The charity was for the Autism Speaks Foundation. It was to support the biomedical research for the causes and treatments of autism in both children and adults. Denny opened my door as Connor came around the other side to meet me. He held out his arm and looked at me.
“Do you think that you can behave yourself tonight?”
I put my arm in his and smiled. “I don’t know. I can’t make any promises.”
We walked to the entrance and stepped inside. The ballroom was breathtaking, as were the people who attended. Connor led me over to a reserved table with his company’s name on it. I sat down, taking notice of the pilasters around the room as well as the beautifully carved ceilings. The walls were painted in a beige color with mahogany trim, as were the chairs that sat at each table. A band and dance floor sat in the middle of the room. Off to the side was a large wrap-around bar that was complemented by the same mahogany wood and marble tops.
Connor went to the bar to get our drinks. Apparently, he didn’t have the patience to wait for the waitresses and waiters walking around the room with drinks on their trays. He came back with a glass of white wine for me and a scotch for him. Even as beautiful as the ballroom was, Connor was the most beautiful person there, and I couldn’t help but stare at him. He lightly grabbed my elbow and escorted me over to a couple who were staring our way. Even the slightest touch of his hand sent my body into convulsions.
“Good evening, Connor,” the older gentleman said as he shook his hand.
“Hello, Robert, Courtney. I would like you to meet a friend of mine, Ellery Lane.”
He took my hand and lightly kissed it. “You have beautiful friends, Connor.”
I gently smiled at his comment and looked over at his wife, who was eyeing me up and down.
“This is my wife, Courtney.” Robert smiled.
“It’s nice to meet you.” She smiled at me.
Courtney was extremely attractive and she was about twenty-five years younger than her husband. Robert put his arm around Connor and walked him over to the side, whispering so we couldn’t hear. Connor nodded his head, and the two of them came back to where we were standing.
“What was that about?” I asked.
He looked at me at strangely for even asking. “It’s just business.”
He lightly put his hand on the small of my back and escorted me back to the table while he excused himself to the restroom. I was taking in the beautiful sound of the band playing soft melodies as Courtney came over and sat next to me.
“So, you’re Connor’s new toy,” she remarked. I looked at her, trying to absorb what she meant.
“Connor and I are nothing more than friends.”
She shook her head. “Right, well I’m only saying this for your own sake, woman to woman, because you seem like an innocent and nice person. Stay away from Connor Black.”
I narrowed my eyes at her then looked around to see if Connor was on his way back. “Why would you say something like that?” I asked.
“Because Connor will use you until he emotionally breaks you down and physically wears you out, then he’ll toss you to the side like a piece of trash.” She got up from her seat and put her hand on my arm. “It’s just some friendly advice.”
She walked away and left me sitting there, pondering her words. The way she spoke led me to believe that she was a victim of Connor’s. I didn’t want to think about it as I got up and headed to the bar for another glass of wine. I glanced over to the side where there was a small hallway and raised my eyebrow when I saw Connor talking to the same woman who slapped him at the club. His eyes looked angered as he grabbed her arm and led her out of sight. My stomach tied itself in knots. What the hell was I doing here? I didn’t even know anything about this man I was with.
I was standing at the bar when a gentleman approached me. “Hello, I’m Andrew. I was wondering if a beautiful woman such as you would like to share a dance with me?” I looked around and Connor was nowhere to be found. The nerve of him just to leave me alone like this.
“It would be my pleasure.” I smiled.
I didn’t mind dancing with Andrew. He was handsome with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was tall, and as he put his arm around my waist, I could feel his strength. Before we had a chance to finish our conversation, Connor came up from behind.
“Excuse me, Andrew, but she’s here with me.”
Andrew looked at Connor. “Mr. Black, I apologize. I didn’t know she was yours.”
He stepped away as Connor took his place. His? I wasn’t his or anybody else’s. Connor stared at me as he put his arm around my waist and took my hand in his. “I leave you alone for a minute, and you go off and dance with strange men? Is that what you call behaving?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You left me alone to go disappear with the woman who slapped you at Club S.”
His look turned to fire. “You saw that?”
I nodded my head. “I think a lot of people saw that.”
“So, let me get this straight: you saw me before you found me drunk outside?”
“Yes, I was sitting at the bar. Why do you ask?”
The corners of his sexy mouth curved up. “Interesting.”
I cocked my head at him. “What’s interesting?” Then it hit me. “Oh, I get it now. You think I had my eyes set on you from the start.”
He wickedly smiled at me. “Your words, Miss Lane, not mine.”
I rolled my eyes and leaned into him, taking in his alluring scent as I whispered in his ear, “You are a delusional man, Mr. Black.” Aloud, I asked, “May I ask why this specific charity?”
He looked at me and took in a breath. “Why not this charity?”
I dropped the subject about the woman in the hallway and where he disappeared to, but I wouldn’t let this one go.
“Why did you, though?”
He stopped looking at me and looked straight into the crowd. “It’s just a charity that my company is involved with. Why is it so important that you know a specific reason?” His words came across as cold, almost as if he didn’t trust me enough to tell me.
“Just forget I asked.” I kept my eyes straight ahead, refusing to look at him.
“You’re mad,” he spoke.
“You’ll know when I’m mad, Mr. Black,” I responded.
The song ended, and we walked back to the table that was now filled with some associates from Black Enterprises. Connor went around and introduced me to some of his staff. I glanced over at the next table, and there she sat, the beautiful tall woman from the club. Her straight, jet black hair sat just above her shoulders, and her tanned skin glowed beneath the ballroom lights. She sparkled in her long, silver dress and high, silver stilettos. Diamonds took their place in her ears and on her neckline, and she didn’t miss a beat when it came to applying makeup. She was a stunning woman and she kept staring at me—or, should I say, glaring at me.
Dinner consisted of filet mignon or fish. Connor took the liberty to order me the filet since he felt I needed to put some meat on my bones, as he so kindly put it. During dinner, a man stepped up to thank everyone for coming and thanked Black Enterprises for donating five hundred thousand dollars to the charity. Everyone applauded.
I excused myself to the restroom as I heard someone call my name. I turned around and froze when I saw Dr. Taub coming out of the men’s bathroom.
“Ellery, fancy meeting you here,” he said.
“Dr. Taub, I’m here as someone’s guest and would appreciate it if he didn’t see us talking.” My stomach felt sick, and my heart was beating faster.
“You haven’t returned my calls or rescheduled your appointments. You need to finish our sessions, Miss Lane. It’s important, and you know it.”
“Dr. Taub,” I whispered as I looked around to make sure no one, especially Connor, saw us talking. “I will; just give me some time, please.”
“Time is not on your side, Ellery. It’s important you schedule your appointment.”
“I can’t talk about this here. Please, Dr. Taub.” He walked away, shaking his head.
I walked into the restroom and checked my hair and makeup. I glossed up my lips, and as I opened the door to step out, I was startled to see Connor standing against the wall with his arms folded. He glared at me as I spoke. “Uh, hi? Why are you standing there like that?”
“Because you’ve been gone for quite a while, and I was checking to make sure you’re okay. I was giving you five more seconds before I was opening the door and coming in after you.”
I walked away from him. “Wow, stalker much?”
I heard him sigh. “For the last time, I’m not a stalker. I was concerned for your safety.”
I rolled my eyes. He had safety issues, and it was starting to annoy me.
We walked back to the table, and as we passed the one next to us, Connor looked over at the tall, beautiful woman. She smiled at him.
“Are you ready to leave?” he asked.
“I am if you are.”
He smiled, and we walked outside, where Denny was waiting for us. He stopped and turned to me. “I’m going to have Denny take you home. I have something that I need to wrap up here.” He took my hand and lightly kissed it. “Thank you for coming with me tonight. I hope you had a good time.” His lips were warm on my skin, but I was focused on the fact that he wasn’t coming to drive me home.
I looked into his eyes. “I had a wonderful time, Connor. Thank you for inviting me.”
He nodded and opened the door. I slid into the back seat and waved goodbye, trying to hide the disappointment in my eyes.
“Good evening, Miss Lane,” Denny said as he looked in the rearview mirror.
“Hi, Denny,” I replied as I looked out the window.