Behind the Facade

by Rebecca Heap

  Michael entered a room in the hotel and lowered Kate gently on to the large bed. “I’ll go get you a glass of water,” he muttered.

  When he returned with the water, Kate was sitting up and looking rather nervous. She accepted the water with an uneasy “Thank you,” and took a small sip. “You didn’t have to hit Sebastian, you know,” she said. “I know it looked bad but it was all just a misunderstanding.”

  Michael looked at her sharply. “If it was just a misunderstanding, why did you scream?”

  Kate flushed at this and took another sip of water. “I don’t actually know,” she confessed. “I’m sorry I made such a fool of myself. And now I’ve not only made a debacle out of the whole evening but I’ve made you hurt Sebastian for nothing!”

  Michael just shrugged. “I wouldn’t worry about Sebastian. That prick’s had it coming a long time.”

  Kate’s eyes widened at this.

  Michael suddenly looked horrified. “He’s not your boyfriend, is he?” he asked.

  “No!” Kate asserted.

  “Then why did you let him put his hands all over you?!”

  She stood up then, flustered but also perversely flattered that he had noticed.

  “He did save my life once, you know,” she argued.

  Michael’s expression was a picture of scornful incredulity.

  Kate frowned and went on the defensive. “What’s it got to do with you anyway? You have a beautiful girlfriend and ever since you met me you have done your best to embarrass me. I appreciate you coming to my aid but I simply had some kind of panic attack and I don’t need any more rescuing thank you.”

  She glared at him now, her blue eyes glittering defiantly. He gazed back at her.

  “Shit!” he exclaimed. “Don’t look at me like that! I find it hard enough to breathe around you as it is.”

  He turned towards the door. “Right, I know when I’ve outstayed my welcome. I’ll leave you alone.”

  “Hey, wait a minute!” Kate entreated.

  He turned back to her.

  “You can’t keep making enigmatic comments like that and then leave me driving myself crazy wondering what you mean!”

  He couldn’t help a smile tugging at his lips. “So, I’ve been driving you crazy?” he asked.

  She marched up to him, eyes still flashing. “Yes!” she admitted.

  She poked her finger into his chest. “And you’ve no right! I’ve barely even met you! And don’t you think I’ve enough reasons to go crazy as it is?”

  Her expression suddenly crumpled and the vulnerability he saw there pierced through any resolve he may have had not to touch her. He brought his hand up to her face and with an aching tenderness traced a finger from her brows down to her jawline.

  She trembled violently under his touch, as if electrified. When his finger reached her lips he flinched, as though recovering himself, and began to bring his hand away. But she grabbed it before he could do so, her azure eyes huge and intense.

  “Don’t stop,” she whispered.

  When her eyes locked on his, he was lost.

  He pulled her towards him and sank his mouth on to hers, kissing her with a fervency that was akin to hunger long denied. She opened herself to him, matching his passion and sighing as she felt a lambent need incandesce inside her.

  He broke away from her, breathing heavily, his eyes dark with desire. She moved towards him again but he put his hand out as if to ward her off and shook his head.

  “No,” he gasped. “We can’t do this!”

  Kate stared at him, still shaking from the overpowering longing he had provoked in her. Her first instinct was to refute his statement but then she read the consternation in his face and she backed unsteadily to the bed and sat down.

  “You’re right,” she said. “This isn’t right. You have a girlfriend.”

  “It’s not that,” Michael disaffirmed. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

  Kate raised her eyebrows disbelievingly and, seeing her expression, he admitted, “Yes, the woman I brought here tonight was my date….but she’s not my girlfriend.”

  Kate looked at him, frowning and fighting the tears that prickled from the undeniable sense of rejection she felt. “You’re not still worried about damaging your relationship with my father are you? He obviously likes and trusts you. Why do you think he would mind if you started a relationship with me?”

  Michael sighed and came and sat down on the bed with her, but he kept his distance, as if even being close to her was too much for him. “You don’t understand,” he said. “I’ve got so much going on at the moment. I can’t afford any distractions.”

  Kate glowered a little at this but he wouldn’t look at her. “Is that all I’d be? A distraction?” she asked, her voice rising slightly.

  He looked at her now and her mounting annoyance was quenched by the gravity of his gaze.

  “No!” he contradicted. “But that’s exactly it! You deserve so much more and I just don’t have time to devote to a relationship right now.”

  Kate remained perplexed. “You can’t expect to kiss me like you did and then just go back to ignoring me can you?”

  Michael shrugged unhappily and looked down at his hands.

  Kate moved closer to him and put her hand over his. “I like you,” she began. “I know you feel the same connection I do.” Michael was unable to suppress a rueful smile at this.

  "I've felt numb for so long,” she continued. “Something happened to me when I was younger that I've struggled to recover from. But you seem to have reawakened something in me. I'm not prepared to let this pass.”

  Michael was concerned by this revelation and pushed up from the bed, still shaking his head. “I'm way too old for you!”

  Kate followed his lead and rose from the bed herself. She ignored this comment and pressed on with her plea. “I wouldn’t make any demands on you. Can’t we at least be friends for now?”

  “Friends?” Michael murmured.

  “Yes,” Kate stated with conviction. She walked around the bed and came back with a pen she’d found. She pulled up the cuff of his sleeve and wrote something on his arm.

  “That’s my mobile number,” she said. “You don’t have to take me out or anything like that. It would just be nice to talk to you sometimes.”

  They stared at each other. Kate could still sense the unnerving electricity between them. Friends? thought Michael. She was just being naïve to think that was possible.

  He was about to reject the idea when a forceful banging on the door accompanied by a shouted, “Kate are you in there?” startled them both. Before either of them had chance to respond, the handle turned and an irate Sebastian barged in on them, closely followed by Kate's father.

  Kate stumbled back onto the bed in surprise. Sebastian homed in on Michael and launched a fist at him but, before it could connect, Kate's father came between them. He caught Sebastian’s hand, shoving his arm down saying. “Calm down, man.”

  Sebastian turned to him, angrily shaking free of his hold. “Did you not see what he did to my nose?” He gestured at his face. “And then he has the bloody nerve to bring her here? To his room?”

  “I'm sure Michael had no ill-intent.”

  Sebastian growled at this and spat towards Michael, “Like fuck he didn’t!”

  “Michael?” queried Harry. “I saw my daughter faint. What happened?”

  Kate interjected then. “Why is everyone talking about me as if I’m not here?”

  Her father crossed to her then and took her hand. “Kate, darling, are you ok?”

  She stood up from the bed and shrugged off his attempts to assist her to her feet. “I'm fine and perfectly capable of explaining what happened.”

  She crossed to Michael then, placing a hand on his arm and addressing him formally. “Mr Hunter kindly came to my aid, believing Sebastian to have upset me when I screamed. He was mistaken. I simply suffered a momentary headache and a little dizziness, which distressed me. I'm sure he's very
sorry for hitting him.”

  She looked emphatically at Michael who nodded in agreement, whilst Sebastian scowled at him in disbelief.

  “He kindly brought me here to recover. I've made such a fool of myself.” She looked at Sebastian then, who had remained focused on Michael and tense with unreleased fury, and said, “I'm sorry Sebastian. It was all my fault. Forgive me?”

  Sebastian could do little but bank his anger, as to do otherwise would suggest he was unwilling to accept her apology. He visibly relaxed a little.

  Kate crossed to him and kissed him on the cheek, saying, “Thank you. I'm too embarrassed to return to the party. Will you take me home?” She suggested this in order to placate him, knowing that leaving him with Michael would only lead to further trouble. Michael grimaced at this but knew it would be unwise to object.

  Kate purposefully steered Sebastian from the room but, as they ventured over the threshold, she glanced behind and gave Michael a wistful smile.

  In contrast, Sebastian turned and snarled, “This isn’t over Hunter.”

  He was left with her father, who hadn't failed to spot there was something between them.

  He turned to Michael and challenged “What are your intentions towards my daughter?”

  Michael looked puzzled.

  “Hunter, come on. I'm no fool. You made it your business to take care of her and then you were in here alone for some time before we tracked you down.”

  “I really don’t know what you’re talking about, Harry. I saw your daughter was in need of assistance. I brought her up here and gave her a glass of water. End of story. ”

  Michael made to move past him and out of the door but Harry grabbed his arm “I thought we’d started to trust one another? Don’t mess with me Hunter,” he warned, his voice having taken on a tight edge of menace. “Not on this.”

  Michael carefully extricated his arm, but not without some difficulty and, in the process, his sleeve rucked up, revealing the digits inscribed there by Kate. Harry was not slow to notice, recognising the number at once.

  Harry recaptured his arm, gripping it painfully this time. “If she gave you her personal number, she had a reason to. Don’t try and tell me there’s nothing in it.” He released his arm with an irritable shake.

  Michael held his hands up in mock submission. ”Look, Harry, the last thing I want to do is upset you, or our business relationship, by getting involved with your daughter.”

  “You should have thought of that before you came to her rescue so admirably,” said Harry with a measure of sarcasm. “You’ve allowed her to give you her number and you weren’t going to disappoint her were you?”

  “Well, actually, I’ve not really got the time…..”

  “Bugger that, man. You make the time. Don't pretend you don't want her. I've seen the way you look at her. I know when a man wants what he shouldn't have.”

  Michael realised Harry had him. He shrugged. “I can't deny it. Your daughter is a doll. But Sebastian clearly feels he has a claim to her and I don’t want to cause any bad feeling.”

  “Sebastian has always held something of a torch for her. Despite owing Sebastian a huge debt, Kate has never reciprocated his feelings. Having said that, I put this down to the fact that she hasn’t shown much emotion towards anyone since her... mishap.” Harry spoke this last word hesitantly and Michael frowned.

  “Tonight I noticed a change in her. She was more like her old self. She seems to respond to you.” Harry paused and a tender expression softened his habitually stony features. “I’ve been worried about her for a long time. You may be good for her. You may help bring her to a full recovery.”

  Michael appeared about to question this last statement but Harry stopped him with a look.

  “Don’t ask me about what happened. Ask her. I’m hoping she’ll confide in you and, by doing so, retrieve the blank spots in her memory...especially any information about the bastard who was responsible.”

  Harry’s face hardened perceptibly and his eyes glittered dangerously. “Before I die, I swear I’m going to find that bastard and show him exactly what happens to anyone who dares to hurt me and mine.”

  Michael was unnerved by this last declaration and didn’t immediately respond.

  Harry smacked him on the back and cajoled, “What’s the matter? Don't you want to get to know her better?”

  "Sure,” he returned. “But Christ, Harry, she’s your daughter. Your prized possession. You couldn’t trust me with your Bugatti instead, could you?”

  “I never took you for a coward Mick,” he replied. “I’m not asking you to marry her for pity’s sake. I’m just giving you my permission to see her. All I ask in return is that you pass on any recollections she may have.”

  Michael sighed, recognising this as an offer that he’d have to accept, or risk estranging Harry. “OK Harry. But what about Sebastian?” Michael asked. “Won’t this really hack him off?”

  Harry shook his head dismissively. “We owe him a lot, yes, but Kate has never warmed to him. He’ll just have to accept it. Trust me, I don’t want her fought over like dogs over a bone either. I’ll speak to him, don’t worry.”

  Harry extended his hand.

  Michael still looked a little unsure but when Harry’s inexorable gaze met his, he put out his own hand and shook decisively. Harry grasped it hard, ensuring Michael could not reclaim it quickly, adding, “It goes without saying that I'm relying on you to handle her with care. She’s been through hell. She’s more than a possession, Michael. She’s my baby, and you’d better not forget it.”

  CHAPTER 16

  As soon as he’d introduced himself to the receptionist, Michael was ushered into Harry’s presence. Before she closed the door on them, Jayne gave Michael a last lingering look. It was just her luck, she thought, that he hadn't been asked to wait. Jasmine, who normally covered the desk in the afternoons, had told her about the totally hot Mr Hunter but she’d not paid her much attention, believing her to be exaggerating his charms just to gloat over how much she’d missed out. There was little love lost between them.

  Normally she had ample time to eye up her boss’s visitors, none of whom were ever deserving of much attention. Whilst, more often than not, she was happy to flirt with them, she usually found their age and physique too abhorrent to feel any genuine desire for them, despite their obvious wealth. She considered humouring them simply to be part of her job. The only eye-candy she ever got was that oaf Sebastian and his looks were definitely soured by his personality. He was never civil to her.

  Michael Hunter looked like a much better prospect. Not only did he exude an aura of wealth and confidence, he was seriously sexy. She’d had to control the urge not to gape, as he’d approached her desk. Then his accent. Well, she’d almost fallen off her chair with palpitations. Attractive and American. Jasmine had been right, loath as she was to admit her rival was right about anything. When Harry had given her Michael’s name and directed her to send him straight in as soon as he arrived, she’d been curious to meet him but had never thought she’d be so reluctant to obey Harry’s instruction. Nonetheless she’d complied, all too conscious of the undeserved wrath that habitually fell on her head. Heaven knows what Harry would do if she didn’t adhere to so direct an order. Maybe she’d catch Mr Hunter on the way out and she could offer him her number? she thought hopefully. Then she’d definitely have something to lord over Jasmine. But she was to be disappointed.

  Harry gave Michael a beaming grin, as he entered, and rose from his chair, extending his arms in an expansive gesture of welcome, not afraid to show the pleasure he felt at his arrival. Harry loved to show off and this meeting gave him an opportunity to do just that. Furthermore, he had never truly shared this side of his business with anyone in a meaningful way. Yes, his clients were aware of what was on offer but not the clever logistics and mechanics behind it. He was proud and precious of what he had created. But, like any parent, the time had now come to showcase his child and give it the chance to
grow. First, however, there was a test that his protégé had to pass.

  Harry greeted him with “Michael, my friend. How good of you to come.” Then waving a hand at the chair in front of him, he invited Michael to sit and lowered himself back into his own seat.

  As soon as Michael had settled himself, he leaned forwards and pushed some papers, towards him saying “I want to get straight to business, son. I don’t like to dilly dally over these things. I’ve made up my mind and want you on board. There’s the contract. All I need from you is a signature and then a transfer of £250,000 to seal the deal.”

  Michael shoved away from the desk and nearly rose to his feet, visibly perturbed. Shaking his head he said, “Hold up a minute, Harry! I haven’t even seen any accounts yet, let alone had chance to get my head around what this side-line of yours is. I’m not entirely persuaded I should even be part of it.”

  Harry, far from being put off, merely smiled and said, “Believe me Michael, it isn’t a side-line. It’s the main event.”

  He sat back and said, “By all means, take your time reading the contract. You’ll see that there are great dividends to be reaped. I’m not about to cheat you. I’m even putting you in charge of our US expansion.”

  He held up his hand and interrupted Michael when he seemed about to voice further doubts. “I know you have questions. I understand that. But you need to understand this.”

  Suddenly his tone changed and became soft, yet deadly serious. “Until you’re firmly tied into this, those questions cannot be answered. I have to have your commitment first. This is not negotiable. You sign or you walk away. It’s up to you.”

  Michael’s mouth set into a grim line, clearly not at all happy to be put in this position. Harry’s face was implacable. He could see he would not be moved. He came to a decision. Pulling the contract towards him, he riffled through it to the last page, quickly scrawled his signature and pushed it back to Harry. “I’ll transfer the money within 24 hours,” he confirmed.

  “Good man,” said Harry and, after tucking the contract away, stood to his feet and stuck out his hand. “Welcome on board, Michael. You won’t regret it.”