I’m nervous as I stare up at the Astor mansion. Mr. Astor invited me for dinner, and it all just feels weird to me. So far I’ve mentally been able to keep Amara and her grandfather separate, but tonight two different parts of my life will collide, whether I like it or not.
Things between her and me have been strange. We’re both trying to stay away from each other despite the undeniable attraction, an unspoken agreement in place. I know that’s what is best for both of us, yet I live for the times she gives in to temptation, the times she’ll find an excuse to see me. Her visit to my office is still fresh on my mind, and it won’t be easy to have her next to me and smile at her grandfather innocently, when I just know having my hands on her is all I’m going to be thinking about.
So far, I’ve had lunch with Mr. Astor a handful of times, but he’s never once invited me to his home. Not until today. I don’t know what to expect. I can’t read that man at all. He’s taking all the steps that are required to build the medical empire he has in mind and he truly seems to be putting me in charge of it, but it all seems calculated somehow. Something about him makes me feel uncomfortable… but maybe it’s just the fact that I keep touching his granddaughter in ways he’d deem unforgivable.
I brace myself before I walk in, not even remotely surprised when I’m greeted by a butler. The way the Astors live… it’s surreal. This is the world Amara lives in. The world she grew up in.
I follow the butler to the dining room, and my heart skips a beat when I hear laughter that I recognize. Amara. As expected, she’s here. I should’ve texted her to let her know I’d be there tonight, but it seemed weird somehow. She and I text occasionally, but it’s usually about her toys and her meeting with Grayson. We rarely discuss her grandfather. Part of me wants to keep my relationship with her separate from the business relationship I’m developing with Mr. Astor. I know it’s impossible, but I’m delaying the inevitable.
The doors open, and I tense when I find the source of Amara’s laughter staring down at her with adoration filling his eyes. Gregory. The same guy that offered to invest in her. Her ex. I stare at the two of them, and she looks up at me, her eyes widening in disbelief when they land on me.
“Dr. Grant,” she says politely, hiding her shock. I’m only barely able to suppress the disappointment and anger I feel, seeing her standing here with him. I guess waiting to meet with Grayson was taking too long. I have no right to the disappointment I’m feeling, but that sure as shit isn’t stopping me.
I tear my eyes away from her and school my features when Mr. Astor walks up to me, two women behind him. I smile politely and shake his hand.
“Noah,” he says, turning. “I understand you’ve already met my daughter, Charlotte. Someday, I’ll introduce you to my son too. He lives in England, but I believe he’s visiting with his son this Christmas. You would get on great with my grandson.”
I smile at the thought of that. It’s strange, because the Astors intimidate me, but at the same time they make me feel so welcome amongst them.
“Noah,” Charlotte says, taking my hand in hers. “It’s so good to see you again. I’m sorry I missed you at the ball. I kept meaning to come say hi, but before I realized it, the night was over. You looked great in the tux. It fit just the way I expected it to.”
“Thank you again for that, Ms. Astor,” I say, feeling just a little awkward.
“I’m sure my father has already told you this, but we consider you family, so please do just call me Char.”
I nod, even though the thought of that makes me cringe inwardly. These aren’t people I should get comfortable with at all.
“Please, allow me to introduce Kim Jones.”
The woman standing behind Ms. Astor straightens and offers me her hand. “We’ve met before, at the charity ball.”
I nod, recognition hitting me. She’s a famous cardiovascular surgeon that’s equally renowned for her beauty. What is she doing here tonight?
“Come, kids. Let’s eat. I’m starving,” Mr. Astor says, leading his daughter to the table. We follow him, and it soon becomes apparent that I’m being set up with Kim, while Amara is with Gregory.
I grit my teeth as we sit down, and Mr. Astor clears his throat. “Noah, this is Gregory. His family is in oil, and Amara and he have been dating for years now.”
Years, huh? So they’ve got history. I guess she took him up on that offer to take her out on a date. I wonder if he knows that I made his girlfriend moan my name last week.
“Greg, this is Noah. He’s going to be managing the medical arm of the Astor portfolio.”
He nods at me and wraps his arm around the back of Amara’s chair, a smug smile on his face. I glance at her, but her eyes are on her plate.
The devastation I feel is debilitating and I swallow hard. I shouldn’t give a fuck about what she does, who she’s seeing, but I fucking hate this. I hate that I never stood a chance, that I never will. Not that it matters. Maybe this was all a game to her, or maybe she truly sees me as nothing but a doctor.
Gregory leans into her and whispers into her ear, making her smile, and my heart fucking tightens. I tear my gaze away and turn to Kim instead, trying my best to focus on her.
“It’s great to see you again,” I tell her, and her eyes light up.
She pushes her long dark hair behind her ear and smiles at me. “I didn’t think you’d remember me. We only spoke to each other briefly.”
I nod and return her smile. “You’re hard to forget.” She’s the youngest surgeon I know. Hell, she’s the same age as I am. From what I gathered, she graduated early and then breezed through med school. Kim is nothing short of amazing, and she’s exactly the kind of person I need to get acquainted with. She’s going places. Whereas I… I’m tempted to settle for the bare minimum. Part of me fears reaching for greatness, but seeing Kim achieve it with such grace inspires me.
Mr. Astor clears his throat and smiles at the two of us. “You two are well-matched,” he says. “Why don’t you take Kim out for dinner, Noah? You should get to know each other better. You’re in the same field, after all.”
I bite back a smile at his lack of subtleness, and Kim grins, equally amused. I’m about to agree when I look up and find Amara staring at me, her eyes blazing with what looks a lot like anger.
