Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
DID YOU WANT A DRINK?
Aldrich
Aldrich was seething, his jaw clenched so tight it ached.
As the COO of Velkomst, he was unaccustomed to being spoken down to, and the slight stung like a slap.
Yes, it was his brother’s wedding, a time for celebration, but he’d seen an opening and seized it.
Ma’s Kitchen contract with the Lancaster Group was on the verge of expiring, and this was the moment to act.
A partnership with Ma’s Kitchen could be the bold stroke Velkomst needed to pivot their culinary strategy and finally outmanoeuvre the Lancasters in the market.
The opportunity was too critical to let slide, even if his timing had ruffled feathers.
When Aldrich spotted Chef Ma in the crowd, he made his way over, determined to make his pitch.
But the man’s demeanour was icy, his words clipped and dismissive, as if Aldrich were an unwelcome interruption rather than the COO of Velkomst. The sting of being scolded like a misbehaving child burned in his chest, a humiliation he wasn’t used to and wouldn’t easily forget.
“Even if I were inclined to entertain your proposal, I don’t have business meetings without my partner present.
More importantly, it’s in poor taste to ambush a potential partner at a social gathering.
I’m attending your brother’s wedding because of our personal relationship.
Ambrose has respected that boundary. I see you do not share your brother’s decorum. ”
It had been an hour, and Aldrich was still seething from their interaction. The dance floor was about to open up at any moment, and he needed to get out of the reception for a while.
“Why do you look like you swallowed a lemon?”
He glanced at his brother’s new sister-in-law, his gaze lingering as he arched an eyebrow in her direction. They had managed to maintain a cautious cordiality since calling a truce, their interactions a careful dance of guarded smiles and measured words.
“What does one look like when they swallow a lemon?” His tone was frosty. He wasn’t in the mood to play nice.
“Um, you.”
Her giggle caught him off guard, light and unguarded, a sound that made him blink in surprise. He must have shown it on his face because she shrugged, a small, almost sheepish gesture that softened the moment between them.
“Our siblings, who are very much in love, are celebrating their nuptials. It’s a joyous occasion. Why aren’t you being… cheerful?”
“Listen—”
She held up her hand. “You were super pumped earlier. What happened, huh?”
Sorinah’s concern made him feel shitty. She was right; it was his brother’s big day. He was happy for Ambrose and liked his new sister-in-law. Fuck Aaron Ma. He should be in celebration mode.
“Let’s go for a walk so you can clear your head.” Sorinah slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow and led him to one of the side doors that opened onto the garden.
At first, neither spoke as they walked further away from the doors.
It was a beautiful night. The sun had already set, and the heat from earlier had dissipated.
Although the ocean was on the other side of the venue, they were benefiting from a slight breeze.
Aldrich loved being home. Trinidad would always remain his favourite place on earth.
Which was saying something, given how much he travelled.
And he no longer lived on the island full-time.
Clearing her throat, she stopped and looked up at him. “I get why you might be upset.”
Did she?
Depending on who you asked, his best or worst trait was how direct he was. “What are you talking about?”
“It must be hard to be at a wedding when your… engagement ended on bad terms.”
He studied her features as he decided how to unpack her comment.
The woman, who had been nothing but hostile to him for over a year, looked genuinely concerned for him.
It might have been touching if she wasn’t talking out of her ass.
First, what the hell did she know about his failed engagement?
And second, what the hell did it have to do with anything?
His engagement to Flavia ended a couple of months before he met Sorinah.
He hadn’t even thought about Flavia in months.
“You know, technically, most engagements end on bad terms?” he mused.
“Well, it must be hard being at a wedding when your engagement fell apart.”
He couldn’t help but smile at the intense seriousness of her expression, her brows drawn together in a tight, furrowed knot that made her look both determined and adorably overdramatic. “I’m not in my feelings. I’m grateful I dodged the bullet of marrying the wrong woman.”
“So, fix your face,” she said, mimicking the Trini accent.
Aldrich begrudgingly had to give it to her. “Your accent was real decent.” He winked at her.
“Thank you kindly. So, are you going to fix your face?”
“Yes. One of the guests got under my skin.”
She nibbled her lower lip. “Oh. Aaron Ma gave you the business, huh?”
“Wait. Why would you say that?”
“Because he is notoriously insane when it comes to his wife. I saw you touching her earlier. I figured he didn’t see you because he didn’t knock your block off.”
Aldrich thought back over the evening. He might have admired some of the beautiful women present, but he hadn’t touched anyone. Except… for the woman who tripped, and he caught her by her elbow. “You can’t be serious. I saved someone from falling on her ass. I didn’t know it was his wife.”
Sorinah shrugged. “I don’t think he can distinguish anything when it comes to her.”
“I think it’s idiotic. Who bases business decisions on a woman?”
“Not a woman. His wife. Not to mention hitting on another man’s wife says a lot about your character. So, what happened?”
Aldrich explained his interaction with Aaron.
“For what it’s worth, I would have done the same.”
“Blow up at me for touching your wife, who I was trying to help?” Aldrich questioned.
“No, I would’ve taken the shot at talking to a potential business partner.
When it comes to business, I go all in. Do you think my company would be where it is if I sat around waiting for my chance?
No, I had to go out and make things happen.
He was just caught up in his feelings about his wife. Tough break.”
“What would he have done if I watched her fall?”
“Probably break your face. You couldn’t have won in that situation. Forget about Aaron for now. Chances are it isn’t an easy fix. This is a party. Let’s go back in and act like it.”
“Can you dance?”
Sorinah drew a breath, pressing her hand to her ample chest. “Of course I can dance. I should be asking if you can dance. Normally men your height don’t have rhythm.”
They were doing so well. First the truce, followed by her display of concern. “I beg your pardon. I was born here. Rhythm is in my blood.”
“Then prove it,” she challenged.
The poor woman did not know what she was in for.
An hour later he was surprised how well she was able to keep up. Aldrich enjoyed dancing with Sorinah, the way their steps matched and clashed in equal measure, but he was ready for a change of scene.
“Would you like to come up to my room?” he asked, his tone light but laced with a hint of mischief.
The reception wasn’t over yet, but Ambrose and Nakinah had just retired to their suite.
The party was far from winding down—in fact, it was probably just hitting its stride.
He knew his family and friends well enough to predict that the celebration would stretch on for hours.
Sorinah narrowed her eyes at him, suspicion flashing in their depths. “Why would I come up to your room?”
There was no need for her to be so wary—not yet, anyway. He was happy to lay out his intentions, but first, there was the fun of needling her. Aldrich grinned, enjoying the way their banter always seemed to spark. “It’s impolite to answer a question with a question.”
He brushed the diamond strap along her honey-brown shoulder. For the first time, he wondered about a dress’ design. How was this one thin strap holding up her generous breast?
“Are you going to answer?” She tapped her foot.
“I guess I’ll make an exception for you and answer anyway. Because you really want to.” He stroked her shoulder before dropping his hand.
“I really want to?” Sorinah cocked her head and smirked at him.
“Yup. All night you’ve been wondering if my moves are as good off the dance floor as they were on.”
“Are they?”
Aldrich let out a bark of laughter. It wasn’t often women surprised or challenged him. Sorinah did both, and he found the shit a complete turn on.
“No,” he said shaking his head.
Her eyes widened. He couldn’t make out if it was in shock or confusion.
“Then you shouldn’t invite people back to your room.”
God, she was so fucking sassy. That perfectly shaped full mouth of hers. Yeah, he could think of ways to put it to good use.
“You’re funny. For one, I’m not asking people. Just you, Sorinah.” He bopped her nose. “Better.”
“Better what?” She inclined her head as if he were a puzzle she was trying to figure out.
“My moves are far better off the dance floor.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, but the only thing he saw reflected there was interest. “Okay.” She shrugged. “Sure, I’ll come up, but only for academic reasons.”
“Just as long as you understand that my class is very hands-on,” he said, placing his hand on the small of her back, avoiding her bare skin.
“Let’s go.”
“Lead the way,” she instructed.
Banter seemed to be their own brand of foreplay. He had to put up with her sassy mouth on the ride up the elevator. Of course, Aldrich wasn’t helping matters. He just couldn’t seem to help himself.
“Penthouse?” she asked after he entered his code and P appeared on the display.
“How very astute of you.”
“Oh, you get on my nerves. This dick better be worth it.”
He almost choked on his spit. Fair enough, he wouldn’t be the only one choking on body parts tonight.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
The smile she responded with wasn’t what he expected. Not only was it sexy, but it was also downright predatory. As if he wasn’t hard enough. “Fuck,” he groaned.
Aldrich was surprised when she suddenly opened her purse and pulled out her cellphone. He leaned over and unashamedly read her message.
Baby boy
Hey Mom
Had fun.
Going to crash soon.
Night
Her son and some of the other teens were being supervised in one of the hotel suites.
Good stuff.
Love you.
Her smile was wistful as she pressed send. Her expression hardened as she looked in his direction and realised he was looking at her phone.
“Did you just read my message?” She pointed at him.
He was many things, but not a liar. Smirking, he shook his head. “Yup.”
“Ugh. Ever heard of privacy?”
He knew he overstepped, but the idea of her reaching for her phone while she was with him hadn’t sat well.
In this moment, all of her attention should be his.
However, knowing it was her son put him at ease.
The nurturing side of her was just as attractive to him. So was the glare she turned on him.
“Forgive me?” he asked, disarming her with his smile.
“Eh.” She placed her phone back in her purse.
The elevator opened into the penthouse.
“After you,” he instructed, holding out his arm as he guided her into a large foyer.
“Your place is nice,” she commented, bending to unbuckle the straps on her heels.
“Let me get that for you.” Sinking to his knees, he took her foot and placed it on his thighs.
“I’ll dirty your pants.” She tried to pull her foot away, but he held firm.
“Don’t worry about it.” He could feel her eyes on him as he unbuckled the diamond-encrusted strap circling her ankle. “You have a thing for diamonds?”
“Not really. It’s part of the wedding theme.”
He slipped the shoe off her foot. Her foot was long but delicate, and she had the prettiest toes. The nails didn’t have any colour, only the white line at the tip.
He gave her foot a gentle stroke before setting it down on the ground. “Next.”
Taking his time, he unbuckled her shoe, his fingers moving with deliberate slowness. His hand circled her ankle, warm and firm, as his thumb traced just above the arch of her foot, the touch light yet intent.
“Aldrich,” she murmured, her voice soft and breathy, as if the sensation had stolen some of her steadiness.
“Mmm,” he hummed in response, his focus still on the curve of her foot, the way his touch lingered there.
“Thank you,” she said, her tone still faintly unsteady. She shifted her foot out of his hold, placing it carefully on the ground.
He rose to his feet and removed his shoes. All the while, their gazes stayed locked, a silent challenge shimmering between them.
She was the first to blink, her eyes dropping for a fraction of a second before she took a step back. Was she losing some of her fiery edge now that they were alone, behind closed doors?
He caught the moment she seemed to regroup, giving herself a subtle mental shake. She straightened her spine and stepped forward again, reclaiming the space she’d yielded. There’s the Kitten he’d gotten used to.
“Your hospitality is lacking.” she asked, her tone teasing but with a hint of challenge.
“How’s that?”
“You haven’t offered me a drink?”
He took steps towards her. “Did you want a drink?” Taking her hand, he pulled her flush against his body.
“Um, no.”
She felt so good in his arms. Her lips parted, and it was like a siren’s call. It wasn’t one he could ignore.