Conquest of the Heart Read Online Free

simple
with tinted lip gloss. She had to get a few things for her house
before heading to the party. When she moved, her father had a going
away present delivered – a liquid silver Jaguar XF Supercharged.
She hadn’t driven it much since she had only been in New York for a
week. Today, she would get to test it out. She grinned as she slid
into her car, started it and slowly drove away.
     
    Gavin arrived at his parents’ house early to
help get things set up if necessary. His mother greeted him with
her usual bright and sunny smile. She gave him a huge hug.
    “Hi, honey. I’ve missed you!” She squeezed
him tight.
    “Mom, you’re gonna suck the life outta me,”
he squealed. She let go and they laughed.
    “So, how have you been? Are
you starting to settle down?” She paused. Gavin rolled his
eyes. ‘Here it comes,’ he thought. “Is there a lovely young lady in your life,
perhaps someone serious that you can spend some time with?” She
always asked this question when he saw her. Like Adrian, Juliet did
not approve of Gavin’s promiscuous behavior, though she didn’t try
to push him too much.
    “Mom, I really don’t want to discuss my
personal life right now. You know I hate talking about it with you.
I brought you some flowers,” he said handing her the bouquet. “How
are you?” He tried to change the subject. It never worked. His
mother was a persistent little thing.
    “I’m fine. So is there
someone in your life? Just one someone?” she grinned, raising her
eyebrows.
    “I’m not going to talk to you if you don’t
stop. You know where I stand. Like it or not, it’s where I’m at
right now. Nothing more, nothing less. Just accept it.” He crossed
his arms and looked sternly at his mother.
    She sighed and said, “Alright. I won’t ask
anymore today.” This conversation would be happening again. It was
a hot topic in their home.
    “Good,” Gavin snared. “Where’s Adrian?”
    “Would you please call him Dad or Father?
You’re not at work.” It displeased her when he did this.
    Adrian and Gavin liked to keep their work
relationship completely separate from their personal one. Over the
years, their personal relationship became distant as Gavin’s
behavior changed for the worse. They hardly spoke, but still loved
each other very much.
    “Where is Father?” he said majestically.
    “He’s out in the backyard, watching the
waves.” Adrian and Juliet lived near the ocean. The crashing of the
waves was soothing to them. Their backyard was enormous, and they
loved to have parties. If they didn’t have an official reason to
have one, they made one up.
    Gavin strolled out of the house and into the
backyard where Adrian was.
    “Adrian. How are you?” he asked, extending
his hand. Even though they worked in the same offices, they kept
very different and very busy schedules. They barely saw each
other.
    Adrian shook his hand and said, “I’m well,
Gavin. Have you been good?”
    Gavin slapped him gently on the shoulder and
said, “Define good?” He had a very sly smile on his face.
    “That means I don’t want to know,” Adrian
said shaking his head. “Did you get the gift cards? I’ll have the
staff hand them out as guests arrive.” It was better to talk about
something positive that didn’t upset him.
    “I did. So, how is Faith doing? I haven’t had
a chance to meet her yet?”
    “She’s doing great. She’s ambitious, strong,
level-headed. Don’t you even think about pulling any of your stunts
with her,” Adrian said, eyeing Gavin. He knew this would do no
good. Faith was too beautiful for Gavin to resist.
    “Wouldn’t dream of it,” he smirked, rocking
back and forth from heel to toe.
    Just then, they heard voices. Employees had
begun to arrive. They turned, and went back toward the house to
greet them as they came in. There were hors d’oeuvres, chicken,
barbecue ribs, potato salad, baked beans, salad, fruit, desserts a
mile long, and every beverage you could think of.