by S Cinders
Mandy tipped her head to the side, causing her honey blonde curls to wrap around one of her breasts and exposing part of her neck.
“You have no reason to be sorry, Mr. Brand. I apologize for my mother, she probably thought you were the landlord.”
Head filled Mandy’s cheeks, “What can I do for you?”
Elliot couldn’t tear his eyes away from this beautiful woman that was apologizing for things that she had no control over. A wave of protectiveness washed through him. He couldn’t let her stay here, not for another night, another hour, or another minute.
“I have found that I will need your services right away,” he stumbled over the words. “I tried to text you.”
Mandy frowned, “My phone is dead, I am sorry! My sister had an emergency at her shop and I stayed late to help. I just got home a few minutes ago and plugged it in.”
Elliot nodded, “Can I convince you to come tonight?”
Mandy blinked and looked down at herself. She squeaked and covered her breasts, noticing how see-through her pajamas were in the porch light.
“Of course, I just need a few minutes to pack.”
“Can I come in?” Elliot surprised himself with the request. But he didn’t want to lose sight of her.
Mandy hedged knowing that this man had no idea how they really lived.
“I will need to carry the boxes,” Elliot added with a smile.
Mandy let out the breath she was holding, “All right, Mr. Brand. But just a warning, we weren’t expecting company.”
Elliot raised a dark eyebrow, “I think I realized that the moment the revolver was pointed through the crack in the door.”
Mandy was mortified, “I truly am very sorry.”
He held up a hand and placed a long finger against her bow lips.
“Don’t be,” he whispered, “I am glad that you’ve had someone to protect you.”
Mandy’s eyes skirted away from his, “Yes, well, something like that. Please come in.”
She opened the door and a wave of second-hand smoke hit them both. Mandy tried to ignore the way her mother was yelling at the television. She showed Elliot to the back stairs and then descended.
The basement smelled of rot and was damp. However, the bedroom that she led him too was clean even if terribly small.
Elliot’s voice was gruff, “Where are the boxes that you can use?”
Mandy swallowed and walked out of the room and returned with three beat-up liquor boxes. Elliot smiled at her, “What can I help you with?”
She blushed, “I don’t have much. Please just have a seat on my bed.”
She wished that she had a chair to offer him. He looked huge sitting on the edge of her tiny twin bed.
As she opened one of the drawers of the dresser, Elliot stopped her.
“I can put these items in a box if you want.”
Mandy nodded gratefully and grabbed a different box to put her toiletries in. She gathered up her two nice pairs of shoes and a few dresses from her closet. The truth was that almost everything here was from before she was pregnant.
When she had finished she turned to see Elliot staring at a black lace bra that was dangling from his fingertips.
Mandy gasped, and Elliot dropped the garment as if he had been burned.
“I beg your pardon,” his voice was gruff, and Mandy realized that the drawer underneath the one he had started on contained all of her bras and panties.
Mandy swallowed a hysterical laugh, “I suppose that you know more about me now than my last four boyfriends.”
And then she wanted to kick herself for spraying that out into the world.
“What do you mean?” Elliot took a step closer to her.
Mandy shook her head, “I was being stupid, it is nothing.”
Elliot moved until he was directly in front of her, “Amanda—tell me.”
Mandy ran a nervous hand through her hair.
“It is only that you have not only been to my house, which I have never brought anyone home before. But you have seen inside of my room, experienced my crazy mother, and then you packed my underwear, I think some of those have been around for the last century.”
His lips twitched, “A century?”
Mandy flushed, “Or longer.”
“I will let you rifle through my underwear drawer if it makes you feel any better?”
Elliot wasn’t sure who was more surprised at his offer, Ms. Johnson, or himself.
But the moment laughter bubbled over her lips he had been damn glad that he offered. Mandy’s flushed cheeks and sparkly eyes had him captivated as she giggled.
“You are very kind, Mr. Brand. But I think I will leave your underwear alone for now.”
Elliot smirked, “Well, just so you know the offer is still open.
She laughed again, thinking that he was a good sport for helping her feel more at ease. Elliot wasn’t so sure that he wasn’t dead serious. He would let her see his underwear right now if she wanted to. And that shocked the hell out of him.
CHAPTER 6
“This is Mrs. Herrington,” Elliot indicated the older woman with sharp blue eyes and weathered skin. “She will help you settle into your rooms.”
Mandy could hardly believe her eyes. Elliot Brand had taken her to Skyridge Estates, only the most exclusive condominiums in the city. From there he gave her the special access code to enter on the keypad of the elevator.
Once the code was entered, the elevator began its climb to the top of the skyscraper. Mr. Brand not only owned the penthouse suite, but he also owned the entire building and most of the buildings surrounding Skyridge Estates.
The top floor had been converted into a sixteen thousand square foot luxury condominium. Mandy was given the east wing which had a bedroom almost as large as the home she had grown up in and a sitting area that included a large screen television. The couch looked to be made of the softest fabric, and large fluffy pillows in shades of blue rested along its length.
The bedroom had a space that looked to be recently cleaned out. It did nothing to take away from the large sleigh bed and Audubon carpets that covered the hardwood floors.
Robert, the butler, had arranged for her boxes to be brought up from the car. They lay tucked into the corner like rubbish and Mandy couldn’t help the surge of embarrassment that flooded her cheeks.
“Thank you, Mrs. Herrington,” her voice shook slightly.
The older woman raised a white brow, “Whatever are you thanking me for, child?”
Mandy swallowed, “For showing me my rooms.”
It came out as more of a question than an answer. Mrs. Herrington’s mouth flattened into a line. And Mandy felt her stomach sink.
This is a mistake, Mandy thought to herself.
“I have some supper on the stove when you have washed up,” Mrs. Herrington continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “Mr. Brand has work to do and won’t be joining you.”
Mandy raised her eyes to the older woman, “Thank you, Mrs. Herrington. But I am not hungry.”
The older woman scoffed, “Come now, you are no bigger than a minute, and you have a babe inside of you. Don’t be selfish, girl.”
Mandy nodded because she wasn’t sure what else she could do.
Silently, she walked into the en-suite bathroom and washed her hands. She tried not to notice the dark circles under her eyes or the baggy sweatshirt that she had pulled on over her tank top and shorts.
Mandy glanced around at the white marble counters and the large clawfoot tub. It was gorgeous, far beyond anything she had ever used before.
Mandy couldn’t help but feel that this wasn’t meant for her. A shiver of doubt crept up her spine. What if Mr. Brand learned that this baby was his?
As much as Mandy didn’t want to leave, she knew that this was a game where she stood far too much to lose. Straightening her shoulders, she walked out of the bathroom and out of her suite of rooms. She followed the path back to the main living area and glanced once at the kitchen be
fore making a direct turn and walking over to Mr. Brand’s personal rooms.
Mandy knocked twice.
The door was flung open, and Elliot stood there with a small towel wrapped around his waist. Small droplets of water were still gathered on his pectoral muscles. Mandy followed one with her eyes as it made its way down his chiseled abs towards that small white towel.
“Ms. Johnson? Is everything all right?”
Mandy’s throat was dryer than the Sahara Desert, and she couldn’t seem to find her tongue.
Elliot felt the heat from her stare. She was by far the loveliest woman he had ever seen. And if he allowed her perusal to continue much longer she would be very much aware of his interest in her.
“Amanda?” his voice was huskier this time, and she snapped her eyes to his.
The sweetest shade of pink tinged her perfect cheekbones.
“Mr. Brand,” she choked out, “I am sorry. I can’t do this.”
Mandy motioned with her hands to the space around her.
Elliot felt his gut clench, “Has someone upset you?”
She shook her head, “No, it is only that this is too much. I shouldn’t be here.”
Her eyes closed just as he saw the look of fear and remorse in them. He tipped her chin up with his thumb, “Amanda, please open your eyes.”
She squeezed them tight for a second as if preparing herself. Her skin burned from his light touch and she remembered him touching her other places. A soft moan escaped her lips as her blue eyes blinked open.
Elliot’s cock hardened fully at the sound escaping her lips. It was almost familiar, and easily the sexiest thing he had ever heard.
“You cannot leave,” he ground out.
Mandy frowned.
“I need you,” he hurried to say, “And you made a promise to me.”
Mandy’s frown deepened.
“You said that you would give this a trial run,” he pressed, “Are you not true to your word?”
Her back snapped to attention, “I am a woman of my word.”
“Good,” he caressed her skin softly before letting her chin go. “Give me a moment to change, and we will begin.”
Mandy nodded at the very same moment that her stomach made a loud groan of protest.
Elliot’s lips twitched, “We will have to do something about that, won’t we?”
Mandy’s blush deepened as he winked at her and walked into the room without closing the door. His muscled back and tight ass made him delectable coming and going. She really needed some water. Mandy was sure that he was trying to burn her up from the inside out.
“What are you doing here?” Mrs. Herrington’s tone of disapproval rang out across the space.
Mandy turned in horror, realizing that this had to look bad.
“I told you that Mr. Brand had work to do,” Mrs. Herrington scowled.
Elliot walked out of the closet at that moment in a pair of gray track pants and a black V-neck tee-shirt that fit him like a glove.
“Mrs. H, is there a problem?”
Mandy was shocked to see the instant change on the older woman’s face. She softened and looked almost motherly to Elliot.
“No, Sir,” Mrs. Herrington motioned to Mandy, “I had asked the girl not to disturb you. I am sorry, Sir. It won’t happen again.”
Elliot placed a hand on the small of Mandy’s back.
“Amanda was not disturbing me, she is my new personal assistant and will be working closely with me. You do not need to question her or keep tabs on her whereabouts.”
The older woman looked clearly taken aback, “Sir?”
Elliot turned to Mandy, “Mrs. H has been with me for a very long time since my mother passed actually. I would like for you two to become friends.”
Mandy swallowed, “Yes, of course.”
Mrs. Herrington looked as if she had been asked to swallow glass.
“Mrs. H, if I might have a moment of your time?”
Elliot’s eyes were hard, and the older woman immediately agreed. Taking her arm firmly, he walked into the pantry until they were out of earshot of Mandy.
“That girl has been living in a clapboard house in the worst part of town. Her mother looked like an addict and pulled a gun on me tonight. Amanda graduated college with honors on a scholarship and is overly qualified for the position I have created for her. She lost her last job because of sickness with her pregnancy. I will not have you making her feel uncomfortable. She already wants to leave, and I am barely keeping her here as it is.”
Mrs. H put a hand to her throat, “I am sorry. I thought you were taken in by a pretty face.”
And then as if she couldn’t help herself she muttered, “Are you sure she isn’t a gold-digger?”
“Positive,” Elliot bit out. “I will need your word.”
Mrs. H blinked in surprise, “You have my word, Mr. Brand.”
He walked away from the older woman with clenched fists. Elliot had the strongest desire not to leave Mandy alone.
But when he walked back into the kitchen, the chair that Mandy had occupied was empty.
She was gone.
CHAPTER 7
Mandy had made it back to her bedroom and was calling a cab when Elliot found her. His heart was beating erratically, but he steeled his nerves so that she wouldn’t notice.
“Is everything alright?” he said gently.
Mandy turned to face him. Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears, and her hands betrayed her.
“I can’t seem to dial,” her voice was choked with emotion. “The damn buttons keep swimming around.”
She was so beautiful standing there so lost and forlorn. He gently approached her and took the phone from her shaking fingers.
“Who would you like to call?” his tone was gentle as if soothing a wild animal.
Mandy swallowed, and a single tear dropped from her impossibly long lashes onto her pale cheek.
“I can’t stay here, Mr. Brand.”
She wanted to tell him that she had spent her entire life being unwanted. That at her parents at least she knew the score. Here was a whole new element, and she wasn’t strong enough to deal with more hatred and scorn.
The situation with Kim hadn’t helped anything. She was hurting for her sister. Not only had Kim lost her husband, but she was now a soon to be a single mother. Mandy had seven months of experience with the judgments and scorn that came along with that package.
And then there was Elliot. She could hardly look at him without feeling guilty that he was the father of her child, and that he was a good man.
Mandy had convinced herself that the man that night wouldn’t have cared that she had gotten pregnant. Now, she knew better.
And then there was fear. Mandy had heard what Mrs. Herrington said about her being a ‘gold digger.’ What would happen if they did find out that Elliot was the father? What if they tried to take her baby away?
There were too many questions and not enough reasons to stay.
“Can’t,” he said softly, “Or won’t?”
Mandy felt another teardrop fall and grit her teeth, “I don’t belong in your home. You saw what I came from. Let’s just pretend that we never met. That Dr. Robert’s never called you, and that I never came in for that interview.”
Elliot took a fraction of a step closer to her. He was well within her personal space, and she could feel the heat from his large body. He was rugged and handsome, fierce, and independent, and she knew that this was a man that got what he wanted.
“You are tired and hungry, and it is getting late. Eat something and get a good night’s rest. We can speak more about this in the morning.”
His tone was deceptively soothing. Mandy wanted to believe that a good night’s sleep would cure everything. But she had a feeling that it would only make her want to stay.
Mr. Brand pocketed the phone, and Mandy gasped.
“What do you think you are doing?” she protested.
“I don’t want you leaving in the middl
e of the night.”
“You can’t keep me here against my will,” Mandy was beginning to get angry, and her tears dried immediately.
“I am Elliot Brand, one of the richest most powerful men in the city if not the world. My staff is explicitly loyal, and if I have to place Robert outside of your door all night long, I will do so. It is for your safety and that of the baby.”
Mandy scowled, “How dare you presume to know what is best for my child and me?”
He leaned closer until the front of their chests brushed. Mandy felt a jolt of electricity from that innocent encounter that had her remembering that night from so long ago in extreme detail.
His pectoral muscles had been like hard slabs of marble. Mandy blinked, trying to get the images to fade.
Elliot’s minty breath brushed across her face, “I know that you have dark circles under your eyes from lack of sleep. I know that you were living in a home without adequate heat. I know that you need to eat. Despite the roundness of your belly, your arms and legs are terribly thin. There are hollows under your cheekbones, and you are swaying on your feet. I will not allow you to leave like this, Amanda. If I have to sit here all night, I will.”
“Why are you doing this?” Mandy whispered. “Why do you care?”
Elliot clenched his jaw. He didn’t want to talk about his mother.
“Let’s just say that I owe it to someone.”
The tone of his voice, there was something there that Mandy hadn’t heard before. He loved the individual he was speaking about with all of his heart. She could see the fervent promise in his eyes.
“I am not that person,” the words slipped out and hung between them.
“No,” he said softly, “You aren’t.”
Mandy’s heart felt like it had sustained a blow.
“But she isn’t with us anymore, and you are.”
Mandy wanted to argue. She wanted to leave and never look back. But the look in his eyes, the intent promise that he would do exactly as he said kept her still. Mandy didn’t feel threatened any more, she felt oddly—tired and hungry.
As if on cue, her stomach grumbled loudly.
A ghost of a smile crossed Elliot’s face, “I will return with your supper.”