Billionaire Temptations: Rich, Ruthless & Obsessed

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

ONE MONTH LATER

Emily

The store was doing great. Evelyn’s designs were selling out faster than she could produce more, and my dating life was taking a toll on me. Evelyn walked in as I hung up some new shirts that had just arrived, and Katie was helping a customer.

“Hey, Evelyn.” I smiled.

“I brought you something,” she spoke as she handed me a garment bag.

Unzipping it, I pulled out a strapless, beaded, sweetheart neckline short black dress.

“Wow. This is beautiful.”

“Thank you. You’re going to look fabulous in it.”

I gave her a blank stare. “Huh? This is for me?”

“Yes. It’s for you to wear to the wedding you’ll attend with me on Saturday night.”

“What wedding?”

“Remember I told you a few months back that my friend Rebecca was getting married?”

“Yeah. I thought you were taking a date.”

“I was up until a couple of days ago. Then the asshole bailed on me. He used the ‘sick mother’ excuse. I don’t want to go alone, and I know how much you love weddings.” She smirked.

“Ah, yes. Weddings are the joy of my life. Two people committing the rest of their lives to each other in front of all their family and friends only to end up divorced in ten years.”

She rolled her eyes. “So, you’ll go?”

“Do I really have to?”

“Yes. We’ll have so much fun. We’ll drink and dance the night away.”

“Free booze and music. I can handle that.” I smiled.

“Excellent. And remember, if anyone asks about your dress, you tell them I designed it.”

“Of course, I would. I better go try it on to make sure it fits.”

While I was walking past the counter to the fitting rooms, I heard my phone beep. Picking it up, I saw I had a text message from Louis, one of the guys I casually dated a few times.

“Hey, babe. I thought about you last night, and I think we should start seeing each other more. My friend told me when he saw us out together that we looked really good as a couple, and I think it’s time to take our relationship to the next level.”

Relationship? What relationship? We’d only been on a few dates. Shit. Why can’t guys just want to date without the damn strings attached? I was so mentally drained from these guys that I quit dating for a while. I needed a damn break for my own sanity.

“My name is Emily, not babe. We don’t have a relationship, Louis. We went out a few times, and I’m not looking for anything more. I was very upfront with you on our first date. There will be no next level.”

I sighed as I set my phone down and went into the fitting room to try on the dress Evelyn had brought me.

The wedding reception took place at the Waldorf Astoria. Beautifully lit chandeliers hung from the ceiling, giving off soft light and making the ambiance romantic. Expensive white linens draped over the tables and chairs, and elegant candle-lit floral centerpieces graced each table. Evelyn and I were supposed to attend the ceremony, but she got held up with a production problem for her new line. That was fine with me because I didn’t believe in or like weddings.

We were greeted with tall glasses of champagne when we stepped inside the Grand Ballroom. Taking one from the tray, I sipped it and looked around at the black-tie affair. A table to the right of us housed small fancy cut cards with our names written in exquisite handwriting to alert us at which table we were seated.

“Looks like we’re at table number fifteen,” Evelyn spoke. “Shall we make our way or get another drink first?”

Downing the last of my champagne, I held up the empty glass.

“Drink first.” I smiled.

We made our way to the bar and stood in a long line of others with the same idea. While Evelyn was in front of me talking with one of the other guests, a low voice spoke behind me.

“How’s your finger doing?”

Chills ran down my spine as I slowly turned around and stared at the sexy man who had been in my shop a month ago.

“It’s much better. Thank you.” I smiled.

“Did you get stitches?”

“I did. Three of them.”

“I do believe I told you so.” He smirked.

I swallowed hard as I discreetly checked him out from head to toe. A designer black tux, crisp white shirt, and a black bowtie made him even more sexy than his business suit did.

“So, what are you doing here?” I asked.

“The same thing you are.”

“Bride or groom?”

“Neither. I’m here with a friend. You?”

“Same.”

“Who’s your date?” he asked with caution.

“My friend, Evelyn. In fact, she’s the one who designed the dress you bought for your sister.”

Evelyn was so engaged in a conversation with someone else that she didn’t notice that I was talking to him.

“Evelyn.” I placed my hand on her shoulder, and she turned around. “I would like you to meet—” I looked at him.

“Jackson Caine.” He held out his hand.

“Nice to meet you.” She placed her hand in his.

“Mr. Caine bought one of your dresses for his sister,” I spoke.

“Ah. Well, thank you. I hope she liked it.”

“She loved it.”

With a smile, she turned around and placed her drink order.

“I don’t believe I caught your name.” Jackson grinned.

“Emily Wade.”

He narrowed his eye as he stared at me. “As in Emily’s Edge?”

“Yes. I’m the owner of the shop.” I smiled.

“Impressive.” His brow raised.

Out of nowhere, a tall, lanky brunette came up and placed her hand on his back.

“There you are. I’ve been looking for you.”

“Looks like you found me,” he spoke with a hint of irritation.

It was my turn at the bar, and I asked the bartender for a glass of Pinot Grigio.

“Make those two glasses and a double scotch,” Jackson spoke behind me.

As soon as the bartender handed me my wine, I held up my glass.

“It was nice to meet you, Jackson.” I walked away and caught up with Evelyn, who was engaged in another conversation.

“That’s the guy who was in the shop that day?” she whispered as she lightly grabbed hold of my arm.

“Yes.”

“Shit, Emily. Katie was right. He is drop-dead gorgeous. What’s he doing here?”

“Obviously, he’s here with his girlfriend.”

“The brunette?” she asked.

“Yep.”

“She’s not that pretty. He could do so much better.”

I rolled my eyes, and we went to table number fifteen and took our seats. So far, we were the only two sitting down. As I was sipping my wine, I noticed Jackson and his brunette heading our way. My stomach flipped slightly as he took the seat next to mine.

“Hello again.” He smiled. “Looks like we’re table mates.”

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to use the ladies’ room,” the brunette spoke as she got up from her chair.

“Girlfriend?” I picked up my glass and took a sip.

“Oh, God, no. Just a friend.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his reply. He sounded like I offended him by asking.

“How about you and Evelyn?”

“What about me and Evelyn?” I twisted my face.

“Are the two of you?—”

I almost choked on the wine that was sliding down the back of my throat.

“NO! Do you think I’m a lesbian?” I whispered. “She works for me.”

A sly smile crossed his soft-looking perfect lips. “You can never be too sure these days.”

“So, you think that because I came with my friend to a wedding because she didn’t want to come alone, that we’re lesbians?”

“Like I said, you can never be too sure these days.” He winked.

“Well, I can assure you that I’m not. I have so much man drama in my life that sometimes I contemplate it.”

Other guests sat at our table, and we did the round of introductions. Kami was the brunette’s name, and she didn’t look too happy that Jackson was talking to me. Right before dinner was served, the bride and groom stood up and gave a speech.