Chapter Thirty-Two
Trenton tapped the intercom and told Jackson to park at the curb of Kennedi’s home behind the red Kia Sportage. Not seeing the gray Hyundai sedan at seven fifty in the morning had him wondering of her whereabouts.
Grabbing the folder with the Chase Confections contract from the seat, he got out and strode up the walk to the door. It opened almost as soon as his finger touched the doorbell. A look of surprise revealed itself in Tabitha’s hazel eyes, then a contort of disdain molded her features as her fingers skillfully worked a thick braid into dark, silky curls draped over her right shoulder. With smooth grace, she whipped and twirled her finished mane into a well-practiced knot at the nape of her head.
“Good morning, Tabitha.” He glanced over at the vacant driveway. “I’d hoped to catch Kennedi. Did she get an early start to the office?”
“Kennedi spent the night out tending to family matters.” She gestured at the suitcase sitting about a foot behind her. “I just got in myself and need a shower, then my bed.”
A woman who didn’t mince words, and one who didn’t camouflage her dislike of him. “Yes, of course. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not slamming the door in my face.” He offered a small smile and held up the folder. “I need signatures in order for construction on the store space to start on schedule.”
She gave him a long look, her expression softening. “Kennedi told me you offered us a space in your hotel and casino. We appreciate…I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to getting back to work. Lord knows I could use it.”
“The location is nearly three times the size of your previous store. As I mentioned to Kennedi, Chase Confections would become part of Shaw’s advertising, not only here on the East Coast but worldwide.”
“That’ll be awesome. Too bad we won’t be up and running again for another year. We lost out on a lot of orders that we were forced to cancel when we shut our doors.”
Valid point. The casino construction timetable would take a year, which included the bakery space. Thus she’d be without income until then. A thought occurred to him. “There’s a party scheduled to celebrate the ground-breaking ceremony on August first. Would you, and of course Evie and Kennedi, be interested in creating a custom cake for the event? I’d want something shaped in the company’s logo.”
“The Triton?”
“Yes. And big. As big as you can make it.”
Her eyes brightened. “I can already picture the design. It’ll cost you big.” Her blush pink lips curled.
His grin matched hers, both understanding cost wasn’t an issue. “So you’re interested?”
“Yes, and I’m sure I can speak for my partners as well. But there’s one problem.”
“You don’t have a facility. You could rent temporary space. In fact, you could lease space until your new location opens next year. I’ll add an addendum to the contract to advance the funds.”
“That’ll work!” Eagerness lifted her voice. “We’d have to get our supplies from storage, but that’s not a problem.” Her head tilted to the side, a look of wariness quickly filtering past the excitement as that tiny diamond stud on the right side of her nose glinted. “You’d do this, why?”
“I saw what you all had created at Chase Confections. And watching Kennedi work was remarkable, really. But mostly, as you stated, there were orders left on the table. I don’t like throwing money away.”
“That, and you have the hots for my girl. This will win you kissy points.”
Again, the lady shot from the hip, and he didn’t bother to deny the claim. “I’ll have the addendum drawn up today. Do you anticipate speaking to Kennedi this morning? I tried her cell last night, but she didn’t answer.”
“I wonder why. Frankly, you deserve her shade. I’d have ghosted you too.”
He took that chiding without offense. “Yes, well, I’d like to talk to her. I’ll let you get to your shower and bed. Enjoy your day, Tabitha.” He turned but pivoted back. “You said Kennedi’s tending to family. I hope all is okay?”
“Some things are simply out of our control, but she’s handling it.” A heavy sigh. “She’ll likely be late to the office today.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
She shook her head. “I swear Kennedi’s like Superwoman. I don’t know how she does all that she does. When her mother got sick, it was just as we were finishing culinary school. Kennedi stepped in to run the store, while getting her MBA through online courses. Even turned over a profit after it’d been losing revenue for months. Over time, the hospital bills took a toll on the bottom line. So she started taking on marketing consulting work. Goodness, when we found ourselves digging out of that hole, her fa—” She paused, long, dark lashes fluttering a moment. “She’s been through a lot and doesn’t need anyone adding to her burdens…be it professional or personal.”
It was the most she’d ever said to him, and Trenton read the direct edge of warning. “The last thing I’d want to be to Kennedi is a burden. With the deals Chase Investments recently signed, and the future of Chase Confections, I foresee things turning for the better for you all. And as for personal,” he smiled and walked backward on the way to the car, “that’ll be up to Kennedi.”
“Elijah, you’re saying she hasn’t been into the office at all today?”
Trenton checked his watch. It was approaching four thirty. Placing the call on speaker, he pushed up from his desk and faced the windows.
“No, but she emailed me a task list this afternoon, one item being to start interviews for an HR manager. She said we’ll need to hire more staff soon and said she’d explain later.”
“She’s right. She and I closed two major deals. An increase in staff will be needed in the coming months.”
Trenton felt he was up against a fast-ticking clock. For all intents and purposes, he was. According to the agreed upon timetable, about three weeks from now he’d be spending time with Claudia to satisfy their arrangement primarily for her need to be in control of him, have the upper hand.
The last thing on his mind when he’d been damn near forced to attend that meet-and-greet at the country club was encountering a woman who’d stir his interest. He hadn’t looked for Kennedi. Hell, he’d tried to walk away from her, tried to deny his feelings for her. But no more.
“Trenton, you there?”
He turned back and spoke in the direction of the phone on the desk. “How’s Sonya?”
“She’s good. I’m taking her out tonight. Seeing those flowers Kennedi received makes me realize I’ve been seriously lacking in the romance department. Man, you should’ve seen them. Whoever the guy is, he’s got game for sure.”
A grin slid across Trenton’s mouth as he leaned a shoulder against the glass, mentally patting himself on the back. “How did she react?” He couldn’t help asking.
“All business. But I can tell she was affected. Everyone wanted to know who sent them, but she kept it tight-lipped. The lady’s a professional. She did let the staff take some bouquets to their desks. The rest were staged around the office.”
Trenton straightened with a slight frown. “She didn’t keep them?”
“If you saw her office, it was like wandering through a flower maze. The dude did it up right. She kept one over on the round table.” He laughed. “During our meeting, she went over several times and gave the flowers a sniff.”
Taking the tension out of his shoulders, Trenton hoped his renewed confidence wasn’t misplaced. “Tell Sonya I said hello. Enjoy your night out.”
“You have a good weekend.” They disconnected.
She kept one. Trenton grabbed his cell phone from the desk and called Jackson as he strode out.
It took about an hour and a half in rush-hour Beltway traffic before the car came to a stop in front of Brighton Gardens’ red cobblestone entrance.
He entered a spacious lobby. Its rich camel leather and high-polished oak furnishings had more of a country club feel than that of a private medical facility.
“Good evening,” he said to the woman behind the front desk who was preoccupied with packing up her large handbag with a couple of books, a water bottle, and a sauce-stained container. “Sorry to interrupt.”
“Yes, how can I help you?” She glanced up and went back to digging in her bag but did a double take, eyes wide. “You’re Trenton Shaw.” A big smile plumped out over her blushed cheeks.
“Yes, I am. Could you—”
“You’re opening a Shaw’s on the Wharf. I can’t wait. I’m Wendy.” She stuck out her hand, and he clasped hold. “It’s so great to meet you. Last year my girlfriends and I spent a weekend at Shaw’s in Vegas. We had a blast.”
“Trenton?”
He turned. A few feet away, Kennedi stood with an arm hooked around the arm of a tall, slender older man, a look of shock in her wide, unblinking eyes.
He’d expected her father to appear sickly. Frail. But Mr. Chase’s illness deceptively hid behind almond brown features, sharp bone structure and neatly cropped dark hair with only a sprinkle of silver. His hunter green collared shirt beneath an out-of-season tan V-neck sweater and tan pants draped down a fit, angular form. It gave him a scholarly sort of appearance.
The two approached. Reading the objection in her gaze, he braced himself. “Kennedi, good evening.”
“What are you doing here?” She looked at the desk attendant, who stood smiling back at them. “Wendy, I’ve prepared dinner for the evening. Please cancel my father’s menu for the night.”
“All right. I’ll tell the kitchen to take Mr. Chase’s suite off the dinner list. Uh, Kennedi, I have to say, you’re supposed to let the desk know when you and your father are expecting a visitor,” Wendy said with an awkward wringing of her hands and a glance at Trenton.
Mr. Chase shot a frown at the attendant. “We don’t have to tell you anything. I can have as many visitors as I like. This young man can visit me anytime he damn well pleases.”
“Pop, don’t talk like that.” Rubbing fingers across her forehead, Kennedi turned to Wendy. “Sorry.” She delivered Trenton a hard, sideways glance. “I didn’t know Mr. Shaw would be visiting. He’ll be leaving.”
“You’re seeing my daughter?” Mr. Chase asked. “What’s your name, young man?”
“Pop, he’s not…we’re not…” She made an awkward frown.
“I’m Trenton Shaw. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” As he shook Mr. Chase’s hand, the irritation in Kennedi’s expression didn’t go unnoticed. Trenton turned his head to Wendy, who hadn’t batted a lash at the man’s harshness. “Let me apologize. I wasn’t aware of the rules. I should’ve called Miss Chase before stopping by.”
“Yes, you should’ve,” Kennedi muttered through thin lips.
“I won’t stay long. I needed to see you.”
“I’ll call you later.” She turned with her father in tow, but Mr. Chase twirled them back around.
“My angel makes the best spaghetti and meat sauce. When you taste it you’ll agree.”
“Pop, he’s not having dinner with us.”
Mr. Chase frowned. “Why not? He came for a visit. Of course he’ll eat. Come.” He beckoned at Trenton and headed off.
“I’d like us to talk,” Trenton whispered to Kennedi.
He received no reply as they followed behind her father to the elevator that took them to a well-appointed suite on the third floor. He stepped over to the dining table to view the chessboard game in progress.
“You play?” At the kitchen sink, Mr. Chase dried his hands and came forward.
“I do, but it’s been a while.”
“These days it takes some time for me to finish a game. I tend to get the pieces confused. How about you take Kennedi’s move? She won’t mind. Will you, angel?”
Kennedi stood at the kitchen counter, tossing together a salad in a hot pink T-shirt and body-hugging black yoga pants, a mass of curls pulled up into a ponytail at her crown, her face makeup free. She was so beautiful, Trenton had to remember to breathe. He could watch her for hours on end and never grow tired.
She still hadn’t said a word to him, hardly even glanced his way. He hadn’t expected a cheery welcome but hoped time had softened her mood toward him. Not.
“Son, she won’t disappear,” Mr. Chase said on a chuckle. “Have a seat.”
Trenton smiled. He tended to lose all subtleties where the man’s daughter was concerned. Taking a seat, he studied the chessboard and moved his bishop.
“What are your intentions with my daughter?” The question came as Mr. Chase scratched his neatly trimmed, bearded chin while scrutinizing the board.
Their heads jerked to Kennedi at the sound of utensils hitting the white-tiled floor.
“I’ll get it.” Trenton pushed up from his chair but paused when she held an abrupt palm out while snatching the silverware, those rich amber-brown eyes carefully avoiding him.
“It’s time to eat.” She set glasses and a pitcher of iced tea on the table before handing her father two pills that he popped into his mouth. “Remove the chessboard.”
Trenton received the directive with not so much as a glimpse his way. He transferred the game to the coffee table across the room, then returned. “Can I help with anything?”
“No,” she said, clipped. Grabbing utensils from the drawer, she brought three place settings to the table, followed by a bowl of meat sauce and herb-seasoned pasta. A prepared Caesar salad and warm bread sticks completed the table dressing. She took the seat adjacent to his left and finally locked eyes on him, her stare flat, unblinking as she filled her glass. “Pop, Trenton and I are business partners, that’s all.”
“Yes, but I’d like to date your daughter, Mr. Chase,” Trenton returned, his gaze steady with her bold one. She choked around her fork and took a deep swallow of iced tea.
“Well now.” Mr. Chase smiled, looking between them and then settling his gaze on Trenton. “That was very clear. So, you want to date her, do you?”
“He turned me down,” Kennedi said without wavering. “Yes, so there’s that.”
Surprised at the level of disclosure, Trenton opened his mouth, then shut it. He couldn’t deny the obvious truth.
“You rejected my angel!” Mr. Chase gawked. Brown eyes narrowed. “She wasn’t good enough for you, is that it? Now, what? You had a change of heart or something?”
“It wasn’t quite like th—” Trenton attempted but got shot down.
“You’re a foolish man! I’ll have you know you’d be lucky to win my daughter’s heart. She’s beautiful, smart, strong—”
“Pop, stop.” Kennedi drew a deep breath and stuck a forkful of salad into her mouth.
“You’re right, I was foolish.” Trenton reached for her hand as she went for her glass, but she drew it back. “Kennedi, I hope to get another chance to show you how important you are to me.”
“I’ll pass,” she replied around a sip of her tea.
Mr. Chase sat back on a huff. “Yes, and you’re still foolish.”
“I deserve that, but I ask that you both give me a chance to change your view of me.”
Contemplation flooded his features, then he nodded with a look at Kennedi. “That’s fair.”
“Can we all just eat,” she jabbed and twirled her fork into her pasta, “so he can leave.”
As they ate, Trenton and Mr. Chase primarily held the conversation. Afterward, as her father settled into his recliner with the remote, Trenton helped Kennedi clean up. No words spoken.
With her annoyance with him already at one hundred, how would she react when told about the agreement he made with his ex-wife? He’d rather drive a rusted spike through his foot than have that discussion.
Placing the last plate into the dishwasher and starting it up, he relaxed against the counter and watched Kennedi wipe down the table, her back to him. It gave him a nice view of her ass in those yoga pants. He stole a glance across the room at Mr. Chase, who appeared completely tuned into BBC News, then back at Kennedi. Her head pivoted to him and he offered up a smile. Her stoic features that she’d held firm all evening turned into a harsh stare. “Thanks for dinner. It was delicious.”
“How did you find out?” she said, her voice low.
He looked at her father again. “How is he getting along?”
“That didn’t answer my question.”
“You’re not going to like the answer.”
“That’s been determined already. Answer my question.”
Her expression was so incensed it reminded him of their first encounter after he’d kissed her. He moved to stand closer; the urge not to touch her had been a struggle the entire evening. “Can we step out?”
She went to her father and placed a kiss upon his forehead, her care and love for him showing in everything she did. “Pop, I’ll be right back.”
They stepped out of the suite and Trenton got right to it. “I had my security look into the lost funds and discovered your father’s condition.”
Her eyes went wide. “You had my father investigated? What gives you the right?”
“I needed to find out if he’d taken funds from his company before determining if I wanted to help save it. When I learned of his health and all that you’ve been doing to take care of him while trying to keep both your company and his afloat, I wanted to help.”
“What did you find out?” Her eyes watered, distress registering, making known she wasn’t a party to her father’s crime.
“I called off the investigation. It’d become more important to me to help you than fixate on the missing funds.”
Her shoulders slumped. “I’m tired, Trenton.” Her voice soft, she pressed her head back against the door. “So tired of wondering if he did take the money but simply can’t remember. And tired of worrying you’d find out and have him arrested. I worry about how long he has, and if he’s in any pain but tries to shield it from me.” She let out a long sigh and looked at him, her features so weary and crestfallen he felt like a selfish asshole for aiming to drag her into his shitty life. “I just want to spend as much time as I can with him while he’s still able. He’s all I have left.”
With his thumb, Trenton gently swept away the tears that slipped down her cheek. “Let me be there for you.” He palmed her hips, drawing her closer, and glided his hands up the angle of her back, his fingers starting a slow, circling massage of the knotted tension in her neck and shoulders. Her eyes closed briefly on a soft exhale. “I meant what I said to your father. I want a chance with you, Kennedi. Will you give me that?”
She backed away from his touch, and he read the apprehension as she scrubbed fingers at her forehead like he noted she tended to do. “One minute you want me, then the next you don’t. That’s a ride I’ll choose not to get on. Like I said, I’ll pass.”
“I want you. Full stop. There’s not a question in my mind otherwise.” Selfish of him it might be, but it was a fact nonetheless. He came in close again and slowly, cautiously slipped an arm around her waist. The other cupped behind her neck, his fingers resuming a firm kneading as he leaned in near her ear and whispered, “If we weren’t standing in this hallway, I’d strip you naked and show you just how much I want you. Preferably with my tongue, the way you like it. But I want more than that, Kennedi. I want us.”
Her breath hitched as he settled his mouth over hers, reacquainting, reawakening and persuading her of his desire, his need for her.
“Come home with me tonight,” he whispered in between his tongue dueling with hers until she acquiesced on a moan, allowing him to taste her.
She leaned into him, arms circling around his neck, and now kissing, licking, nipping him in that aggressively greedy way he loved. Backing her up against the door, he returned her kiss with just as much urgency while gliding both hands underneath her T-shirt and tugging up her bra, in desperate need to feel the suppleness of her breasts, the warmth of her body, to relish in the softness of her.
Hearing the squeak of wheels and footsteps drawing closer, she jerked away, both of them breathless. When the attendant moved past with his cart of neatly folded towels and the hallway was once again quiet, Trenton locked both arms around her waist and pulled her close. “Say you’ll spend the night with me. I intend to make love to you all night long. Better still, make it the entire weekend.” He watched her bite her bottom lip at that spoken promise.
“I can’t. I canceled the evening attendant service because I’d planned to hang around here for a while. But,” she paused for a few ticking seconds, consideration registering, “I don’t necessarily have to stay here the entire night, though I do need to tend to my father.”
“All right.” He released her. “What exactly do we need to do?”
She blinked. “We?”
“Yes, I’m going to assist.”
Her lips twitched a grin. “Well we’ve had dinner. We usually watch a little TV or play chess or take a walk. I need to see that he gets in and out of the shower. He sometimes forgets to do both.” She looked away.
Trenton brought her chin up with his index finger, and her solemn gaze returned to his. “What else?”
“I make sure he takes his medication, plan out his menu and take out his attire for tomorrow, and then see that he gets to bed. I let the front desk know when I leave, and they take over from there. A nursing attendant checks in on him throughout the night.”
He pushed open the door to the suite. “After you, love.”
Her stare held for a moment, then she gave him a quick peck on the mouth. The smile she delivered on her stroll inside was so breathtakingly beautiful he wanted to freeze the image for fear he might not get to see it again once he bared all at her feet.