Surrendering to You (Priestly Family #4)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Coffee. I need coffee.

Cree Priestly could almost taste the strong black coffee, with a shot of mocha, that she’d been craving all morning. It would be just the boost she needed to get through the second half of her busy day.

She glanced at the diamond-studded watch on her wrist, confirming she was on time as she reached the coffee shop. The short walk from her law office in downtown Chicago gave her a chance to clear her mind after a mentally exhausting morning of meetings.

As an entertainment lawyer, doing everything from reading through contracts, negotiating deals for her clients, and even helping with securing financing for film projects, there was never a dull moment.

And if she was honest with herself, she loved her job and the busyness that came with it.

She only wished she could say the same about the firm she worked for.

“Don’t go there,” she mumbled under her breath, trying to stop her mind from going down that route.

Even if things were a little tense between her and Warren Ellis, one of the partners who started the firm over thirty years ago, Cree wouldn’t let him derail her goals.

As one of the newest managing partners, she was bringing in more clients and clocking more billable hours than any of the partners.

Especially him, and he didn’t like it. Sure, he liked the way their bottom line looked, but not the way she was outshining him.

Cree slowed in front of the coffee shop’s large picture window, noting the wind had blown a few strands of her hair around. She quickly finger combed her short bob and, once satisfied, reached for the door handle. But before she could grab it, the door swung open.

She gasped, jumped back, and would’ve gotten slammed in the face if not for her quick reflexes.

“Whoa. Sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t realize my own strength,” the tall, light-skinned brother with pretty hazel-green eyes said as he boldly gave her a once over. “But allow me to hold the door for you, Queen. I have to say, you’re the most stunning woman I’ve seen all day.”

Cree shook her head and chuckled when the man opened the door wider, bent at the waist, and gave a slow sweeping motion with his arm for her to enter the building.

“Thank you,” she mumbled, but ignored him when he asked to take her to lunch. Used to being hit on, she tuned out whatever else he was saying and went about surveying the inside of the establishment.

Besides, she was taking a break from men.

It hadn’t started out that way, but for the last few months, thanks to clocking in an obscene number of hours at work, she didn’t have time to date.

Surprisingly enough, she didn’t miss the tedious task.

Yes, her day job brought her in contact with some incredible men, but since she didn’t date clients, their good looks and fat bank accounts were wasted on her.

When she glanced around and didn’t see her sister, Essence, Cree went to the counter and ordered for them both. Usually, whoever arrived first did that, and it was always easy since they typically ordered the same thing—large black coffee and a pastry.

Five minutes later, one of the servers called out, “Priestly,” and set the order on the counter before working on the next order.

Cree stepped forward, adjusting her large handbag on her shoulder, then grabbed the drink carrier and white bag that held their pastries. The place was busy, and she still didn’t see Essence, but she did spot an empty table.

Skirting around people who were in line to order, her long strides carried her the short distance to the two-seater table. She arrived seconds before another woman reached it.

Cree didn’t bother acknowledging her. She set her food down, placed her handbag on one of the chairs, and then planted her butt in the other. Before she could settle in, she spotted her sister entering the building.

“Hey you,” Essence said as she approached, looking cute.

The short, pink plaid jacket that had the sleeves rolled up above her wrists, showed off several silver bangles.

Beneath the jacket was a white tank paired with vintage jeans frayed at the ankles.

Short blue pumps, which matched her jeans perfectly, covered her feet.

“Hey yourself, Sexy Lady.” Cree stood and hugged her sister, who was also her best friend.

“You’re right on time. I already have your order,” she said as she reclaimed her seat.

“I gotta say, Sis, I’m loving this new you. ”

Essence was two years older than Cree, and with them being the oldest of five, they were also the closest.

Essence grinned shyly. “Thanks. After dropping a few pounds, and then taking your advice and updating my wardrobe, I’m liking the new me too.

Granted, it took me a year to listen to you, but better late than never.

No more roaming around town in leggings and a T-shirt or, worse, my scrubs. Especially on my days off.”

“See what happens when you listen to your little, and wiser, sister. You start looking like a sexy vixen instead of an overprotective mom of a college student.”

Essence snorted and waved her off. “Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

A pediatric nurse, Essence loved her job and probably put in more work hours than Cree. But lately, she’d been stepping out of her comfort zone. Though she claimed the changes had nothing to do with a man, Cree wasn’t so sure, but she liked it.

As a teen mom, Essence had devoted her life to raising her son, Tray, often forgoing her own needs. It was nice seeing her doing something for herself for a change. Now that Tray had started his first year in college in Atlanta, Essence was trying to find herself and admitted it wasn’t easy.

“Speaking of cute outfits, is that a new suit?” Essence asked. “You have like a trillion of them. I can never be too sure.”

Cree laughed. Since she practically lived in suits, her walk-in closet was full of them in every color and style.

“Nope, I’ve had this one for a while, but I can’t remember the last time I’ve worn it.”

This morning she’d been going for a badass boss look and had settled on one of her favorite gray power suits. The single-button jacket had two layers of pleats that stopped just below her waist. Giving her that snatched waist look she often aimed for.

With the light-gray lace camisole beneath it, and the fitted skirt that stopped just above her knees, the outfit was sexy and sophisticated, yet professional enough for a business setting.

It also showcased her best assets, her 36Ds as well as her long legs.

At 5’7” she was taller than most women, and when she added her four-inch heels, she stood out in any crowd.

Which had suited her well at her meetings this morning.

Small talk flowed between them as they visited, something they tried to do weekly.

Essence was planning a trip to Atlanta in a few weeks for a family weekend at Clark Atlanta University where Tray attended.

What didn’t surprise Cree was that Jackson, Essence’s best friend, was going with her.

God bless that man. Cree didn’t know how he maintained his staying power.

He was in love with her sister, but Essence seemed clueless.

Then again, maybe that had finally changed.

Maybe that was why she was working on her appearance and getting out more.

“I’m thinking about moving to Atlanta,” Essence announced just as Cree lifted her coffee cup.

“I guess I don’t have to ask why,” she said and took a careful sip of the steaming hot brew.

Cree and her siblings often accused Essence of being a helicopter parent while Tray was growing up.

Granted, Cree understood her protectiveness, but Tray had turned into a responsible, independent young man.

He deserved and wanted the chance to be on his own and start experiencing life without his mother hovering.

At least that’s what he had confided in her shortly before he left for college.

“You just don’t understand,” Essence said defensively while picking at her cheese Danish. “I miss him like crazy, and he hasn’t even been gone two months. If I live there, at least I can see him on the weekends. And we both know I won’t have a problem finding a job.”

“That might be so, but what happens when he moves to a different state after he graduates? And then he moves again because of a job offer, and then another. Are you going to follow him everywhere he goes?”

“Maybe,” Essence mumbled, not looking at Cree.

“What does Jackson think about it?”

Essence sighed. “He thinks, and I quote, ‘Peaches, you doin’ too much’,” she said, her lips twitching when she finally met Cree’s eyes.

Cree laughed. “I agree, and we both know Jackson has never steered you wrong. You told me that he suggested you and him take a trip somewhere soon. Why don’t you do that and stop worrying about Tray?”

“We’re going on vacation in a few weeks. We’re going to Atlanta.”

“To see Tray,” Cree countered. “That’s not a vacation. Sitting on a beach, soaking up sun, and drinking cocktails with little umbrellas in them is a vacation.”

Essence rolled her eyes and went back to eating. “I don’t know why I tell you anything,” she murmured, and Cree laughed again.

“Because I’m your bestie. Well, next to Jackson that is, but okay, I’ll back off. Has Dorian been consuming all your time with her wedding plans?” Cree asked.

Their youngest sister, Dorian, had recently gotten engaged, and Essence and their mother were helping plan the New Year’s Eve wedding.

“Everything is going okay, but I’m sure Dorian’s going to get sick of her future mother-in-law and our mother sooner than later because…”

A scuffle at the entrance of the coffee shop caught their attention. Customers gathered around three tall individuals who were talking and laughing, and Cree groaned. She recognized all of them, but one in particular as he signed autographs.

Of all the coffee shops in the city, why’d he have to pick that one?

She had hoped when she’d seen Tristan Whitmore several weeks ago, while she was shopping with her sister, that it would be the last time. But nope, no such luck.

“Oh boy. Don’t look now, but your—”

“He’s not my anything,” Cree ground out. “And I think this is a good time to end our visit. I need to get going anyway. We can talk about Dorian’s wedding later.”

“Cree, stop. Just talk to him. It’s been years, and you both deserve some closure.”

“I got closure when I told him to lose my damn telephone number and to go to hell.”

Cree knew she was being a jerk, but Tristan was still a sore topic with her. Seeing him again brought back too many memories, and they weren’t all good.

She gathered her large bag, which doubled as a purse and laptop carrier, and then she grabbed her trash.

“I’m out of here,” she said and blew her sister a kiss before walking away.

If Cree was lucky, she might be able to slip past Tristan without him seeing her. He’d been forced to retire from the NFL, the National Football League, after an injury, and she’d heard he had moved back to Chicago.

God, she hoped that wasn’t true. They probably traveled in the same circles, and that would mean there was a good chance she’d run into him more than she’d prefer.

Taking advantage of the crowd that surrounded him, Cree moved around the perimeter of the space and kept her head down while making her way to the door. She had barely touched the handle before she jolted from the feel of a large hand on her hip.

She froze, but not before a zap of energy flowed through her body at his touch. She knew that touch. Hell, she’d feel that touch even if she had on three layers of clothing. Tristan had always had that effect on her.

“Cree, wait. We need to talk,” he said by way of greeting. His deep baritone sent goosebumps racing over her skin. She didn’t want to talk, and she sure as hell didn’t want to look at him, but she had to.

When she turned to face him, anger nipped at every nerve in her body. Damn him for looking so good. He was still the finest man on the face of the planet with honey-brown skin, eyes the color of almonds with flecks of gold around his irises, and twin dimples in his cheeks.

As if knowing she was admiring his beautiful face, he amped up his smile, and she cursed under her breath.

Damn those twin dimples. The ones deep enough in his cheeks to stick her fingers in. And damn him for flashing them so freely in public knowing they were babe magnets.

“We have nothing to talk about,” she spat, anger lacing the words.

“On the contrary, baby. We have a lot to discuss.”

Cree turned from him and moved just beyond the threshold, but he held on to the back of her jacket while he stood in the doorway.

He didn’t seem to care he was blocking the entrance, keeping anyone from entering or exiting.

The small crowd that had formed around him minutes ago was still there, vying for the attention of the other former NFL player whose name had slipped her mind.

As for Tristan, Cree didn’t want to talk to him. That would only encourage him to keep showing up everywhere she went.

No, she needed to stay as far away from the man as possible.

His presence was a hindrance to her peace of mind.

It was because of him that she had trust issues, especially when it came to men.

He was the reason she had taken on the motto—don’t let anyone get too close because in the end they’ll only betray you.

“The old Cree didn’t run from anything,” he said, his voice lowered. “Yet, you’ve run from me twice in a matter of weeks.”

Her jaw clenched and unclenched. “The old Cree would’ve already kneed you in the balls to make you release my jacket. Either let me go or...”

Tristan flinched, then quickly released her jacket and chuckled. “I see you’re still mean as hell.” The words weren’t spoken in a negative way. There was humor in his tone and in his eyes. “Please,” he said, all humor wiped from his face. “I really do need to talk to you.”

Cree searched his eyes and saw the sincerity in them. She almost gave in to his request until she remembered—she hated him.

“There’s nothing for us to discuss. As a matter of fact, forget you ever saw me, and if you see me out and about, don’t even look at me.

“And on that note, goodbye, Tristan.”

Now all she had to do was forget she’d ever seen him. Which might be easier said than done.