The Fairmont was spectacular inside and out. It was listed on the National Register of Historical Places and they’d done a fantastic job of bringing in the new designs without taking away from the old history. Alex enjoyed doing business there and he knew the food was going to be top quality. His mouth started watering a bit at the thought of having some Cedar Plank Smoked Salmon, one of their specialties.
“Oh, and keep an eye out for Jessica Sanders. She’s the daughter of my dear business associate John Sanders and she’s going to be there alone, as her father’s out of town.”
“Dad, what have I told you about matchmaking? I can choose my own dates,” Alex said, losing some of his patience. He didn’t want to be set up. Marriage was simply not in the cards for him and in no way did he want kids. He idolized his gorgeous niece but the family thing was for Lucas, not him. He was still young at thirty-two years old and he wasn’t ready to trade in the Lamborghini for a mini-van. He shuddered at the thought.
“I’m not trying to be a matchmaker. I didn’t ask you to take her to the fundraiser. I simply asked you to keep an eye on her and say hello; maybe ask her for a dance. She’s not from around here and her father said she isn’t used to huge events. She normally avoids them at all costs but this fundraiser is something very important to her. She’s always wanted to spend an evening at the Fairmont. Here’s a couple of pictures so you can recognize her,” Joseph said while holding them out.
Alex reached for the photos, just for the sake of curiosity. He looked down and was surprised at how attractive she was. She wasn’t the typical socialite he was used to. Her features seemed softer, more inviting. One of the pictures was her and her father. She had her head thrown back in laughter, while her eyes were rounded, causing a sparkle to shine through the still shot.
Alex may have to change his mind and at least meet the woman but he was sure she’d turn out to be just as fake as the rest of them. A picture may be able to capture an unguarded moment but from his experience, all women had an agenda. He didn’t see how she could be any different from the rest.
Jessica walked down the wide staircase, admiring the beautiful golden railing with its intricate design. She had a mixture of feelings running through her. She hated parties that masqueraded themselves as fundraisers. They were only an excuse for the rich to rub elbows and talk about who had the most money. On the other hand, she’d always wanted to come to the Fairmont.
It was steeped in history and there were so many areas to explore. The room she’d rented had a spectacular view of the gardens. It was decorated to look more like a guest room in a distinguished home.
She’d walked into the suite to the smell of fresh cut flowers and the sight of a bowl overflowing with fruit. Alongside that had been a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket of ice. The bed was beautifully made with a note from the staff, welcoming her and offering any assistance.
Jessica was used to the red carpet treatment, which wasn’t always as great as people seemed to believe it was. When your father was a millionaire, you never knew who liked you for you or who liked you for what they could get out of your father. Every place she went people would do all they could to accommodate her but it was usually a double edged sword.
After her last tragic break-up she’d decided to forgo relationships altogether. She was tired of her heart being broken. Her last boyfriend had seemed like the perfect man. Thinking about him was a painful experience but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
He’d ridden into her life like a knight in shining armor and she’d fallen for him hard and fast. When he spoke, he said all the right things. He also romanced her unlike any other man she’d known. She’d been relieved he was wealthy because she didn’t think he was gaining anything by being with her. To her, the love seemed genuine. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
He courted her because his company was going under from the millions he’d gambled and lost. He figured if he snatched her up, he could go into business with her father and save himself. His plan would’ve worked too, as she was blinded by his games. She would’ve remained blind if she hadn’t gotten home early from a trip to find him in bed with the maid.
When she walked into her bedroom and saw the two of them wrapped in each other’s arms, on her bed, she quickly shut the door and walked out of the house. She thought he respected and loved her enough to wait to have sex until their wedding day. He never desired her in the first place and the waiting had turned out to be a blessing in disguise for him, as the ‘maid’ he’d hired was really his long-time girlfriend.
Jessica snapped back to the present and walked into the ballroom. She wasn’t easily impressed but tonight was an exception. Every detail of the room was exquisite. There were several chandeliers hanging at least three feet down and almost equally as wide. The crystals dripping from them were shooting off prisms of light in every direction.
The linen covered tables held only the finest dinnerware and the candles were creating a soft glow from the centerpieces. The room had the added appeal of strategically placed tall shrubs, offering privacy if a couple chose to sneak behind one.
Jessica was feeling more positive about the evening ahead. It was a beautiful night and the organization she often donated to, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), was going to receive a substantial amount of money. She’d already decided to enjoy herself. Later she could return to her boring life.
She sat down at one of the tables and before she knew it, her dinner was finished and she found she was having a delightful time speaking with a few of the other guests. When an older gentleman asked her to dance she gladly accepted. They weren’t on the dance floor for long when they were interrupted.
“May I cut in?”
Even though the words came out a question, Jessica had no doubt they were a command. The gentleman she was dancing with heard it as well and stepped aside without a word. Jessica didn’t like men who were so overconfident that they felt they deserved anything they wanted. She wouldn’t cause a scene though. Besides, the man was intriguing, so she allowed him to take her into his arms.
As she placed one of her hands in his and the other on his shoulder, she could feel the raw power of his hold. He had the most piercing beautiful blue eyes she’d ever seen. They were the kind of eyes that could penetrate straight into your soul. She would have to be on her guard with him.