Cruel Fortune (Cruel #2)(65)

“My architecture skills were never cultivated,” he said with a grin. “But I’m an excellent taste-tester.”

“You and your son both.”

Edward turned his attention on us. “Well, do you two have plans? We could have a drink on the balcony.”

“I have that phone call to take for work,” Lewis said.

“Are you closing the Anselin-Maguire deal?” Edward asked.

Lewis nodded. “Yes, we’re hoping to finalize negotiations tonight.”

“Excellent. That one has been on the table too long.” Edward clapped his hand on Lewis’s back. “Why don’t you take the call in my office? Then you and Natalie can still stay for a drink. Nina and I would love to get to know her better.”

Lewis’s eyes cut to mine, as if in a question. I just shrugged. I didn’t have anything else to do, and it was a nice offer. Charming actually.

“If Natalie doesn’t have plans, then I think we could do that,” Lewis said.

“That’s so nice, Edward,” Nina said. “Go turn the heaters on, so we don’t all freeze, and I’ll make cocktails.”

Edward dutifully left, and I followed Lewis back into the living room. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pressed a kiss to my lips. Once the heater was working, we took our cocktails out onto the balcony. I hadn’t been out here on my first visit, and I couldn’t believe that they had this kind of space in New York. The balcony had a giant heated pool that was unfortunately closed with a jetted Jacuzzi and a full garden. The view overlooking the park was outstanding, and I knew that they paid a premium to have it.

“You look like you’re ready to dive in,” Lewis noted as we took our seats across from his parents.

“If it was open, I might actually do it. I’m dying to have a pool again.”

“Natalie was a college swimmer,” Lewis explained.

“Well, you can use this one anytime you like once we open it again,” Nina said. “Lord knows it doesn’t get enough use anymore.”

“Thank you. That’s very generous,” I said.

I leaned back into my seat and enjoyed my drink. Lewis’s parents laughed and joked with each other as if they were still those teens who had fallen in love at Harvard. It was adorable.

“Okay. I have to clean up before the maid gets here in the morning. Otherwise, she is going to cuss at me in every language that she knows,” Nina said.

“Nina,” Edward complained.

She kissed him once. “I will be back as soon as I’m done. You know I hate a messy house.”

He sighed. “Fine. But do be quick.”

She laughed and took her empty glass with her.

“She’s going to be at it all night,” Lewis told me. “Mom is a bit of a neat freak and a perfectionist.”

“Those are some of her best qualities,” Edward said, raising his glass.

Lewis checked his watch and sighed. “Okay. I’m going to head inside. Shouldn’t be long.”

He squeezed my arm and then disappeared into the house, already dialing the number and conferencing in. Which left me all alone with his father, the indomitable Edward Warren.

“So, Natalie,” Edward said. He swirled his drink. “I hear that you’re a writer.”

“Yes.”

“And you have a book published.”

“I…yes. But it’s not under my name.”

He nodded. “I heard that. Olivia something. We published it.”

My mouth went dry. I hated when people knew about my pen name. But why should I be surprised the owner of the company knew? The owner whose son was dating one of their authors at least.

“That’s right.”

“Pardon me for saying, but I did a bit of research on you after you came over for dinner.”

“Uh…research?”

His eyes were still stuck on the drink in his hand, and I had the sudden feeling like he was toying with me.

“It seems like you came from nothing. Lewis said you met a year ago. But you were dating Penn Kensington at the time. When that fell through, you jumped to my son.” His eyes finally met mine. Hard as rocks and just as cold as stone. “So, what exactly are your intentions with Lewis?”

“My intentions?” I asked, still not grasping what he was getting at.

“Well, he already spent a cool million to get you,” he said casually. “What are you expecting for him to keep you?”

My eyes doubled in size, and my jaw dropped open. “What are you talking about? Lewis didn’t give me a million dollars, and I don’t want anything from him.”

“Your contract with Warren Publishing was for seven figures. You’re not naive enough to not know who pushed for that figure at auction.”

My stomach roiled. “He didn’t,” I whispered.

Edward arched his eyebrows. “Obviously, he did. He can be so trusting sometimes. But I’ve met other women like you before. And I don’t want my son tangled up with someone like that.”

My heart raced in my chest as I vaulted out of my seat. “Are you calling me a gold digger?”

“I didn’t use that word.”

“You didn’t have to!”

“Then, we’re at an understanding.” Edward slid out of his seat, graceful as a cat, and towered over me. “This is a business negotiation. How much will it take for you to get out of my son’s life?”