Tate
It’d been a good three weeks of no contact from the sexy Sutton Wilkinson. I’d been relieved in some ways not to have her in my company, because even though I didn’t want to admit it, I felt uneasy.
She had captivated me. I hadn’t been able to stop my gaze from being focused on her when I had her in my space – my board meeting. I had felt scrutinised and not my normal self. She’d been engrossed in me, stuck on my every word and I was scared that I’d become tongue tied at any moment. I hated how much I’d allowed this stubborn woman under my skin and had even refused Gia and every other woman who’d attempted to fawn over me.
I didn’t want just anyone. I wanted her.
The last few weeks I’d lived and breathed corporate life. I’d spent from the crack of dawn to dusk behind my desk, in meetings and dealing with clients. Tonight was the same, more mergers to complete.
Until I was disturbed by a call from Asher. I knew avoiding him wouldn’t help, as he’d been a stickler for the obvious fact. I was wearing myself too thin.
“Asher,” I said, as I picked up the call with a sigh and rubbed my brow. “I’m a bit busy, can this wait?”
“Have you actually got off that chair today?” he asked as I looked up at the darkened skyline and the clock on the wall and remained silent. “Put it all away, I’ll see you at The Muse Club. I’ll...”
I put the phone down on him and decided I wasn’t in the mood to argue. He could say what he wanted in person when I had a fucking drink in hand. Lately though, Sutton had been attached to his side wherever he went. Was it wrong that I hoped she may be with him too? That would definitely be a perk of going there.
I turned the lights off in the office, locked up and headed to my Mercedes S-class before I made my way over to the club. I got out of the car and slid the keys into the parking attendant’s top pocket with a glare that made him shudder, and I chuckled as I bypassed the line and walked straight in toward the cloakroom.
I stopped and stared. Even with her back to me, I’d recognise that figure anywhere. But in that red skater dress with a flared underskirt, I fought back the drool. I took off my coat as I slid up by her and handed it across to the attendant, who just smiled and had a shake in her hand.
“Miss Wilkinson, how lovely to see you.” I smiled as she placed her jacket into the cloakroom.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight,” she replied, as she turned to face me.
“I’m here to see your brother,” I admitted, as I undid my tie and gave it to the woman, before I undid the top button on my shirt, all the while watching Sutton.
“Of course, but you’ve missed him.” She chuckled. “Been stood up, Mr. Hillside?”
“Serves me right for putting the phone down on him really,” I admitted in my defense, as I placed my hands in my jacket pockets. “Well, enjoy your night, Sutton.”
“Thanks, you too, Tate.”
Since I’d already come along prepared to talk to Asher about business and be hit with wit and charm on being overworked, I grabbed the spare laptop and a pile of paperwork and made myself comfortable with a jug of water in a booth. Where I had a perfect view of Sutton and her friends. The drinks kept flowing at her table, her carefree attitude showed as she flicked her hair across her shoulder and giggled a few times. At least this was a view more worthwhile than the four walls in my office, as I went through and answered the emails I’d not had a chance to do yet. Even if it was torturous for my cock. I reached for my glass to take a sip of water when I glanced across to catch Sutton again, but she was gone. She wouldn’t have left already, so I glanced around and found her near the DJ booth with a scowl on her face talking to a man I didn’t recognise.
What the fuck? Who was he? I found her friend she’d arrived with, Asher’s personal assistant, near the toilets. I packed up my belongings before I dropped them behind the bar with my assistant manager for safekeeping and made a beeline straight for Sutton’s friend.
“Hey.” I gave her one of my charming, wide smiles.
“Mr. Hill... Hillside, how can I help you?” she stuttered as she turned to face me. “Is there something wrong?”
“Actually yes, please call me Tate.” I glanced over her shoulder as Sutton folded her arms. “And can you tell me, who’s that?”
“Oh, you mean, Grey,” she mumbled under her breath as she took a step closer in the line. “That’s her ex-boyfriend and the woman that’s carrying drinks on her way over to them now,” she pointed, “that’s Hallie, his wife.” I made my excuses as she got closer to the front of the line.
This man had thrown Sutton away, for her. Well, I wasn’t about to stand for that. I approached the dickhead, with my head held high and watched him take a step back the moment he realised I was heading straight towards them. The woman standing by his side was nothing in comparison to Sutton, who my eyes fixated on. I noticed the slight tremor in her body and the uncertainty of why the fuck I’d decided to sweep in by her side now. It didn’t faze me in the slightest, no one was about to make her feel any less worthy than she deserved.
“Sorry I’m late, darling.” I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her into my side as I placed a kiss on her cheek. “That last client took a bit longer than expected to wrap up. I’m Tate Hillside, Sutton’s boyfriend and you are?”
I held out my hand to shake his, while wrapping the other around Sutton’s waist. I spread my fingers out on her hip and gave a gentle squeeze, trying to clue her in that she should play along.
“Grey.” He grabbed my hand to shake quickly before he dropped it by his side and rubbed it on his trouser leg. Smarmy twat. The fucked off expression on his face made me want to howl with laughter at the nerve of the jerk. “This is my wife, Hallie.”
A small smile appeared on Sutton’s face, as she watched the way Hallie reached toward Grey and trailed her fingers along the tip of his hand, without dropping her gaze from mine.
“How long have you been an item?” Grey questioned, his eyes darting between the pair of us.
“A couple of months now,” Sutton replied quickly, as she trailed her hand down the opened collar on my shirt and angled her body more to mine.