Now she works tirelessly at the charity she founded from the ground up after losing my baby sister to leukemia. It was devastating to our whole family, and this was the outlet Mom needed. We all rallied around her, too. It created an even closer bond between us, a bond so strong that even once I was off doing my own thing, being a typical teenager, pushing her away without the realization that I was doing it, she never admonished or tried to change what I was thinking or doing unless it was harmful to my mental, emotional, or physical wellbeing. For the most part, it was Millie and me riding around in one of our cars, listening to music, shopping, and eating when we weren’t in school. Mom’s charity, though, it’s near and dear, one that helps so many in need, one that gives me joy as it helps so many others, yet it also hurts the deepest part of your heart. A charity for cancer, and not just any cancer either—childhood cancer. Two years into working herself into the ground, I knew exactly what I wanted to do once I graduated high school—nursing with a minor in business. If Mom ever stepped down from her roll, which I know she will eventually, that is if Dad ever retires, I’m more than willing to step into her shoes and take the reins.
“Hello, I’m Vanessa Taylor. You can call me Nessa, though.” I hold my hand out, slowly, attempting to introduce myself after staring at the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on for longer than normal.
“I know.” Okay, I guess we can add cocky and arrogant to the adjectives besides handsome. Awesome. What I don’t expect from the tone of his voice is how he has no problem slowly undressing me with his eyes, and how I seriously need to get my head examined because I’m absolutely not the least bit upset about it.
THREE
Parker
“Parker. Parker Hudson,”I respond watching as her body heightens with desire, the slight blush along her cheeks, the way goose pebbles dance along her flesh, and the more obvious would be the tightening of her nipples. Nessa can’t blame the air conditioning either, since I was witnessing the conversation between her and her mother. I didn’t let myself be known, rather staying in the dark shadows of the room as she rattled off more information than I was trying to find out, especially about Millie. Ezra will no doubt want to know, and I’ll give it to him, for a price.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Hudson.” I’ve got to hand it to her; she’s not what I expected. Of course, a woman willing to auction herself off in the form of helping children with cancer should have given me a clue. Her hand is soft, cool to the touch, and has me wanting much more than the date I’ve spent a fortune on.
“Parker, please call me Parker,” I respond, reluctantly pulling my hand out of hers when it’s the last thing I want. No, I’d much prefer bringing her closer, pulling her chest against mine, feeling the way her body comes alive when I’m near instead of watching it like I am now.
“Well, Parker, thank you for your contribution. If you’ll excuse me, I think there’s a gentleman who’d like to get your information. Then he’ll send over the details. From there, we can schedule our date.” As she speaks the last sentence, a deeper blush forms on her cheeks, the way she started the conversation, keeping it more businesslike than I want, I’m glad to see she’s unfazed.
“See you soon, Nessa.” I take a step closer; she stays rooted to where she stands, a slight tremble going through her body. The dress does me all kinds of favors, showing me how she reacts to my presence as well as my words. My head dips lower. Even in her high heels, Vanessa is still a good six inches shorter than me. I’m almost one hundred percent sure she thinks I’m going to take her lips with mine. I don’t, though. Instead, I graze her cheek. Her small intake of breath glides over my face, and the scent of something soft and sultry permeates the air surrounding the two of us. I inhale as much as I can to tide me over until I see her again. It's over before it began. Now isn’t the time or the place, but it will soon. When there aren’t prying eyes, whispering gossip among the elite, or for the next magazine article to do a four-page spread about a light kiss.
“Okay.” Her voice is breathless. The ring man who helped me during the auction is making his way towards us. I nod in reply to Nessa, leaving her while taking care of the hefty charitable deduction.
“Mr. Hudson, if you’ll come with me, please.” I don’t turn around until Vanessa does, wanting another look at her beautiful body, knowing it’ll be my fist I fuck tonight as I use my imagination about all the ways I’m going to have her in my bed. “Here’s the paperwork you’ll need to sign and instructions on how to make the wire transfer. After it’s been verified, I’ll release Miss Taylor’s number. You can make plans from there.”
“Thank you.” I take the paper, glancing over what would happen if I couldn’t complete the wire transfer, how it’d be forfeited, and the charity could come after me for a percentage of the bidding amount. A bunch of legal jargon about this not, in any shape or form, being a payment for any sexual relation. The fuck? It’s a sad state of affairs when it needs to be put in writing. These rich cock suckers can pay for sex anywhere else. I’d be willing to bet money half of them do, not that I’m judging any of them. If the woman is willing, making a living, they aren’t being taken advantage of, then have fun.
“Done.” I sign my name with a flourish, pull my phone out of my pocket, pull up my banking app, and instead of doing a wire transfer that could essentially take five to seven business days, I pay the fee to have it delivered to Cures for Children immediately.
“Thank you. I’ll go verify that the money went through then find you when it’s done to hand off the information.” We shake hands and part ways. I’m heading towards the bar, since my time with Nessa has come to an end for the night. Ezra will no doubt be there. Plus, I have some information he’d like to know in regard to Millie. I make my way, nodding my head to some, shaking hands with others, playing nice when necessary. This whole night isn’t my idea of fun. If it weren’t for our other business partners, Theo and Boston, who are both out of town for two different reasons—one on vacation, the other closing a deal on scooping up another floundering business, re-strategizing and making it a success.
“Get everything squared away?” Ezra asks as I approach him. He’s standing at the bar, two tumblers in front of him, pushing one in my direction.
“Yep, it seems your Millie is sick, by the way.” I take a sip of my drink, the burning sensation giving me a moment of reprieve from the hunger that stems from Vanessa Taylor.
“She’s not my Millie.” Staying quiet as he denies what we both know is the truth is easier said than done. I’ve known Ezra forever. Forming a bond with your friend when you both come from the wrong side of the tracks and growing up together does that to two young boys. Now we’re self-made billionaires, something no one would have ever expected. All they saw were two young boys, working to help my mother and Ezra himself to make ends meet in any way they could. It was by sheer luck and a shit ton of determination that we were both accepted into an Ivy League College as well as received a full-ride scholarship. The debt that most incur while attending a prestigious school never came. We worked the entire time, starting our company while still in school. The four of us—Ezra, Theo, Boston, and I—were roommates in the dorm on campus, and while Ezra and I didn’t have the startup money like Theo and Boston did, they never held it against us. Ezra and I had the hunger, the thirst, and the drive to succeed. Not saying Theo and Boston didn’t, because they did, busting their balls right along beside us. The only difference was, they had a fallback plan where we didn’t. Now, ten plus years later, we’re in the black, making a bigger headway each year. Our business is expanding and soon, we’ll be branching out around the country.
“Whatever you say, Ezra, whatever you say.” I turn around, listening to the auctioneer once again. This time, there’s nothing that holds my attention quite like Nessa did.
“I’m going to plead the fifth. Now, what do you say we spend more money? You can’t be the only one to bring something home.” Too bad I don’t tonight. Soon, though, very soon.
“Remind me again why we’re here?” I change the subject, ready to leave before the meal is even served.
“Besides the fact that it’s a tax write-off, that it’s a great way to network, and you need to quit being a damn recluse?” Childhood friends, college roommates, business partners, and what does he do? Call me out because I’m not like him. I’d rather not deal with this type of bullshit. Behind the scenes is more my speed, staying out of the headlines, having zero social media presence, and not dealing with people who are willing to throw you under the bus to get ahead.
“Being a recluse is better than pretending like our money is actually going to benefit anything good. Look at this place, renting The Met. You tell me if all of this money is actually benefiting anyone.” These things are a joke, one that I’ve avoided like the plague, except for tonight. I take a healthy gulp of the bourbon, feeling the burn as it slides down the back of my throat, knowing I’ll be needing a couple more of these to get through the stuffy bullshit.
“Actually, you’d be shocked to know that everything is donated, the plates cover the cost of the venue and food, and whatever is left goes right back into the charity, along with all the money they’re raising with the auction,” Ezra’s states, shocking me that this is a charity that isn’t full of crooked CEOs taking the money and only a small percentage goes where it’s needed.
“Well, fuck me running. I never would have thought.” I’m at a loss for words. “What are you going to bid on?” The paddle everyone was given is in Ezra’s hand. My own has been retired to the trash after bidding and winning on Nessa.
“Did you even read the email I sent you or the pamphlet they handed you as we walked in?” Ezra’s tone is incredulous. I ignore him. If it’s not work, it ceases to exist in my mind. He should know that better than anyone.
“I can’t say that I have. If it weren’t for Boston heading down south, I wouldn’t be here.” I was given notice yesterday that I’d be required to attend. Our company, Four Brothers Inc., had acquired two tickets, and there was no way Ezra was going to let fifty thousand go to waste even if it was for charity, so it was up to me to be here, on a Saturday night no less.
“Yes, we’ve heard. All of us have. In fact, I’m pretty sure half of the state has, for that matter. Now, shut up and play nice.” He never did tell me what he was going to bid on, and I don’t do as Ezra suggests. Instead, I turn my back, taking another healthy sip of my drink. The fact that I’m wearing a tie on a Saturday along with a suit should tell him more than enough. Even if it means working, you won’t find me wearing this attire. Not on a weekend at least.
“Yes, Father.” I smirk, knowing it pisses Ezra off when I say something to that effect. I know how to dig at my friend and thoroughly enjoy doing so every chance I get.
FOUR