Sweet Temptation (59 page)

The party was in full swing when they arrived. There were at least a hundred people, she guessed. Following Craig and Alex, they walked up to a couple. “Hey, Jeff. Great party,” Craig said.

They shook his hand. “Thanks for coming; it’s going to be a blast.”

Craig wrapped his arm around her shoulder, “Jeff, Chris, this is my best girl, Skylar.”

Jeff reached for her hand, lifting it to his mouth and kissed it. Chris shook her hand gently. “Nice to meet you both,” she said.

“Same to you, darling,” Chris smiled.

They walked around meeting people before deciding to find a table. “I’m going to find Lex and Sherry. I really want you to meet them, Sky,” Alex said, kissing her lightly on her head as he walked off. Skylar sat there looking around at all the guests. Couples were dancing, mingling over near the bar, or chatting in groups. A lot of them were males; about 80 percent of them anyway.

Tapping Craig on the shoulder, she whispered, “Is everyone here gay?”

Craig let out a loud laugh, attracting people’s attention. “Darling, does it matter?” He hugged her.

“No, it was just a question, you know that doesn’t bother me,” she replied.

“The majority of them are, but some are straight.” Pointing to a guy to her left, he said, “See that guy over there?” She nodded. “Well, he was my first boyfriend.”

Skylar gasped as she looked at the guy he pointed at; that guy needed to be on the front cover of GQ. He was dressed in black slacks a white button down shirt, and cowboy boots. “He’s really hot, Craig,” she whispered to him, smiling.

“I know, but I remember he was stuck up.”

“Skylar.” She turned around when she heard her name being called out. Chantal was rushing towards her. Jumping up, Skylar ran to her, and threw her arms around her.

“Took you long enough to get here,” Skylar said.

“Sorry, but this doesn’t just happen in five minutes,” she said, flashing her hand down her body.

“Sorry I couldn’t make it on Christmas Day. I ran into Joel, and spent the last several days with him.” She blushed.

“We’ll need to catch up soon; I want to know all the juicy details and I’m so glad you’re here now.” Looping their arms together, they walked back towards the table.

“You made it.” Craig hugged her as she sat down.

“Like I would miss a party like this.” She giggled. “So, who’s my date for tonight,” she asked Craig.

“I am.” Chantal spun around to the voice that spoke. Dom was standing right behind her, smiling down at her.

“Well, lucky me,” she replied.

Dom sat down between her and Skylar. Jack sat to Skylar’s right, and Alex and Craig across from them. The waiters came and announced that the appetisers would be served shortly.

* * *

The main meal was finished and plates were removed from the tables, when someone tapped on a microphone in the centre of the dance floor. “Ladies and gentlemen, the first dance of the night will be for singles only. If anyone at your table is single, grab them quick and head up here.”

She noticed it was one of Craig’s friends, Jeff. She watched as Dom stood, reached for Chantal’s hand, and walked off. Jack stood beside her, and offered his hand to her. “Will you dance with me?” he asked.

Nodding, she stood and went to the dance floor. The band began playing a slow song. As she placed her hand on his shoulder, he pulled her tightly against his chest. They moved around like they were the only ones on the floor. They glided from one side to the other, as he spun her around, then dipped her. She laughed; she hadn’t had this much fun in a long time.

“You’re good,” she said.

“Well, thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.”

Skylar wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her cheek against his chest, slowly moving to the music. She didn’t know how long she had been dancing there, but she could feel someone watching her. As she opened her eyes, she scanned the room, until her eyes landed on Nate, staring at her from across the room. She thought this was an invite only party. How did he get one? Did he know Jeff and Chris or someone else at the party? She didn’t care how he got it; she just didn’t want to be anywhere near him. Jack turned her around, and then she noticed a blond girl attached to Nate’s arm. She shook her head. “I need to sit down,” she told Jack.

“Are you all right?”

“Just a little lightheaded.”

Placing his arm around her waist, they moved between the crowds towards their table as he helped her to sit. “I’ll go and grab you a drink,” he said, squeezing her hand.

“Thanks, Jack.” She watched as he moved over to the bar. Skylar was feeling a little dizzy now. Looking around the room she noticed her vision starting to blur. Her skin was tingling; she needed air, cool air. Standing and pulling her phone out, she sent a quick text to Jack saying she would be out on the balcony. She moved slowly, going from chair to chair, for support. She knew she should have stayed at the table, but fresh air would do her good. The dizziness was getting worse. Outside, she leaned against the rail, and took a deep breath in and out several times. Her mouth was dry, her whole body was heating up, and the fresh air wasn’t doing much for her.

“Skylar.”

She froze. She didn’t want to be out here alone with him. Turning around and gripping the rail, she faced him, “Nate.”

They stood there staring at each other. After several minutes, Skylar broke the silence, “I found some more of your stuff. I’ll get Dom to drop it off to you.” She moved to walk back in, but Nate moved in front of the sliding doors, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I see you’re here with Jack.”

She didn’t want to argue with him, but she could play this game if he wanted to. “Well, you walked in with a date, so what is it to you who I’m with?”

Nate turned around and waved to his date, pissing her off even more. “Hope you enjoy your date,” she said, moving around him.

Nate lashed out and grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the door. Ripping her arm out of his hand, she snapped. “You have no right touching me.” She was starting to see two of him and knew it wasn’t good.

“Have you thought about what I said?” he asked.

Of all the things he could have picked to talk about, he brought that up. “There’s nothing to think about, Nate. You need to go back to your date, she looks lonely,” Skylar said. She tried to move again, but it didn’t work. She was getting really tired with this back and forth action.

Rubbing his face, “Skylar, I want to be with you, but I don’t want to raise a child right now.”

Skylar paled. “Nate, this is your baby, how can you ask me to kill it?” She grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly, loving the feeling of his hand on her body.

Wrenching his hand back, his anger flared, “I’m not fucking ready to be a father!”

She really needed that drink now. She pushed him away, “I need to go.”

Nate wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against his chest. “Please consider what I have said, Skylar.”

She couldn’t do this anymore; it was killing her inside that he didn’t want this baby.

Skylar pushed at his chest. Once he let go, she stumbled to the door, grabbing the doorway to steady herself before she fell over.

Nate noticed her stumbling. “Are you all right?” He cared about her still; he didn’t want anything to happen to her. He just couldn’t do this whole baby thing with her.

“Leave me alone,” she whispered. Looking up, she needed to get to her table, and away from Nate. Turning around, she noticed Jack and watched as he made his way across the room towards Dom, Alex, and Craig. Pointing to the balcony, all three turned around and noticed her. This wasn’t going to go down well, but she was glad they were coming to her rescue. Skylar needed to sit; she slid down the door and rested her head in her hands.

“Are you all right?” Craig asked her, kneeling in front of her.

“I’m not feeling too well.”

Alex moved to her side, so did Jack. Craig walked over towards Nate. “So I see you brought your latest fuck buddy.”

Skylar’s head shot up as she quickly gripped Jack’s arms to steady herself. Nate growled at him. “You’re sleeping with her?” Skylar whispered.

“Yeah, he is. Craig and I walked in on him with her on Christmas Day, after he left you,” Dom said.

Skylar felt sick; the bile was rising in her throat. She swallowed to keep it down and not embarrass herself in front of everyone out here. She looked at Jack, “I’m going to be sick, I need to go.”

Nodding, Jack bent down and picked her up and she curled up in his arms.

“Get your fucking hands off her,” Nate demanded.

Skylar lifted her head and looked at him, “You don’t get to tell anyone what to do when it concerns me. This baby…” She placed her hand over her belly and continued, “I found out when Natalie came and told you about her son. I’m four months pregnant, Nate.”

Craig stared at him, “What is wrong with you?”

“Craig, please. I need to get out of here,” Skylar said.

Craig moved to her side. “Okay, baby. Let’s go.” Jack moved her to Craig’s arms.

“Wait,” yelled Nate. All of them froze in place.

As Nate tapped on Craig’s arm, Skylar turned around to face him. “Nate, go back to your date. You obviously don’t want me anymore if you slept with her hours after you left my place. Don’t worry, I can look after our baby by myself. I don’t need you or anything from you. Just forget that you have a child; you’ll be a lot happier.”

After that, Craig moved through the crowd, towards the front door with Dom, Alex and Jack following. Dom took out his phone and sent a text message to Chantal to let her know what happened.

“I’m sorry I ruined your night,” she sobbed into his chest.

“Baby, nothing is ruined as long as we are all together. That is all that matters, okay?” As she nodded against his chest, they made their way to his truck, placing her in the back with Jack and Dom and Alex sat in front with him. She lay down on Dom’s lap and closed her eyes as she felt the truck move forward. She would be fine with all of them here for her, but felt sad that she ruined their night. Dom stroked her hair as she sobbed. She needed to stop worrying about the party and Nate. Before they even hit the main road, she was out cold.

C
hapter 38

Nate stood there, going over everything that was said. Slamming his fist against the wall, he decided he needed to get away from this party. Storming inside, he made his way through the crowd towards the main door, pulling out his keys.

“Hey, where are you going? The party is starting to get really good now.”

He brushed off Angela’s hand, “Something came up and I need to go.”

“I could come with you,” she answered with a seductive smile.

“No, you stay here and enjoy the party.” He walked towards his truck, and climbed in the driver’s seat.

“Is everything all right?” she asked through the window.

“Yeah, just family business.”

“Well, I hope it all works out for you.”