His piercing grey eyes studied her for a few moments before he began to talk. “As I stated that first day, your job will be very straightforward. At this point I have no problems giving you more details. I assume you probably have done some research about me?”
She nodded.
“Well as you know, I spent almost a year in a burn treatment center undergoing surgeries and rehabilitation. The pain was excruciating, more than you can possibly imagine. Especially the daily debridement where they held me down and scraped off the dead skin. The process was supposed to help with healing and scars, but as you can see...” He stood up and moved to the window.
“They say the screams are the worst part of working in a burn center and I can verify the accuracy of that,” he continued. “I still hear the screams, both my own and those of the other patients. In an effort to control the pain as best they could, I was given very strong pain medication. Not that it helped that much. Morphine, narcotics, everything you can think of. They pumped me full of the stuff for almost a year to basically keep me alive and functioning so I could heal.”
Angela held her breath, almost unable to bear thinking about what he must’ve gone through. She knew he needed to say it and even more so, she knew she needed to hear it.
“Are you still in pain?” she asked, her words a hoarse whisper. “Do they hurt?”
“Thankfully no,” he replied, turning to give her a sad smile. “Not on the outside anyway.” He paused, raking his hand through his hair. “What they didn’t tell me or maybe they did and I just didn’t listen was how hard it would be to come off the pain pills once I didn’t physically need them anymore. My parents were very concerned about my ability to stop taking the painkillers once I came home. I’m not going to lie. It wasn’t easy. They’re extremely addictive. I’m a very disciplined person though, so when I made up my mind to put them down, I did; with professional help, of course. Afterwards, I went through months of depression and probably drank way more than I should have. But that’s all in the past.”
He walked over and settled down on the couch beside her. “The problem now, and the reason you’re here, is that my mother is not convinced that I’m better. She’s still worried about me and I suspect that she’s planning to stage an intervention of some sort at her birthday party. You know, the kind of thing where family and friends gang up on you and tell you how worried they are.” He let out a humorless laugh. “She remains convinced I spend my days walled up here in a drunken stupor, or worse.”
Angela leaned back and let out the breath she’d been holding. She understood exactly why Shane’s mother was worried about him. She would’ve felt the same way.
“Are you saying you haven’t been doing that?” She asked with a smile to soften her words.
Shane hesitated for a moment too long, letting her know she’d hit a soft spot. “Let’s just say I’m better than I was,” he finally admitted. “Maybe not 100%, but definitely better. Your job is to convince her of this. Make my family believe I’m fine and back in the land of the living again. For real.”
Angela frowned. “So let me get this straight. To head off this planned intervention, you need a fake girlfriend to prove you’re off the painkillers and are living a full life again?” Angela asked with a twist to her smile. “It’s a bit far-fetched, don’t you think? Even for a rich guy with cash to burn?”
“I think I know better how my mother’s mind works, Angela,” Shane replied, expression stone sober. “And believe me, this is the best way to stop her from worrying and to get her off my back. She’ll know I’m truly better if I’m dating and going out in public again. You need to understand the car wreck didn’t just happen to me. This whole thing has affected my parents greatly too. They’ve both suffered enough. They’re almost sixty and should be enjoying their life now, not worrying about me. Do you understand why I’m doing this?” His words were almost pleading.
“I love my father too, so yes, I understand.” She impulsively reached over and squeezed his hand once in a quick comforting gesture before letting go. “So...what exactly is expected of me?”
His eyes lowered to the table. “It’s all in the contract. Please go through and tell me what you think. I’ve set everything out plainly and you can rest assured you have nothing to worry about. You’ll need to accompany me to a few social events, as well as the weekend stay at my parent’s home in the mountains. The main idea is to prove a real relationship exists. I’ve already set the wheel in motion with the dinner party last night, as my mother is definitely going to hear about you from Bridget and Melissa. They’re her spies of course but they’re the least of our worries. We’ll have to worry more about the Press, and members of the outside world who’ve always taken an interest in my affairs in the past.”
Angela had picked up the papers and was looking through them when his words made her glance up in surprise. “So you really meant it about going out in public again?”
“It’s something I was always aware I’d have to do eventually,” he said casually. “I can’t stay holed up forever. This is the best chance I have to show the world my scars don’t define me; it’s only a small part of who I am and I can no longer hide from that. I know the process won’t be entirely painless....”
At this, he grimaced slightly before continuing, “But I think I’m ready now, more than I’ve ever been.”
Angela nodded silently, her thoughts full. She looked down at the papers again and began to read through them. He was right; everything was set out pretty simply. Nothing seemed out of place or enough to cause her worry. She certainly wouldn’t be needing an attorney to look through them as she already knew what to look out for. He expected among other things that she date no one else for the duration of the agreement, which was certainly a viable request. There were other stipulations and prerequisites but the bottom line was, she was his for a few weeks and he’d be able to control her movements as well as other aspects of her life which used to be her call alone. For the kind of money she was to be paid and other consideration such as her father’s healthcare and Sasha’s new job...Angela figured it was a fine bargain.
She looked up a while later to find that he’d picked up a newspaper and had been flicking through while she’d been perusing the contract. He held the paper lower than his face so she could see his every feature. There was only a small distance between their chairs and like in the kitchen, she was struck by how aware of everything about him she was. She couldn’t help but be drawn by his smell; clean, spicy and sexy and reaching her easily. He made her think of the fact that he’d tasted good too, judging from that brief yet searing kiss they’d shared last night after dinner.
The more time Angela spent around him, the easier it was not to dwell on his scars, awful as they were. It surprised her that he wasn’t making an effort to conceal them. Not that she expected him to wear a mask or anything around her. But someone vainer would have tried to consciously ensure the scars stayed hidden or disguised.
“You’re staring, Angela,” Shane pointed out lightly, not looking up as he casually turned to the next page of the newspaper.
Angela quickly glanced down, cheeks warming. “I’m sorry. I just...I admire how you don’t seem at all ill at ease with your um, scars.”
“Do they make you ill at ease?” he asked, suddenly meeting her eyes.
“They should, but no. I’ve seen worse, believe me.”
“That’s interesting to note. However, the reason I have to behave this way especially with you, is for a reason. I hope that you grow accustomed to being comfortable around me even with the scars. How else can we convince anyone we’re actually together if you let on my scars repel you?”
“Wouldn’t you say that kiss last night did a good job of being convincing?” Angela challenged. For some perverse reason she needed to bring that up. Not that she was looking for more praise but it really had been one hell of a good kiss as far as performances went. And to be honest she hadn’t needed to pretend to en
joy it...
Now she wished she could take the question back because Shane was staring at her lips narrowly. She swallowed a tight gulp.
“I already told you it was a commendable touch,” he drawled. “However, with far more practice I’m certain we can easily perfect a sure-fire technique – one authentic enough to fool even the most eagle-eyed observer.”
“P..practice?” Angela was gaping at him and wondering, why was she stammering so hard? And why did something hot, fast and wild shoot right through her core at his silkily delivered words?
“No need to panic, Angela,” he said drily at last on noting her expression. “Sometimes, you’re so easy to tease. I’m beginning to enjoy that way too much.”
“Well don’t,” she said with flashing eyes. “There’s no cause to be a jerk.”
“I guess I still have to keep working on my people skills then,” he said with a humorous curve to his lips. Angela expelled a long held-in breath and warned herself to maintain her calm. She wasn’t going to let him get away with needling her every chance he got. There was something of a bully in him she figured, and at any sign of weakness, he might take advantage. Angela vowed to be two steps ahead of him with that.
“You’ll definitely have to work on a lot of things,” Angela replied. “You may have picked me thinking I’ll be a pushover, but I’ll let you know right now it’s not the case.”
He regarded her silently for several moments. “I picked you because I liked what I saw. I still do,” he told her with an intense look that made her shiver inside. “And I certainly didn’t want someone who’d let me push her around either. When you meet my mother, you’ll understand that I found you a perfect choice because you seemed like a woman who can hold her own in any situation.”
Angela felt mollified by his comments while feeling a twinge of unease. Any time he mentioned his mother, he made her sound like a force of nature. Angela actually found it completely understandable that Mrs. Davis was concerned and wanted to make things better for her son. What mother wouldn’t? But obviously Shane didn’t appreciate her interference.
It’s not my business to ponder on such matters, Angela thought, finally lifting the pen to sign the next few weeks of her life away. I’ll keep to my job description and come what may, walk away from this unscathed and untouched by any of Shane Davis’s ‘issues’, she vowed. Lord knows she had plenty enough of her own problems to deal with.
And much as she could feel a side of her getting emotionally invested in Shane’s life, this couldn’t be anything but a job. They came from two different worlds. He had his hang-ups, she had hers. All they could ever be was client-boss and Angela just couldn’t see it working out any other way in the end.
To think of it any other way would end badly for her, she knew.
Chapter Six
––––––––
There was a big relief knowing that her bank account was well out of the red, thought Angela the following day. With one signature, her life was turning right around. Shane had already deposited a fraction of the payment and it was more than enough to keep Angela in high spirits after being on the edge of flat broke for so many months. Also, a transfer was already in the works to move her father to a more exclusive facility. Sasha had already called to let Angela know she’d been invited for an interview at a top IT firm that Sasha had only ever dreamed of working in. Sasha’s elated voice had been enough to put a smile on Angela’s face and keep it there.
It felt good that in some way she was responsible for fending for her family and she hadn’t had to do anything self-debasing to achieve it. Angela held tight to that satisfaction and wouldn’t let anything faze her mood. Even when she was instructed to move into Shane’s home, she took it in her stride. But when she was summoned into the living room to find every inch of the floor and furniture almost covered with shopping bags from designer stores, she turned to Shane with raised brows.
“What in heaven’s name is all this?”
“Your new wardrobe,” he said with calm at her lippy tone. “I had things acquired from the best shops to ensure that having the right outfit for whatever the occasion wouldn’t be a problem for you.”
“My own clothes would have done just fine,” Angela said, cheeks and neck flushing with emotion. Was it his intention to doll her up like his well-kept paramour? She wouldn’t go out with him dressed wearing stuff people would know she couldn’t well afford herself.
Looking into a few bags she could see there was enough finery to send even the most ardent fashionista to style heaven. There were clothes, shoes, jewelry and perfumes...goodness. And they all seemed to be in her perfect size. How on earth had he managed that?
“Consider this as ‘dressing for the part’,” was Shane’s laconic reply.
“I see. And I thought the ‘part’ was girlfriend and not high-priced bimbo,” Angela said sharply, fists on her hips.
Shane pinched at the bridge of his nose for a moment in a universal gesture of masculine exasperation. But his voice was patient as he replied, “Do me a favor, and simply humor me. I wanted to buy all this for you. You’re my woman now; it’s expected that you look the part. I like my women glamorous and put together. If I want to see you dressed in expensive silks, diamonds or designer heels, then that’s what I get.”
Angela could not mistake the edge of steel in his tone. He wasn’t asking. This was an order. She really had to go along with this and anything within reason he arranged. But even as she fumed inwardly she found herself glancing into a couple of shopping bags with the insignia of a high-end lingerie shop. A fresh rush of heat washed over her face.
“Racy underwear, Shane? And how does that follow your requirement, since you certainly won’t be seeing me in any of these?”
A slow, wicked smile crossed his face, making him look more diabolical than usual.
“A man can only hope and pray,” he murmured, and this had Angela’s heart rate tripping too fast for her liking. Damn the man! He knew just how to get under her skin. Well at least he was putting it out there, which was more than ample warning for her. All that sexual innuendo wasn’t going to influence her; he’d find she wasn’t susceptible to his trademark charm which he seemed able to switch on and off at will.
Shane said nothing more on that topic as he went on briskly, “The maid will bring everything up to your room and you can try them on at your leisure. If there’s a problem with anything, let me know and I’ll have it replaced or sent back. But I’ll doubt there’ll be an issue since I took care to know your exact statistics. And I took the time to personally pick the clothes out myself.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him the burning question of how he’d got hold of that information, but decided against it. Maybe she wouldn’t want to know. And anyway it couldn’t be that hard to find out, since he already knew everything else about her, thought Angela.
“That’s fine and dandy,” she said with deep irony, “But rest assured you’ll be getting all this stuff back once the contract is concluded. I’ve already been paid in full for the job; I don’t require any more of your handouts.”
He simply shrugged. “Whatever you want to do later is fine with me. I have a couple of appearances to make this week and obviously you’re going to accompany me. I will instruct you on what I expect you to wear and so forth. I trust you’ll be agreeable.”
“Of course,” she said quickly, feeling silly now. She hadn’t meant to be an ungrateful ass or difficult. This was all so new. He was doing so much for her as she’d pointed out and she had no cause taking anything personal. The clothes, the jewelry were all part of the game and she’d better play it if she wanted things to go smoothly. He didn’t need to spell it out for her.
“There’s some other matters that need to be taken care of. My chauffeur will be happy to drive you wherever you need to go so long as it has to do with preparing for the upcoming outings. And while you’re in the house, I don’t mind you exploring but it’s a really b
ig place and it’s easy to get lost. If you want to look around, let Bess know. The kitchen is also open anytime so grab whatever you want. The chef has a lot of pre-cooked meals in the fridge that simply need to be heated up or if you prefer, he can be asked to prepare something to your liking for dinner.”
“I’m sure I’ll manage,” she said, in a more subdued manner than earlier. “Everything sounds great. Thank you.”
He nodded approvingly. “I’m busy most of the day and won’t be around a whole lot. Now that I’m not racing, I spend my time on various business investments. I work from home which means I will be here – but I won’t be available. Once again, ask Bess if you need something to entertain yourself or you’re looking for things to do.”
By the time he’d finished giving her all the lowdown she’d possibly need, a uniformed maid appeared to help Angela with the mountain of bags. There was a part of her that she knew would love trying on all those beautiful clothes and things. For aesthetic reasons, of course. It wasn’t their fault they looked so good and fine. Every item screamed taste, elegance and affluence. She’d always secretly envied women who could look like this every day. And now, for the next few weeks she’d know what it feels like. Maybe it was time she stopped looking for problems in every aspect and simply enjoy it all while it lasted. Her very own Cinderella moment though instead of Prince Charming, she got the Beast.
Angela felt an instant prick of remorse for thinking of Shane that way. He was far from that: a beast. There was kindness in him beneath his shell. He made her pulses race with the way his eyes always seemed to peel off her clothes, but she knew she had no cause for alarm with him. He’d never do anything she didn’t expressly allow.
Tangled: A New Adult Romance Boxed Set (12 Book Bundle of Billionaires, Bad Boys, and Royalty) Page 43