Billionaire Temptations: Rich, Ruthless & Obsessed

Chapter 35

Chapter Thirty-Five

ONE MONTH LATER

Emily

My feelings for Jackson hit an all-time high, and it was growing more difficult not to tell him that I loved him. Gregory and I had met after my conversation with Crystal, and we were slowly building our relationship as father and daughter. His wife, Stella, was shocked, to say the least, but she welcomed me with open arms. As for Jackson, he was still on the outs with his parents. My shop was thriving, and I was a girl who should have been on cloud nine. But I wasn’t because I wanted more from Jackson than just companionship. Even though it felt like we were in a real relationship, we weren’t, and I was growing frustrated. We slept together four nights a week, and I would toss and turn the three nights he wasn’t with me. Katie and Evelyn told me that I should slowly start to make my feelings known. But I was afraid because he still did even though I no longer bashed relationships. After finding out about my mother and why she was the way she was, I let go of everything she told me. I no longer guarded my heart, and I no longer wanted to play it safe. I wanted to be someone’s girlfriend, Jackson’s girlfriend.

A friend of Jackson’s was getting married, and he was invited to the wedding. I had just slipped on my heels when he walked into my apartment.

“Look at you.” He whistled. “You look incredible. I may have trouble keeping my hands off you tonight.” He wrapped one arm around my waist and kissed my lips.

“You’re looking quite sexy in that tuxedo.” I straightened his bowtie.

We arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel, where the ceremony was about to begin. Jackson wanted to skip it, but I told him we should go since the reception was immediately following. We were seated near the back and stood as the bridesmaids, and then the bride walked down the aisle.

“She looks beautiful. What a gorgeous wedding dress,” I whispered.

“Waste of money if you ask me. To spend all that money and only wear it a few hours.”

“Look who’s talking, Mr. Designer Tux.”

“That’s different. I wear this tux all the time. That dress is only worn once.”

I stopped the conversation because the minister was about to speak. After the ceremony, we headed into the ballroom for the reception.

“That was a very nice ceremony. Wouldn’t you agree?” I asked as my arm was wrapped around his.

He glanced over at me with a raised brow.

“They just vowed their death sentence.”

Rolling my eyes, I sighed.

“What the hell has gotten into you?” he asked as we went to the bar for a drink.

“Nothing. I just thought it was nice.”

“You hate weddings as much as I do.”

I shrugged and didn’t say a word. I could already tell these subtle little hints would not go over well with him. The groom was one of Jackson’s clients, and we were seated at a table where he knew everyone. As the round of introductions began, I was the friend who tagged along.

“You look so familiar to me,” the brown-eyed brunette sitting on my other side spoke.

“Perhaps you’ve been in my shop. Emily’s Edge.”

“Oh my gosh. That cute little shop over on East 9th?”

“Yes.” I smiled.

“I’ve been there a few times and absolutely adore it.”

“Have you been in since we expanded?”

“No. I don’t think so. Are you carrying more designers?” she asked.

“Yes. A few more, and we now have an espresso bar.”

“Wow. How fun. I will definitely be stopping by.” She smiled.

As dinner was being served, the bride and groom made their way to the tables to greet their guests. Jackson introduced me as the “friend” and had a light conversation with them before they made their way to the next table.

“They seem so happy.” I smiled as I stuck my fork into my salad.

“For today and maybe the next week,” Jackson replied as he glared at me.

“Who knows? Maybe they found true love and will be together forever.”

“Who are you, and what have you done with Emily?”

I let out a light laugh. “I’m still here.”

“Could have fooled me,” he spoke with a serious tone.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Ever since we got here, you’ve done nothing but say positive things about something you are so strongly against.”

I shrugged my left shoulder. “Maybe I was wrong.”

“Wrong? Just all of a sudden?”

The sick feeling in the pit of my stomach caused me to put my fork down. I had to be careful because I could sense a huge fight brewing.

“I don’t know, Jackson. This couple seems different.”

“They aren’t any different from anyone else.”

Grabbing my fork, I picked at my food, eating just enough so he wouldn’t question me. I wanted to tell him that maybe we were wrong and that we were basing our decisions on how other people influenced us. But he wasn’t ready to hear it, and I wasn’t ready to lose him. I had already broken rule number nine.

After the bride and groom shared their first dance together as husband and wife, the DJ played a slow song, and Jackson took hold of my hand.

“May I have this dance, Madame?” He grinned.

“Of course.”

He led me to the dance floor, and in a flash, I was swept up in his arms, our bodies lightly touching.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing’s wrong? Why?”

“You seem quiet and like something is bothering you.”

“I’m just tired, I guess.”

“Are you sure nothing is bothering you?”

“Nothing is bothering me.” I lightly smiled as I reached up and brushed my lips against his.

I lay on my stomach with his dark gray-colored sheet covering only my lower half. His arm draped around me, and the soft whispers of his breath soothed me as he slept. My attempts to try and convince him that maybe relationships weren’t so bad after all were a total fail. His attitude towards me was different while I was dropping subtle hints. It was an attitude of dismay and disappointment. Once I stopped, his attitude returned to the carefree, fun, sexy man who fucked me twice last night because, as he said, once wasn’t enough.

I turned my head and faced him. His eyes were closed as his cheek was pressed comfortably against the oversized fluffy pillow. I couldn’t help but let a small smile cross my lips as I stared at the man I had uncontrollably fallen for. His eyes slowly opened and stared into mine.

“Good morning.” His hand moved up and down my back. “How long have you been staring at me?”

“Good morning. Just a few moments.”

“May I ask why?” A grin crossed his face.

“Why not? You’re sexy. Especially in the morning with your messy hair.” I brought my hand up to his head. “Plus, I love waking up next to you. It makes me incredibly happy.”

The look in his eyes changed instantly. Almost as if they went blank. He kissed the tip of my nose and climbed out of bed.

“How about some breakfast?”

“Sure,” I put on a fake smile as I stayed in bed for a few more moments while he left the bedroom.

I didn’t understand the sudden urge to get out of bed. Usually, we’d have sex before either one of us stepped one foot on the floor. Today was different. He seemed different. Maybe his issue with his parents still weighed heavily on his mind. Climbing out of bed, I slipped my robe on and headed down to the kitchen, where I saw him making scrambled eggs.

“I hope scrambled is okay. I tend to fuck up the eggs any other way.”

“Scrambled is fine.”

“Coffee is ready.” He nodded over to the coffee maker.

After pouring two cups of coffee, I took them over to the table while Jackson plated the eggs and toast.

“There’s some fresh cut-up fruit in the refrigerator if you want,” he spoke.

“Thanks.”

Walking over to the fridge, I pulled out the plastic container and took it over to the table. I was feeling uneasy because something with him was off.

“Listen, Emily. I don’t know how to say this.”

The feeling I got in the pit of my stomach was unsettling.

“Say what?” I asked.

“I know we were supposed to spend the day together today, but I have to go into the office and prepare for a huge presentation tomorrow for a failing casino I want to invest in. I didn’t realize it was tomorrow until I looked at my calendar last night. I thought it was next week.”

“Oh. Okay. I understand.”

But I didn’t. Why didn’t he tell me this last night? Why wait until this morning to spring it on me? Maybe I wouldn’t have come back to his place after the wedding and just went home.

“Are you sure you understand?” he asked.

“Of course.” I made a face at him for even questioning me. “Why would you think I wouldn’t?”

“I don’t know.” He finished off his eggs and took his plate to the sink.

He walked over to me and kissed the top of my head. “I have to go shower.”

“Okay. I’m just going to get going,” I said as I stood up.

“You don’t have to. I can drive you home.”

“It’s fine. I’ll catch a cab. Plus, I want to stop at the shop on the way home.”

“But you’re closed today.”

“Doesn’t matter. I still have some work to do. Just like you do. You know the work never stops when you’re your own boss.”

“True.” He smiled.

He went back upstairs, and I cleaned up the kitchen before I headed up, changed, and attempted to get the hell out. I hurried and threw on my jeans and a crème-colored sweater. I didn’t care that I still had on last night’s makeup, and my hair was a mess.

“I’m leaving,” I shouted so he could hear me from the shower.

“Can you wait until I’m finished?” he shouted back.

“No. I want to do what I have to do and get home,” I lied.

“Okay. I’ll be in touch.”

“Yeah. Okay.” I rolled my eyes, grabbed my purse and bag, and headed towards the elevator.