Part 8 (1/2)
But Colby Wingate's beauty stood out. It was different, it was unique and, like the perfume she wore, the only way he could think to describe it was to simply define it as Colby. Even with her feistiness, there was a rare innocent quality that seemed to radiate from her. He had felt that way ever since their first kiss yesterday. Initially, he had dismissed such a notion as ludicrous. After all, she was twenty-six years old. But then after their kiss today in the park, he wasn't too sure anymore. Although she had returned his kiss with a hunger so intense it had fueled his own, it had been a curious hunger, an uncertain hunger. It was as if she'd been unsure just what kind of hunger had overtaken her. And it had made him want her more than he had ever wanted a woman before.
”You look nice, too, Sterling.”
Colby's words penetrated the silence in the room. She watched as Sterling's gaze returned to her mouth. And there it lingered once again. The suite suddenly appeared smaller and Sterling's height and breadth became larger than life. Thinking more of her own survival than anything else, Colby forced a quick smile and took a step back into the room.
”I'm ready. I just need to grab my purse,” she said almost breathlessly. She tried to sound calm and composed but knew she'd failed miserably under the intense perusal of his eyes.
”This is for you,” he said in a deep masculine voice as he handed her a small box.
Colby raised a brow as she took the gift-wrapped package from him. She had been so engrossed in her appraisal of him that she hadn't noticed him holding anything in his hand. ”What is it?”
He shrugged with indifference. ”Why don't you open it and see.”
Colby didn't miss the silky timbre that suddenly appeared in his voice. She met his gaze. ”All right.” She slowly opened the box.
She gasped. There inside the box on emerald-green velvet was a five-carat diamond solitaire ring. ”Sterling!”
He took the box from her still-shocked fingers. ”It's your engagement ring,” he said, placing the huge ring on the third finger of her left hand. ”This officially makes us engaged.”
”B-but you didn't have to get anything so...so extravagant. I didn't expect it.”
He released her hand. ”Maybe you didn't, but the media will. I've never been engaged before, so they'll expect the woman I've chosen to become my wife to have some huge glittering representation of my esteemed affection,” he said. ”If you're ready, we can leave now. I've made reservations.”
Colby wasn't given the chance to ask where they were going as she found herself quickly ushered from the hotel to a beautiful sleek red Jaguar. Sterling opened the car door for her.
”This is a beautiful car, and it's my favorite color,” she said, lowering herself inside the polished leather of the expensive vehicle.
”I'm glad you like it,” Sterling replied as he got under the steering wheel. ”For some reason I knew you would look good in red,” he said.
Colby a.s.sumed the comment had been made in reference to her outfit until Sterling added, ”It will be s.h.i.+pped to you in a few days.”
”What will?”
”This car.”
She thought she must have heard him wrong. She sat upright. ”Excuse me?”
Sterling had expertly eased the car out into traffic before he responded. ”This car. It's an engagement present from me to you, and I'll send it to you in Virginia.”
Colby was aghast. ”You can't give me this car!”
Sterling raised a brow. ”I can't?”
”Of course, you can't.”
”Why not?”
”It's not proper and you can't do it.”
Sterling shook his head. She was the only woman he knew who seemed to care about what was or was not proper. Most of the women he dated didn't give a flip. In fact, they thrived on doing improper things.
”Colby, I can do anything I want to do, and you're getting the car.”
”Well, I don't want it!”
He frowned. ”Of course, you want it. You're a woman. All women like expensive presents. Why should I believe you're any different?”
Sterling regretted saying the words the moment they had left his mouth. Deep down, a part of him knew in actuality, she was was different. Although he wasn't sure to what degree, he believed Colby Wingate was different from any other woman he had ever come in contact with. He had reached that conclusion after watching the video that showed her interacting with her cla.s.s, and then meeting her. But still, a part of him would never fully trust her or any woman. And although he had all intentions of marrying her, their marriage would not be forever. It was a business deal and nothing more. He had spent too many years with his emotions locked up deep inside of him. And he wasn't about to unleash them now. More than ever, he would have to keep his guard up around Colby. She had a way of getting next to him and if he wasn't careful, he would find her suddenly embedded right under his skin. different. Although he wasn't sure to what degree, he believed Colby Wingate was different from any other woman he had ever come in contact with. He had reached that conclusion after watching the video that showed her interacting with her cla.s.s, and then meeting her. But still, a part of him would never fully trust her or any woman. And although he had all intentions of marrying her, their marriage would not be forever. It was a business deal and nothing more. He had spent too many years with his emotions locked up deep inside of him. And he wasn't about to unleash them now. More than ever, he would have to keep his guard up around Colby. She had a way of getting next to him and if he wasn't careful, he would find her suddenly embedded right under his skin.
Colby sat in brooding silence. Sterling's words had hurt her in a way he would never know. Evidently most of the women he knew walked around with dollar signs in their eyes and placed money above everything. If that was the case, then she was was different. different.
Her parents had been two hard-working, G.o.d-fearing, middle-cla.s.s black Americans who had provided her and James with a good and loving home, and had instilled in them good moral values and a firm belief in doing what was right. Even after their deaths when James had become her legal guardian, he had continued to provide that strong foundation for her. No matter how much studying he had to do on the weekends, he had carved out precious time for her and spent a part of his Sat.u.r.days doing fun things with her; and then on Sundays he had taken her to Sunday school and church.
She knew, like Reverend Johnson often said, money was not the root of all evil but the love of it was. Even when James had worked hard putting all his time and energy into his business, she and Cynthia had known it hadn't been about money. It had been about accomplis.h.i.+ng a goal in life and making the best out of a talent G.o.d had given you no matter what the odds.
”We're here.”
Sterling's words invaded Colby's thoughts. She looked out the window and was not surprised he had taken her to a restaurant she could immediately tell was frequented by the elite and wealthy.
Most of the cars lining the parking lot were very expensive. A valet dressed in a short-waisted white jacket and dark trousers greeted them. No sooner had they alighted from the car than they were thrust upon by a swarm of reporters surrounding the establishment. They suddenly found themselves caught in the firing line of flash bulbs.
”Who's your new lady this month, Mr. Hamilton?” a lanky reporter asked as he held his miniature tape recorder in his hand.
”Where's Diamond Swain? Does she know she's been replaced? Or has she really? When was the last time you saw her?” another reporter asked.
Then there came a question from a third. ”How long will your fling with this one last, Hamilton? Considering your track record, I'd say a week or two.”
Sterling laughed. ”Gentlemen, can't the lady and I enjoy a nice evening without your endless questions?”
”Hey, look at the size of the rock on this broad's hand,” the lanky reporter exclaimed, getting the attention of the others.
Sterling gave the lanky reporter a leveled stare. ”The lady isn't a broad and don't ever call her that again.”
Then he turned his gaze on the other dozen or so reporters who seemed to have all gone temporarily speechless. He knew the reason. He rarely came to the defense of any women he was with.
”I think it's time I set the record straight,” he replied smoothly, sliding a possessive arm around Colby's waist and pulling her closer to his side. Colby came to him willingly although he could tell she was somewhat nervous from all the attention she was getting.
”This is Colby Wingate, and as of this afternoon she became my fiancee.”
This was news and what followed Sterling's statement was an explosion of more questions, one fired right behind the other. One reporter drowned out his colleagues as he unceremoniously raised his voice above the others. ”Where did you come from, Ms. Wingate? And exactly what do you do for a living?”
Acute nervousness churned inside Colby. She looked at Sterling and to her surprise he gave her an a.s.suring wink. That wink somehow gave her the inner strength she needed to answer the reporter's question in a rather calm voice. ”As you can tell, I'm not a model. I've got too much hair for it,” she said, jokingly placing the blame on her long, thick hair and not her size-ten figure. Her comment elicited laughter from all, including Sterling.
”I'm from Richmond, Virginia. And I'm a schoolteacher. I teach third grade.”
”A teacher! Sterling Hamilton is marrying a schoolteacher and not a Hollywood glamour girl?” someone in the crowd shouted out.
”But take a good look at this teacher. They never looked like that when I was in school. If I would have had one who looked like her, I would've volunteered to stay back in third grade another year or two,” another reporter shouted. His statement got chuckles and nods of agreement from the others.