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At least, he didn’t seem that way.
While turning down the men her mother set up for her had been prudent and protection against being used, she’d dismissed other men’s advances for no good reason.
“Summer.”
She loved the way he said her name and the rich sound of his voice. “Yeah.”
“We need to go.”
She redirected her thoughts to the task at hand and pulled out undergarments and socks appropriate for what he was packing. She had to admit, he’d picked most of her favorites. She watched him carefully slide several of her dresses into her garment bag. He had an efficient way about him. She watched him scan her evening gowns and select one after careful consideration. It was a gorgeous gown, burgundy with a beaded bodice and straps that crisscrossed in the back. It draped from under her breasts to just below her knees. When she walked or moved, the dress looked like it floated as it clung to every curve of her body. It was her favorite gown and fit her to perfection.
Even her mother couldn’t find fault with her in that dress.
“Why do I need a dress like that?”
“Your father and I have a benefit to attend a week from Friday. You’ll be my date.”
“You’re very sure of yourself.” She took the gown from him and held it against her chest, like a barrier between him and her heart.
He reached out and gently cupped her forearm in his warm hand. When their eyes met, he lightly brushed his fingers against her too-sensitive skin. “Will you go to the benefit with me? Please.” When she hesitated, he added, “Your father will be there with us, if it helps.”
“Why are we packing all of this?” She took a step away and pressed her fingers to her temples with the gown draped over her elbow.
He took the gown and hung it in the garment bag with the other dresses. “You told your family you’d stay with your dad for six weeks.” He looked so hopeful she meant it.
“That was just to rile my grandfather. His office will be a disaster inside of two days. He and everyone else will be reminded that I’m more than just the granddaughter of the CEO.”
“It never hurts to let them know how valuable you are to them,” he confirmed. “Still, don’t you want to take the time to really get to know your dad, your sisters, maybe even yourself a little better? I’m sure it feels overwhelming to have a whole other family waiting to meet you. But I’ll be there with you.”
That actually made her feel better for absolutely no reason that made any sense.
Somehow, in such a short time, and without any real reason to back it up, she trusted him.
Mind made up, she tossed shoes and other clothes into a second suitcase. “I just want things to be different.”
Cody caught her by the arm. “Nate is nothing like your mom and grandfather. He’s a great dad to his girls, to me and my sister. You’ll see. He doesn’t want to turn you into something he wants you to be. Maybe some time with him will show you, you don’t have to live your life like you don’t have choices. You do.”
A tear slipped down her cheek. “How do you, a stranger, know me better than my own mother?”
He cupped her face and brushed his thumb across her cheek, wiping away her tears. “We have a few things in common. Your mother is nothing compared to mine.”
“What did your mother do, set you up with a woman who only wanted your money and name? Mine’s tried to do that a hundred times.”
“No, I managed that all on my own,” he said bitterly. “We have that in common, too. As for my mom, she walked out the doorwhen I was five and my sister was three and she never looked back. She left by choice because she didn’t want to be a wife and mother. Your mother might have lied about your father, but she loves you in her own way. She wanted to keep you all to herself. Selfish, but kind of sweet in its own way. Now that your father knows about you, he wants you, too. My mother didn’t want us. That’s a knife that cuts deep and makes you bleed. It never scars over and it never heals. Ask my sister.”
She didn’t have to because she’d spent her life thinking Nate didn’t want her.
They stood so close together, their bodies seeking comfort where their hearts seemed hesitant to go. His hand was still on her face. “I don’t need to ask your sister. I can see it in your eyes.” She knew that kind of hurt.
“If your father had known about you, he’d have wanted you. He wants you now. He loves you already.”
“I’m sorry that bitch you were with used you and your mother left you,” she whispered, their gazes locked, breaths and heartbeats somehow in sync.
“It’s crazy, but somehow hearing you say it makes it feel a little better when nothing else ever has.” His mouth hovered over hers, his breath washed over her skin, warm and sweet.
Mesmerized by everything about him and the way he made her feel, she jumped when the doorbell rang. The noise vibrated through the room and broke the intimate spell.
It took him a second to let her go. Regret and need warred in his eyes. “Sorry.”
