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“Patience, I really have to go. You need to be a good girl and get ready for class. Stop by my office later and I’ll give you your other present. Happy birthday, baby,” he says, kissing me one more time, then rushing out the door.
I glance at the clock and sigh. I have class in less than an hour, and now I need another shower.
Cal
Nate convinced me to go next door with him to bring Patience a gift. I never expected to have such a show though. Watching Patience bent over the kitchen counter with Ki between her thighs was quite the experience. The fact that he’s her stepbrother just made it hotter. I may have to hate the girl, but even I can’t resist free porn. Nate, on the other hand, looked super uncomfortable and rushed back home.
I know he’s a virgin. He hasn’t confirmed it yet, but it’s pretty obvious. I watch for a few more minutes until Kian leaves her. She looks off at the clock in thought and I know I should sneak back home. If my father catches me here there will be hell to pay. It’s bad enough that I have to go to dinner with him tonight. Just him and me. Some business meeting or something. Not like I ever wanted to join his business, to begin with. I have my own plans for after college, and they don’t involve commercial real estate.
Patience glances up and catches me at the kitchen slider. She gives me a smile until she realizes I’m not my brother. Interesting. Moving closer to the door, she opens it and crosses her arms. Her hair is a mess from being pulled and she smells like sweat and sex. My dick twitches and I order it to calm the fuck down.
“Cal, what are you doing here?” I glance behind me to make sure we’re alone, then I shove the gift bag at her. She hesitates before taking it from me, then peeks inside. A small giggle leaves her lips and I try not to smile at the memories that flood my mind.
Playing hide and seek, tag, last one is a rotten egg. We had so many good times between us, it’s a shame things had to go to hell.
“Thank you,” she whispers, holding the small stuffed rabbit. I scoff and look her way.
“Thank Nate. He’s the one who got it for you.” Her smile turns into a frown, and I notice her eyes becoming glassy. She nods and moves to shut the door. I know I need to walk away and go home, but something tugs me to stay.
“Look, I still hate you, but happy birthday,” I say quickly, lying, then turn and leave.
“I wish you didn’t,” she whispers behind me and my heart aches. I wish I could tell her that I don’t hate her. That I crave her, maybe even love her, but it doesn’t matter. Things are different now. We can never be what we once were.
Chapter Nineteen
Acar arrives to pick us up exactly at seven. I grab my purse and knock on Mom’s bedroom door. “Prompt as always,” Mom says as she exits. I laugh because it’s true, then make my way down the stairs, careful not to trip and break an ankle. That’s just what I don’t need to happen, but these shoes are gorgeous and make my legs look amazing.
“Patience, my dear granddaughter. You look beautiful. Cami,” he tells me, with a nod to my mom. “I’m sorry honey, but I thought I had made it apparent this dinner is just for me and Patience.” My mom stops and frowns before she can walk out the door. I look between the two, confused about what’s happening.
“Wait, she’s not coming to dinner? But it’s my birthday?” I ask and my mother laughs, then shakes her head.
“It’s fine. I only flew home from Rome for this, but it’s okay. I’ll have Tae take me out somewhere.” She waves us off as if it’s no big deal, but I can tell she’s upset. I walk down the stone steps toward the driver holding my door open, as my grandfather talks to my mom for a minute. They seem to be arguing, but I can’t hear.
“Happy birthday, Miss James. You look lovely this evening,” Marshall tells me as I enter the car.
“Hi, thank you,” I tell my grandfather's personal assistant. He is sitting on the bench seat across from me with a tablet in his hand and a glass of scotch in the other. When my grandfather climbs in, he hands him the drink.
“I’m sorry about that sweetheart, but I was given strict instructions to take you for dinner alone. We have much to discuss now that you’re eighteen, but that can wait until after we have dessert. Cherry chip cheesecake, your favorite,” he says with a smile my way. I return his grin and settle in for the short drive to the restaurant.
Michaelangelo’sis a small Italian restaurant that has the most amazing homemade pastas. It was my father’s favorite place, and it became a bit of a tradition to have my birthday dinners here. We exit the car and the owners are waiting at the hostess stand for me with balloons and a gift bag.
“Oh, honey, happy birthday!” Bella shouts, before tugging me into a huge hug. Her husband, Leo, shakes my grandfather’s hand. “I made you something special tonight,” Bella tells me as she leads us to the table. It’s the only one tucked into a small room on the side of the dining room. I take a seat and my grandfather follows.
“I’ll be right back with a bottle of champagne,” Leo says and my grandfather doesn’t object. Usually he is old fashioned; not allowing revealing clothing, or underaged drinking, but tonight he seems more relaxed. I raise a brow at him, and he chuckles.
“Tonight we can make an exception. It is a celebration, after all. I think a glass or two will be okay.” I nod, and place my napkin on my lap.
“Grandfather, may I ask a question?” He nods and I take a deep breath. “Well, you see, everyone has been alluding to me finally getting some answers when I turned eighteen. So I’ve been waiting all day for this huge bomb to drop.” I sigh and take a sip of the bubbly after Leo fills my glass.
“Later, my dear. Let’s enjoy the lovely meal I know Bella is making for you, and after we will get to the less than happy discussion. So, tell me, how school is going?” I bite the inside of my cheek at his dismissal, and give him what he wants. I learned at an early age that my grandfather believes women are to be seen, not heard, and most definitely should not speak their mind aboutmen'sbusiness. I always have to be his sweet, submissive little girl when I am around him.
I still don’t understand how I'm going to run this company when I can’t speak my thoughts or ideas to him. Mr. Reynolds and my grandfather are in charge, and until I become of age, which I thought was eighteen, they would continue to handle the day-to-day dealings.
Our food arrives and it’s delicious as always. I eat half my meal just to appease my grandfather, then place my napkin over my plate. Bella and I have a sort of code, so she knows that I want this boxed up and I will take it home in pretense that it’s for my mother, but in actuality, I will be stuffing my face with it later.
“That was incredible. Thank you,” I tell Leo as he collects our dishes. He shoots me a secret wink and I smile.
“Dessert will be out in just a couple of minutes.” Grandfather tells him to hold off for about twenty minutes, and I know the conversation I have been waiting for is finally coming. He sits back and fixes his tie, building suspense. He always has to make things a production. Marshall enters the room and hands him a large manilla envelope, then turns and leaves again.
