Page 10 of The Temptation (Executive Suite Secrets #4)

Simon’s smile turned soft and fragile. “It’s how we met.

My parents and I used to go to Cambridge to watch Sawyer’s baseball games.

Pierce and Sawyer were very close, and Sawyer was a very patient older brother.

” He shrugged and lowered his gaze to where his fingers played with the shining silverware.

On impulse, I reached out and covered his hand with my own, squeezing his fingers lightly.

Tonight was not supposed to be about bringing up old pain.

“We mostly lost contact after Sawyer’s passing,” I stated, taking up the thread of the story. “We stumbled across each other after Simon moved to Cincinnati this past summer.”

My mother’s brow furrowed as she pointed between Simon and me. “What is the age difference between you?”

Simon’s voice turned cheerful again. “About eight years.”

“And you don’t think he’s too much of an old man?” She lowered her voice, her question balanced somewhere between teasing and horror.

“No, definitely not. After losing my brother, I found I had to grow up fast. Because of that, I have little interest in men my age. Too reckless and immature. I like Pierce’s steadiness and deep sense of responsibility.

He gives me self-confidence, because with Pierce at my side, I feel like I can do anything.

” He leaned in toward my mother and added in a fake stage whisper, “Besides, I’ve gotten rather good at teasing him out of his grumpiness. ”

“Hey!”

That was enough to get everyone chuckling and at least lighten the mood, even while I was still reeling from his words.

Did he really think that about me? I couldn’t give him self-confidence.

Simon had oozed that naturally for almost as long as I’d known him.

If anything, I was too boring and stodgy for him.

“Did you come to Cincinnati for a job, Simon?” my father inquired, moving the conversation away from potential minefields.

“I have a temporary contract with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra,” Simon replied, and for a second, I was rendered speechless. How could he downplay his accomplishments that much? It was obscene.

“Are you a musician?” Mom asked.

Simon opened his mouth, but I jumped in before he could speak. There was no way in the world I was letting him say something as inane as his last comment.

“Simon is a world-class violinist. He is the CSO’s special guest in residence for the next year and has won countless awards and championships with his skill.

He had orchestras all over the world begging him to join them.

” I was gushing, and I couldn’t stop myself.

Simon had worked hard all his life to achieve his impressive level of skill.

People needed to know how talented he truly was.

When I got my tongue under control, I looked down to find Simon staring at me with a broad smile and red cheeks. Maybe he was a little embarrassed, but he didn’t appear angry.

“He’s the most talented violinist I have ever heard,” I murmured because I couldn’t help it. Everyone needed to know they were in the presence of true greatness.

“You’re too sweet,” Simon said. He turned his hand in mine and squeezed, reminding me that I was still holding it.

“And you’re being too modest.”

“Very much so,” Father added.

“Will you have a performance soon?” Mother chimed in.

Simon tore his eyes from me and nodded. “Next weekend. If you would like, I should be able to arrange tickets for you.”

I stopped him. “No need. I already have season tickets we can use.”

“Well, I could possibly introduce you to the conductor. Or maybe show you around backstage? Would you be interested?”

“That would be lovely, but you don’t need to go to so much trouble for us.”

Conversation shifted to music and all the interesting cities Simon had played in.

As I listened to his stories of beauty and chaos, I couldn’t help but notice that most of the stories featured him alone.

His parents rarely seemed to accompany him.

He didn’t even have an agent or assistant at his side, let alone a friend or a boyfriend.

It felt wrong. Yes, maybe he wasn’t a pop star, but he was a shining star in his field.

He shouldn’t have been experiencing all these interesting events and locations without someone at his side.

Our food arrived shortly after, distracting me for a new reason. As the server placed Simon’s plate in front of him, I scowled at his salmon with broccoli.

“When did you start eating broccoli?” I demanded in a low voice.

“I didn’t,” Simon whispered back, his lips moving as though he were trying to hold in a smile.

“Why didn’t you swap the vegetable out for something else? I’m sure they would have made a change.”

Simon’s gaze darted to my parents, who were now watching our conversation. “It might have been because I was nervous about meeting your parents and I didn’t really pay that much attention to what I was ordering.”

My mother and father chuckled, breaking the tension, but I still wasn’t happy. There wasn’t a lot of food on Simon’s plate, and he’d said more than once that he wasn’t a huge fan of seafood but didn’t mind salmon.

“Here. I’ll take the broccoli,” I muttered, stabbing up the florets before he could argue. “You’ll take my potatoes.”

“But potatoes are your favorite. I can’t do that.”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind broccoli. You’ll have to share your potatoes with me on our next date.”

Simon snorted. “I dare you to steal a single french fry off my plate.”

After we finished our food swap, I lifted my eyes to find my parents staring at me with dazed and thoroughly amused looks on their faces. I had to replay the scene in my head to realize that the exchange had been very cozy. Too fucking cozy for a couple who’d only just begun dating.

It wasn’t my fault. I’d known Simon for years. Of course I was aware of what he liked and didn’t like to eat. There was no way I was going to make him suffer through eating something he didn’t like.

A soft pair of lips brushed my cheek, and I barely stopped myself from jumping out of my seat.

“Thank you so much. You’re too thoughtful,” Simon murmured, his hot breath caressing the spot where he’d kissed me, sending even more tingles through my body.

“Oh, you’re welcome,” I mumbled.

He wasn’t supposed to kiss me. Didn’t we set rules about that?

I couldn’t remember. I couldn’t remember anything right now. There was only the heat of his kiss burning my cheek and the smile on his pink lips as he sat next to me, eating his salmon.

What the hell had I done?