Chapter 2

Jared’s POV

I looked at the pictures my assistant brought me, and one woman stood out. Tiffany Harding of Harding International Bank. They were disgustingly rich, and William Harding was said to pass the company down to Tiffany. However, everyone knew he was old school and wanted her to marry first. She was gorgeous and had a hot body. I licked my lips. If I could win her favor not only would I get a taste of her, but I’d be set to receive their fortune and their company through her.

“This one.” I passed her information over to my assistant Gregory.

“Sorry sir, there’s been a mistake, she’s engaged now. I meant to remove her profile from the papers.” He told me.

“She’s not married yet, so I still have a chance.” I replied.

“Technically, you’re correct, sir.” He answered me.

“Get me an invitation to her engagement party. I want to introduce myself to her and her fiancé. I need to scope out the competition.” I ordered Gregory.

He bowed slightly and left the room. He had left behind Tiffany’s profile, and I looked over her picture again. She had long, curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and pouty lips. She also had big tits and a nice ass. I was thankful this was a full body picture where I was able to get a good look at her. I palmed my crotch. I would catch her soon enough and make her mine.

Tiffany’s POV

Today was the engagement party and I was dressed in a slinky black dress that glittered with black stilettos, a black pearl necklace and matching bracelet. My hair was up and straightened today.

I ordered my driver to pick up Travis from the address that he sent me. We had met up at the diner every day this week but I’ve yet to go to his house.

We pulled into a very nice neighbor and the driver stopped at a large two-story house. There were a couple of expensive cars in the driveway and then there was the black Honda that I saw the first time we met. I wondered who he had over.

I sent him a text letting him know we arrived and a minute later I watched as he came out in a black suit with a white tie. His hair was styled, and he looked very dignified. I smiled to myself, glad that he was taking this seriously.

He opened the door to the limo and scooted in across from me.

“Hey baby,” he winked at me.

“Hey babe.” I smiled back at him.

His violet eyes shone bright, and his smile was radiant. He really was a handsome man.

“Who do you have over?” I asked him.

“What do you mean? I was home alone.” He replied.

“The extra cars in your driveway.” I pointed out.

“Oh, those are mine.” He laughed.

“Hmm.” I was surprised. I thought he’d be hurting for money, especially since he agreed to my proposal so quickly.

I couldn’t question him very much because we had a driver who could be listening in. The plan was only between Travis and me. I did not even tell my best friend Matthew, just in case my father would somehow find out.

Soon we arrived at an event venue downtown and the driver got out and opened the door for us. Travis climbed out first and then reached out his hand to help me. His hand felt large and cool holding mine and I got goosebumps from his touch. I rubbed my arm, trying to make them go away.

We both held our heads up high as we walked into the venue where the party was to take place. We looked like the perfect couple, and I smiled internally.

“Hello, sweetheart. It’s a pleasure to see you and to meet your fiancé, Travis, was it?” My father said with a wide smile as he came to us. He gave me a big hug and shook Travis’ hand.

“You as well, sir.” Travis greeted respectfully.

My father laughed, “call me William. We’re family now.”

“Thank you, William.” Travis smiled at my father.

So far so good. I looked around at all the business folks that my father had invited. He loved using parties as an excuse for business. Frankly, so did I. I was like my father, obsessed with work. That’s why my mother left him when I was little. My father taught me to be strong and independent so that I could survive the dog-eat-dog world.

My father excused himself and walked off to greet some of the other guests. I took Travis’ hand to do the same.

“Tiffany!” I heard my name called out. I turned around to see Matthew and squealed. I ran to him and gave him a big hug.

“Matthew! Glad to see you made it!” I told him excitedly.

“Let me meet your fiancé,” he told me.

I grabbed Travis by the arm and pulled him forward to meet Matthew.

I watched as Matthew looked him up and down and then frowned.

Travis reached out his hand to shake Matthew’s and afterwards I noticed Matthew rubbing his hand like he was in pain.

“Nice to meet you, Matthew.” Travis smiled at him. There was a weird look in Travis’ eye that I couldn’t understand.

“You too, Travis.” Matthew grumbled.

I elbowed Matthew, “be nice.”

Matthew was a bit of a big brother when it came to men I was seeing. None of them were ever good enough for me. To be honest, we wouldn’t date long anyway. They always expected something physical from me and I didn’t feel the same way. Even Matthew didn’t know I was still a virgin.

We soon said goodbye to Matthew and walked off to greet more guests.

Travis leaned down and whispered in my ear, “you know Matthew is in love with you.”

I busted out laughing. “He thinks of me like a little sister, I can assure you.”

Travis hummed and didn’t say anything else on the matter.

As we were leaving from speaking with Tracy and Henry Carleton, a man came up and introduced himself. He was tall with brown hair and green eyes, and he had dimples when he smiled.

“Please let me introduce myself, I’m Jared Currington.” He said as he grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it.

“Pleasure to meet you, I’m Tiffany Harding and this is my fiancé, Travis Gilmore.” I introduced myself and Travis to him.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance. Tiffany, may I have a word with you in private?” He asked.

I looked up at Travis and he frowned. It was the first time today I’d seen him look unhappy. I dismissed the look and walked off with Jared to see what he wanted. I assumed it had to do with business.

“Tiffany, I just must tell you that you look absolutely stunning. If you don’t already know, my family is from old money in south Texas. I think we would be a good match for each other.” He said with a smile.

My jaw dropped; he was propositioning me at my engagement party.

“I’m sorry but I’m engaged. This conversation is highly inappropriate.” I informed him.

“You’re engaged, not married. I have confidence that I can convince you that we would be good together.” He told me.

I started to step away from him, this conversation was making me uncomfortable.

Thankfully, Travis came to my rescue. “Let’s go dance, baby.” He smiled down at me.

I looked up at him gratefully, “yes, let’s.”

Travis’ POV

Jared was filled with nasty thoughts about Tiffany. He wanted her money, her father’s company, and her body. That was his sole goal coming here today. It wasn’t going to happen on my watch.

I could see Tiffany getting uncomfortable around him, so I intervened and asked her to dance. She gave me a grateful smile and we left Jared to stew angrily.

“Thank you for saving me,” she smiled at me.

“That’s what I’m here for.” I whispered in her ear.

I took her dainty hand and guided her to the dance floor where I twirled her around and we began to sway to the music.

I could feel her grow more comfortable with me as she rested her head on my chest as we continued to dance.

Soon the song ended, and another guy asked her to dance with him. His thoughts were innocent, and he just wanted to talk business, so I relented.

As I walked off the dance floor Matthew approached me, “I know what you’re doing.”

He thought I was after her money, and I laughed on the inside.

“I assure you that you do not. We are in love.” I told him with a grin.

“I don’t believe it. Soon Tiffany will see through your lies.” He threatened.

“When are you going to tell her, you love her?” I asked baiting him.

He turned red as a tomato and sputtered, “you’re wrong.”

“Soon she’ll see through your lies.” I taunted back.

He frowned and turned around to run off. Confused about how I knew his secret. Even if I couldn’t read his mind, I would’ve been able to tell. He was obvious in his feelings. He was slightly shorter than me with dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes, he reminded me a bit of Xander. I could also tell that he worked out a lot. But he wouldn’t stand a chance with Tiffany, she saw him as a brother.

Man after man invited Tiffany to dance and I stood back, waiting in case I needed to intervene again. She happily talked business to all of them and I could tell her passion was work.

Her father found me again waiting by the dance floor and he pulled me away to chat.

“As you know, Tiffany is my only daughter and my sole heir, I want you to take exceptionally good care of her. She’s the most important thing in my life. However, if you break her heart, I’m powerful enough to end you.” He warned.

“We are in love, sir. I hope to make her incredibly happy.” I told him what he wanted to hear, relieving some of his anxiety.

“Glad to hear it son. I look forward to the wedding.” He told me with a grin.

The party was starting to wind down and I could tell Tiffany was getting tired of dancing.

I went to her and helped her off the dance floor and to a table to sit.

“Do you want a drink?” I asked her.

“Yes, please. I think I need a few.” She answered with a laugh.

I went to get myself some tequila and her a strawberry daiquiri.

When I returned to the table, Matthew was chatting away with Tiffany. He was trying to tell her how he disliked me and thought this engagement was a bad idea.

I saw her sigh and pat his shoulder in a friendly manner.

“I know what I’m doing.” She told him.

“I just worry about you Tiff. You’re important to me.” He told her.

More like he wants her to himself.

I interrupted the two to hand Tiffany her drink and she sipped on it slowly.

I grabbed one of her legs and took off her stilettos, followed by the other foot and began to massage her feet. She threw back her head and moaned, bringing to life a need in me.

I willed my dick not to get hard and continued rubbing.

After she finished her drink, she asked for another. And another. Soon she was drunk.