Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
Venus
Initially, I tried my hardest to avoid Carson.
Truth was, between how good he looked in his black suit, the fact that he’d purchased a ten person table and brought five people with him, and the beauty of the necklace he’d given me, I was bound to be a ho and fuck another woman’s man tonight.
I had to continuously remind myself that though me and Trevor were going through a rough patch, I was still engaged to be married.
I’d never been a cheater, and I didn’t plan to start tonight.
Even with me constantly reminding myself of that truth, it became harder and harder for me to stay away from him.
After playing the good hostess and making sure I stopped by every table, I spent some time with my family then made my way to Carson’s table.
He all but kidnapped me, keeping me there for two hours and making sure the table was never out of wine and champagne.
By the time it was time for me to thank everyone for coming and giving my speech, I was tipsy as hell.
Thankfully, I was able to get through the speech sounding far more sober than I actually was.
Since my sisters knew me better than anyone, Paisley was waiting for me by his table with a plate of chicken, and I couldn’t help but fall into a fit of giggles.
“Paisley, this is Carson, Kaos, Serenity, Taj, Tristan, and Zander. Everyone, this is my oldest sister Paisley. Apparently, she’s here to sober me up with chicken.”
They laughed and greeted her while Carson wrapped his arm around my waist and helped me into my seat.
The warmth of his hand on my waist had my nipples hardening, and when he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, my pussy clenched.
Paisley’s brows wrinkled before she smiled as she set the plate in front of me.
“Um, Sis, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Can I finish this chicken first?” I asked, already picking a piece up.
“Sure but make it quick. Based on the schedule you gave me, we have to start preparing for the hotel staff to start shutting down in about thirty minutes.”
“I’ll be done in like two minutes. Promise.”
Her eyes shifted from me to Carson before she nodded her agreement and walked away. Truthfully, I wasn’t ready for her to start asking me questions about Carson because I didn’t have any answers.
“Is there anything we can do to help, V?” Serenity asked while I was mid-bite, making me laugh. In a short amount of time, I’d gotten fairly comfortable with all of them. They were super cool, and it was nice connecting with women outside of work and my sisters.
“Absolutely not. You all coming is more than enough. All I’ll have to do is announce the party will be ending in about ten minutes, and then the staff will take care of everything else.”
“What about your gifts?” Carson asked. “Will you need help getting those to the car?”
“Now that would actually be helpful. I didn’t know my mom emailed everyone letting them know they could bring me something. I probably won’t have space in my Wagon for everything.”
“That’s cool. Whatever doesn’t fit you can put in my car, and I’ll trail you home,” he offered.
Most of the gifts were money and checks in cards, but there were about thirty gift boxes that I knew I didn’t have space for.
“I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you like that.”
“Trust me, it would be no inconvenience to me at all. Plus, I wanna make sure you get home safely.”
Before I could agree or decline, Daddy was making his way over and introducing himself to everyone.
It was getting late, so he and Mama were about to head out.
His mind had been working like Carson’s because he told me he was going to put as many of the gifts as he could in his SUV to drop off with my doorman.
The men wasted no time standing and offering to help, which must have impressed Daddy, because he asked them how they knew me as they walked off.
I called for him to get my keys from Mariah because I didn’t feel like walking to the other side of the ballroom.
As soon as I finished my chicken, I was going to head back to the stage.
As much fun as the evening had been, I was ready for it to be over so I could go home, soak, and take my ass to bed.
I finished eating as quickly as I could then excused myself from the table before heading to the stage.
I thanked everyone for coming again before letting them know we were about to start shutting down.
A few sighs of disappointment filled the room before it erupted with clapping and cheers, which further put me in my feelings.
As sad as I was about Trevor not being here, I really didn’t have too many moments where I was able to dwell on it for too long.
So many people had come out to show me love, and I’d decided instead to focus on who was here instead of who wasn’t.
There were so many gifts we ended up having to put them in my SUV, Carson’s car, and Daddy’s.
I told them they didn’t have to worry about taking them tonight, but they insisted on dropping everything off for me.
I knew not to argue with my daddy, so I let them be great.
Though it wasn’t required, I stayed behind to help the staff break everything down and clean up.
To my surprise, Carson and his friends did too.
Had it been Trevor, the most he would have done was bark orders.
Jesus.
Why was I comparing the two?
By the time we were done, it was a little after midnight, and I was completely sober and tired. I was grateful I’d already planned to take off from the salon tomorrow so I could sleep in.
As he said he would, Carson followed me home.
He helped the doorman get the last of the gifts from my SUV and they both insisted I not lift a finger.
Normally I wouldn’t have allowed anyone to know where I lived that I’d just met, but for some reason, I trusted Carson.
On the off chance he turned out bat shit crazy, he wouldn’t be able to get up to my penthouse unless I put him on my approved list.
“Well,” I said sweetly, standing by the elevator. “Thanks for everything. Your presence meant a lot, and I love your friends. Oh, and this choker too. Thank you so much, Carson.”
“You’re welcome, Venus. I know I keep saying it, but I’m proud of you and the good work you’re doing.”
“Those are the kinds of words that could never be said enough.”
His head tilted as he stared at me with those beautiful eyes.
They were so hypnotic I could barely look away.
There was nothing about this man’s body or face that I would change.
Physically, Carson was certainly my type.
Tall, wide, and muscular. He had cinnamon brown skin.
His curly tapered cut was always in an immaculate state when I saw him, connecting to a thick, shiny beard.
He had tiny freckles that were barely noticeable on his cheeks and one on his nose.
His lips were shaped like a bow, and I loved how his straight, thick eyebrows drew the attention back to his eyes.
Those eyes.
God.
I would never get enough of those eyes.
So shiny. So honest. So pure.
“I’m not a cheater,” I blurted.
He smiled. “I’m not either.”
“But your girl…”
“We technically aren’t in a committed relationship, but truthfully, we’re locked in enough for me to not take you up to your home and do what I’ve been thinking about doing since I first laid eyes on you.”
“Glad we’re on the same page,” I admitted breathlessly, “because if we were cheaters, I’d let you do what I’ve been wanting you to do since I first laid eyes on you.”
When he stepped forward, I held my breath. His smile was sexy before he licked his lips, lowered himself, and placed a kiss on my forehead. His kiss there felt different. It felt pure. It felt like care. Like love.
“Have a good night, Venus.”
“You too.”
I stared at him as he walked away, unable to take my eyes off him until he was out of the revolving doors.
With a sigh, I turned and entered my code into the elevator.
My heart and mind were in complete war with my body.
Regardless of how much I wanted this man and how much chemistry we had, I knew I’d done the right thing.
I just… hoped I didn’t regret it in the morning.
The Next Morning
A smile remained on my face the entire time I got ready to meet my sisters for brunch.
Last night, I took my makeup off, showered, and went right to bed.
By the time I woke up, they’d had a whole conversation about me and Carson amongst themselves.
I was too tickled at the exchange, but I told them we could meet and talk today.
As happy as I was, my smile faded when I made it downstairs and saw Trevor in the lobby.
I was so upset with him for missing the party that I’d temporarily taken him off my approved list. Blocking his number didn’t feel like a big enough punishment.
My eyes rolled as I walked past him, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me into him. The more I wiggled and tried to free myself, the tighter he held me.
“Please don’t be mad at me. I tried my hardest to get Ernestine to reschedule, but yesterday was the only day he was willing to meet.
That was potentially a billion dollar client, bae.
I couldn’t miss that meeting. Not for anything.
” When I didn’t respond, he continued. “I came here as soon as my flight landed this morning, but you took me off your list. I went home and took a quick nap before showering and coming back. Can we please go upstairs and talk? I want to hear all about the party.”
With a tired sigh, I pushed his arms from around my waist. “Quite frankly, Trevor, the party was a be there moment. I don’t really want to talk about it.”
“Okay, that’s fair. Where are you headed?”
“To brunch.”
“Can I join you?”