by Zuri Day
“Her name is Teagan. I’m sorry about that.”
“An ex still harboring feelings of possession?”
“A classmate who I barely know.”
“Either way, I apologize for getting caught up in the moment.”
Cayden eyed her briefly. “If I apologized, I’d be lying. I very much enjoyed what happened that night.”
His words did things to Avery’s insides. She squeezed her thighs together and sat straighter in the booth.
“I enjoyed it too, but it can’t happen again.”
“Okay.”
“Intimate interactions with Point Country Club clients is not permitted.”
“What about when those persons are no longer clients?”
Avery thought that a perfect moment to observe her surroundings and enjoy several slow sips of wine.
“I probably should get back,” she said, putting down her still-unfinished glass.
“Tomorrow’s Sunday. The night’s just getting started.”
“Not for me.”
“All right, pretty lady. Let’s go.”
Cayden stood and reached for her hand. When their fingers touched, she ignored the jolt of blatant desire that arose from her core and swirled around her mouth. The ride back to her car was mostly silent. She tried to engage Cayden in conversation about his tournament, but golf was the last thing on either of their minds.
When they reached her car, Avery didn’t wait for Cayden to open her door. In fact, the tires had barely stopped rolling when she engaged the handle.
“I had a great time tonight,” she said sincerely.
“Me, too. Be safe.”
“I’ll have Charlotte send over the updated guest list, and the details that have been confirmed for Saturday night.”
“Okay. Bye.”
Avery’s exit was stalled by a hand on her upper left arm. When she turned to find out why he’d stopped her, his lips held the answer. They pressed against hers—hot, hungry—his tongue sliding into her open mouth like a baseballer sliding into home plate. Unable to think, Avery simply reacted. She angled her head as their tongues danced and dueled. His hand slid from her arm to her leg, a finger grazing the hardened nipple of a breast aching with need. Desire spread through her body like molten lava. For a touch she could never feel. For a love that could never be. She broke the kiss.
“Cayden.” His name was an exhalation, the last breath of insanity.
He straightened. Gripped the steering wheel. Stared straight ahead. She nearly bolted from his car to the safety of her own, started it up and pulled off without a wave of goodbye. It was blocks before normal breathing resumed, miles before she’d convinced herself nipping whatever notions Cayden had about them in the bud was the right thing to do. That didn’t mean it felt good.
Damn.
Eleven
For Chicago’s upper crust, First Fridays were the thing. For the Eddingtons in Point du Sable, from as long as could be remembered, First Sundays at the Estates were the coveted invite. If you found yourself on the right side of luck, it was a gathering not to be missed. Cayden remembered the first time he’d attended a First Sunday with his new friend Jake, whose father, Derrick, was on the board and served as a mentor at the Chicago-area Boys and Girls Club where Cayden spent weekdays after school and almost every Saturday. Jake, also ten, had accompanied his father to a sporting event held at the center. The two had become fast friends. A few months later, Jake invited him over for what he’d described as “lunch.” Cayden’s life was forever changed. Upon arriving, he’d mistaken the house for a hotel. His family had always lived in apartments. He couldn’t believe only one family lived in a structure that sat on five acres and spanned well over twenty thousand square feet. It was the beginning of many weekends spent at Jake Eddington’s house. Years later trouble arrived by way of his mother’s boyfriend turned husband—Cayden never considered him “stepfather”—and Cayden’s title at the estate changed from visitor to resident. A year after that he began working part-time at Eddington Enterprise, mostly acting as gopher for the execs, while being slowly, almost casually, taught the science of money, the institution of finance and navigating the world of the elite from the bottom up.
Cayden was about to pull into the lot when he noticed a professionally dressed attendant heading his way.
“Good afternoon, sir.” The well-groomed young man had close-cropped hair, piercing black eyes and teeth that gleamed against his smooth dark skin. “I’ll be glad to park that baby for you.” His slender fingers mirrored the car’s sleek lines. “That’s a pretty car.”
“Never thought of it as a female,” Cayden replied to the kid whose open admiration for the car, the way Cayden could see the young man imagining himself in one like it, somehow reminded him of his younger self. “But given the curves, I get where you’re coming from.”
Cayden turned toward the pathway leading from the garage to the main house, and around to the vast patio where the brunches had been held for the past five years. Strategically placed misters helped make cool the short walk on hot days such as this one, along with a thin canopy shielded by leafy foliage and miniature white lights. No matter the weather, those who chose to dine inside enjoyed a solarium that boasted exotic plants from all seven continents, furniture covered in leather, suede, silks and linen, and some of the finest stone-and ironwork in the world. The food was exceptional, prepared by award-winning chefs often flown in specifically to cater the affair. It was a world that before meeting Jake, Cayden never knew existed. In moments like this, he still questioned whether or not he truly belonged there.
“Cayden! There you are.”
“Hello, Monamama.”
Mona Eddington, the undisputed matriarch of the Eddington clan and influential Point du Sable socialite, chuckled at the pet name Cayden had used since the age of ten. She held out diamond-laden arms and tossed air kisses on both sides of his face before folding him into her embrace. “I just asked Jake about you.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Couldn’t be better. In fact—” she hooked her arm in his, leaning toward him conspiratorially as they walked toward the raised table where the Eddingtons held court “—I hear you’re poised to become a Society man.”
“So much for secrecy during the vetting and voting process.”
“Darling, nothing happens in this town that the Eddingtons don’t know about. Surely, you’ve learned that by now.”
Cayden chuckled. “Better than anyone.”
“You know what that means, right?”
“What, that this increases the extent of your nosiness?”
Mona swatted him playfully. “Your becoming a part of the club raises your status and profile. Only ladies with specific qualities can breathe that rare air.”
Cayden had an idea where this was going and wasn’t sure he liked it.
“Your choice in partner will be extremely important. She must be the right...pedigree...to move comfortably and correctly in these circles, one who can support and assist you where you need to go.”
The duo strolled through the room. Cayden either spoke to or waved at the people he knew and felt curious stares from the people he didn’t, all while processing what Mona had said. Just as he was going to ask for a deeper explanation of her partner comment, they reached the head table. He gave a general greeting to the group and received various responses. Along with the Eddington family—father Derrick, brothers Dwight and Jake, sisters Maeve and Reign—and a few other close relatives or associates was a strikingly beautiful woman Cayden was sure he’d never seen before. As Mona pulled him in that direction, the reason behind her comments became clear.
“Sit on this end,” she instructed. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.” He steeled himself for the encounter and hoped his lips were turned up at the ends.
“Delaney, this i
s Cayden Barker. Cayden, this is the beautiful daughter of a dear friend of mine, Delaney Witherspoon.”
She held out her hand as a princess might. Like she expected him to kiss it, bow, then pledge allegiance to the king. In an awkward transition, he placed his hand beneath hers and guided them into a handshake. Cayden immediately knew that the action displeased her. Miss Kay, or any newborn, could have managed a firmer grip. He poured charm on his next words to make up for the slight.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Delaney.”
“Likewise.”
Her voice was low and cultured, her movement restrained, with lips that barely moved when she spoke. He immediately thought of Avery’s verbal antics.
Like I said...
A snicker flew out of his mouth.
Delaney recoiled. Mona’s eyes narrowed. His attempt to turn the gaffe into a cough was pitiful at best. A meeting obviously important to Mona was going down like the Titanic. Cayden’s movements were deliberate as he pulled back the chair and sat next to Delaney. Now was not the time to piss off Monamama. He reached for the water in front of him and took a recalibrating drink. When he spoke, the suave, confident businessman persona had been retrofitted and secured.
“That’s a lovely name, Delaney.” The compliment produced the merest hint of a smile. “What brings you to Point du Sable?”
Cayden didn’t really care why she was in town, but the question produced conversation and eased the tension from Mona’s face. He quickly learned that Delaney was the only—translated spoiled, pampered, doted upon—daughter of a prominent Washington, DC, judge and his US-ambassador-appointed wife. She spoke three languages, had traveled the world and was the creator and operator of several successful internet businesses that centered around her international commerce major.
“She graduated summa cum laude,” Mona added. “Beauty and brains are a powerful combination. Whoever is fortunate enough to win this woman’s hand will truly be unstoppable.”
At the thought of offering up Jake or Dwight for that privilege, he almost snickered again.
“You have a very impressive résumé,” Cayden offered instead, knowing he should have said more but feeling fresh out of quick wit. Everything about Delaney was superlative. He was just not interested.
“I shared with Delaney your nomination to the Society, and the event on the Fourth. Her dad, Reginald, is a third-generation member. Both he and his lovely wife, my friend Lorelei, will be at the golf tournament next month.” Mona turned to Delaney. “His charity is PDS Medical, through an organization dedicated to fighting cancer called THAT Pink.”
“Philanthropy is very necessary, and so important,” Delaney cooed. She placed a soft hand on his wrist. “Tell me how you came upon that choice.”
Back on familiar territory, Cayden relaxed as he shared news about his project. Brunch service began. Guests mingled. Conversation flowed as freely as the Goût de Diamants. When a clearly smitten company VP introduced himself to Delaney, Cayden used the opportunity to make a quick break. He saw Jake and went over for moral support.
“Did you survive Mom’s matchmaking?” Jake asked before Cayden got a word out.
“Why didn’t you warn me?”
“I didn’t know. From what I understand, she only arrived this morning.”
“Mona is championing her for a bride march. Why didn’t she pair her with you or Dwight?”
“Man, Delaney is like our sister. We’ve known her all our lives.”
“Why hadn’t I met her?”
“By the time you moved here she was attending a boarding school in Europe. Mom and Lorelei usually scheduled their get-togethers on other continents.”
“She’ll be back on the Fourth.” Cayden let out a sigh. “That’s going to be tricky. I can already tell.”
“You haven’t heard tricky until you hear my news.”
“What?”
“Brittany’s back.”
Cayden didn’t respond.
“Don’t trip on that, man. I’ve got good news, too. Dwight’s ready to sign off on your software. AI Interface will belong solely to you.”
“Cool.”
“Is that all you can say? You’re about to become a billionaire!”
Jake’s news produced two responses—thrilled and terrified. Bob Masters had warned him to stay far away from scandal. But now with Delaney circling and Brittany back in town, it seemed trouble could very well come knocking at his door.
Twelve
June whizzed by. With special events happening every weekend, Avery barely had time to breathe. Her personal life took a major hit. Regular household chores and personal errands went undone. Maggie’s daughter Hanna made her debut in the world. Because of the time already off she would be out eight more weeks instead of twelve. With summer in full swing at the Point Country Club, two months seemed a lifetime away.
What wasn’t in the distant future or even right around the corner was Cayden’s event. That happened tonight. Avery had been at the club since five that morning, double-and triple-checking her multiple to-do lists to ensure that everything was in place. Now, at three in the afternoon, with the six o’clock cocktail hour fast approaching, she was in her office with shoes off, maxidress hiked to her thighs and head resting against the back of her chair, trying to take a power nap. If only her mind would shut up. If only she’d stop thinking about how it was going to feel to see Cayden. They’d communicated somewhat more frequently as the event drew near but hadn’t seen each other since the bingo game and the kiss that wasn’t supposed to happen but did. She’d kept each conversation, text and email friendly but professional. Two days ago, she’d invited him over for a final walkthrough of the completed areas but an unexpected trip he had to make to Atlanta changed those plans. Final approval came via video. Neither had brought up the kiss. That hadn’t stopped her from thinking about his talented tongue way more than she should, and imagining what it would be like to experience it out of the public eye and all over her body, where they had the whole night to get to know each other.
Avery huffed as her intercom pinged. “Yeah, Charlotte.”
“I know, I’m sorry. But the chef wants to know if you can go to the kitchen.”
What now?
Produce shortages and delayed shipments had forced last-minute changes to the picnic and brunch menus. She hoped there hadn’t been another cancellation. “Did he say why?”
“No. Do you want me to call him back?”
Avery sat up and slipped her feet into her shoes. “That’s okay. I need to get going, anyway.”
After a quick stop by the loo to freshen up, Avery headed over to the main building, which housed the restaurant and bar, ballroom, pro and gift shop, locker rooms, shower and dressing rooms, and several meeting spaces. July had come in as hot as a firecracker. Avery appreciated the slight breeze she could feel circling beneath her loose-fitting dress. Tonight she’d wear hose, part of the club dress code for management while supervising formal functions, but right now the jersey fabric felt good against bare thighs. She passed the member clubhouse, gym, pool and spa area, and tennis courts. The short walk across the grounds rejuvenated Avery’s spirit. She considered herself lucky to work in such a beautiful place.
Avery entered the ballroom and stopped just inside the double doors. She’d already seen it that morning but that made the presentation no less stunning. Crossing through the layout carefully designed for dinner, dancing and social conversation, she reached the hallway leading to the service area and the chef’s kitchen where magic happened.
“Lamar, Charlotte said you needed to see me?”
“Yeah.” He glanced over his shoulder with a look that didn’t include his trademark smile. “Give me a minute to wash my hands.”
Avery glanced at the clock on the wall. “I don’t have much time.”
Lamar dried off and tosse
d the towel on the counter. “Follow me.”
WTH? “Lamar, are you okay? Follow you where?”
Lamar headed out of the kitchen. “There’s something in one of the spare rooms that I need to show you.”
Before she could argue, Lamar opened a door. “I think you might want to take a look at this.”
Then he headed back down the hall.
“Lamar!”
Puzzled and on her way to highly chagrined, Avery stormed over to the opened door. One foot inside and everything changed.
“Cayden! What are you doing here?”
He stood there looking like an afternoon delight, appearing way too seductive in his simple black button-down, casual slacks and loafers.
“I’m getting ready to take your mind off work for a minute and help you relax.”
Avery was dumbfounded. “What?”
“Have you eaten today?” He spoke calmly, casually rolling up his shirtsleeves, as though hanging out in storerooms was something he did every day.
Finally tearing her focus away from the vision he presented, Avery’s eyes traveled around the modest space. A desk with papers and miscellaneous items strewn about had been pushed against a wall to make way for a serving trolley and a small, round table covered with linen and holding settings for two. She continued her perusal to the other side of the room. Is that a massage chair? It was.
No. He. Didn’t.
But he had.
Avery was speechless, and incredibly moved. “You did all this?”
“Last night, on the plane ride back to Chicago, I flipped through our communication the past two weeks. Then I thought about the activities that happened during that time, the ones I know about, though there may be more, and came to the conclusion that you’ve probably been so busy taking care of your clients that you haven’t stopped to take care of yourself.”
“I’m stunned.”
Cayden moved toward the serving trolley next to the table. “And hungry, I hope. Charlotte said she’d brought you a bagel with your coffee but didn’t think that you’d had lunch. So I had Lamar whip you up a little something.”