“I thought we could enjoy the weather. It’s finally warm, and the aromatic putrid of the city hasn’t risen up this far yet.
“It’s not that bad.” I laughed. “It’s better after the garbage strike for sure.”
He laughed, and my heart swelled.
“How was your day?” I asked.
“Exhausting. I’d rather hear about yours.”
Ben took my hand and led me over to the lounger. He poured two glasses of Prosecco and dropped an orange slice in mine. Soft jazz played in the background, accompanied by the sounds of the city and constant car horns as accents.
“Are you expecting more people?” I asked, reaching for a strawberry.
“Lori always makes enough for several guests, in case.”
“In case a football team comes over.” I laughed, nudging him. “Joking. Lori is very considerate, and she takes good care of you.”
He pressed against me. “You have taken very.” Kiss. “Very.” Kiss. “Good care of me.” Wrapping his hand around my neck, his tongue swept my bottom lip, and we made out like school kids.
He pulled my knees up around his arm and laid me down on the lounger. The weight of his body felt comforting.
“It’s been a long week, but having you under me is taking the tension away,” he said with a sly grin.
He swirled his hips several times, and the pressure helped my throbbing in all the right places. My nipples hardened as the warmth between my legs grew. When he sat up, my body protested.
“There are a few things we need to talk about before I fuck you until you can’t scream my name anymore.”
I gawked.
Then I was ready to pounce.
“You better hurry it up.” I sat up, fixing my shirt.
Ben grabbed a plate and handed it to me. “Eat, then we’ll discuss business.”
The mood changed quickly, catching me off guard.
“This sounds serious. Have you made a decision about the position?”
He fixed himself a plate of fruit and cheese and settled back.
“No, I’m still deciding,” he said with a full mouth, “but whatever happens, I won’t interfere in your career.”
“I respect your opinion, Ben. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have this opportunity. Even though I’m not sure about the venues...”
“Are they not handling things?” He went into Ben Schilling businessman mode. “I told Gianna—”
“You what?” I gave him a side-eye before laughing.
“Yes, I see the irony...”
“Glad you do. Ben, I’ve been waiting for this chance for so long, but I’m not sure if I’m being heard. I want to stay indie.” He nodded to continue. “I prefer the smaller venues. From everything they threw at me about the changes that could occur, all I could think of was: how does this affect my... relationships?”
He placed his plate down. “Explain.”
“I’m grateful that others see my work and are excited about it. They’re talking about me opening for huge artists and large venues.”
“And that’s a problem because...”
“I don’t know, maybe it’s nerves.”
“Melody, I’m asking you for a reason. I’ve met several artists who prefer smaller crowds, and they are well-known. What you feel isn’t as uncommon as you may think.”
I kissed him.
“I can meddle some more if you like,” he smirked.
I laughed, kissing him again. “Thank you.”
Ben took a sip from his glass and wiped his hands, relaxing back.
“I’ve been looking at the future more than usual lately, and that includes you.”
My stomach felt as if it shifted, a large weight dropped in my gut. I prepared myself for what he was about to say. Looking around at the beautiful setup, thinking what a way to deflect from the reality. He had to take over his father’s company, which meant less time for anything pleasurable until things were nailed down.
I found myself holding my breath.
“Being in this house alone was hell. I missed you while you were gone. I needed you.”
“Ben, you could have called, and I would have been here. I thought you needed time after the funeral.”
“Melody, I’m admitting this because I want you in my life. I want to come home and find you here. I want to wake up next to you. I love you, and I’m saying I don’t see a future without you. I was giving you time to think about what all of this will entail, but I don’t give a damn anymore. I need you with me by my side.”
As I exhaled, the tears fell. I loved him and everything he brought to the table, even the unknown.
“I’m not hungry,” I said, sitting up.
“Is that so.”
“I’m kind of tired.” I yawned.
“It is late,” he added, brow arched.
“Very.” I smiled.
He stood, taking my hand, and led us to the bedroom.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Melody
“Gianna, thank you for having me.”
“No thanks needed. We’ll be seeing much more of each other in the future.” She wheeled away from the table, and I followed her down the ramp into the living room.
Her townhome—or mansion—on the Upper East Side was extraordinary. It overlooked Central Park and was the size of several townhouses put together. The scale of the interior was remarkable. When I first walked in, it was as if I stepped into a museum. There were murals on the ceilings and tapestries on the walls.
It was originally their childhood home, and she said everything had pretty much stayed the same from when her mother designed it. Now, it was all hers to do what she pleased. She did allow Tisch to stay until she moved into her father’s Manhattan apartment.
Ben and Gianna were the sole heirs, but Ben wanted to make sure Tisch was taken care of. He’d promised his father and would have never let her fend for herself. I didn’t think she ever had to work a day in her life.
Gianna offered coffee after lunch to be served in the living room, and I sat across from her on the sofa.
“You know, Ben will always be behind the scenes. Will that bother you?”
I laughed. “He told me he wouldn’t, but I expected otherwise.”
“How do you feel about him becoming Managing Partner?”
Ben told me the night before he was going to accept the position. Whatever he decided, I made it clear I would be by his side.
“I should be asking you that question.”
“I like you.” She grinned. “How do I feel working my ass off all of these years to prove I could run Harper and still have the Board and my father think otherwise?”
Her butler brought in the coffee and prepared it to my liking.
“They only see the disability. They might have overlooked the fact I was born a woman, but the disability... We haven’t come that far.”
“My mother always told me to put myself in the other person’s shoes. It’s helped me look at people differently.”
“Honey, these stilettos come with a heavy price.” She lifted her skirt and flashed the gorgeous blue-red sole heels.
“From what Ben has mentioned, you wear them very well.”