Craving Sugar (Sugar Daddy Romance)

Chapter 26

Hendrix

“Close your mouth, Parker, or you’ll attract flies.” Jax and entourage was taking up half my table. My personal guest to this idiotic show of wealth. Pissed me off that I had to give up my night to deal with the likes of Henry and friends.

This event wasn’t for charity, each dime shelled out covering tonight’s bill hosted by the city and its officials.

The sole bright side to tonight was getting to see Beau all dressed up in a sinfully decadent gown that so far had turned every head in attendance tonight. The front, though conservative, was molded onto her every curve and dip. Outlined the perkiness of her breasts—the flared of those hips I loved to grasp while stroking in deep.

Then you had that split, it gave you a glimpse of mile-long legs in a pair of gold heels.

And even then, nothing compared to the view from behind.

Skin. Soft. Mine.

Bare; a temptation to take her. Fuck my DNA into her system until she’d forever bear a mark of me within her blood.

What this little girl does to me.

“Leave him alone, babe.” Crystal picked up her wine glass and took a sip, her eyes scanning the room around us. “He’s as amazed as I am by the sheer number of pompous assholes in attendance tonight. Like those two making their way over...” all eyes turned to look toward a man in his seventies and his equal-in-age wife “…fifty bucks says they’ll sit and begin complaining within ten minutes. Everything will be horrible.”

Beside me, Beau snorted. “Raise you seventy that its over in five.” She walked around the table and gave Jax and Crystal a hug, not looking at Amber beside them. My nymph was astute—fucking brilliant—and wasn’t going to put up with anyone looking down at her.

Had we been anywhere else; I would’ve dragged her somewhere private, bent her over the nearest hard surface, and took what belonged to me.

Amber bit her lip to keep in her laughter. “You speak from experience, kid?”

“Amber, you have—”

“Let her speak for herself.”

“Just have very little patience for rudeness or those that belittle others, ma’am.” Beau took in a deep breath, squaring her shoulders before looking at the older woman in the eyes. “Plain and simple, I have no respect for those that see themselves above the rest.”

For some reason, that answer bothered me. Is that how she saw me? Had no respect for me?

“Welcome to the family, sweetheart,” Jax’s mom declared, standing from her seat beside Crystal to hug Beau. She’d just won over the mother of the man I called my best friend. A woman who was hard, fiercely protective of those she loved. “Call me Mom—they all do. You just passed the test and will never get rid of me now.”

Nymph looked so confused, poor girl. “Sorry, but who are you?”

“Hi, I’m Amber. Jax’s mom.”

“Name’s Beau, ma’am, pleasure to meet you.” Green eyes flickered toward Jax with annoyance in them. “Little warning would’ve been nice, jerk.”

Jax being Jax, he held his hands up in mock surrender. “That woman still scares me. I’m not a fool…you never go against Mom.”

Crystal coughed out something that sounded like kiss ass, and the other two laughed. Tension defused, Amber smirked at me, a silent way of telling me she approved of Beau.

Was there anyone who didn’t lov—like my nymph? Not even going to consider the other word.

The older couple finally made it to the table and sat down with him to the left of me. Polite smiles were exchanged; the waitstaff appeared a few minutes after introductions, giving us just enough time to look through the small menu and decide.

Beside me, my girl seemed to be counting, her finger tapping gently on the tabletop. My mouth opened to say something, ask what was wrong, when our table companions began to grumble. Low at first, but we all heard it.

“Paid all this money to sit next to complete strangers.” That was the wife.

“Cheapskates couldn’t spring a couple thousand on good whiskey. Watered down garbage.” Husband took his turn next.

“Food’s going to be horrendous, dear. Have you even heard of this French chef they flew in?” Missus was on a roll.

All the while Crystal and Beau bit their lips and whimpered low, shoulder shaking with their silent laughter.

“And we have a winner!” Amber had no shame. She tipped her head in Beau’s direction, smiling into her own glass. Our table companions looked confused, but thankfully kept quiet as the first course was set down. Drinks followed, and I’d never been happier to have a glass to keep me occupied.

Was I happy? More than I’d been in years, deserved to be, but for some reason it bugged me. Minute. Nothing huge, but it made me pause and look at everyone at our table that mattered.

Why was she so easily accepted, and yet, Ophelia had to walk through coals with most in my circle? The memories made my gut churn. Just the thought of her name alone brought me down a level or two. Reminded me of why we were where we were.

“You okay there, grouch?” Nymph leaned into me and whispered low. “Need anything?” She was always so eager to take care of others. Selfless, even when being selfish.

As a sugar baby, she was the epitome of a walking contradiction. Never asked for a damn thing. Nothing more than for her schooling to be taken care of.

And I will—even after our six months were over, I’d pay for it all. Anything she’d need to get her degree and succeed.

“No. I’m good...promise.” My first two courses stayed untouched, but I answered when spoken to, keeping up the pretense of nerves. Not that I fooled Jax; that fucker narrowed his eyes at me. Could feel the apprehensive stares coming from Beau.

Our main course tasted like dirt on my tongue. Came and went, and I couldn’t tell you what was on that plate. I ate because it was expected, to keep up the bullshit sham.

And then my name was called up to the stage.

“Be back.” A relieved breath left me and I stood, kissed my nymph’s forehead, and walked toward the front. People around me clapped, some even held a hand out for me to shake.

It was all a blur.

Standing on that stage, I looked at the sea of people as I spoke. Tried to focus on thanking them for the recognition—mentioning my staff for all their hard work and dedication, which made H. P. Builders a success.

Yet every few seconds I strayed. Always back to her.

To that beaming smile.

The look of pride in her eyes.

How motherfucking beautiful she was.

The words like a moth to a flame had never rang truer then at that moment.

Shaking the governor’s hand, I stood there for a few seconds after, while they captured their photo-op. Smiled, while my mind and body fought for control. Dominion over my actions.

One wanted to run away, while the other just needed her close. A rollercoaster of emotions that drowned me behind the pressure of indecision.

“Hendrix, if you have a second—”

Miami’s mayor began, but I cut him off. “Sorry, but I have a date to get back to. Wouldn’t want her whisked away—see that she can do better than this jerk.”

He laughed at my words, thinking I was just being funny. “Early next week, then? Lunch?”

“Name the time and place, Mario, and I’ll be there.” We shook hands once more and I walked off toward our table, but didn’t get far. Just a few feet away from me was Beau, smiling and holding a hand out. Asking me to dance.

God knew where I left that plaque—the moment our fingers touched, the noise around me dulled into a low thrum.

Jazz played through the speakers; a slow number accompanied by a woman’s sultry voice. Green eyes looked up at me with affection, and I couldn’t stop myself from pressing my lips to hers.

Slow, a mere caress. Promise of what I’d give her later.

“You looked unbelievably handsome on that stage, Mr. Parker.” Nymph winked, her right hand reaching up to play with the hair at my nape. Twirled the short strands around her fingers. “I’d even venture to say your stocks in the yumminess department have skyrocketed.”

A low chuckle escaped, my fingers brushing low on her bare back. “Is that so?”

“Guarantee it.” Goose bumps broke out over her skin, and she shivered. I pulled her in closer, chest to chest. Her head was tilted up, lips level with my chin. Even in heels, she was so much smaller than me. “I know it made me so wet for you.”

Two fingers skimmed beneath her dress, right where a panty line should’ve been. “Beau?”

“This dress wasn’t made to be worn with anything under. Not a damn thing, grouch.”

“Fuck. We need to leave—”

“May I cut in?” Jax’s eyes held humor in them, and I wanted to strangle the bastard. Worst fucking timing. And because he was a cock-blocking douche, he took Beau’s hand and spun her out of my embrace, twirling her in a circle to a beat faster than what we’d been swaying to.

“It’s nice to see you so in love, son. Gone.” Amber came from out of nowhere, stopping beside me to watch her son and my nymph put on a spectacle. They’d moved to the center of the dance floor while I watched from the sidelines. “You’re absolutely taken with her.”

Her words stopped me cold; she wasn’t one for beating around the bush. Brutally honest to a fault, she didn’t coddle anyone.

“It’s not what you think. She’s a close friend.” Someone who’s paid to be here. My chest felt tight; the room was closing in on me. Love? Fuck, no. There was no possible way that I…

“Is that what they call it these days?” She raised a brow in challenge while sipping from her champagne glass.

“Please—”

“After Ophelia died, God rest her soul, we all worried about you. It felt for a moment as if you’d been buried along with her. Was rough on us all, especially Jax.” Looking away from me and toward her son, a smile formed on her lips. I refused to look. He was with Beau, and at the moment, I couldn’t handle it. “...was rough for a few years, but to see you like this...sweetheart, it’s a thing of beauty.”

Frowning, I took in a deep and calming breath. “I don’t love her.” And even as those words passed through my lips, my eyes betrayed me and wandered toward her. My Beau.

She was dancing with Jax in her pretty white and gold dress. Head thrown back, she was laughing at something he said, and the blood in my veins throbbed. Jealousy burned through me from the inside out.

Falling—loving her was never in the cards for me. Anyone else would be better for her.

Worthy.

“Why do you keep lying to yourself, Hendrix?” Her hand took a hold of my closed fist and pried my fingers open. Intertwined hers with mine and squeezed. “The way you look at that girl is the same way my Earl watched me when he thought I wasn’t looking. Lust and love. Your need is almost palpable. Don’t hold back, son, you’ll lose her.”

“I’ve never had her.”

“Then you’re both dumb and blind. Don’t add scared to that list.” With a kiss to my cheek, she walked into the crowd. Disappeared, leaving me to my thoughts.

To the chaotic mess she’d just created.

I couldn’t love Beau. Didn’t.

She was just a fantastic fuck that I maintained. Nothing else.

Or was she more? Fuck.

Better yet, did I want her to be?

Nothing made sense, and the longer we stayed, the more agitated I grew. We needed to leave.

Tonight, was just fucking with my head. Everyone was seeing what they wanted and not the truth smacking them in the face.

Getting along with her had nothing to do with emotions. We were compatible—had great sex, but that didn’t call for a declaration of love.