He'd been furious when he found out, and when he’d ignored Sierra during the reception dinner, she’d taken to the bottle.
That night in their hotel room, Sierra, in her drunken state, pleaded with him that she too had wanted the child and would like for them to try again, that they didn’t just marry for the baby. She’d seemed genuinely heartbroken and had dropped onto the bed in tears, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably; he pulled her into his arms and decided to wait until she morning.
He chose to stay and should have used that time to settle into the marriage and go to counseling because he wanted it to work. But their relationship in the beginning had been based on sexual chemistry alone. The sparks she’d ignite with a glance, a sensuous smile, or when she’d press herself against him. He couldn’t help himself; he was like a man starved and would have to have her. It wasn’t long before she announced she was pregnant again and that time, her drinking seemed to have stopped. But the rift caused by her jealousy began to widen.
He had thought things would get better between them if he spent more time at home with her and it did, especially after Kaitlyn was born. They both were in love with the little person they brought into the world. He wasn’t even sure he would be a good father because his father wasn’t, but he had an amazing role model in his grandfather and when he saw her come out wailing, he knew that he would do anything for her and when she was laid on his bare chest, tears had run down his face. He’d looked at Sierra, feeling so close to her that day, a feeling of joyand appreciation for the gift she’d given him and he decided to open his heart and see where this new path could take them.
“Thank you for giving me this precious gift.” She had reached out her hand and he took it, both watching as their daughter slept.
But Kaitlyn hadn’t even been a year when the drinking began again. He knew he was partly to blame because his grandfather was preparing to step down and began handing over the reins to him. He had to start wining and dining the clientele, which took time away from his family. Whatever relief he had felt being away from Sierra clashed with the pain of missing his daughter.
He finally had enough and threatened to leave her and take his daughter with him, but she sucked him back in by making promises that would last for a little while before she would fall back into her old ways. That night was the last straw; he got word that she’d placed a call to a female client, accusing her of having an affair with him. He’d confronted her on the phone, and then again when he tried to de-escalate their argument when he heard her on the road with Kaitlyn in the back of the car, crying. He still woke up in a sweat, hearing Sierra’s scream before the phone went dead.
“Sir, we are approaching the shore and will be docking soon.” Jacob looked at the captain, then took up his own rain slicker and heavy boots. He had finally found his ex-wife, feeling grim and another emotion he refused to acknowledge. The last time he’d seen her was when he watched her walk out of the hospital doors, leaning heavily on her walking stick.
Chapter 7
Sierra parted her lips and chewed down on her pen, trying to work out a scene in one of her chapters, where the female lead is feeling like she was being watched at a party.
Though Sierra tried to stay focused, a memory of her and Jacob took over, distracting her from her work. Taking a deep breath, Sierra sat back and recalled the first time she saw him. It was at a charity fundraiser she was attending with her father. She hadn’t wanted to go, giving him a difficult time until he promised to buy her the newest Chanel bag.
She’d been laughing and chatting with some of the high society members, loving the attention. If the spotlight wasn’t on her, well, she never had to consider that. When she felt someone’s eyes on her, Sierra had shivered. Sipping her drink, she’d let her gaze pan across the room. There were men and women who were staring at her in avid interest, but she knew it wasn’t them. They weren’t responsible for the tingles going down her spine.
When she finally met his gaze, everyone else faded into the background.
The man was drop-dead gorgeous with the most incredible eyes she had ever seen. He was a tall, older man in his early thirties—she’d guessed—lean build filling out his dark green tux magnificently. His white shirt complimented his short dark hair and a cleanshaven jaw.
She didn’t know how long they stared at each other, but the connection between them only broke when he had looked away from her. A woman, who only came to his shoulder, touched his arm. He had leaned down and his head almosttouched the brunettes’ short tresses. His smile that he bestowed on his female companion had captivated Sierra.
Sierra had desired him then and was going to have him. Her beauty and charm always got her what she fancied. But his attention stayed focused on the woman, even when he took a step back. Disgruntled by that point, Sierra passed her drink to someone nearby and wove through the crowd.
Before she could reach the bar, where he was standing with a dark drink in his hand, Sierra had felt a touch on her shoulder. She had turned to see a woman with red tresses piled on her top of her head, loose curls cascading down, dark emerald eyes, and porcelain skin with matte pink tones on her eyes and lips. She wore a black jumpsuit with matching heels.
“Yes?” Sierra had said, irritation in her tone. She’d glanced at the bar; her target was still listening to the woman even though boredom had etched into his expression.
She held back a smile; she was about to make his night.
“I just wanted to say hi and tell you how amazing you look in this periwinkle-ombre sequined mini dress.” The woman had reached out to touch her skin and Sierra faced her fully. “I was wondering, ummm, if you would like to go to the bar with me and get a drink?” The woman’s green eyes flashed with sexual interest and Sierra let her smile free because now she had the perfect excuse to be at the bar and flirt with this gorgeous redhead.
“I would like that.”
The woman had smiled, then gestured with her hand for Sierra to lead the way. “My name is Marnie, by the way. And you’re Senator Wallace’s daughter, Sierra, correct?”
Instantly, the thrill had vanished. Sierra had swallowed back a frustrated sigh, because of course she was being pursued because of who her father was. But then, the woman had followed up with “I’m not a fan of your father’s, really, but I actually came here in the hopes of meeting you.” The urge to tell Marnie to get lost faded for the moment.
The bar was crowded, but they still sidled close to Sierra’s target. It hadn’t taken long for his gaze to wander back to her. Those intense eyes were more incredible up close, dark lashes complimenting them. Sierra rewarded him with a flirty smile, which he acknowledged by dipping his head before returning his glance to the woman in front of him.
Sierra had pressed her smile into a curious line.Now, what is he playing at? He was staring a hole into my back and now he’s acting like we didn’t stare at each other across the room.She had glanced at his fingers—no ring. Fooling around with single men was fun, but one line Sierra would not cross was tangling with a married man; for her, marriage was serious and sacred.
Pressed shoulder to shoulder against him, Sierra had felt his warmth through his jacket and her heartbeat picked up, just from that single touch. Marnie slid a dry martini to Sierra’s fingers and she fluttered her lashes in thanks. She didn’t mind flirting with women either, but her sights were solely aimed at the man still infuriatingly attentive to that other woman.
Marnie had continued to flirt with her and Sierra absentmindedly responded; her senses stayed focused on the heat of her shoulder against his. His cologne was light, woodsy; it suited him. When she finally heard him speak, he had a rich baritone; her temperature rose.
However, when the woman had pressed her left hand against his arm again, Sierra caught sight of the engagement ring and band on her third finger. Her suspicion that he might have been hiding his ring sounded alarms in her head. Stiffening her shoulders and back, Sierra had refocused on Marnie.
At least until she heard him speak again.
“Mrs. Bridgewater, it was nice meeting you and attending this event as your plus one while Mr. Bridgewater is out of town. But, I will be calling it a night. Early morning meeting. Can I drop you off or call you a car?”
