I stepped to the side so Seth could make his way out first. But instead, he held out his arm as an offer for me to take it with an amused grin on his face.
“Shall we?”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re annoying, you know that?”
Actually, he was a gentleman, which surprised me. I took his arm and he grinned. “I’m just making it harder for you to resist me.”
That was for damn sure.
We walked outside together and in the driveway was a black limo. The driver got out and Seth leaned in close again, obviously loving how he tormented me.
“That’s Diego, one of my father’s most trusted men.”
Diego was a mountain of a man with muscular arms the width of my body. He was taller than Seth, with slicked-back black hair and a scowl that seemed permanently etched on his face. Diego acknowledged Seth and opened the door for us while Benny went to the passenger’s side and got in.
I held my breath as Seth’s mother came into view. The first thing I noticed was her eyes; they were the same golden hazel as Seth’s. She was wearing a long, emerald-colored, flowy dress and silver heels with her white hair pulled back in a sleek, sophisticated ponytail. The woman had to be close to sixty, but she had a youthfulness to her that was almost ethereal. I didn’t expect to see her face light up when she saw me.
Before I could say anything, Seth cleared his throat. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Wren Langston. Wren, this is my mom, Genevieve.”
“Wren, my dear, you are absolutely breathtaking,” she said, reaching her hands out to me as I slid into the limo.
“Thank you, Mrs. Michelson,” I replied, sitting across from her.
Inside, the limo was softly lit with luxurious bottles of wine and liquor lining both sides. Seth moved in next to me and draped his arm over my shoulders. If his mother weren’t staring at us with so much adoration in her eyes, I would’ve pushed him off. It was clear she was excited to see him, and I didn’t want to ruin the moment.
A part of me envied Seth for what he had. I didn’t get the luxury of growing up with a mother and father who loved me.
“Please, call me Gen or Genevieve,” she advised me.
I smiled. “Genevieve, it is, then.”
She reached for Seth’s free hand and squeezed it. “It’s so good to see you, Seth. I’ve missed you.”
He kissed her hand and released it. “I’ve missed you, too.”
The affection in his voice made my heart flutter in my chest. I’d always been told you could tell a lot about a man by how he treated his mother. However, in this case, it didn’t matter. I wasn’t getting involved with Seth, no matter how he treated anyone.
“So, tell me about this hotel you acquired,” Genevieve prodded happily. “I’d love to take a tour.”
He rubbed his hand down my arm. “I’d be happy to show you around. Wren hasn’t been there, either. I could take you both. In fact, why don’t you check out of the Bellagio and stay in one of my penthouses.”
Genevieve’s face lit up and she gasped. “That would be lovely. I’m so happy to see you doing something for yourself. Don’t get me wrong, the family needs you in New York, but I understand you want to branch out, just like your brother.”
If only she knew how horrible Nikolai was. I highly doubted she’d be a doting mother.
“Have you spoken to him recently?” she asked.
Talking about him made my blood boil, but I sat there with a smile on my face. When Seth replied to her, there was no indication in his voice that things were awry with him and his brother.
“We’ve spoken briefly. He’s been very busy.”
Not for long.
Genevieve laughed softly. “Just like you. I’m hoping we can all get together for Christmas this year. Wouldn’t that be nice?” That would be hell. She looked at me and I tried to keep a grin on my face. “You could always join us too, dear. Have you ever been to New York?”
I shook my head. “Not yet.”
Her brows furrowed. “Where are you from?”
