by Sharan Daire
Her fingers tightened on mine anxiously. “It’s that bad? What does it say?”
I didn’t want to let go of her, but I needed both hands to arrange the papers. As soon as I released her to open the folder, she clutched her hands together in her lap. “It’s not bad at all, but I don’t know what’s important to you. I know what’s important to Chris. I can certainly modify the agreement to make sure you’re happy, but it’s always a good idea to have your own representation.”
“Can’t you represent me?”
I spread the folder open to the first page. “In this, I think your risk is very low, because Chris is the primary. He doesn’t want to screw anyone over, and he has enough money that he doesn’t care in the end about any costs to him. He’s not one of those rich guys who only wants to be richer. Here, you can see the name of his corporation, Blakley Four Brothers. He’s the primary owner, but we each have a share in this company, which owns the lodge as well.”
Her eyes softened. “He calls you brothers.”
I nodded, not trying to hold the way it still choked me up. “He’s alone in the world, other than us. One of the first things he had me do as his attorney was set up this company after he dissolved and sold all the businesses his father had accumulated. This is Chris’ legacy, and he allows us to be a part of it.”
I read the highlights that summarized the new fashion line of women’s clothing and the job description we were hiring her for. “A little late at this point in the game, since you’ve already worked two days. But we are hiring you for the purpose of modeling any item the designer, Chris Blakley, creates. If that’s too open ended for you, we can narrow that down to something more specific. Only evening gowns, for example.”
She looked a little shellshocked, but she shook her head. “No, that’s fine. I don’t mind wearing whatever he designs for the line.”
I turned the page over and started going through the key parts of the contract, specifically, exclusivity. “If you sign this agreement, you agree not to model for any other company for any other purpose. This does not include social media posts, as long as you don’t tag, link, or mention a competitor.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t even have a computer, and my phone belongs in a museum. That won’t be a problem.”
“Well, just keep that in mind. If this gets as big as we hope it does, your image is going to be a hot commodity. People are going to pay attention to what you wear. Companies may even start sending you free stuff, just hoping you’ll wear it and post about it.”
Her lips trembled slightly, and her tongue flicked out to wet her bottom lip. “What happens if I screw up?”
“We may terminate the contract and you wouldn’t model for us any longer. If you actually started modeling for another company while under our contract, it could get ugly. We could sue for damages. You’re our only model, so losing you would be a death sentence for the line. Chris would probably have to start all over again with new inspiration.”
She let her head fall back a moment and blew out a shaky breath. “It’s dumb to be worried about it at this point. I’ve never modeled before, and I still can’t believe this is happening in the first place. If I wake up and it’s all over, then so be it.”
“There’s also what’s generally known as a non-compete clause,” I warned, pointing to that section. “Either party can terminate the contract at any time. You’re not locked into any specific time frame with us. But if you do terminate the contract, you can’t accept another modeling position at any fashion company for one full year.”
She took another deep breath, tipping her chin up. “I never dreamed of being a model in the first place, so I’m fine with that. If this doesn’t work out, I might…” Hesitating, she seemed to change her mind on what she’d started to say. “Maybe I’ll go to college or something.”
“That’d be great, though you could go to college and model if you really wanted to. Now, the fun part. Pay. For each day that you’re actively working on a shoot for the line, we’ll pay a flat fee of ten thousand dollars. If travel is involved, we’ll cover those expenses, and as part of your ongoing compensation, you’re welcome to live in any of the cabins you’d like. I know you’re in Sugarfoot now, but…”
I hesitated, not sure why she looked like she was about to be violently ill. Pale and suddenly clammy, she didn’t look at all well. Her hands trembled and she swayed slightly.
“Shelby, are you alright? Let me get you a glass of water.” Whirling around, I went to the water cooler outside the private office restroom and got her a cup of cool water. I held it to her lips for her, though she wrapped icy fingers around mine, trying to help hold the cup. “What’s wrong?”
She took a few swallows but she didn’t look any better. Concerned, I sat on the edge of the desk and took both her hands in mine, trying to warm them.
“I must have heard you wrong. Did you say ten thousand? Dollars?”
“Yes.”
“Total?” She squeaked, swaying again.
“Per day, not limited to the number of hours. So even though Chris said he’s done for the day, you’ll be paid for today.”
“But… but…” She stared up at me, still reeling. “Two days. That’s…”
“Twenty thousand dollars. Though I believe we owe you more. Remember that Chris took some trial shots before he got all the gowns modified. That was work too.”
She gave me a slow blink, as if trying to count up pennies in her head and losing track of where she was.
My chest ached, and I wanted to haul her up against me and kiss her delectable lips and promise that we’d take care of her. Forever. I didn’t want her to ever be stunned senseless by twenty thousand dollars ever again. I didn’t know much about her life before she’d come to us, though I could certainly guess that twenty grand was an unobtainable amount in her past life.
“And I can stay? Here? For free?”
“Yes, any cabin you like. We thought you might want to move to a larger cabin so both kids can have their own rooms. We have two that you can check out. I’ll see that you get a tour today or tomorrow.”
“I just can’t… Are you sure? That seems like a ridiculous amount of money for some pictures.”
“I’m not finished,” I said gently, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “You’ll also have a percentage of the profits from any Blakely line, starting with Red Velvet Angel. Chris also has all kinds of benefits he provides through the corporation itself, including tuition reimbursement and healthcare.”
“Can I have a piece of paper and something to write with?”
Surprised, I released her and moved back around to pull out a legal pad from the top drawer and a pen. “Of course.”
She took the pad and started to write down numbers. Giving her space to think, I went to the safe and pulled out twenty thousand in cash. I doubted she’d want to carry that much on her, but I wanted it made available to her immediately.
“Oh my god.” She giggled at the sight of the stack of bills. “I’ve never seen so much money in all my life. I don’t think I could make that much in tips in ten years.”
“I’ll talk to Chris about how much he wants to compensate you for the trial day, but here’s what we owe you for yesterday and today. Take what you need, even the whole stack if you want. Or I can wire funds to a bank account, or even help you open an account locally. Whatever you’d like. This money is yours, regardless of whether you wish to sign the contract or not. You’ve earned it.”
She studied the piece of paper a few more moments and adjusted the numbers. “Okay. Can you mail a check for me? Until I get an account opened, at least?”
“Of course.”
“I’d like to send two thousand two hundred and fifty to Frank Jenkins in Dallas.”
I quickly counted out that amount and set it aside. “If you have the address, I’ll cut a check to him this afternoon.”
She scribbled it down on the paper and ripped it off. “Great. That shoul
d square me with him for the back rent. How much should I set aside to pay Kaleb? I’m thinking at least a thousand. Probably more.”
I didn’t answer right away. I clenched my jaw, fighting down my emotions. Mostly rage and regret, that she’d struggled so much before coming to us. Mixed with tenderness and awe of her honest and pure heart. Because even with a windfall sitting on the desk in front of her, her first thought was to get caught up on her rent—when she didn’t even live there any longer—and to pay a friend for helping her.
When Kaleb would rather dig his own heart out with a rusty spoon than accept her money.
“Sweetheart, Kaleb won’t take your money. Surely you know that.”
“But I feel badly that he’s doing all this work for nothing. Bessie was in bad shape. It’s the least I can do.”
I shook my head. “No. The least you can do is take this money and spend it on yourself and your kids. That’s what it’s for. Not us. We have plenty of money. We’re each living our dream life here at the lodge, surrounded by our family. The only thing missing is you.”
That sweet, pure heart shone in her sparkling eyes, dragging me down to the depths of the ocean. “My brain insists it’s impossible to care so much about someone I barely know, but then I realize exactly how much you’ve changed my life in the same amount of time. I can’t even begin to tell you what this means for me and the kids.”
All the things I wanted to say crashed and rolled inside me like a log jam blocking a raging river. That we’d take care of her. Forever. That we’d make sure she was happy or die trying. She might feel that we’d changed her life, but she’d rocked our entire world off its foundation.
The four of us had been close friends since high school. A found family of brothers who’d protect and lift each other up. When Derek called me, I’d left the firm without hesitation. Nothing that I’d accomplished to that date meant anything if my friend was in trouble. All that love and friendship had been everything to me, to us, but we’d still been incomplete.
Until she walked in the door.
She pulled a few bills off the top of the stack, maybe five hundred at most, and pushed the rest back to me. Then she picked up the pen and signed where I’d marked with a yellow tab. “If you could put that in a bank account for me, I’d appreciate it.”
“My pleasure. Do you have a specific bank in mind?”
“Wherever you bank is fine.”
“I’ll have the information for you tonight at dinner. Are you sure you don’t want to take more?”
Her cheeks colored and she laughed awkwardly. “I don’t know what to do with that kind of money. I’d rather put it away for now until I can handle it. Is there a Wal-Mart nearby? I’d like to get the kids some winter clothes.”
“I can do a bit better than that.” I lightened my voice so I didn’t hurt her feelings. “We’re near Branson, so there’s several outlet shops we can hit. Let me see if Kaleb’s free to take you and the kids shopping, and I’ll get your bank account set up.”
“Are you sure that’s not too much trouble?”
I’d rather fly her to New York City or Rodeo Drive for a shopping spree. Or better yet, Paris. But I figured that would be too much for now. But soon.
She’d have the best of everything money could buy.
22
Shelby
Thoroughly exhausted, I flopped down on the couch. The floor was littered with bags, hangers, cardboard boxes, and tissue paper.
Liam jumped up and down, loving his new tennis shoes. “This is better than Christmas!”
Clothes and shoes. Not toys. Not that they cared. They were excited to have so many new things. Nice things, even. I’d never been able to afford brand-name shoes before, unless I’d managed to find his size at the thrift store. I had splurged and let them each pick out one toy at Wal-Mart on the way back to the lodge. Yes, I’d insisted on getting basics like underwear and socks cheaply, but everything else was super nice and luxurious, at least to us.
Kaleb had taken us through a giant outlet mall that would have taken me days to navigate. Then he’d taken us down to the Branson Landing for a late lunch at a seafood restaurant. Another luxury for us. It sure wasn’t a fast-food bag, not with all we could eat crab legs.
We’d walked along the landing, mostly looking at the water, but we did go into a few more shops. They were extremely expensive on this single mom’s budget, but Kaleb had insisted that I needed to buy myself something and not just the kids.
I’d finally bought a nice wool winter coat in a vibrant eggplant with a beautiful hand-knit hat, scarf, and mitten set, though I had to admit that I had been reluctant to buy myself a coat. That meant I had to give Derek his leather coat back.
With all the shopping, I only had about a hundred left from the outrageous stack of bills I’d taken from Everett. Guilt swamped me. Even though he’d given me a checkbook and debit card at dinner. I’d glanced at the receipt and almost choked on the sip of wine.
Somehow my balance was back up over twenty-two thousand, despite the money I’d had him send for me and the shopping trip. Chris had demanded I get another five thousand for that trial shoot. Yeah, you know, the one where I’d not had a clue what was going on, while both Derek and Everett kissed me.
The first time I’d started to get an inkling of what they had to offer. What they wanted.
What I wanted.
I yawned, fighting to stay awake. It was almost nine. Hopefully Derek would get here soon, or he’d find me sound asleep on the couch.
Which made me remember how he’d found me this morning. Wrapped in his brother’s arms. I closed my eyes, and I could smell Kaleb again. The clean scent of cotton and musky aftershave. I could feel his arms around me. Just holding me. Keeping me safe and warm.
Not groping me. Not pushing me to let him take me to bed.
I’d never felt safer.
I’d never once thought about having multiple partners, but it was actually starting to make sense to me. Call me crazy, but each one meant something different to me. Kaleb was the safe, warm, sweet cuddler. He also loved the kids and would go anywhere with us, whether it was play or errands, without complaint.
Derek was the protector. Grim and hard at times, but also the cornerstone that the rest of the group depended upon. He wasn’t above knocking heads together to get the results he wanted.
Everett was the right-hand businessman. He made things happen. He had the connections and the know-how to blow your socks off. Wickedly smart and suave, he could pull off the elegant billionaire effortlessly.
Of course, Chris was the delicious bad boy, tempered by his friends’ steadfast loyalty. Sure, he was the actual billionaire, not Everett, but he didn’t care to wear the nice suits or play the part. Short-tempered and blunt, he was also the big-idea guy of the group. The strategist, moving the pieces on the board before anyone else even figured out they were playing a game.
I had only met them days ago, but it felt like I’d known them forever. I couldn’t imagine leaving. Literally, I tried to picture bundling the kids into Bessie and driving back up the winding, hilly road to the freeway. Alone again. Me and the kids against the world.
My stomach churned at the thought. I didn’t want to leave, not at all, but staying here at the lodge felt like a fairytale, a wonderful dream that wouldn’t last. Eventually, I’d wake up and find myself back in reality, where I had to get a menial job as quickly as possible and hope that Granny had food in the fridge.
No. I wouldn’t go back to that level of survival. Not with twenty thousand dollars in the bank. That large of a windfall would sustain us for years if I was careful. I could pay deposits on a new apartment and cover the rent until I had a job. I needed to get Bubby back in school before he fell too far behind.
Thanks to this modeling stint, no matter how short it lasted or how poorly it went, I had options.
A light knock sent the kids racing to the door to see who could let Derek in first. He’d gone home and showe
red, his hair still damp and soft around his face rather than slicked back like he usually preferred. He wore casual jeans and a T-shirt beneath a thick quilted flannel jacket, but he still commanded the presence and force of personality that he wore with the uniform.
His eyes locked in on me as he removed the jacket, though he managed to chat with the kids and oohed-and-awed over all their new stuff. The thin cotton of his shirt struggled to contain all his brawn. Even the denim seemed to strain beneath the thickness of his thighs. I’d never seen a man so ripped and well put together.
Just thinking about stroking my palms over all that muscle made my pussy clench. My nipples tightened, as hard as diamonds. My blood seemed to heat, simmering through my veins. And I knew, then, without a shadow of a doubt, that I’d be asking him to take me to bed tonight.
Begging him to get inside me. Just as he’d threatened that very first day.
He must have seen that unspoken surrender in my eyes, or read the desire burning in my body. His eyes torched, but he didn’t say or do anything to hurry the kids off to bed. In fact, he sat down beside me on the couch and patiently clapped for each of Allie’s outfits as she did a fashion show for us.
His arm was heavy around my shoulders, and his body burned down the length of mine. He seemed to swallow up all the space on the couch, and maybe even the air too. I felt lightheaded, anticipation making my heart pound. And yeah, anxiety sparked and shouted in my head.
I hadn’t been with a man since Rob. I’d only ever been with him, so what I knew of sex and pleasure was fairly limited. I’d never had a one-night stand. I hadn’t dated since the ugly divorce. I hadn’t had the time or desire.
What if I was terrible in bed? I very well could be. Richard had certainly never been all that enthusiastic after we had kids. I’d chalked that up to his increased drinking and our general lack of sleep and financial stress, but maybe it was me. Maybe I’d been the problem all along.