Page 35 of Sugar Daddy (Sugar Bowl 1)

My lips curl in absolute disgust. I can tell that JT doesn't have an ounce of attraction toward Amelia other than perhaps wanting to fuck her tonight because she's handy and available. I imagine it will be quick and focused only on getting his rocks off, and I'm sure he'll leave her the minute he pulls out. Watching Amelia blush again and then give a little sigh of appreciation makes me even more sad for her.

I start to turn my head to look out the window, but JT's gaze snaps back over to mine, halting me. He stares at me a moment and then his lips curve upward. "You know, Sela...I think you'd make a terrific-looking blonde."

My gut churns, and is it my imagination, or is that a taunt?

"I mean...you're stunning as a brunette, but I think blond would look more natural with your skin tone. Of course, I can't say what Beck's preference is. He's an equal opportunity man...fucked blondes, brunettes, redheads. He loves them all."

His direct attempt to make me jealous is almost pathetic because he rattled me enough with the blonde comment and it wasn't needed. I can't tell to what extent JT is fucking with me, and I'm wondering if he knows who I am. I can't imagine it. He's too self-centered to recognize the woman he destroyed all those years ago. I'm sure of it.

Amelia makes a sound of dismay deep in her throat, because she's not missed the seductive nature of JT's tone when he told me I would look natural as a blonde. She sniffs and says, "Honestly, JT. That's crude to say right in front of your date."

"It's not a date, Amelia," he says, his eyes still trained on me. "It's a favor owed to my mother. Don't make it more than what it is."

I wince, because that was harsh.

Amelia gasps and her face flames red. "Well, I don't think this night is exactly what I had anticipated, so if you don't mind, I'd like for you to just take me back--"

JT spins on her and his hand flexes, digging down into her thigh. Amelia's mouth snaps shut in surprise and she even leans back a little from JT when he presses toward her. His voice is soft, low, and rich with promise as he plays her right into his hands. "But relax, Amelia. I'm sure it has the potential to be so much more."

And just like that, she melts into him. I see the fantasy of the engagement ring getting bigger as her hand covers his on her thigh and she sighs like a lovestruck puppy. Just like that, JT managed to insult her and then have her practically spreading her virgin legs for him.

It sickens me, and the bubbling in my gut burns hotter.

Thankfully, I'm spared any more of JT's mind fucks as the limo pulls up in front of the restaurant. JT turns to me, nods with a condescending smirk, and I curl my fingers into my hands to stop my own fantasy made real of clawing his eyes out.

Then the door is opening and I see Beck standing there beside the driver, his eyes warm upon me. He extends his hand and I take it, letting him help me from the car, where he pulls me right into an embrace.

"Hey," he says, snuggling his face into my neck before pulling back and giving me a soft kiss on my lips. "You look fantastic."

"Thanks," I murmur as he pulls me back a few steps so JT and Amelia can get out of the car. "You look amazing too."

And he does, the dark gray of his suit setting off those light blue eyes as they stare at me with happiness.

"You okay?" Beck asks as he looks down at me.

"Sure," I say with a smile, trying to relax my facial features that still may have been holding some disgust over JT's behavior in the car. "Just happy to see you."

Beck likes that...I can tell because he gives me another kiss as his hand squeezes my waist reflexively. Then he releases me, turns to Amelia, and bends over to kiss her cheek. "Amelia...good to see you."

I'm not surprised Beck knows her. I knew JT's and Beck's mothers ran in the same social circles, so I figured they were all just one big, happy clique of rich friends.

Then Beck reaches his hand out toward JT. "Thanks for picking my girl up."

JT takes Beck's hand and gives him a warm grin before pulling him in and giving him a half hug while they clap each other on the back. "What are friends for?" JT says as he squeezes Beck in a brotherly embrace.

My eyes trail up to Beck's face, and I almost reel back from what I see.

Beck beaming pure happiness to be here with his buddy.

Grateful his friend looked out for his girl for him.

Beck completely stoked with the new "JT" and completely oblivious to the fact his friend and business partner is a douche and a rapist.

Willing to let him back into his life as if there's nothing to worry about and all of the shitty things JT's done are simply forgiven and forgotten.

The burning in my stomach turns hotter.

Chapter 24

Beck

"Good morning," Linda chirps as I walk by her desk.

"Morning," I grumble, completely not feeling her sunny attitude.

She stands up from her chair, grabs some folders off her desk, and follows me into my office. "Well, you're all bright and chipper this morning," she says sarcastically.

"And not in the mood," I tell her darkly as I plop down in my chair before rolling my mouse across the pad to disengage my screensavers.

Her voice is brisk and efficient when she lays the folders on my desk. "Mr. Townsend would like you to go over these proposals, and your two o'clock meeting got pushed back to three because Mr. Perkins' flight got delayed out of LaGuardia."

I reach for the folders and flip through them briefly with a sigh. "Okay, thank you, Linda."

"Anything else you need from me right now?"

"No, I'm good," I tell her distractedly as I log on to the system. She turns to leave and then I change my mind. "Wait...I could use some help locating a service that could deliver a Christmas tree to the condo."

Linda just blinks at me, confusion reigning supreme on her face. "I'm sorry?"

"A tree...you know, something green and Christmasy-smelling that Sela and I can decorate."

A bright, knowing smile spreads across Linda's face, making the wrinkles at her eyes and corners of her mouth deepen with romantic ap

preciation. "Oh, that's lovely. Of course I can locate something. Would you like something in spruce, or maybe pine? Those smell so good."

Shaking my head, I give her a quick eye roll and tell her, "I don't care. Just see if you can get something delivered today. Sela will be there all day."

Lying in bed moping, I'm sure, but she'll be there all day.

Linda leaves and closes the door behind her. Rather than jump into work, I turn my chair to look out the windows, contemplating the conundrum that Sela has recently become. While our dinner with her dad and Maria went fantastically Friday night, things started going downhill on Saturday. I don't think she was mad that I couldn't pick her up, but she was almost coldly reserved during dinner with JT and Amelia.

And I didn't get it.

JT was making an honest effort with Sela. From the moment we all sat down at the restaurant, he was charming and tried to engage her. He spoke warmly to her, was interested in her background, and tried to win her over with absolutely no success. I know he may have been laying it on a little thick, but JT was trying. He was happy that I found someone, and he could guess well enough that Sela was in my life to stay and he was honestly trying. He'd shown up at work every day fresh and lucid, rolling up his shirtsleeves and diving back into his business with renewed vigor and passion. We joked around like the old days, and it was even refreshing to see him with Amelia. She's a sweet girl, a little naive, but JT doted on her all night. When it became clear that Sela wasn't going to participate in the conversation with JT, he turned his polite and engaging attention on Amelia, making her preen and swoon under his attention. It was the JT of old...the one who made me excited with the possibilities of a bright future.

---