Slave To Love Read Online Free Page A

“You have a mind of your own, but you’re accommodating. You stand strong in your convictions, but can be yielding.”
    Taren remained in her spot, but her knees knocked together so hard she felt her body shaking.
    “You would make a good—” He glanced up at the doorway going into the hotel. “Have to go. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” He continued to the hotel. On his way, he tossed the crushed cigarette into a nearby trash bin.
    With him inside, Taren exhaled and braced her hands on her knees. It felt like she had been in a boxing match with this man for twelve rounds. She ran her hand over her hair and down her black sheath dress before going back into the hotel. Taren made it to the ballroom in time to see a picture of her sparring partner on the screen behind the podium.
    Had she known she’d been in the presence of one of the nominees, she would have not argued with him. Who was she kidding? Taren loved to prove a point to a fault. Sometimes that trait frustrated her parents. Taren couldn’t help it.
    Taren didn’t even go to her parents’ table. She moved off to the side to see who would win.
    A pale woman with jet-black hair in a bob stood at the podium holding an envelope with a gold seal to close the flap. “Now I understand why celebrities get so nervous opening these things.” She waved the envelope in the air.
    A ripple of laughter filled the conference room. Taren didn’t find the statement amusing. Looking at the way her mystery man kept his face hard, he didn’t appear amused either.
    “And the award goes to…” She opened the flap and pulled out a red card. “Titus Breckenridge!”
    Taren looked at the man she’d shared a passionate exchange with only moments before. He remained seated. He didn’t even clap for the winner. She would have taken the lack of response as him being a sore loser. A strong, capable looking man like that didn’t seem like he lost a lot of things.
    A rotund man waddled up to the podium to accept the award. He shook the woman’s hand first before making his speech. “Good evening. I’m thrilled and humbled to be named Builder of the Year by the Hampton Roads Builder Association.”
    A rousing applause filled the expansive ballroom. Taren kept her arms down by her sides. She couldn’t believe that one of the nominees had been the same man who’d made her knees knock together. He hadn’t said anything when she’d voiced her displeasure about attending the ceremony. He’d listened to her.
    Come on, girl. He wasn’t taking you seriously.
    Taren shook her head and continued listening to Titus’s speech.
    “I want to start by thanking my family for providing me the stable foundation to create my incredible business.” He paused before continuing. “My mother has always believed in me.”
    Taren watched the award loser glance at the older woman next to him like he wanted to spout those same words to her had he won.
    “But I must admit. I’m luckier than most.” He chuckled. “It helps to have a father who is also in the business and helped paved my way to the top, both emotionally and financially.” He stared at an attractive African-American woman sitting in the crowd. “And now I have a woman who is by my side and is my rock in every way.”
    Taren glanced at her courtyard mate. He dropped his gaze to the table before he bolted to his feet and headed to the back of the room. 
    Taren took that as her cue to leave. She knew her night had ended poorly when she wanted to root for a man who had tried to define her within five minutes of meeting her.
    She darted to the table to get her purse.
    “You’re just in time for the speech,” Connie said as she pulled out Taren’s chair.
    “…With supportive parents and the love of my life, I feel like I can conquer the world.” The speaker made a point of glancing at Taren like he’d made the statement to her.
    Damn. Was the whole world against her?
    “I’m not feeling so hot.” She turned to her