Mid Life Love (Mid Life Love #1)(130)

He stopped walking and blinked. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but then he turned towards the crowd again and smiled as he took to the podium.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” he spoke.

“Good evening,” the crowd responded.

“As many of you know, this week is about fostering new friendships, and rekindling ones that may have gotten lost in the madness that is technological advancement. That said, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with all of you—no, just a few of you...”

The crowd laughed.

“Mr. Lowell isn’t a man of many words and he only wanted me to say a few things: Let’s make sure that this conference is as unforgettable as the ones that came before it, and that tonight—the first night—is all pleasure and no business whatsoever. We have all week for that.” He flipped over a notecard. “To the newest attendees, be sure to network with those who are in your same field and choose your morning sessions very wisely. To those who have been here before, I’m sure I don’t need to say much about how this works. And to those who are here with a date,” he said as his eyes met mine again, “there are plenty of things for you to do here during the day if you choose not to accompany your date to the tech events. Thank you all so much. Enjoy the rest of your night.” He kept his eyes on me as the audience clapped, and then he walked off the stage, shaking hands with whoever stepped in front of him.

I turned around and made myself another drink. Then I felt an arm wrap around my waist.

Jonathan?

“So, this is where you disappeared.” Damien laughed. “Are you having a good time so far?”

“Yes.” I need to get out of here...“Could you tell me where the restrooms—” I felt Jonathan getting close before I could see him. That electrical current that rushed through my veins whenever he was nearby suddenly shocked me into silence.

“What were you saying, Claire?”

“Good evening, Mr. Edwards.” Jonathan’s deep voice made both of us turn around. “It’s interesting to see you again.”

“Well, well well, it’s Jonathan Statham.” Damien pulled me closer, making Jonathan clench his jaw. “I’m shocked you didn’t bring up your new sPhone red in your speech. Are you actually becoming classier or are you taking classes on how not to be an ass**le?”

“I’m taking classes—from the same lawyer who handles your divorces. Has he prevented your ex-wife from suing you for all your worth yet or wait—how many ex-wives do you exactly have now? Three? Four? Are we counting the six week wife from Vegas these days?”

“Touché.” Damien rolled his eyes. “Claire, this is the royal pain in my ass I’ve been telling you about—Jonathan Statham, and Jonathan, this is my girlfriend, Claire Gracen.”

“Girlfriend?”

“Yes, girlfriend. She used to work as a director in your marketing department. Small world, right?”

“Too small.”

“Mr. Edwards?” A woman tapped Damien’s shoulder. “We have Tamisha J. from our overseas headquarters here to see you. She wants a quick picture if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” He kissed my cheek. “Be right back, sweetheart. Jonathan...” He walked away.

I looked up at Jonathan and we stared at one another, not saying a word for what felt like an eternity. My heart was pounding against my chest, my nerves were jumping up and down, and the palpable electricity between us was pulling me closer and closer to him.

Even though his eyes were cold and his lips were pressed into a subtle scowl, he looked sexier than he’d ever looked before.

I took a few steps forward, without taking my eyes off him, and tried to keep it together. “Jonathan...I am so sor—”

“I didn’t leave you with my competition for too long did I?” Damien pulled me against his side. He kissed my cheek again and I could see a vein in Jonathan’s neck swelling.

“Have you heard about Hannigan from TruCorp, Jonathan?” He didn’t wait for him to respond. “Differences aside, I think he’s really onto something with his new data configuration board. It looks pretty promising.”

“I’ll have to look into that.” Jonathan stated dryly. “Thank you, Damien.”

“What are bitter rivals for? I’m actually glad you decided to show up here for a change. It’ll make for a more interesting week.”

“Yes.” Jonathan narrowed his eyes at me. “It will definitely be interesting.”

Chapter 32

Claire

Coming here is the worst decision I’ve ever made...

I was sitting near the edge of the resort’s private beach, pretending to read my e-reader, but secretly watching Jonathan walk alongside the shore with another woman. However, this woman wasn’t just any woman. She was Stacy Rodriguez, world class supermodel and designer extraordinaire. She was easily one of the sexiest women in the world—beautifully tanned and slim body with naturally huge br**sts, wavy jet black hair, and dark gray eyes with speckles of light blue that glimmered in the sunlight.

I’d been watching her and Jonathan all day: At the conference’s first breakfast, they’d sat too close for comfort, laughing at little private jokes that I’d strained to hear. While Damien and I were taking a tour of the art gallery, I’d looked down from the windows and saw the two of them having a private picnic on a blanket below. I’d even seen the two of them driving carts around the resort’s perfectly trimmed golf course while we were eating our lunch.