found out about them, he’d be livid. But now that they’d told the kids, part of her couldn’t help but wonder if Charles was still keeping her a secret for another reason, other than just sparing her a snob’s wrath.
She watched Charles, midway through the crowd, shake hands and chat with a refined looking couple, a tuxedoed older man and a glamorous woman in a sparkling gown. Charles was dashing and self-assured, the very picture of sophistication, wealth, and power, completely in his element. This was his world. Lisette felt very much out of her element, and hoped she’d done a good job of hiding that. Despite her fancy dress and Charles’s sweet words, nothing would ever make her feel as if she fit in with these people.
And she had to wonder if maybe, seeing her in his world tonight, outside the escapist privacy of the mansion . . . Charles knew that too.
* * *
She’d been telling the truth when she told Charles she wanted to see more of the hotel. It was such a beautiful place, and she was eager to explore the opulent décor, the exquisite architecture, the grandeur of the famous building. Her mood shifted aga
in to a lighter, better one.
Before meeting Charles again, she ducked into the ladies’ room closest to the ballroom. It was probably the most beautiful bathroom she’d ever been in. As she exited a stall and went to wash her hands, she couldn’t help but overhear two women talking in the sitting room nearby.
“I mean, it’s just so disappointing,” the first woman said in a snarky, nasal tone.
“I know,” the second woman agreed, her tone equally haughty. “One of the most eligible bachelors in the country, and he’s taken up with her?”
Lisette froze where she stood. They couldn’t possibly be talking about Charles and her, could they? No, she was just being paranoid. She reached for a thick paper towel to dry her hands.
“I guess he has a thing for exotic brunettes,” the first woman quipped. “Remember his ex-wife? She was a bitch on wheels, but one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.”
“Well, when you’ve got a pretty young thing right there under your roof,” the second woman said, “why wouldn’t you take advantage?”
“Another one falls prey to the nanny,” the first one said, disdain dripping from her words. “It’s such a cliché, it’s painful.”
A wave of coldness swept over Lisette, and her stomach rolled nauseously. Jesus, they were talking about her and Charles. Oh, God. What to do? She stood motionless.
“To think I busted my ass in law school,” the first one said. “I should’ve just been a nanny like the rest of these women; they’re obviously smarter than me. Fuck your boss; take the money and run.”
The second woman laughed, a brittle, hollow sound. “Really. When we hired our nanny, I made sure she was old and ugly. I wasn’t taking any chances.”
“Well, Charles isn’t married, so he can do whatever he wants,” the first woman pointed out. “It’s just a shame. A man like him, wasted on some nobody. He’s still so handsome, don’t you think?”
“Oh my God, yes. He’s aging like a fine wine. But men like that always do.”
Lisette closed her eyes and braced her icy, tingling hands on the marble sink.
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