Maybe Jake’s come to the realization too, that going back to how it was just isn’t going to be an option
for me, for us. His taking over work and leaving me alone is almost a sign that really, deep down, he
doesn’t want me to go back down that path either. Jake is a lot happier not bringing work between us,
knowing the stress and arguments it could cause again.
He’s taken a back seat compared to how he used to work, allowing Margo and her team do both our
jobs. I know she now has six people under her control, all taking various positions and responsibilities,
allowing Jake to be able to wander in and out freely and deal with only the most important things.
Jake’s head is no longer embroiled in the Carrero Corporation. It’s here with me, most of the time, and
our future family. He engineered his work routine to dissipate as it gets closer to the baby coming and I
know he fully intends staying put and going nowhere in the last month of my pregnancy or the first six
months of our baby’s life. That’s why he’s spending so much time now sorting and organizing things in
Manhattan. There’s no real place for me in that role anymore, even if he wanted there to be.
“I want to do this on my own, Jake, whatever it is. I don’t want you throwing money at me in a bid to
make it happen for me. I don’t need your money.” I gaze up at that expressive face and sense the
protest coming by the slight tension in his jawline. He shifts around to face me, bringing a knee
between us on the bed, letting me go so he can sit full-on and lock eyes. Mr. Let’s talk business. mode.
“Emma, you need to do something for me if I’m to accept this.” He holds up the letter and throws it onto
the bed carelessly. He doesn’t even look as he does it, just eyes on me.
“What?” I’m waiting for negotiator and manipulator to move in, but he sighs instead. He has a look on
his face that shows no fight at all just my beautiful man and so much love shining back at me.
“Accept that the money is a part of who I am. It’s what I’ve always known, how I was raised. It
influenced my lifestyle, my character, and my abilities, seeped into every part of the person you love. I
never knew any different and I probably never will, so when you constantly push it away, you’re
pushing away a part of me. I’ve always known the money was never something you pursued but you
need to accept that it’s going to always be a part of our lives and our kids” lives too. I can accept every
part of you, Emma, scars, and all, so you need to accept this part of me and maybe even enjoy it a
little. I worked hard to make my own money away from my father. Not a penny I have has come from
him since I was twenty-one years old. I wanted it that way and now I want for you to revel in it a little
too.” He looks at me so very seriously that I find myself shifting closer to him, so I can feel our bodies
touching for comfort. I slide my hand into his on his lap, entangling our fingers.
I regard him thoughtfully, absorbing everything he’s saying, and I myself sag a little with the realization
that he’s right. I fell in love with that high-profile, rich CEO, with his expensive clothes and suave cocky
attitude, and overbearing demeanor. Truth be told, a part of me always liked his lifestyle because it did
make him so much more powerful and sexy and had women swooning at his feet. I’ve had some
seriously combusting panties for his car anyway and it all somehow collided together to make the man
sitting in front of me. As much as I always knew I would have him without it all, I can’t deny he probably
wouldn’t be the same person if he’d had a different path in life.
Jake’s confidence and authority comes from this lifestyle, his public persona is molded from a life in the
limelight, his attention to his body and attire has become second nature, looking hot all the time to meet
the demands of the media.
His heart and soul didn’t stem from wealth but everything else around his personality has been molded
by it, even his spoiled child attitude and inability to back down. He grew up never wanting for anything
and never having to wait or earn what he wanted in younger life. He has a spoiled little boy spark inside
of him because of all that, which created his impulsive nature.
I need to accept that turning down his money because of some stupid moral pride is ridiculous. I sigh,
knowing that if he was just a man with a normal bank balance then I would accept his financial support,
so this is no different.
I need to get off my moral high ground and accept that I want to marry a billionaire with a default setting
of generous. I need to get used to it or leave him. If credit cards, overindulgent gifts, and trips are part
of what Jake is offering me then I’d better suck it up and stop being so goddamn stupid.
“I’ll try.” I smile knowing I’ve already backed down, but he doesn’t need to know that. Some fun is
always to be had turning Jake down from time to time. I can’t really let him get away with thinking
$10,000 dresses thrown my way should ever be normal. I tingle as his hands slide up my arms to rest
on my shoulders.
“Good. Because I brought you home a beautiful and slightly expensive dress to take you out to dinner
tomorrow night and I would be really gutted if I had to take it back.”
Really? A dress! After what I was just thinking? He never changes …
“If you’re using the word expensive then I don’t even want to know how much it cost, Jake.” I sigh with
complete deflation. Jake is someone who considers a couple thousand dollars as pocket change.
Expensive to him makes my head ache.
This is going to be so much harder to get used too than I thought. For a start, I already own way too
many of Jake’s expensive dresses, I swear he has some sort compulsion in buying me one almost
weekly.
The dress is spectacular as are the shoes he bought with it. Like a good little girl, I don’t attempt any
sort of rejection when he brings the boxes in from the car with the sweetest expression on his face. He
looks almost boyish and a little excited.
I’m standing in a full-length, dark plum, figure hugging dress, studded with sheer Swarovski crystals
across its full length and fuller skirt. My shoulders are exposed from its crisscross bodice style, ending
in low cap sleeves off shoulder and my cleavage is almost bursting forth. Lately my bust has started to
get a little larger and I’m sure Jake won’t mind one bit. My feet are encased in low heeled satin plum
shoes because since I found out I was pregnant he literally refused to let me wear my sexy heels,
which is another argument still not done with, and then of course there’s the underwear. Jake’s gone all
out bringing me home a complete outfit. Sexy underwear, I am glad to see he at least thinks about sex
even if he’s not giving me it.
He’s been very evasive about the dinner plans all day
and now trussed up like a red-carpet movie star I’m starting to wonder why we need to be so formal.
Jake’s in a tux
of all things but I don’t remember any mention of any
sort of event or dance. Jake avoids tuxedos like the plague
if he can help it.
* * *
The restaurant is gorgeous, as is the appearance of Sylvana on Giovanni’s arm and Arrick with Sophie
in tow looking sweetly cute together; even Leila is with us as we all walk to the pre-booked table near
the back of the grand room. I assume this may be related to the Carrero Corporation after all, but it’s
just odd that Jake would be so elusive about the details.
This place exudes money, every table delicately set with lily center pieces and crisp white tablecloths
under a ceiling of grand chandeliers and fairy light nets. The color scheme is opulent reds and mauves
and a lot of gold, with sparkling crystals everywhere. There are tables and tables of richly dressed
diners with both an orchestra playing low music and a booth set up for a DJ in another corner. The floor
in the middle is a dance floor and there must be some dancing or entertainment after dinner.
The old me would’ve felt so out of her depth in a place like this, even as Jake’s PA, but I walk with my
head held high on the arm of the most gorgeous man in here, with the handsome Carrero family and I
can’t help but feel proud. I feel like I belong with them and not out of place in the dress Jake chose for
me. It isn’t Donna’s style of dress to choose for me, so I’m sure Jake has chosen this himself, which is
more than a little sweet. He always had good taste for a man.
When we’re shown to our table, I realize there are more familiar faces from Carrero Corp dotted
around. I spot Margo with her husband waving at me. I flush as an inner panic starts to creep up. I
swear there’s a red head of hair behind her that could possibly be Wilma. Even if this is a Carrero thing,
or some charity event, we’re so far outside of Manhattan that I wouldn’t expect to see them here.
Why are we surrounded by people that shouldn’t be here in the Hamptons?
I glance at Jake and spot veiled nervousness hinting across his face, that he’s so desperately trying to
hide, and the way his sculpted body seems a little too rigid in his tux, even for him. Jake is never
nervous at events and a sickening lurch connects the dots almost instantly. Out of the corner of my eye
I catch a couple trying to usher their way out of sight through the shadows and realize it’s Sarah and
Marcus. They’re trying to hide from me, and I freeze.
Oh, my God. Sarah and Marcus? They wouldn’t be at a Carrero event.
Oh shit … Oh shit!
I know what he’s doing. It hits me like a lightning bolt out of the dark with rather painful ferocity. He’s
bought me a pretty dress that he chose by himself and assembled everyone in one of the most
beautiful restaurants in this town. He’s gathered together people that I know, people that matter to me
and matter to him, regardless of the costs. He has my best friend trying to hide before she lets the cat
out of the bag and I’m sure if I check the sea of faces, I’ll recognize more and more people.
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