Read Online STAY THE NIGHT (The Phillips Family Book 1) by Vicki Keener - Free Book Online
Authors: Vicki Keener
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like my body. Wealthy men, men with untold riches invite me out, take me to elite places, introduce me to their high society friends, try to buy me expensive gifts, invite me to travel the world with them.
“ In my mid twenties, I accepted their invitations, never the lavish gifts and I didn't accompany them to the exotic places of the world they offered. At first I was flattered, me a simple girl from Norway raised in a middle-class family being showered with attention from men who could give me the world if I'd do their bidding. They liked my social graces and manners, but they wanted me on their arm and silent. I learned that wealthy men have an arrogance that's grating to a woman with a mind of her own. A beautiful woman's function on the arm of a wealthy man is to make him look good. They don't respect women. It's a generality, but it's my personal experience. ”
“ Do I strike you like that type, Angelica? ”
“ No, but I'm not comfortable learning how wealthy you are. I see how you dress and now I see how you live. I recognize the value of your furnishings and art work. I suspect you own this penthouse and I'm aware of what these cost. I'm betting you could retire today and spend the rest of your life living in luxury. Am I right? ”
He nodded. “ Angelica, I come from generations of wealth, but I broke away and created my wealth by myself. Other than the money, I'm a regular guy who likes ordinary things. I enjoy fine food and good clothes, but I don't jet-set around the world or rub elbows with high society. I'm acquainted with them, they accept me, but they bore me to death. I consider their lives empty.
“ I attend the charitable events they host, I applaud their good works and I contribute, but I don't spend the summers partying with them in the Hamptons, flying to Monte Carlo on a whim, skiing in Aspen over Christmas. I told you that when we're at my parents, Christmas day will be a day of lounging, playing board games, eating leftovers. Except for my parent's home, you'd never guess their worth by the lives they lead. Please don't lump me in with those men who wanted arm candy and didn't respect you. ”
She walked to his arms and hugged him. “ I had to say it. Your luxury surprised me. I didn't expect it because you don't fit the mold. Cray, I'll take you at face value, trust my judgment and pray another side of you doesn't appear. ”
Cray checked his wristwatch and said, “ We need to get showered and dressed to be there by seven. ”
“ You go. Do you mind if I roam, peek in closets? ”
“ Help yourself. There's a wine cooler in the kitchen. Will you choose something for us and pour us a glass? You'll find the glasses to the right of the sink. ”
“ White or red? ”
“ You choose. Do you need me to remove the cork? ” She shook her head. “ The cork remover is in the drawer above the cooler. ”
Ten minutes later, carrying two glasses of wine she used her hip to open the bathroom door. Cray stood in front of the double vanity with a towel around his waist and shaving cream on his face. He grinned at her intrusion and said, “ Will you set the glass on the counter, please? I'll be out of here in a few minutes and it's all yours. ”
She set the glass near him and perched on the edge of the tub. “ I love watching a man shave. I used to watch my dad shave. Of course, he had on more clothes than you do. Do you mind me being here? ”
“ No, it's nice. ”
“ I love the den and I can see why you gravitate there. While I'm here can we light the fireplace? My apartment doesn't have one and that's something I miss. I had one in one of the apartments where I lived in southern California, but it's for effect and I figured kind of pointless. The weather doesn't warrant lighting a fire and
“ In my mid twenties, I accepted their invitations, never the lavish gifts and I didn't accompany them to the exotic places of the world they offered. At first I was flattered, me a simple girl from Norway raised in a middle-class family being showered with attention from men who could give me the world if I'd do their bidding. They liked my social graces and manners, but they wanted me on their arm and silent. I learned that wealthy men have an arrogance that's grating to a woman with a mind of her own. A beautiful woman's function on the arm of a wealthy man is to make him look good. They don't respect women. It's a generality, but it's my personal experience. ”
“ Do I strike you like that type, Angelica? ”
“ No, but I'm not comfortable learning how wealthy you are. I see how you dress and now I see how you live. I recognize the value of your furnishings and art work. I suspect you own this penthouse and I'm aware of what these cost. I'm betting you could retire today and spend the rest of your life living in luxury. Am I right? ”
He nodded. “ Angelica, I come from generations of wealth, but I broke away and created my wealth by myself. Other than the money, I'm a regular guy who likes ordinary things. I enjoy fine food and good clothes, but I don't jet-set around the world or rub elbows with high society. I'm acquainted with them, they accept me, but they bore me to death. I consider their lives empty.
“ I attend the charitable events they host, I applaud their good works and I contribute, but I don't spend the summers partying with them in the Hamptons, flying to Monte Carlo on a whim, skiing in Aspen over Christmas. I told you that when we're at my parents, Christmas day will be a day of lounging, playing board games, eating leftovers. Except for my parent's home, you'd never guess their worth by the lives they lead. Please don't lump me in with those men who wanted arm candy and didn't respect you. ”
She walked to his arms and hugged him. “ I had to say it. Your luxury surprised me. I didn't expect it because you don't fit the mold. Cray, I'll take you at face value, trust my judgment and pray another side of you doesn't appear. ”
Cray checked his wristwatch and said, “ We need to get showered and dressed to be there by seven. ”
“ You go. Do you mind if I roam, peek in closets? ”
“ Help yourself. There's a wine cooler in the kitchen. Will you choose something for us and pour us a glass? You'll find the glasses to the right of the sink. ”
“ White or red? ”
“ You choose. Do you need me to remove the cork? ” She shook her head. “ The cork remover is in the drawer above the cooler. ”
Ten minutes later, carrying two glasses of wine she used her hip to open the bathroom door. Cray stood in front of the double vanity with a towel around his waist and shaving cream on his face. He grinned at her intrusion and said, “ Will you set the glass on the counter, please? I'll be out of here in a few minutes and it's all yours. ”
She set the glass near him and perched on the edge of the tub. “ I love watching a man shave. I used to watch my dad shave. Of course, he had on more clothes than you do. Do you mind me being here? ”
“ No, it's nice. ”
“ I love the den and I can see why you gravitate there. While I'm here can we light the fireplace? My apartment doesn't have one and that's something I miss. I had one in one of the apartments where I lived in southern California, but it's for effect and I figured kind of pointless. The weather doesn't warrant lighting a fire and
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