Chapter 14

Jeremy

Standing at the charity event watching Nora from across the room was the worst experience ever. Not only did my heart ache like a pussy every time I looked at her, there were men gawking at her. She’d worn a pale blue silk dress that hugged her lean figure in all the right places and with the absence of panty lines, I was certain she was naked under there. It wasn’t like her to dress that way, but she’d pulled it off in the best way possible.

I wasn’t a slouch myself and every single woman in the place had flocked around me, staying within reach, and ready to grab me if the opportunity struck.

I wasn’t interested. It had been a month since Nora and I had last talked and the silence across the lawn had been deafening. Every time I saw her outside, I’d walk out and she’d turn around to go in the house. It was frustrating, to say the least, but I wasn’t about to go chasing after her.

She had tried to mend things, but I was exhausted over the emotions that aren’t like me. I wasn’t the kind of guy that broke down over a woman and I wasn’t the kind of guy that groveled.

Apparently, the kind of guy I was, included getting jealous as a man in a dark gray suit with a red tie approached her, carrying a glass of wine and looking as fit as me, my eyes narrowed.

“You okay?” Luckily my brother was with me to calm me down.

“No, look at that guy. Smug bastard. He really thinks he’s going to get somewhere with her.” My lip curled and I might have made a noise that sounded like a growl.

“Easy, she’s just having a good time. When Harper found her at home she was a mess. I told you not to let her get away and look at that, I think maybe you have.” I glanced up to see that Nora was taking the man by the hand. Her eyes met mine for a moment and she gave me a nervous smile.

“Whatever. She can dance with whoever she wants. I’m not going to step in like some weirdo and ruin her night. She doesn’t want me. Besides, I don’t think I could stop myself from ruining pretty boy’s life.” My hand balled into a fist.

“Then you should stop looking like you want to punch something. Did you think she’s only dancing with him to make you jealous and with hopes that you’d step in? Or that she wore that tight ass dress that belongs to Harper for you?”

My eyes widened. She’d made that effort for me? That had me wanting to run right over and push Mr. GQ on his ass. But I’d let it slide, at least as long as he kept his hands off her. She should have a good time in spite of me.

I waited for the song to change hoping their dance would be over, but my jaw cracked as it slowed down even more and there they remained, dancing so close it would be hard to find air between them and I was sure he loved rubbing up against her like a horny dog.

Harper stepped up and put her hand on my back. “There, there, Jeremy. She’s only dancing with him. It’s when she leaves later that you’ll have to really worry. You now she hasn’t been with anyone else but you, but I told her maybe she should expand her horizons.” She belted a laugh so loud that a few heads turned including Nora’s.

“Did you have to dress her up like a high-class hooker? Look at that dress. It’s like an extra layer of skin.”

“I think she looks amazing. And I wonder; what’s he thinking?” She and Luke chuckled but then I grabbed her hand and led her out to the floor. She shrugged at Luke and I made sure we were right up next to the happy couple.

We danced around them for pure intimidation and when they stepped off the floor Harper wouldn’t let me follow. “Not just yet, I love this song.”

“Then get Luke to dance with you.” I dropped her hand and headed across the room where the guy was alone.

He straightened his collar and cuffs and clasped his hands in front of him. I didn’t see Nora anywhere.

“Some date you have, that woman I saw you with.” I gave him a wink and raised a glass I’d slipped from a passing waiter.

“Yeah, I only met her tonight. She’s a doctor.” The man slicked a hand over his hair and glanced towards the bathroom.

“Yeah, well a woman like that, could get in a lot of trouble.”

His smile spread wider showing his pearly whites. “Yeah, if I’m lucky.”

“You going to nail her?”

“Wouldn’t you? She’s ripe and revving to go.” He put down his glass and headed off to meet her as she came out of the bathroom.

She glanced at me and then took his hand as he led her out on the balcony. I walked to the door and stood behind a large plant feeling like a total asshole.

Nora was smiling and laughing and in that moment, I was angry at myself. I’d never get to make her laugh like that if I didn’t do something.

Then the two came back into the room and joined Harper and Luke. I walked up as she was making introductions to her new friend.

“And this is Luke’s brother, Jeremy.” All the enthusiasm left her voice.

“That’s right. I met you a minute ago.” The man’s expression faded as if he was remembering what he’d told me.

“Yeah, I’m the guy you talked to about nailing Nora.” The man’s eyes widened and he gave her a nervous glance, but Nora wasn’t fazed.

“On that note, we’ll be going.” She took her friend’s hand. “Sis, don’t wait up.”

It was like someone had thrown a bucket of ice water over me as I watched her walk away.

“Way to go, brother.” Luke shook his head as Harper gave me daggers.

I took off to the bar and grabbed another drink as the chairman in charge of the event walked up. “We’re looking forward to a hefty donation this year, Mr. Daniels. We’re going to make a memorial on the other side of town.”

“A what?” I couldn’t believe that they were going to put up some two-bit tribute to honor the dead instead of using my money to take care of the living.

“WW2 memorial, it’s going just on the other side of town behind the bank.” The balding man was dressed to the hilt, with at least three rings, a gold watch, and a necklace so thick it would make any rapper jealous. I wondered how many bonuses he’d given himself, how many vacations had he taken; how many dinners in fancy restaurants he’d eaten all on my dime.

“You know what? I don’t think I’ll be donating this year. I’d like to know my money is going to something that will actually help the people of this town and not some dead hero relative of yours.” I slammed my glass down on the nearest table and headed out.

I wasn’t about to stick around and deal with any more of that nonsense. I could drink better liquor at home.

I went out front and waved over the valet and while he went to get my car, I stepped over to the side and spotted Nora leaning against the wall, her eyes red with tears.

“Fuck,” I mumbled under my breath. The last thing I’d wanted to do was ruin her night or embarrass her, but it had all gotten the better of me and to top it off, I had made her cry. I felt like a class A jerk. I walked over and when she spotted me she shook her head.

“You really know how to ruin everything don’t you?” She wiped her eyes and sniffled.

“I was trying to protect you. That asshole was no good for you.” I looked to see how far out I’d been parked.

“You could’ve let me handle it. I did just fine refusing him on my own, thank you very much.” She stood away from the wall and started pacing in her tall heels and every now and then she’d wobble.

“Have you been drinking?” The thought of that asshole plying her with alcohol made my blood boil.

“No, I only had two glasses of wine. I just can’t walk in these damned shoes.” She propped a hand against the wall and undid her strappy heels.

“Let me take you home.” I offered her my hand and when she took it I breathed a sigh of relief. I was so scared she wouldn’t let me and I’d have to drag her away screaming. I could see the headlines now. She wiped her eyes and I pulled her closer to my side. “Don’t cry, Angel. I didn’t mean to make you.”

“It’s not that, it’s everything. You can’t just do me like that.” My car pulled up about that time so we went to get in.

Once we were settled in and up the road on our way home, I glanced over and found the tears had ended.

“You don’t get it do you, Nora. I don’t want to ever hurt you. I thought I was doing what was best for us both, but the truth is I love you. All I’ve ever wanted was to be with you and make you happy. When I saw you with that guy, I just lost it. I know it’s me that’s supposed to be with you, even if you can’t see it.”

She was still beside me and when I looked over again her face was soaked with tears again. “Do you mean it, Jeremy? Do you really, really mean it?”

“Let me take you home and show you just how much.” I reached over and touched her thigh as she leaned forward and kissed me.