Give Me More--A Sexy Billionaire Romance A.C. Arthur (the giving tree read aloud .TXT) 📖

to respond to that. She didn’t really know what else to say, either. There was a dull ache in her chest and she was still feeling like a breakdown was imminent. She needed to get him out of here because the last thing she wanted was for RJ to see how badly he’d hurt her.

“I don’t want to lose you, Grace. Not again.” His words were so sincere, and Grace wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms and say that all was well, but it wasn’t.

When he was gone, she locked the door and sat on the couch, dropping her head into her hands. She hadn’t trusted him with her feelings about her career in the past, and tonight he hadn’t trusted her to keep her word. Did that mean they shouldn’t be together? She didn’t know. Was she overreacting? She wasn’t sure. Was everything she was feeling in this place, amid all the wedding excitement, wreaking havoc with her emotions and the commitment she’d made to her career? Possibly.

It was all so confusing and exhausting. All Grace knew for certain was that the man she loved had just walked out that door and she was sitting here feeling like he probably had years ago—that love was a cruel joke and she no longer wanted any part of it.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Four months later

Manhattan, New York

“I CAN’T BELIEVE you’re still acting like this,” Maurice said. He was standing near the door of the suite RJ had reserved at the Park Lane Hotel, where Ron and Marva’s anniversary party was being held.

RJ looked in the mirror one last time, adjusting his bow tie and then smoothing his hand over his beard. “I got this,” he told his brother.

Major, who was lounging in the chair across the room, laughed. “You always say that.”

RJ turned to face both of them. “And I always mean it.”

“Yeah, but we haven’t seen Grace since Saint Lucia and we know the two of you are in love, so what gives? Are you getting her back or are you just gonna sit on your ass like you did before and let her get away again?” Maurice wasn’t known to mince words.

“My love life is none of your business,” RJ said, enjoying the perplexed look on Maurice’s face.

“I mean, you can’t still be upset with her,” Major interjected. “The story that appeared in the paper was touching and painted Dad and Tobias as trailblazers and role models. It even spotlighted how much influence Mom had on the business in the early years. We’ve received nothing but good press behind it.”

That was true. The week after Riley’s wedding, the story had been printed in the Daily Gazette and posted on all digital media outlets. The Golds and the Kings were making headlines once more, but this time it was in a way that would ensure their story would go down in history. To RJ and the rest of the family’s surprise, a few photos from their outings in Saint Lucia and one photo of both families together at the wedding were also released with the story. Riley had called from her honeymoon in Venice to tell them she and Chaz had approved the pictures and worked out an agreement with Grace to have them released with her story.

“The good press made up for that mind-blowing admission Mom gave just before the wedding,” Maurice added with a rare frown on his face.

Major sat up in the chair then, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “Yeah, I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that Mom dated Tobias first.”

RJ agreed with his brothers; that part of the story had been a shock to his system and had also taught him one of the most important lessons of his life—to fight for love, no matter the circumstances. “I’m glad she told us,” he said, even though a part of him wished Marva and Ron had told them the full story a long time ago. Preferably before he blew up at Grace about it.

“And I don’t blame Tobias for being pissed,” RJ continued. “If I were in his position I would’ve been angry enough to quit as well.”

“Yeah,” Maurice agreed. “Me, too. If Major had dated Desta after me and then ended up marrying her, I’d be ready to strangle him.”

Major smirked. “I beat your fiancée at poker last week and you were ready to bite my head off, so believe me, man, I know.”

The brothers shared a laugh at the memory of their monthly poker game. Desta was still the only woman who attended and she routinely beat the brakes off each of them, so Major had really celebrated his win last week. Until Maurice had threatened to stuff him in the closet if he didn’t pipe down. RJ had enjoyed seeing his family happy.

Riley and Chaz had bought another house, this one in the country as a getaway for when they wanted to leave all the hustle and bustle of the city. Maurice and Desta were now planning their upcoming winter wedding at the ski resort where they’d learned they’d been email pen pals. Major and Nina were over the moon with excitement in anticipation of their son, who was expected in December. And RJ, well, he was doing just fine, too, despite what his brothers thought.

“We should get downstairs. The party’s about to start and you know how Mom is about being late.” RJ walked toward the door and Major stood from his chair to follow him.

“You really aren’t going to go after her, man? You two are meant to be together,” Major said when the three Gold brothers walked out of the suite.

They each wore RGold black tuxedos with gold satin vests and ties. Tonight, Ron and Marva were celebrating their thirty-sixth wedding anniversary and the announcement of Ron’s retirement at a lavish gold-and-white-themed party.

“I know Grace and I are meant to be together,” RJ said when they were finally in the elevator.

Maurice