Page 1 of The High Price Of Loneliness

CHAPTER ONE

The Blind Date

Angelica Hart took a deep breath and closed her eyes to feel the breeze that moistened her body with saltwater from Sarasota Bay. She loved to come and watch the sun go down and walk in the shallows as she felt the waves rush over her feet and ankles. Since she was a little girl, she had been doing this, and it still felt good to her. She liked watching the luxurious superyachts cruising by and had always imagined what that must feel like. Watching the lifestyle on those yachts seemed like a faraway dream, like a fantasy world. But she still liked squinting her eyes and imagining what a day in that life might be like.

“Oh damn! I’m going to be late!” she said aloud, quickly returning to her car. It was time to rush home and get ready, but first, she took one last glance at the beautiful bay loaded with boats for the sunset.I will text him, she thought. But that was bad manners, especially for an arranged “blind date,” as she sped out of the parking lot on Siesta Key Beach. Her mind raced, thinking of ways she could save a few minutes here and there to get ready quickly.I hate blind dates, she thought.Perhaps this evening will be different from the others.

Angelica texted him that she was running a few minutes late, to which he replied promptly, “Already on my way to pick you up.”

“Damn,” she scowled at herself as the stress kept building. She seemed to be catching every red light on the way home as she thought,why does this always happen to me?

The stress was replacing the blissful calm she had felt just minutes ago at her favorite beach. She finally pulled into her driveway and dashed inside to get ready.

“I must not keep being late.” She recited this mantra aloud, hoping to retrain herself and stop this persistent habit.

She hurried into her bathroom, and only five minutes into getting ready, her date texted, “Just pulling in your driveway now. Let me know when you are ready.”

Angelica slipped into her favorite red cocktail dress. It showed just enough legs and curves to gain a bit of forgiveness for keeping him waiting. She raced to brush her long blonde hair and then touch up her makeup and lipstick, but now her heart was racing a bit.Perhaps this first date would be different … even unique?She’d thought about a magical first glance and powerful first touch since she was little. But somehow, the real thing never seemed to measure up to the ones she had imagined. And how she could imagine!

The doorbell rang, and she grabbed her small purse and phone. This evening could change everything.

Her blind date was at the door wearing a white shirt and a dark jacket with a European-style ponytail. His hair was slick and oiled back, and she felt he was a good bit older than in the photo he had texted her.Not exactly a “catfish” date, she thought, but she had discovered that many people she met online might not exactly be “as represented” when they finally met. It was him, all right, just a slightly aged version of the photo he had shared—so, best not to say anything.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Angelica said softly.

His eyes sparkled as he drank in her legs and curves moving under her red dress. “No problem at all—it was well worth the wait for a babe like you!”

Angelica silently groaned at his greeting, thinking,A babe like you?Not exactly the words she had hoped her Prince Charming would have used. Sometimes it’s almost a relief when you are on a first date, and you just know—this person is not “the one.” Then you can just relax and enjoy the dinner or the movie or whatever the plans were—because you know you’re not going to want to see them again. But she had always been taught to “be polite.”

She could feel his eyes checking her out as they walked to his BMW. When they reached his car, he got in the driver’s side without opening her door for her.Another sign, she thought.Where have all the gentlemen gone? Doesn’t anyone know how to treat a lady on a date anymore? Opening the door just shows respect and courtesy. Plus, it shows how she can expect to be treated in the future, and it certainly wasn’t going to be like a princess with this one.

The drive to the restaurant was a monologue, with her date talking about himself and bragging about his wealth. He mainly spoke of what he owned or what he had bought. On and on, the endless ego show went. But he was not alone—there had been a series of men with money that never seemed to stop talking about their “stuff.” It was a complete turnoff and sometimes seemed to be never-ending in Sarasota. So many wealthy people so eager to flaunt what they could buy. She couldn’t care less and just found it mostly annoying.

Miles away, Edward Gray sipped a Taste of Diamonds champagne while observing his breath flowing deep down and up through his lungs. It was not just another casual day for him. Gray was far from the typical man you would see or walk past daily in Sarasota.

He was a successful CEO who had built his life from humble beginnings—and which he never forgot. He held the power to make almost anything happen and liked to do things one of two times, either “now or right now.”

Gray was well-known in Florida for his philanthropy in supporting numerous worthy causes, but often anonymously. Being a man in his position in life, and with his striking good looks, Edward never failed to capture the attention of young and mature ladies wherever he showed up. He was one of the most handsome and eligible bachelors women yearned to lock their lips with and explore further, if possible. But he was elusive, a mysterious man with class and always with his own unique exquisite taste.

“Mr. Gray, you have a phone call waiting,” one of the staff said, walking toward him.

Gray replied, without looking up, “Not just now, Jacob. I need to head out. Ask them to ring me back in about ten minutes once I’m in the car.”

Edward had a true calling for the passionate things in life. He always embraced his nature for who he was and what he believed in. Most of all, Edward loved making a difference, and his companies always served a mission that attracted great people to come work, stay, and succeed. But then Gray also enjoyed sensual pleasures, particularly in a seductive manner that most men would not dare.

Tonight, he wore a pitch-black tuxedo, leaving the first few buttons open and letting a few strands of chest hair out. Edward got into the back seat of the black Cadillac Escalade, and his driver handed him a folio of papers to review for his upcoming phone call. His phone rang almost immediately as he answered, “Thanks for calling me back. I just needed a few minutes to get on my way.”

After giving instructions and answering a few business questions, the SUV arrived at one of his favorite restaurants. He marched straight in and sat in the reserved section at the bar.

“Where are you?” Gray said into the phone while running his eyes across the tables in the restaurant. But his voice froze when he saw a gorgeous woman with long flowing blonde hair gracefully walking into the restaurant. She wore a low-cut scarlet red silk dress with a deep side seam slit. Her shimmering tanned leg flashed a slight peek with each stride as she elegantly glided through the room, accompanied by her date. Gray told his caller, “Never mind, take your time.”

As Angelica walked, her eyes caught Edward’s familiar gaze, and he thought,Have we met before?An electrifying sensation pierced his body at the flash of her gaze into his. She walked onward to a table, just a short distance away from Gray’s seat at the bar, and gracefully slid into her booth seated across from her ponytail date.

Edward recalled that they had seen one another a few times around the small but very affluent town of Sarasota, but they had never actually met. They had shared a few flirting glances previously, but this night was different, and he could not take his eyes off her graceful energy.

Why haven’t I talked to her before?he wondered as he switched his seat to have a better look at her.And who’s this guy she’s with?He looked at her date who was no match for her. He was beneath her level. Edward couldn’t help but stare at her stunning body with perfect curves. He looked at her well-toned, shimmering thighs, and his urge was to take a bite of her gorgeous drop-dead body wrapped up in the sheer silk dress. Her stunning face and figure were tormenting his mind, and he could not let that woman sit with another guy who had no chance of matching up to her level. Glancing momentarily at her date, he seemed a good bit older than her, and his hair was tied up in a ponytail. Edward thought,He looks boring. But I see fire inside of her, and he’s just an average guy, shaking his head and returning all his attention to her.

I’m not going to let this opportunity slip away, Gray thought as he silently activated his horny beast mode. He carefully observed her facial expressions while waiting for his friends to show up for their guys’ happy hour night. She seemed bored and slipped a couple of straight gazes at Edward as he sipped his cocktail. Every time she looked at him, she bit her lower lip softly and stunned him with her smile.

---