The Billionaire's Proposal (Scandal, Inc Book 4)

by James, Avery

  “You should leave before we do something we’ll regret,” she said.

  “I don’t want to have any regrets,” he said. “There’s something I wanted to ask you, something I came here to say.”

  She knew what he meant. “Stop. If you kiss me again, I’m going to kiss you back, and it’s going to be the beginning of something,” she said.

  “The beginning of something, I like the sound of that,” he replied.

  Maggie got up and headed back into the suite. “You should go,” she said. She almost let herself get caught up in the moment. “Wait until tomorrow to tell me whatever it is you were going to say. If you still want to tell me then, I’ll hear you out.”

  Harry followed her inside. “Is that what you want?”

  She nodded. “We can’t do this,” she said. “I can’t do this, not now. I’m sorry.”

  “The thing I was going to tell you… I rescheduled my flight for tomorrow,” he said. “I was going to tell you when I got here, but I saw you, and I got caught up. If you want, you can come with me. If you don’t, I understand.”

  Harry walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek. His lips felt warm and wonderful against her skin, and she wanted to taste them again. She turned to kiss him, but stopped herself. “You should still go,” she said.

  “Okay,” he said. “Will I see you in the morning?”

  “Of course,” she said. “I have to make sure you don’t do anything dumb.”

  “Like fall for my handler?” he asked.

  “That would be pretty dumb,” she said. She kissed him softly, pressing her lips against his for just a moment before pulling back. “Goodnight, Gavin Harris Howard,” she said.

  “Goodnight, Maggie,” he replied.

  “Promise me you won’t cause any more trouble tonight,” she said. She walked him over to the door and hovered in the doorway for a moment, wondering if he’d give her one more chance to make a bad decision.

  “I think I’ve already caused enough trouble for one night,” he said. He gave her another kiss on the cheek and headed down the hall.

  Close the door before you kiss him again, Maggie told herself. She watched as Harry turned down the hall, and then she closed the door. Just get him on the plane before you do something stupid. Don’t even think about falling in love.

  ***

  As she entered the elevator, Maggie tried to clear her mind. She had spent the morning repacking her things and choosing the right outfit to wear back to Washington. She hoped that Harry would see the gray skirt and blazer and respect the fact that she had a job to do. She looked at her reflection in the mirrored finish of the doors.

  When the elevator doors opened to the lobby, Maggie saw an unexpected sight: Harry. He was waiting by the front entrance of the hotel, holding two cups of coffee. She couldn’t help but notice he was in the exact spot where she’d first seen him, the spot where their eyes had met for just long enough for her to feel a connection.

  She had been so flustered the first time she’d seen him that she’d immediately looked away. But that feeling couldn’t compare to the nervousness she felt as he noticed her stepping out of the elevator. She’d spent half the night wondering what it was he’d wanted to tell her the night before. Had he really only meant to tell her about his flight, or had there been something else he wanted to say? She’d spent the other half thinking about their latest kiss and wondering if it had been a mistake to make him leave.

  Amy and Callie had warned her not to fall in love, but they had said nothing about falling into the complicated space between friendship and something more. She had an idea of what he was going to tell her. Why else would he have come to her door? It wasn’t like he had been subtle in pursuing her.

  “Last night, what were you going to tell me?” she asked.

  “I was going to ask you to run away with me,” he said. He handed her a coffee, then took her bag and turned toward the door. “I decided it wasn’t worth worrying you with the details.”

  “You realize you can’t do this when we’re back, right?” she said, following after him.

  “Carry your luggage?” he said.

  “You know what I mean,” she said.

  “Oh, you mean I can’t be charming.”

  “Towards me? No,” she replied.

  “Why not?” he asked. “Are you saying you think we should charm other people?” He smiled as he loaded her luggage into the tiny trunk of his convertible, barely squeezing it in.

  “Maybe you could start by charming your fiancée, whoever that is,” she said. In truth, she didn’t like the idea of him charming anyone else, but if she told him that, it would only encourage more flirting. She still had to get through the flight without slipping up again.

  “You don’t know either?” Harry asked. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll spend the ride over to the airport practicing.”

  He doesn’t take no for an answer. “Wait, you don’t know who you’re marrying?” Maggie asked.

  “I’m holding out hope that it will be a certain someone,” he replied.

  “Yeah?” she asked. She knew where this was going.

  “It’s this girl I know who has a crush on me but doesn’t want to admit it because she thinks it will make people think less of her ability to do her job when really said crush really just reflects on her exquisite taste in men.”

  “You’re in for a world of disappointment,” she said. She got into the car and tried to hide her smile as she took a sip of coffee. She reminded herself that all she had to do was get to the plane and the plane would take care of the rest. With any luck, they’d be back in D.C. by lunch, and she’d be able to hand Harry off to someone less conflicted about arranging his marriage.

  “You say you don’t like me, but deep down, you like me.”

  “Delusion is deeply unattractive,” Maggie said.

  “It’s a good thing I know that to be true,” he replied. It was unclear if he was talking about her statement or his own. “Can I ask you something serious for a second?” Harry said.

  “I’d welcome that.”

  “There’s something between us, something more than just a fun fling.”

  “That wasn’t a question,” Maggie said.

  “In a different world, if you weren’t you, and I weren’t me, would this have worked out?” There was an earnestness in his tone that completely disarmed her. There was no witty response to give. There was no way to avoid the question.

  “I don’t know, maybe,” she said. “Yes.” She was trying to think of more to say when Harry pulled the car up to the airfield gate.

  “We’re here,” he said. He leaned over the side of the car and waved to the guard. A moment later, the gate rose, and they were driving across the tarmac to a waiting jet. From a distance, it looked like it was barely larger than his car. And as they approached, it didn’t seem much larger. When they were close enough, Harry pulled the car over and put it in park.

  “The past few days with you have been wonderful,” he said. “I want to make you an offer.”

  “I can’t marry you,” she said.

  Harry laughed. “That wasn’t the offer. I want you to come with me,” he said.

  “To D.C.?” she asked.

  “I’m not going to D.C., at least not yet.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “It’s selfish and it’s stupid, but I want you to hear me out. As soon as I go to D.C., my life is over.”

  “That’s a little dramatic. You’re taking over one of the biggest companies in the world. Do you have any idea how many people would kill to be in your position?”

  “As soon as I go back,” he said, “I’ll be living a lie. Over the past few days, I’ve been able to be myself, and all I’m asking for is a few more days. I thought I was fine with giving in to my father’s demands, but then I met you, and you reminded me that there are more important things in life. You brought something out in me that I thought I had lost.”

  “You�
��re trying to blame me for your crisis of confidence?” she said.

  “No, but you made me realize that I don’t want to do this by myself.”

  “What are you talking about?” Maggie asked.

  “I’m about to spend years pretending to be someone I’m not. I need someone who knows the real me. Give me one week, and when the time’s up I’ll gladly go along with whatever plan you want—not my father, not your boss. You. I like you, Maggie, and I think you like me. That’s more than I can say for anyone else involved in this, including my father. But there’s something I need to do first, and I’d like you to be part of it.” He got out of the car and got her luggage from the trunk, handing it over as she stared at him in confusion.

  “You know I have to go with you to make sure you don’t get into trouble,” she said.

  “No, if you’re coming with me, it’s because you want to come with me. Remember when you said you were afraid of missing opportunities and not taking risks? Well, here I am. Take a risk, Maggie. Come with me.” He walked over to the jet and started to climb the stairs.

  “This is crazy. I don’t even know where you’re going.”

  He held out his hand. “Cuba. Are you in or are you out?”

  Chapter 6

  Maggie was so busy wondering how fired she was going to be that she didn’t even hear Harry’s question until the third time he repeated himself. Even then, it didn’t make any sense to her.

  “I need your phone,” he said.

  She had been staring through the window at the tarmac as she waited for the plane to take off. She had almost called Harry’s bluff and let him get on the plane by himself, but the only thing worse than getting on the plane with him would have been letting him leave alone. She was waiting for the moment when he said this was just a joke and they were heading straight to D.C., but she knew that moment wasn’t going to come.

  “Maggie, I need to borrow your phone,” he repeated.

  “Why?” she asked. “You already have me on your plane. What could you possibly need my phone for?”

  “To make a phone call,” he said. “Trust me.”

  “I’m not in a very trusting mood.”

  “What’s your boss’s name again? Amy something?”

  “Haven,” Maggie said.

  “That’s right. I need you to call her and give me the phone. I promise I won’t do anything to get you in trouble with your boss.”

  “You already have,” she said.

  “Can I see your phone or not? The plane is going to taxi in a minute, and then I won’t be able to call. I realize the position I’m putting you in, but I need you to trust me,” he said. He held out his hand.

  Maggie pulled out her phone, selected the contact labeled “nuclear option,” and pressed send. She handed Harry the phone. If he wanted to talk to Amy, Maggie was going to let him. At least it would wipe the smile off his face.

  “Hi, Amy? This is Gavin Howard, how are you this morning?” he said. Maggie couldn’t make out what Amy was saying on the other end, but she was sure it wasn’t cordial. “She’s fine. In fact, she’s here with me right now, but I wanted to personally commend her to you. I was getting ready to hop on a flight to a tropical island far, far away from my father’s influence, but Maggie convinced me it wasn’t in my best interest and brokered a compromise. As I am the one who put her in this situation, I feel an obligation to convey this information myself. And since my only leverage is my cooperation, I’ll offer you the same offer I made Maggie. Give me a week, and I’ll do whatever you ask of me.” He cradled the phone against his shoulder as Amy spoke.

  “Yes, that was good of her. Of course I hit on her. Of course she rebuffed my advances.” He was quiet for a long while and then he tapped Maggie on the shoulder. “She wants to speak with you.”

  “Hello?” Maggie said. She felt a pang of dread run through her body. This was going to be her punishment for losing control of Harry.

  “I need you to listen very carefully,” Amy said. “All hell has broken loose on the Hill, and I’ve got everyone else dealing with three major scandals. Gavin’s stunt, while annoying, might actually work in our favor. There’s no way we can arrange everything else for his father right now. Keep him under control, and have him back here by next weekend.”

  “I’m sorry about this,” Maggie said. The plane was starting to roll down the runway, and Maggie watched the world rush by faster and faster as the plane gained speed. Soon they’d be airborne.

  “Don’t be. This is what happens. Clients change the rules and we adapt. If he’d run off, we’d have lost his father’s business. You made the right call. Now you have a few days to figure out how to get him to cooperate. Find out what matters to him. Figure out a way to make this a win for everyone. Okay? Just don’t let him charm you.”

  A little late for that, Maggie thought. “Of course,” she said. “After this stunt, I doubt that will be a problem.” So it was safe to assume that Abby hadn’t shared the story of how Maggie had accidentally kissed the client. At least she had that going for her.

  Amy snorted a short laugh. “Men. If they weren’t so dumb, we’d be out of work. If he’s not back in a week, there will be hell to pay. Remember, you’re on the clock. I have to go. I have the Attorney General on the other line.” Just like that, the call was over, and Maggie had her reprieve.

  “This doesn’t make up for what you did,” she said.

  “I know,” he replied. Maggie felt herself tilt back in the seat as the plane started to lift into the air.

  “Well, you have your week. You better make it count,” she said.

  “I don’t intend to waste a second,” he replied. “I wasn’t lying to you when I said my plan was to ditch my babysitter, and I’m not just doing this because I want to spend more time with you. Like I said, this is my last chance to be myself before I turn into a pumpkin.”

  “A very wealthy and powerful pumpkin,” Maggie said. She wasn’t about to join Harry in his pity party. He was heir apparent to one of the largest companies in the world, handsome, healthy, smart. His life seemed charmed, and yet he was running from it as fast as he could.

  “Still a pumpkin,” he said. “For what it’s worth, I’m really glad you decided to come along.”

  Maggie watched Key West grow smaller below as the plane ascended. She took a moment to look at the cabin. Her flight down to Key West had been the first time she’d ever flown anything other than coach, and now she was in a state-of-the-art private jet. She was fairly sure her seat was the most comfortable seat she’d ever sat in, but none of that mattered. What did matter was she was going to have a few more days to figure out what the hell she had with Harry. Part of her was pissed that he’d put her in this position. She wasn’t going to admit it to him, but at least a small part of her was glad she’d come along, too.

  ***

  The flight was shorter than Maggie had expected. She had barely resigned herself to the fact that she was blindly going to a foreign country when the island started to take shape in the distance. She was mad at Harry. She didn’t care that he’d found a way to okay everything with her work. He’d put her in an impossible situation and made her choose. It was a betrayal. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. The fact that she felt betrayed probably meant that she’d gotten too emotionally involved with Harry. He wisely hadn’t said anything to her since takeoff. If he had, she probably would have lost it with him.

  The plan had been to go to Key West, to enjoy herself for a weekend and to come back to the office fresh to start her permanent position with Haven. Now she was looking at a week of chasing Harry around an island as he tried to live out some last hurrah before he took over his father’s company. She wasn’t sure what part he wanted her to play in it, but she wasn’t just going to go along with whatever he wanted. She needed to make a plan before they arrived. She needed to prepare herself. It was something Amy had stressed to her time and time again—the best way to help clients was to stay detac
hed, to make clear decisions in their best interest. But was Harry a client, or was he something more?

  If he had just been a client, she’d have been fine with his stunt. Maybe she would have been annoyed, but it would have been an annoyance at most. She’d have let him have his moment while racking up billable hours. But Harry wasn’t just a client, and she knew she couldn’t pretend that was the case. The more she tried to figure out what she wanted him to be, the more confused she became.

  She watched Havana rise in the distance, the sprawl of the city reaching from the dark blue ocean up into the green fields and hillsides. As they got closer, she could see the white buildings with red roofs broken into blocks by an orderly grid of streets. Before long, Maggie could see the brightly colored cars that had driven those streets for decades. Soon they would land, and she’d have to decide what to do next.

  As the plane came in to land, she grabbed her armrests to brace herself. It was one of those nervous things she couldn’t help but do. Harry noticed and slid his hand over hers. He didn’t say anything; he just held her hand. She appreciated the fact that he didn’t make fun of her or judge her for tensing up, and his touch calmed her to the point where she barely noticed when the plane touched down.

  “You’re lucky they opened up air travel direct from Key West,” he said as the jet started to taxi to the hangar. “You used to have to fly to a waypoint to get to the island: Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean. If this was last year, we’d have been in the air for hours, and you’d have had to deal with at least two more landings.”

  Maggie sighed. “How many times have you been here?” she asked.

  “Three or four times in the past two years,” he said. “Nothing too much, enough to get a feel for a few places. Was it not in my file?”

  “No,” she said. “The closest thing I have to Cuba is your gambling exploits in the Caymans.”

  “Right,” he said. “I guess I did a good job of hiding my tracks.”

  “I don’t get you.” Her frustration was starting to bubble over. “You go out of your way to cultivate this devil-may-care persona, which, by the way, if I’m being completely honest, I don’t buy for a second, and then you decide to hide what you’re doing? Why? Why would someone who flaunts his actions on one tropical island go to any lengths to hide his presence on another?” Maggie asked.