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“Taylor is a unique person,” I started while watching him walk back with two wine glasses in his hands. “Even if he was poor, that wouldn’t change who he is.”
“As long as you give him sons, I don’t care.” His grandfather said to me right before Taylor returned. He took the wine from Taylor. “That’s a respectful grandson.”
I felt my heart stop. Did his grandfather really believe that? I thought he was asking to make sure I had good intentions. He was just asking because he was curious. Now I saw why he asked Taylor to leave. Should I tell him what his grandfather said? I wouldn’t do it now. It might blow our cover and, I saw the way Taylor smiled genuinely as he spoke with Ikari. I didn’t want to be the one to ruin that tonight.
After we were served, and we ate. The founder of the shelter got a microphone and gave a short speech. It was about the importance of the work they were doing, she shared some success stories, and asked for everyone to be generous when they bid on the blind auction happening tonight to support the center. There was a round of applause and the music started again in earnest. Couples started moving to the center to dance while others went to bid.
“Are you going to bid?” I asked Taylor, guilt still boiling inside of me.
“I was planning on donating without the fuss. I don’t want anything.” He explained. “But if you want me to bid on something for you I will.”
“Taylor.” I leaned in and whispered.
“I’m serious.” He said back quietly. “It’s for a good cause.”
Since he wasn’t actually my husband, I didn’t want him spending more money on me that he had to. But he was right, and he obviously liked supporting the cause. I smiled, but still felt uneasy. “Let’s go look at what they have.”
Taylor agreed. Probably also eager to stop fielding question after question from his grandfather about our future children.
I settled on donating for a very nice set of ruby earrings. I didn’t see how much Taylor put down, but I had a feeling it was plenty enough to win them.
We started to head back to our table, but Taylor stopped in front of the circle where people were dancing, somewhat drunkenly, to whatever song was playing. I always thought rich parties like this had people professional ballroom dancing, but this seemed like the kind you’d find at any wedding or even club in some cases.
“We should dance,” Taylor said without looking at me.
“Do you want to?” I asked.
He shrugged.
“I think your grandfather is convinced.” I tried to gather up courage. “I don’t think he cares as long as you have children.”
I looked up to see his face. His mouth was set in a slight frown, his gaze far away. He nodded. “I know.”
“We don’t have to dance if you don’t want to. I don’t think we need to act anymore.”
“If I wanted to dance, would you like to?” He asked, tapping my wrist.
“Yes.” I said, a small smile spreading across my face. Taking my hand, he guided me into a proper position. He had his hands on my waist and I had one on his arm and one around his back. We didn’t really do any moves. We just swayed to the song.
I picked out his grandfather from his seat, still sipping on the wine. I knew he could see us. I wanted him to realize someone could love his son for more than just his money. Taylor was caring under the walls he’d built for some reason I might never know. Someone could easily fall for the man he could be once he let down those walls.
I looked up at Taylor. I tapped his wrist twice. He looked surprised but leaned down. I tilted my head up. Then we kissed in the middle of the dance floor, in full view of everyone. It wasdifferent than all the other times we kissed. I fell deeper into him. His lips felt hungry, they nipped at mine as we went even deeper. I could feel the energy of it flow through me to my toes, they wanted to push me even closer. I could tell he wanted this. I realized I wanted this too. He teased his tongue out and I let it inside. It was so much more intense that when we finally broke apart, I was dazed.
“Lydia.” He said, sounding almost breathless. I thought I saw stars burst in his eyes.
Someone could easily fall in love with him.
Chapter 9
Lydia
Things were different between Taylor and I since the gala. It was still hard to see him very often since we both worked so much, but I found myself seeking him out in the house. When he went down to the gym, I would sit near him as he lifted weights and chatted about my day. He still wasn’t very talkative, that just wasn’t like him. But he always listened and asked me questions. He seemed to actually want to know about my work. I spent a lot of evenings relaxing in the entertainment room, with a screen that big how could I not? But sometimes, as I was setting up a movie, Taylor would enter, almost soundlessly, and sit on the other end of the couch. We were having weekly movie nights without either of us mentioning it outside of those special moments. Things were changing slowly. I wasn’t sure I knew where it was leading us.
The biggest change happened about four weeks after the gala. I had been in the room I’d turned into an office for myself. I was getting everything ready for photoshoots happening later that month when I heard Taylor’s voice echo around the house. “Lydia?” The way he said it meant he had a question for me. I got to a stopping point and followed where I thought I heard movement. I found him in the kitchen, grocery bags piled up on the counter.
He’d asked me if I had wanted anything from the store earlier, but I couldn’t think of anything. “Yeah?”
“I don’t have a chef or anything who works here.” That was true. I thought it was odd for someone so wealthy, but I guessed he probably liked cooking. “I know what’s in my fridge. I was wondering if you have eaten today?”
