Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Weston
“He said, and I quote, ‘If you decide to tell your grandmother or anyone, every advantage you have and that has been given to you will disappear. Your fancy school, trust fund, and all the privileges I’ve given you over the years will vanish into thin air.’ And after that, he didn’t even try to hide it from me anymore. ”
“I can’t believe he threatened you like that,” Sam said.
“You would believe it if you’d ever met the man.”
“You can’t let what one man did shape your views, Wes.” Sam stood, turned around, and sank back into the water, her back resting against my chest. I willingly wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer.
“My grandfather cheated on the woman he was supposed to love and protect for years. My father died before he had the chance to disappoint me.”
Sam slowly stroked my arm. “What was their relationship like?”
“Happy. They were happy all the time, and they loved each other deeply. You could feel it every time you walked into the room. Then one day, they got on a plane and never came back.”
“Tell me this,” she said. “Why is it easier for you to believe your grandfather’s version of love than theirs?”
I glanced out the window and stared at the night sky as I thought about her question.
“Forever is a cruel joke because nothing lasts forever. Not marriages. Not families. Not people. Not happiness,” I said. “I’ve loved, and I’ve lost in my lifetime.”
“Everybody has,” Sam said. “But we can’t let our losses define our views for the rest of our lives.”
“Really?” I chuckled. “Who’s the one mourning the loss of a relationship six months later? You let that define your view of men and relationships.”
“Temporarily. There’s a difference.”
“Is there?” I asked.
“Yes. I got hurt. I questioned my judgment and took time to heal. I swore off dating for a while because I needed to figure myself out. That one relationship doesn’t predict every relationship I’ll ever have, and I know that.
Forever was never promised to any of us, Wes.
That’s not a reason to avoid loving someone.
It’s a reason to love them while you can.
You witnessed the love between your parents while they were still here. ”
“And that alone is supposed to make me believe in forever?”
“It’s the moments, Wes. The moments you choose to share with someone you love every day. And one person or a loss doesn’t get to decide what the rest of my life looks like.”
I pressed my lips against the top of her head.
I had never been vulnerable with someone.
She was dismantling the walls I’d built many years ago.
I loved my parents more than anything else, and they were taken from me.
And another father figure in my life showed me that love wasn’t enough to stay faithful.
Sam saw heartbreak as something to survive.
I’d always seen it as something to avoid.
After another round of sex, I held her in my arms as her naked body snuggled against mine in bed. I was terrified of the feelings I’d felt for her. What started as one date for charity to improve my image turned into something far more than I bargained for.
I awoke the following morning and noticed Sam wasn’t in bed.
Rolling over, I glanced out the French doors that led to the terrace and saw her sitting in one of the chairs with her legs up, gripping a cup of coffee.
Climbing out of bed, I slipped on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt and stepped outside, the crisp air waking me more than caffeine ever could.
“Good morning.” I sat down next to her.
“Morning. I hope I didn’t wake you.” She smiled.
“You didn’t. What are you doing out here? It’s a little chilly.”
“It’s a beautiful morning, and I couldn’t sleep.” She handed me her cup. After taking a sip of coffee, I handed it back to her.
“Why couldn’t you sleep?”
“I don’t know. It happens sometimes. How did you sleep?”
“Good.” I smiled as I lied through my teeth. “What are your plans for today?”
“I don’t have any. Why?”
“Maybe we could do something,” I said.
“Like?”
“We’ll start with breakfast at the Starlight Café and go from there.” I smiled.
“That sounds good. I’m starving.”
“Then let’s go get ready.” I stood and extended my hand.
Since Ben had the day off, we had to take cabs around the city, which I wasn’t fond of because of the way they drove. I swore I took my own life into my hands every time I climbed into the back of one.
We entered the Starlight Café. Every booth and table was taken, resulting in a thirty-minute wait.
“Remind me again why we’re voluntarily waiting for breakfast?”
“Because it’s worth it.” She grinned. “Besides, you’re the one who suggested we come here.”
“That was before I knew we’d have to wait at least thirty minutes to get a table.”
“I know how hard waiting is for you since you’re used to reservations and getting seated immediately. But this is how we lower-class folk eat every day. We have to wait our turn.” She smirked.
I glanced at the chalkboard near the register as we waited.
“Do I need to be worried you’re going to make me try banana French toast?” I leaned in and whispered in her ear.
“Not today, I won’t. But they are very good.” She smiled. “Zoey gets them all the time.”
“Sam.” Linda waved as she stood over by an empty booth.
“Finally,” I sighed.
“Welcome back, Mr. Castile.” Linda smiled, pouring coffee into the mugs on the table.
“Thank you. I hope your breakfast is just as good as that patty melt I had.”
“It is.” She nodded.
I ordered the Eggs Benedict while Sam ordered the egg-stra special, which included two eggs, four strips of bacon, potatoes, and toast. After we ate, we went to Central Park.
Fall was making its way to the city with cool air that hadn’t been here a couple of weeks ago.
Hints of red outlined the green leaves on the trees, and the smell of spiced cider already filled the air.
Sam slipped her hand around my arm as we strolled through the park, where joggers jogged, and families gathered to spend the day together.
“I can’t remember the last time I’d felt this relaxed,” I said.
“Do you know what your problem is?” She glanced up at me.
“I have no doubt you’re going to tell me.” I winked.
“You spend too much time looking ahead.”
“Meaning?” My brow arched.
“You don’t think I know you, but I do. You’re always thinking about the next meeting, the next deal, or the next thing on your calendar. You never just exist in the moment.”
“Yes, I do. Well, sometimes.”
I really couldn’t argue with her because she was right.
My life had always been about moving forward.
Closing multi-million-dollar deals, building, growing, and achieving things I thought weren’t possible.
Business was always on my mind. My grandfather once told me that a successful man puts business first before anyone or anything.
He’d built Castile Properties with $500 to his name.
I remember that conversation as if it happened yesterday.
“Weston, I’m going to give you a little life advice, and I want you to listen very carefully. There will always be another birthday dinner. Good times with friends. Another vacation. But there won’t always be another opportunity. Business always comes first, no matter what.”
“What about family?”
“Family reaps the rewards of your success. But they’re also the greatest threat to it. People who love you will ask for your time. Time you won’t have to give them. They’ll expect things from you, and they’ll distract you from your goals. Never let that happen.”
“What about grandmother?”
“Your grandmother understands her role. We had nothing before we started this company, and she knew what it would take to build an empire. Castile Properties will be yours one day, and I expect you to do what your father never could.”
“And what was that?”
“Put business first. He had a hard time understanding that, and we always got into arguments about it. I wasn’t strict enough with him when he was growing up. But I learned my lesson. You, my grandson, will be the face of Castile Properties one day, and nothing else in life will matter.”
“Wes?” I heard Sam’s voice.
“Huh?” I glanced at her.
“Where were you?” She laughed. “I asked you a question, and you just kept staring straight ahead as if you were somewhere else.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you. What was your question?”
“I asked if you wanted some roasted almonds. The vendor is right over there.”
“Sure. Let’s go get some.” I smiled.
We spent the day in Central Park, walking, talking, and people watching as we sat on benches.
I didn’t pull out my phone once. I didn’t think about all the emails sitting in my inbox demanding attention, or the back-to-back meetings I have all day tomorrow.
I was here. Right here. In the moment with Sam. That hit me hard.
We climbed into a cab and went back to her apartment. I gripped her hips and pressed my lips against hers. I wanted her, right here, right now.
“What time is Zoey coming home?” I asked.
“Probably not for a couple more hours. Why?”
“Good.” I grinned, swooped down, picked her up, and carried her to the bedroom.
Samantha
Three orgasms, and a devilishly handsome man, with the body of a warrior, lying next to me. What more could a girl ask for?