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“I’ve known plenty of men like him. Sherbrooke has only two uses for a woman like you.”
A woman like her. His words stung more than a slap across the face would, because even without asking, she understood what he meant. Although he’d never said it to her face, she knew her father considered Paris and Milan his beautiful, talented daughters, while he thought of her as his intelligent, reliable one. Most of the time it didn’t bother her. Looks faded; intelligence and a good work ethic were things she’d have the rest of her life. His unexpected comment tonight, however, sank deep into her heart.
“He’ll either charm you into helping him further his agenda or he’ll use you for a few nights of sex. Either way, once he gets what he wants, he’ll toss you aside and never think about you again.”
Brooklyn bit her cheek to keep from laughing at her dad’s comment about Derek using her for sex. Not once in the decade they’d known each other had Derek even kissed her until tonight, so he’d never be turning to her for sex. Besides, he never needed to use her or anyone else for his own sexual pleasure. He charmed women without even trying. All he had to do was smile and a beautiful woman latched herself onto his arm. Although he never went out of his way to attract women, like some men she’d met, there were plenty of women around for the taking if he so desired.
Her dad’s other accusation hit a little too close to home, and she spoke before considering her words. “And you’re not doing the same thing by asking me to date Trevor? If his grandfather didn’t hold the key to Atlantic Coast Marketing, you wouldn’t care if I ever spoke to him again. You wouldn’t be standing here in the middle of the night insulting me and Derek.”
The color drained out of her mom’s face and seeped into her dad’s. Only on rare occasions did he lose his temper, but when he did, it was like watching Krakatau erupt. She hoped she hadn’t pushed him quite that far now.
“Will a relationship between you and Trevor benefit me? Absolutely. But let’s be honest, you don’t have a line of men beating down your door. A relationship with him will benefit you too. Not all marriages can be based on love and mutual attraction, Brooklyn. Trevor’s educated, well established, and he wants a family. What more could you want?” Donovan all but shouted the last word at her.
Love, mutual attraction, and a whole list of other things. “And maybe it’ll work out between us. But I promised to spend time with him and see where it went. I never promised you I’d marry him, Dad.”
Donovan’s lips formed a straight line and the muscle in his jaw twitched. He wanted to make a counterargument, but couldn’t because she spoke the truth and he knew it. “You’re right, and if you have been meeting him for coffee and talking on the phone, you’re keeping your word. But what the hell were you thinking tonight?” He turned, stalked away, and then turned back around. “I’ve never understood or approved of this friendship you have with Derek. He’s an ass just like his father, not to mention a womanizer like his eldest brother and cousin.”
In the past, her dad had made it clear he didn’t care for Derek, but he’d never outright insulted him or his family.
“What the hell do you expect to accomplish by your ridiculous stunt tonight?” He closed more of the space between them. “Are you looking to buy a husband in case things don’t work between you and Trevor? Sherbrooke will never marry you. And he’d never be welcomed into our family.”
Why did he think she was so concerned about getting married? She had no issues with being single. “I don’t expect anything. We’re friends.”
“It didn’t look that way on stage.” So far, her mom had stayed out of the conversation. Brooklyn would’ve preferred she kept silent for the rest of their visit. “But if so, why did you take part tonight?”
She’d hoped both her parents would remain annoyed enough with her not to ask such a question. “Because it was for a good cause. And I wasn’t the only one in our family to get involved. Milan won a bachelor too, remember? Or have you forgotten about the goliath who sat with us, Mom?”
“But it’s good PR for her. You have no excuse.”
Since it cast her older sister in a good light and perhaps gave her already fabulous modeling career a boost, it was okay for Milan but not her. Typical.
“Besides, there were a lot of other eligible men up there tonight. You didn’t show interest in any of them. ”
Unfortunately, her mom had a point. If she’d participated solely because it was for a good cause, she could have picked anyone. “Derek was the only one up there I’d feel comfortable spending time with.” Not bad as far as lies go. Brooklyn gave herself a mental pat on the back for coming up with such an excuse.
“If you wanted to support the foundation, you should’ve made a monetary contribution instead.” Judging by his voice, her dad had his jaw clenched tight enough to break a few of his perfect teeth.
“Maybe you’re right.” Agreeing with him might get them to leave before he decided to voice any more of his opinions. Something she wasn’t up to hearing tonight.
“No maybe about it. At least you won’t be spending any more time with him outside of work.”
Had her mom failed to give him all the details about what winning him meant? If so, she didn’t plan on filling him in.
“Since you’re friends, you’ll explain the situation and put an end to your association, at least for the time being.”
The redness in his cheeks had dissipated, a good indication his anger was subsiding. Telling him the truth would only set him off again. Besides, soon enough he’d know the truth when the media printed pictures of them together on whatever dates Derek had planned. Even better, by then he’d be back home in Connecticut rather than in her home.
“It’s late, and I’m beat.” Brooklyn faked a yawn for emphasis. “Are we still meeting tomorrow night?”
Scarlet shook her head. “Seth asked Paris to fly back early. She’s leaving in the morning. And Lawrence called and invited your dad to play a round with him tomorrow afternoon, so we’re leaving right after we get up.”
Trevor’s grandfather and her dad seemed to be meeting up at the country club a lot these days. Brooklyn didn’t know if she should be happy or scared. Maybe they were working on a deal that would merge the two companies regardless of what happened between her and Trevor. Of course, they could also be meeting so much because they were already planning her and Trevor’s wedding.
“Oh, okay. Well, have a safe drive home.” She smiled and started toward the door, hoping her parents would get the hint.
Either they understood her gesture or they’d grown tired of telling her what to do, at least for the moment, because a few minutes later, she closed and locked the door behind them.
Leaning back against the door, she shut her eyes and let out a deep breath. The throb that had started above her left eyebrow now encompassed her entire head. “I could strangle you right now, Derek, for this mess.”
