Sinful Desire

Sophie cringed inside, then she plastered on her best smile. “I can’t even begin to guess.”

Soon he was escorting her to an office where a young, blond man was bent over his laptop.

“Taylor, my boy. I have someone I want you to meet,” Clyde said, and the young man looked up. He was handsome, sported a nice smile, and boasted straight white teeth that could only be courtesy of the best orthodontia money could buy. “This is Sophie, our city’s leading philanthropist, who is spearheading plans for the community center fundraiser.”

“That’s so great. I’m one hundred percent behind that.” He pushed back from the desk in his rolling chair, walked over to her, and extended a hand.

He had a strong grip, and Sophie catalogued that as a good thing. “Pleasure to meet you, Taylor. Clyde raves about his favorite grandson, and I promise I won’t tell the others he likes you best.”

Taylor laughed. “Excellent. I won’t tell the other fundraisers that you’re his favorite then, too,” he said with a we’ve got a secret wink.

“We’re in cahoots then,” she said, with a cheery smile for the fresh-faced law school graduate. “How are you finding the transition from law school to the corporate world?”

“My grandfather works me hard. The other day, for instance, he only let me take a one-hour lunch to play the cards at the MGM instead of the two hours he gives the senior partners.”

“I’m so cruel,” Clyde said with a hearty laugh.

After another minute of casual chatter, she said goodbye, and Clyde saw her to the lobby.

“That went quite well didn’t it?” he said, a huge grin on his face.

“He is lovely indeed,” Sophie said. Also six years younger than me, and I’m not a cradler-robber.

“Perhaps the two of you could attend the concert together,” he said, then snapped his fingers. “Wait. I have a better idea. Why don’t you go out before? Have a nice dinner. On me.”

She wanted to put her foot down, but she also didn’t want to offend this man who she needed in her court by turning down his grandson. Nor did she want to lie to him. She wanted to live a life free of lies, and free of trickery. She also wanted to operate on her own terms, not conform to the expectations of the men she worked with, whether they were back in the tech world or the titans of industry with fat wallets now.

“Oh, Clyde you are such a darling,” she said, stalling for time.

“What do you think about that?” he said, undeterred.

“Why are you so eager to set him up? He’s a handsome, smart, sweet man. Seems he could easily find a date on his own.”

Clyde lowered his voice. “I want to leave him the firm. And I want to know he’s with a woman who’s not going to try to take all my money,” he said in a you-get-my-drift voice.

Oh, she got it. She definitely got it. Because she had money, she wouldn’t need his. Clyde assumed she was the type of woman who’d sign a pre-nup. Well, maybe she was that type of woman. But still…the notion of why she was his top choice made her feel greasy.

“Also, you’re the most delightful young woman I know,” he added, as if that reason suddenly would hold water. “The two of you could be a wonderful match.”

Sophie had other ideas about what made a good match. Besides, who said she was looking for something serious? She was quite content with her life as it was, thank you very much. If she wanted anything right now, it was passion. It was sparks and fire.

It was Ryan Sloan, and the way he commanded her pleasure.

Oh God, just his name in her head sent heat flaring in her body.

Which meant it was time to nip this thing with Clyde in the bud. She’d run a multi-million dollar company for several years, and she hadn’t gotten to that position by letting the men she worked with try to set her up.

She touched Clyde on the shoulder with her fingertips. “Clyde, you know I adore you. And I could humor you right now simply to stay in your good graces, but I want to be totally honest. Your grandson is lovely. However, I’ve started seeing someone, and it’s going quite well so far. So I’m not really on the market at the moment.”

He frowned. “Is it serious?”

“Clyde,” she said softly. “It’s not a matter of whether it’s serious. It’s a matter of choice. I’m choosing to see someone right now, and likely I’ll be bringing him to the benefit. I hope this won’t affect your support of the center, but it’s important to me to be honest with you.”

Clyde took a deep breath and nodded, as if he were processing this news. She mentally crossed her fingers, praying she hadn’t messed up by being frank. She held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t snatch away his funding.

“I’ve been too presumptuous,” he said, contrition in his tone. “And I respect you for saying that. And of course I remain a committed supporter.” Then he fixed on a cheery smile. “And I look forward to meeting this man at the event.”