AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m well aware of who your parents are, Wren. Your father is a very conservative senator who will be up for reelection soon.”
“I guess I should have told you.”
He shook his head. “You weren’t required to tell me everything about your life. I don’t care who they are. I won’t be trying to impress them because they don’t mean anything to me. Only you do.”
“That’s nice, but we’re just friends.”
“Friends. Of course. I’m going to park now. Take a deep breath,” he instructed.
Maybe because he was older, I felt calmer with him taking the lead. It was just for a couple of days. Then I’d return to the sanctity of my boring life.
As soon as he cut the engine, he slipped me another heated look. “By the way. You look incredible tonight, a stunning vision of beauty.”
I was surprised at his words. They were so unlike him, as if my taunting him had turned him into a different man. I suddenly had the urge to go somewhere else, ditch the sexy car, and just have a glass of wine and talk. I didn’t need him to be anything he didn’t want to be.
He pressed his hand against the small of my back as he guided me toward the entrance, swinging open the door with flair.
“Where are they?” he asked.
“The private room in the back.”
“Remember, relax and breathe.”
Why were his words comforting? As we made our way toward the room, I pulled on his arm, forcing him to stop. When he turned to face me, I noticed a gleam in his eyes. He was enjoying my discomfort. Damn him.
“What is it, little bird?”
“Is there anything I should know about you?”
He lowered his head so only I could hear his answer. “All you need to know is that I’m a very bad man.”
With that, he took my hand, leading me into the room.
Into the lion’s den. That’s the way I’d always described entering the parties I’d been required to attend, always required to be at my best. Tonight was no exception. While this was an intimate affair in comparison to the actual reception, all eyes were on us as we walked in. Within seconds, I noticed my father’s look of disdain, his expression cold as he studied Phoenix as if he was an intruder to the party.
Only when Cammie squealed, racing in my direction did the tension ease, but only by minimal degrees. She threw her arms around my neck, the only one delighted to see me.
“I was worried you’d changed your mind,” she said as she pulled away.
“Your sister knows better than to dare go against family rules,” Mother said absently, immediately finishing off what I knew was her second martini. I’d never considered my family dysfunctional until now, but the term fit our protected world perfectly.
My aunt and uncle stood on the outskirts, watching the real show of the evening, the rest of Cammie’s friends standing off to the side, already whispering about Phoenix’s arrival. As I turned my head toward Marcus, who was standing with his buddies, every one of them in expensive suits, I gathered a sense they were immediately snubbing my date.
Then I noticed Lincoln, who’d obviously been holding court with my father, his look just as smug. I immediately wanted to turn around and leave. He was an avid supporter of my father’s campaign, which is where I’d met him. If I was married to the man, my father would still have control over me. I wasn’t interested in the least.
Phoenix pushed me closer to my parents and I wished I could glance at his face. As soon as he removed my coat, I was oh so warmly welcomed by the look of disdain on my mother’s face.
“I thought I told you to dress appropriately,” she said before throwing Phoenix a look. She was already flirting with him.
“And I thought I told you that I’m perfectly capable of selecting my own clothes,” I retorted, which brought a chuckle from at least two of Marcus’ friends.
My mother took it in stride then turned her full attention to Phoenix. “And just who did you bring with you?”
“He’s a good friend of mine. Don’t worry, Mom. Dad. He’s not here to challenge your wealth. He’s a smokejumper, a regular guy who you would say makes no money.” Why was I exacerbating the situation? I was already lying to everyone, including myself. I might as well get my full money’s worth. “And Phoenix and I have been dating for months.” I leaned against him, taking a deep breath.
“Phoenix? What kind of name is that, boy?” my father asked.
I noticed Phoenix’s eyes lit up with fire, but he resisted lashing out. “I was in the Marines, stationed in Afghanistan. I flew choppers.”
