Temptation - Leigh Lennon Page 0,66
him a chance. My dad tried to control me, and he still pops up from time to time to detonate a grenade in the little bit of a life I’ve built for myself to destroy it, only for me to have to start over again.”
Taya kneels by me. “Have you told him this? He’s not unreasonable.”
I stare at her, and she returns a little smirk. “This is the same man who renamed his secretary so he wouldn’t have to remember a new name,” I remind her.
Taya laughs, holding her hand out, telling me to give her a minute. “Okay, let me rephrase this. He’s not unreasonable when it comes to you and keeping you as his.”
He’d told me he was willing to concede, but I didn’t believe him. “So…” I turn my gaze to Jared. “Are you going to allow me to see him now?”
His face turns to stone, and his neck stiffens. “Um, he’s left. He needed to get away.” I attempt to rise from the couch, a little light-headed and with a lot of determination.
“I’ll go to him.” In my declaration, Jared’s stoic expression changes, and a broad smile takes over his face. He pulls Kira into his space, and I almost want to inquire about their story, but I will listen to it when they’re ready to share it with me.
Taya holds onto me because I’m a little shaky on my feet. Jared has his phone out already, barking orders to the airlines.
Placing my hand on his shoulders, I stop him with one shake of my head. “I have to do this on my own.” And thanks to the stubborn man I love, he’s given me the means to make this happen—regardless of my choice. He loves me so much, he gave up something of his to make sure I’d be okay.
I’d never unpacked from the shit Jared had shipped over from the club. I’d been planning on hitting the road and putting Chicago in my rearview mirror. I hurry to the back bedroom and pull out one of the suitcases. When I open it, it has what looks like normal everyday clothes. After adding a toothbrush, the little makeup I own, and cramming a pair of Converse in the bag, I’m at the door. Taya and Kira pull me into a hug at the same time. “Go get your man,” Taya commands.
“I’ll fight like hell for him. That’s what you do when you love someone.”
“What do you mean you’re booked?” I ask, my debit card in my hand at the counter of one of the major airlines.
“Ma’am, we can put you on standby or…” She trails off, and I wish I had taken Jared’s offer from earlier. I wait for her to finish as a couple to the side of me holds one another close, peppering kisses on the other every couple of seconds.
They catch my gaze watching them with the most amazement but envy at the same time. When the young woman smiles at me, I smile back, and she whispers, “We just got married. We’re leaving on our honeymoon.”
“Oh, congratulations.” Their happiness stings. I’d been so close to the same thing, and once again, my past with my parents has bitten me in the butt. However, I can’t blame them this time. No, letting go of Chadwick is all my doing.
I turn my head back to the ticket attendant. “Ms. Lipton?” she calls out to me as I’m in my own little world. “I have a seat in first class, on the Concord, but it’s close to seventeen thousand dollars,” she whispers in a voice that could not be categorized as a whisper. Ouch, this is a big chunk out of my money, though, honestly, I want to give it back to Chadwick even though I know he won’t take it. I know him well enough to understand this.
“When’s the next flight you can get me on?” I ask, tapping my fingers, not caring that with each click of my nails on the counter, the tic in her jaw becomes a little tighter and tighter.
“Um, I can get you out tomorrow morning.” Tomorrow morning? Who knows where Chadwick will be tomorrow morning? Today, he’s in London. I know this much. Passing my form of payment over to her, I confidently say, “I’ll take the first-class ticket.”
Chapter Thirty
Chadwick
I’ve met with my top three valuable customers, having them numbered at each club. They are the ones to sponsor new elite members, eat in my restaurant upstairs,