A Sweet Life-kindle

by Andre, Bella

  “Ian, no.” She’d already compromised her usual beliefs by letting him buy her this dress and the shoes, not to mention the complete spa day.

  His eyes lost some of their earlier sparkle. “Let me give you this, please. It makes me happy. I want you to have something that…when you wear it, you think of me.”

  She swallowed hard. “I always think of you.”

  “Then let me in.” He leaned in and pressed his lips against that sweet spot behind her ear, and she let out a soft moan. “Let me do things for you.” He took her hand and placed it on the box. “Please.”

  She could see and feel how much this meant to him. It was a gift, and she’d hurt him if she didn’t accept it. “Okay.”

  His expression transformed, his pleased smile making her happy she’d given in.

  He snapped open the box, revealing a delicate, teardrop-shaped, diamond necklace set in white gold.

  She sucked in a breath, overwhelmed by the piece. It wasn’t ostentatious or over-the-top. It didn’t make a statement or scream money, though she had no doubt the item had cost him a lot. Instead, it was simple, elegant, and every inch something she’d not only pick out herself but wear. And not just tonight at the fundraising gala, but every day.

  He’d chosen the perfect gift, picked with her taste and feelings in mind.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

  “You’ll wear it?” he asked.

  The vulnerability in the question touched her. “I’d be honored.” She lifted her hair away from her neck and turned.

  He placed the necklace on and hooked it in place.

  She swiveled back to face him.

  He smoothed her hair over her shoulders, surrounding the delicate piece of jewelry. “It’s perfect. Just like you.”

  She opened her mouth to argue. She wasn’t perfect, and she had the past to prove it. Her father’s reemergence had never been far from her mind, and she’d wanted to hide it from Ian for as long as possible. But he obviously cared about her, and he was showing her in so many ways, which meant it was time to trust him with her secrets.

  “Ian, I need to talk to you.”

  “Later.” He pressed his mouth to hers, gliding his tongue over her lips, encouraging her to open for him.

  His masculine taste flooded her senses. Her eyelashes fluttered closed, and she parted her lips, taking him in. He devoured her, kissing her as if she were the only thing that mattered. He gripped the back of her neck with one hand while he swirled his tongue in her mouth, round and round, over and over.

  She returned the kiss, the fervor behind it, and the need they both shared, until the car came to a halt and a knock sounded at the side window.

  Ian groaned and pulled back, his hand never leaving her nape, his forehead touching hers. His breathing ragged, he dragged in gulps of air while she did the same.

  She reached for her small purse and took out the tiny mirror she’d fit in, somehow managing to wipe away the lipstick smudges and reapply. Her lips still looked puffy, her mouth well kissed, but there was nothing she could do about that.

  She eyed Ian, dabbing at her lipstick marks on his lips and face until she’d cleaned him up too.

  “We’ll pick this up where we left off,” he said, the promise in his voice as seductive as his kisses.

  “I’ll hold you to that.” She managed a grin, ignoring the pulsing in her body and the niggling guilt that she was holding back about her father.

  Why that had suddenly begun to matter, she didn’t know. Her fingertips went to the delicate teardrop at her throat. Something about this gift had broken down the last wall she’d erected to keep Ian out. Suddenly, she wanted to let him in.

  “Ready?” he asked, his hand on the door lever.

  She nodded.

  He grasped her hand, and they stepped out of the car.

  She supposed she should have expected the photographers, given that the Thunder players were attending as well, but the flashes of light caught her off guard.

  Sensing her distress, Ian tightened his hold and pulled her against him, wrapping a protective arm around her waist as he led her inside.

  ***

  Hours into the event, Ian couldn’t wait to get Riley home, peel the dress off her body, and explore her inch by inch, first with his hands, then with his mouth. She was easily the sexiest woman here, not to mention the classiest. Her one-shoulder dress, black with silver trim, slit up one side, revealed an elegant expanse of tanned leg and an incredibly hot, ridiculously high-heeled shoe. His mouth watered, and his cock hardened and approved.

  Knowing he had to remain at least through the speech portion of the evening, he’d settle for having a few minutes with her alone. His family had been monopolizing her time ever since they’d arrived. Since they were in public, he’d suffered through each of his brothers dancing with and probably grilling her, but she’d laughed and smiled and obviously enjoyed.

  He bit back his jealousy over other men touching her; they were his brothers, after all. He’d settle for killing them over a Sunday basketball game with well-placed elbow jabs and points scored. He wasn’t any more pleased with Olivia, her plunging neckline, and clear attempts to make Dylan Rhodes jealous by dancing with other men while eying him to make sure he was watching. At least Avery seemed to be behaving herself…so far.

  Even his mother seemed to be enjoying herself, dancing with one man in particular all evening. That was something he intended to question more thoroughly. In fact, he made it a point to interrupt both of his sisters and at least find out what they were up to.

  With Riley occupied by Tyler, Ian headed onto the dance floor, where his mother and a silver-haired gentleman were dancing and had been for quite some time.

  “Mind if I cut in?” Ian asked.

  “Michael, this is my son, Ian. Ian, this is Michael Brooks. His insurance company is a big donor for tonight’s auction.”

  Ian nodded.

  The other man extended his hand, and Ian took it. “I’ve been hearing about you all evening. Your mother is your biggest fan. And I’m impressed with all you’ve done for the team during your tenure.”

  “Thank you.” Ian hoped the other man wasn’t trying to impress him for his mother’s sake. He hated suck-ups.

  “Unfortunately, I’m a Breakers fan,” Michael said with humor and honesty.

  “That’s a damn shame.” So much for his concerns, Ian thought, admiring the man’s truthfulness even if his taste in football teams sucked. “And my mother’s dancing with you anyway? I’m surprised.”

  “I’ve won her over with my charm,” Michael said. “She’s a lovely lady. Well worth the effort.”

  “I agree.”

  “I’ll let you have some time together. I’ll wait for you at the bar, Emma.”

  His mother smiled. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “Nice to meet you, Ian.” Michael tipped his head and walked away.

  His mother followed the other man with her gaze.

  “Have you met him before tonight?” Ian asked her.

  “We’re both on the Juvenile Diabetes Board that planned tonight’s event,” she said.

  Ian pulled her into his arms, and they swayed in time to the slow music. “I’ll look into him,” he told her.

  “You will not. I’m a big girl and—”

  “What the hell are they doing here?” Ian asked, interrupting her as he caught sight of his father and Alex walking into the ballroom. Savannah was beside them.

  “Who?” His mother glanced toward the entrance.

  “My father, his wife, and Alex,” Ian said, any peace he’d been feeling this evening evaporating at the sight of them.

  Ian had stopped dancing, but his mother pulled him back into their earlier positions. “Don’t let them rattle you or interrupt your evening,” she said firmly.

  He acquiesced to her demands and forced himself to both relax and continue their dance. “I don’t understand how you do it.”

  “How I do what
, exactly?” his mother asked.

  “Get past what Dad did? Go forward as if nothing happened?”

  He met his mother’s gaze but saw no stress there, only understanding.

  “Your father and I weren’t a love match, Ian. You know that already.”

  “Is that an excuse?” he asked, hearing his bitter tone but unable to stop it.

  “No, but it is a fact. The truth is, I was in love before I ever met your father. His name was Jonathan Daniels. He mowed our lawn,” she said, blushing.

  Ian immediately realized where this conversation was going. “Mom—”

  “No. You’re going to listen. You’re old enough to deal with it, so deal.”

  He blinked and nodded, knowing when his mother used that tone he had no choice but to listen. Besides, she held him captive on the dance floor.

  She had his ear, and nobody else could hear. “I’m listening.”

  “We fell in love, but you know the world I lived in. Your grandparents would never have let me be with him, so we snuck around. Then my father was diagnosed with leukemia. He was terminal and needed someone to take over his hotels. My father and your father’s father had been friendly competitors for years. They agreed to merge their businesses and groom Robert to ultimately run both. Our marriage was a part of that deal.”

  Ian winced at the cold bargain two men had struck at the expense of their children. Of course, Robert had benefited greatly from the merger. He’d become a hotel magnate.

  “Did you ever think to say no?” Ian asked.

  She shook her head, her eyes filled with unshed tears. “I loved my father very much, and he was dying. He didn’t have a son, and I wasn’t the kind of woman to take over and run a business.”

  Her heartfelt sigh broke Ian’s heart.

  “I had to let Jonathan go.”

  Ian swallowed hard. To him, it was unimaginable. Could he let Riley go?

  Damn, he was in so deep with her he didn’t know how he’d ever get out.

  “Do you know what happened to him?” Ian asked his mother.

  “We agreed it was better if we said good-bye for good.”

  “So you gave up the man you loved to marry Robert Dare, and he betrayed you.” Ian shook his head, his father’s behavior suddenly that much more reprehensible in light of what his mother had given up.

  She sighed. “Your father and I had what I thought was a traditional marriage, much like many in our social circles. He was away often, and if he cheated on me, I didn’t want to know. But when he came to us about Sienna’s illness and revealed a whole other family?” She shook her head. “I think I was numb. I stayed that way for years. The only light, the only feelings I let in were for you and your brothers and sisters.”

  “God, Mom.”

  “Life isn’t always fair. We both know that. But I got five beautiful children out of the deal. I can live with myself because I was faithful. His behavior is on him. I just wish I could have protected you from the pain. And I hate that you’re still so angry and you expect the world to let you down.”

  He tightened his grip on her hand as he led her around the dance floor. “I idolized him. I had him on a pedestal so high…” He shook his head, hating the memories.

  “Your father was—is—just a man. And a flawed one, at that. But he loved Savannah, and he hasn’t, to my knowledge, cheated on her. Which tells me we were both at fault for agreeing to a loveless marriage to begin with.”

  He blinked. “You made the same commitment. You were already in love with someone else, and you didn’t cheat on him. There’s no way to justify it.”

  “I agree. I’m just saying, people have faults. You have to find a way to accept them and move on. You haven’t. And it’s eating away at you every single day.”

  He couldn’t argue that point.

  “And Sienna’s illness wasn’t something I’d wish on anyone, especially an innocent child,” his mother went on.

  Ian nodded. “I haven’t exactly been fair to her. Or the rest of them,” he admitted, embarrassed in light of his mother’s forgiving nature.

  “At least you realize it.”

  “It’s too late.” Alex had made that clear when none of them had showed up at his invitation.

  His mother shook her head. “It’s never too late while you’re all still here. So let the past go,” she said, her words hitting him with deadly accuracy and devastating impact.

  Ian inclined his head. He didn’t know if he could, but with everything his mother revealed, and for all she’d given up, he promised himself that, for her sake, he’d try.

  ***

  Riley listened to Olivia and Avery’s banter, once again enjoying the dynamic between the sisters. She’d already met Ian’s mother and instantly warmed to the charming woman who’d gone out of her way to make Riley feel welcomed. She knew Ian appreciated his family in a way many people did not, and as a man who carried hurts from the past, she was grateful he had these three women in his life.

  His brothers, who she’d also spent time with, were very much like Alex, when he was in a good mood. They liked toying with their older brother, and by dancing too close with Riley, they knew they were poking at Ian’s main weakness. She’d tried to pull away, but they’d laughed and kept her dancing.

  “So tell me how you put up with my brother’s bossy ways,” Avery said, bringing Riley into their conversation.

  Since Ian had cut into each sister’s dances with other men, and he’d done the same with their mother, they had good reason to ask Riley about Ian’s control issues.

  Still, Riley couldn’t help but blush, knowing there were plenty of times she liked Ian’s brand of control. Yet there were many instances when she didn’t.

  “I suppose I just put him in his place,” she said to Avery. She took a sip of her champagne and shrugged, not knowing what else to say.

  “And he accepts that?” Olivia asked.

  Riley shook her head and laughed. “Not always.”

  “What happens then?” This, from Olivia.

  “I’m not telling.” Riley grinned, and the other women merely groaned.

  “Good evening, ladies.”

  Riley stilled at the unexpected sound of Alex’s voice. She turned to him, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

  He looked handsome in his tuxedo, his shaggy, brown hair giving him even more appeal. She was happy to see him, just not here. Ian would be upset, and that was the last thing she wanted on a night that had otherwise been wonderful so far.

  “My parents are big supporters of the cause. Why wouldn’t I be here?” He turned toward the other women. “Olivia, Avery. Good to see you,” he said.

  They each eyed him warily.

  Olivia, who Riley had learned was the more outspoken of the two women, straightened her shoulders. “You owe us all an apology,” she told him. “Unless you think not showing up when you’re invited and have accepted a dinner invitation is the polite thing to do.” She raised an imperious eyebrow as she stood up for her brother.

  Alex straightened his shoulders. “I think that’s between me and Ian.”

  “Not when I extended the actual invitation on his behalf,” Olivia reminded him.

  Riley winced. She deliberately stayed out of the conversation. Although the subject upset her, she recognized it was none of her business.

  Alex met her gaze and slowly nodded. “You’re right. It was rude, and I’m sorry.”

  Riley blinked in surprise, proud of her best friend for owning his behavior.

  “Any chance you’ll tell Ian that?” Olivia asked, pushing her luck.

  “Tell Ian what?” the subject of conversation asked, joining them.

  Riley sighed.

  Ian slipped in beside her, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her tightly against him. She automatically leaned into his warmth, savoring the delicious and arousing smell of his cologne. His fingers gripped her waist possessively.

  The half siblings and siblings studied each other wa
rily.

  “I think Avery and I are going to dance.” Olivia spoke first. “It’s the first time this DJ is picking up the beat. I don’t want to miss out,” she said, grasping her sister’s hand and pulling her away.

  Left alone with the two men, Riley looked to each, wondering who’d break the tension first.

  “Alex,” Ian said, extending his hand for a shake.

  Riley knew what the gesture had cost Ian’s pride. She immediately knew he’d done it for her, and her heart filled with love for this enigmatic, self-contained man.

  Love.

  Oh God.

  She didn’t have time to analyze the emotion because Alex hadn’t answered. Beside her, Ian stiffened at the insult, and they both waited.

  “Ian.” Alex pumped Ian’s hand.

  Riley’s knees went weak, and she was grateful for Ian’s bodily support.

  She expected them to find a reason to part ways, but to her surprise, they made small talk about the draft and the potential of both teams during the upcoming season.

  A start, she thought, relieved and pleased beyond words. These two men were so important to her she couldn’t bear it if they couldn’t even make small inroads in their relationship.

  “Feeling better?” Alex asked Riley, interrupting her internal musings.

  “I’m fine,” she answered quickly, shooting him a warning look. She hoped he understood that she wanted him to end this conversation now and not bring up last night’s phone call.

  “I set a PI on your dad. I should know what that bastard has been up to soon enough.” Clearly he’d missed her pointed glance.

  “What’s going on?” Ian asked.

  Riley groaned. “I…” She trailed off, unsure of where to begin.

  Alex’s gaze shot to hers, his expression apologetic. “I’m sorry, Ri. I just assumed you’d told him.”

  “Told me what?” Ian asked, his grip on her waist tightening.

  “Ouch,” she muttered.

  He immediately loosened his hold. “What am I missing?” he asked.

  She swallowed hard and glanced up at him. “Do you remember earlier, in the limo, I said I wanted to talk to you, and we—umm—got distracted?”