Page 14 of Taming Her Temptations

Ruby

Sometimes stubborn means being respectable and dignified. Other times, like tonight, stubborn means wearing a thrift store dress to a black-tie event.

I curse as I stab myself with a safety pin, attempting to pin the strap to the right length.

I should’ve just taken the offer to go shopping.

The guys and I spent the rest of lunch scheming and decided to keep our plan to attend the fundraising event tonight. They again offered to buy me clothes. I still refused. But right now, I’m truly wondering why.

I take a look at myself in the mirror. At least a decade of going to black-tie events has given me enough understanding about what looks good on me in the hair and make-up department. My brown hair is parted in an old Hollywood side part and large curls cascade down the right side of my face while the left side is tucked tightly behind my ear. My make-up is pink and dewy to bring out my olive undertones despite being I-just-survived-the-worst-winter-of-my-life pale.

But then there’s my jewelry, dress, and shoes. Even though I have a little more money in my bank account thanks to the upfront payment, I know that I’ll need every cent for the lawyer fees. So expenses were definitely spared in getting this outfit together. I chose a pair of fake diamonds because the real ones Shithead Steve gave me on our wedding day are tucked away in the safe in our former bedroom. A simple gold chain bracelet that I was wearing the day I got kicked out is around my wrist.

But both my shoes and dress have the curse of being made of fake black silk. Black is always better when thrifting for evening wear. That’s a lesson that I learned before I was a rich wife. Luckily, I was able to pull out a few tricks from the old days, including still knowing the best spots to go.

The dress isn’t horrible. It’s a simple one-shoulder, floor-length gown that most likely was manufactured to rip off Proenza Schouler’s Resort Collection from a few years ago. But the people at this gala will see right through it. I know because I was once one of them. They’ll be eyeing me to see if any of the cracks have formed from all the scandal my name has gone through.

And boy, will they find them. With the added bonus of mysteriously being in the company of three men whom I have no idea how will be perceived, only that the whole thing comes with a high chance of chaos.

But after our lunch, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. Heck, even relief. I’m finally not the only one desperate for answers.

I pick up an old beaded clutch I loved in high school and slip what I need into it. Including three lists printed out of eligible young ladies that will be in attendance for Dean, Levi, and Asher to speak to and see if they get along. Okay and yes, all of them have some connection to Steven’s investments. It feels a little dubious to bring women unknowingly into this, but come on, it’s just plain effective. I’d probably spill any and everything to any three of those men if I was a young and single woman meeting them at an event. It dawns on me that I am a single woman at an event with them, and, well, sort of young.

I throw my jacket on and get ready to walk to Rosewood Manor, but a knock sounds at my door.

I look through the peephole and see the three of them standing on my front steps with flowers in each of their hands. I smile at that detail and take a moment to look at them a little too long. Even from this fish-eyed view, these guys certainly clean up nicely.

I swing open the door with a laugh. “Are you trying to gain extra points by bringing me flowers? You know I’m not your date, right?”

Asher shrugs as he hands over a bouquet of stunning white orchids. “You might have your rules, but where we come from, you don’t take a woman out on the town without first bringing her flowers.”

I gather all three of their bouquets in my arms and bring them together to smell them. They’re completely mismatched bouquets, which is sweet because it makes me think they all picked them out individually. Even if that’s likely not the case. I’m sure someone on their payroll got them, but it’s the thought that counts.

“And this for your dad.” Dean whips a bottle of whiskey out of his back jacket. “Is he around?”

I smile. “He’ll love this. He’s at an artist retreat in Maine for the weekend, but I’m sure this will get the creative juices flowing when he gets back.”

“We can relate,” Dean grins. And I get a little too lost for a moment at their kindness. We’ve been butting heads since we ran into each other at Steven’s house. But now, we’re on the same team. And I’m surprised that they’re acting so… sweet?

“Let me see you guys,” I say, doing my best to sound professional as I walk around them. The three of them look ridiculously charming in their expensive tuxes. They fill them out well and the tailoring is done to perfection, I’m sure by some insanely expensive stylist.

Even so, they somehow look different from the men I’m used to being surrounded by. Their little pops of character can’t be confined within the boundaries of the black and white fabric. One of Levi’s tattoos dances at the edge of the white collar and cuffs. Asher’s hair is tousled and sunkissed instead of the short cuts favored by the preppy men that frequent these events. And Dean- well, Dean just has no business fitting in a suit. His huge muscular frame makes me want to kiss the tailor who was able to wrap that much body into that perfectly fitted package.

Yeah, these three certainly won’t have any trouble getting the attention of the ladies on their lists.

Right. The lists. Stop ogling your clients, Ruby.

“You look perfect.” I nod politely. “And here’s a little gift for each of you,” I unbutton my clutch and hand them each their list. “These are eligible bachelorettes who likely will be there tonight. There’s a lot of overlap between the three lists since I don’t really know your preferences in a date. But we can figure that out more tonight. And yes, all of them somehow have invested with Steve or have family members who have.”

They look at each other before each pocketing the list. The interaction makes me feel like I’m missing something.

“Everything okay?” I ask. “You want dates to your gala still, right?”

“Yeah,” Levi nods. “Thanks.”

“Shall we, then?” Asher takes my hand and leads me down my cobblestone path. Everything is going surprisingly smoothly so far.

And that’s when I see it.

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