“Good morning,” he said politely. He rubbed his eyes and sat up abruptly. Annie was forced to move out of his way as he stood and made his way to the bathroom. Confused, she sat there wondering why he’d left. After she heard the shower turn on she forced herself to get out of bed and get dressed. Making her way downstairs she found Aunt Gabby sitting on the couch in the living room. There were no lights on; the house was quiet. Annie got a cup of coffee and joined her aunt. They sat in silence, watching the snow fall outside.
“I love the snow,” Aunt Gabby said quietly.
Annie nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it’s awesome.”
“When I was little my dad used to tell me that snow was made from a very special cotton candy, and it only tasted like cotton candy if you caught it on your tongue while it was still in the air. If it was allowed to touch the ground or stop moving the taste faded away. I would stand outside with my tongue sticking out for what seemed like hours, trying to accumulate enough snow to know what that special cotton candy tasted like,” Aunt Gabby said and then there was silence for a moment as she continued to watch the snow fall. “I could never quite get enough,” she continued.
Annie watched Aunt Gabby as she spoke. At seventy-six she seemed younger than her years – so energetic and upbeat. But in these rare moments when the world was quiet, Annie could sometimes catch a glimpse of a woman that had lived seventy-six years, and had seen and experienced more than she would ever divulge.
“Why didn’t you ever marry?” Annie asked without thinking.
Aunt Gabby looked at her, clearly surprised by her question. “I guess you could say I never felt inclined. Marriage to me was something that was forever, or meant to be. I hardly ever saw a marriage last throughout the couple’s lives, unless one of them died young.”
“So you have no faith in people? Hardly seems a good reason to withhold yourself from something that can be wonderful because of that.”
Aunt Gabby shook her head and looked down at her coffee; little wisps of steam rose from it and she seemed to watch them for a time. “I never met anyone I felt that committed to. Relationships are a lot of work and I was always…” She shrugged. “Busy.” She smiled at Annie. “I got older and thought for a time I wanted marriage, but then I met your mother and you kids and my loneliness was taken care of. Besides, it’s hard to know who the right one is.”
Annie was nodding. “Right, I see what you mean. How do you even know if someone is the one? And if they aren’t the one is it worth settling? Is it worth it to keep looking? What if you never find the one, or worse, what if you do and it doesn’t work out? What if circumstances are such that you can never be together? Do you move on? Do you let go and know in your heart that your soul mate will never be yours?”
Aunt Gabby looked at her suspiciously and then said matter-of-factly, “I don’t believe in soul mates. There is no way that out of all the people on this planet, there is only one person that you could be happy with. It’s just not scientifically possible.”
“What if there was only one person that you wanted to be happy with?” Annie asked more depressingly than she intended.
“How could you know that? You haven’t met every man in the world have you?”
Annie smiled. “No, I haven’t.”
“Are you and Marcus having problems?” Aunt Gabby asked.
Annie exhaled her frustrations. “He’s just really hard to get to open up. He has a whole life that is blocked off from the world and I… I can’t get through. I don’t think he wants me to.”
“Well honesty in a relationship is the key.”
Annie grimaced at her words.
“But you do have to respect that there are things in his life that he’d rather keep personal. You haven’t been seeing each other that long.”
Understatement of the year, Annie thought.
“Give him some time.”
Time is one thing I don’t have.
“You’ve been a little quiet this week,” Aunt Gabby said, breaking Annie’s thoughts.
“Have I?”
“I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that. You’re just normally so much more… talkative. Are you sure everything’s all right?”
Annie was quiet for a moment as the voice in her head screamed at her to let it all out. Tell her the truth now while you have a chance! “I’m fine.”
“If you insist,” Aunt Gabby said getting up from the couch. “Let’s go make some breakfast.”
Annie followed her into the kitchen, grateful she wasn’t in a prying mood. Zack and Jen came for breakfast and by then Marcus had made his way to the kitchen as well. Annie didn’t bring up the night before, or how cold he had been that morning and he didn’t offer any explanation. He was however, back in his role as Marcus; the doting, perfect boyfriend. Annie spent the entire morning wondering what was going on in his head. What was he thinking, feeling, and holding back? She decided not to push him; after all, she couldn’t have their negotiation known. Although she knew he would never betray their contract, she sensed there was a line with Marcus that she didn’t want to cross – but it wasn’t with Marcus, that line was drawn by the man sitting next to her at the kitchen table. A man whose name she didn’t even know. How stupid had she been to think she had felt something more for him, or from him? Suddenly, she felt in danger of being really, really hurt. She couldn’t let these feelings get the better of her. No, from now on she would keep her head on straight. She only had to last until Thursday. She could handle the fake kisses, hugs, the holding hands and his hand around her waist until then. She could get through it all without feeling anything. She knew she could; her resolve was set. She silently nodded to herself as if reassuring her decision, feeling strong and resilient.
“Babe, could you pass me the whipped cream?” Marcus asked, interrupting her thoughts.
Annie jumped slightly. “What? Oh yeah.” She reached for the bowl and handed it to him, purposefully disregarding his wavy hair, blue eyes and the scent of his cologne. The conversation turned to the party at the Cole’s that night.
“Nancy Cole has been my friend for a lot of years,” Aunt Gabby was telling Marcus. “She and her husband Bert own that cute little breakfast place we went to yesterday.”
“Nancy is probably the sweetest person on this planet,” Zack interjected. “Besides Aunt Gabby of course.” He winked at her.
“I hear their place is pretty nice. It should be a good party,” Jen said taking a sip of coffee.
“Oh it’ll be nothing compared to the New Year’s party out at the Grant’s. You will freak over their house, it’s massive,” Zack told Jen.
“They own the hotel,” Aunt Gabby whispered to Marcus,” and their son is running for Mayor of some town down in Missouri. They are so proud of him.” Aunt Gabby’s face suggested she was less impressed with the accomplishment.
“It’s nice that they’re proud of their son. Every child wants their parents to be proud of them. And he really is a nice guy,” Annie chimed in.
“Annie should have been a defense attorney,” Zack pointed out. “She would argue that bad people just need more hugs and kisses. Crime could be at an all time low.”
“I just think people are always so quick to judge. I don’t like it when people make judgments about me so I try not to make them about others. Everyone in the world has at least one good quality, I’m sure,” Annie said defensively.
“Even if they choose not to use it,” Zack teased her.
“I think it’s great that you see the best in people,” Marcus spoke up. “It’s one of the many things I love about you.” He kissed her right below her ear and shivers ran through her. Annie closed her eyes and reveled in the feel of his warm breath on her neck, all resolve to not let him affect her shattered in a million pieces. Just as quickly as it had happened he turned back to the conversation asking about the attire for the party that night.
Annie sat silently looking at him, watching his face as he spoke, loving the
way he moved and how his eyes crinkled when he smiled. How could she fall for a man she didn’t know? How was that even possible? He turned and smiled at her and Annie felt her heart leap. Crap, what is happening? Get a hold of yourself! she thought as Marcus laughed out loud at something Zack said. Looking at his smiling face, she knew she was in a lot of trouble!
Chapter 11
The party at the Cole’s was full of people who asked about Marcus. Annie tried desperately to avoid giving as much information as possible. By the time they got home, she felt wrung out and wanted nothing more than to just go to sleep. She and Marcus both climbed into bed in silence. No crying, no bonding, no sweet kiss on the cheek and no cuddling. The bed seemed cold and Annie pulled the covers up to her chin to stop herself from shivering. After lying awake for what seemed like hours, Annie finally drifted into sleep. She dreamt Marcus was with her, but she could never quite find him. He was there one minute and gone the next. Then Annie was left alone in the dark, searching for someone, anyone that could help her. She cried out, hoping someone would hear her and come to her rescue. She could see Marcus in the distance, but he wouldn’t look at her. She called his name, but his back was turned to her. She called again and just as he began to turn Annie felt something on her arm. She awoke with a start and saw Marcus sitting on the bed next to her, one hand on her shoulder, shaking her.
“Wake up, you’re having a bad dream,” he told her.
Annie looked around as the fog from her dream began to fade. “Sorry,” she said, rubbing her eyes. “Did I wake you?”
“No, I was up.”
Annie nodded and sat up slowly. Marcus was silent but his face said there was something on his mind. “What is it?” Annie asked.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about the other night. What I did was completely unprofessional and I apologize. I’ve noticed that you’ve been hanging back a little, especially at the party last night. Like you aren’t sure about me or our arrangement but I can assure you, you don’t have to worry about me. I’m here and I’m going to do my job.”
“What exactly did you do that you feel was so unprofessional?” Annie asked, feeling she needed to be clear about it.
He took a deep breath. “When we, uh, cuddled and I…” He paused looking for the right words. “I kissed you.”
“You’ve kissed me before.”
“I know but when it’s just us… it was unprofessional and it won’t happen again.”
Annie nodded and looked away. She didn’t want him to see how much his words hurt.
“I don’t want you to feel that you can’t play your part because you’re worried about what I might do or what it might mean. This is a business arrangement. You are paying me to do a job and I’ll do it.”
“You’re saying that I’m not being very convincing?”
Marcus opened his mouth but nothing came out.
“I can be more convincing,” she told him.
“I’m not blaming you and I’m not saying that anyone suspects anything. I just want you to feel comfortable.”
“That’s very considerate of you.”
“I’m a business man Annie. This is business and…”
“I understand,” Annie interrupted. “Thank you for clearing that up.”
Marcus nodded and left the bed. Making his way to the door, he turned to her. “Coming down for breakfast?”
Annie nodded. “I’ll be down in a couple minutes.”
Marcus nodded again and left her in silence. She sat there, feeling simultaneous hurt and relief by his words. Hurt because she now knew, once and for all that Marcus had no other feelings toward her other than what a business partner would feel, and relief because she could finally stop worrying about it. She would no longer have to wonder if each touch, each kiss, each movement that Marcus made meant something to him. She could get through this week and go back to her life with no major damage to her heart. Taking a deep breath and trying to feel okay with the situation, she got up, got dressed and made her way downstairs, determined to be the best, most attentive girlfriend she could be. After all, with no risk of injury she could just have fun. Without any attachment, she could enjoy this service she was paying for.
Sunday and Monday were full of much needed relaxation for everyone. Annie wasn’t used to going to so many functions and being up so late night after night so she was glad to take it easy. She upped the flirtation with Marcus and everyone seemed to buy it; however, she and Marcus had no more intimate moments. And while Annie found herself still wanting to cuddle up next to him at night, she restrained herself. It wasn’t until Tuesday afternoon that Marcus started a conversation that was about more than the holidays or the weather.
“Are you excited for the party tomorrow?” he asked.
“Sure, they’re nice people and their house is beautiful so it should be really nice.”
“What are you going to wear?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’m torn between a dress and my new pair of slacks.”
“Oh dress, for sure.”
Annie looked at him. “Why dress?”
“Because dresses are way hotter than slacks,” Marcus said with a nod.
Annie’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s a very strong opinion.”
“It’s the opinion of ninety-nine point nine percent of men.”
“Says you.”
“Says men.”
“Well I’m not looking to impress anyone so I’ll probably wear my slacks,” Annie said walking to the closet to get them.
“Ouch,” Marcus said quietly.
“What?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Well if I’m your boyfriend, and I say I like dresses better and you wear your slacks because you aren’t trying to impress anyone, what does that say about our relationship?”
Annie looked down at the pants in her hand and felt her face go red. “Our pretend relationship?” she said evenly. “I think the slacks look nice.”
“I didn’t say they don’t, I just think a dress would be more attractive.”
“Well…” Annie countered, “I’m not trying to impress you because you’re not really my boyfriend.”
“Alright, but I still think the dress would be sexier.” He pulled two shirts out and held them up. “Which one do you like better?”
Annie looked at the two shirts for a moment. One was blue with black pinstripes and the other was black with white pinstripes. “Do you notice all your shirts are the same?”
“Do you know that you talk in your sleep?” he teased, grinning.
Annie stared at him. “I do not.”
“Oh, you most certainly do.”
“Did you know that you hum when you shave?” Annie shot back.
Marcus thought a second. “Do I?”
“Mmmm-hmmm,” she said nodding and pointed to the black shirt. “I like this one.”
He put the other shirt back and handed her the black one. She looked at the shirt then back at him. “I just thought you’d want to get it ironed ahead of time. That way you won’t have to do it tomorrow,” he offered.
“Oh. No, I think I’d rather wait until tomorrow,” she said, handing it back to him.
He made a face. “Do you realize that you are the most accommodating person on the planet, unless someone specifically asks you to do something? Then you decide you don’t want to.”
“Are there any other horrible characteristics of mine that you’d like to get off your chest?” she asked sarcastically, feeling a growing twinge of irritation inside her.
Marcus thought for a moment. “You say the word ‘awesome’ a lot.”
Annie scoffed, “I do not!”
“Yes you do. And you constantly apologize for things, even though you didn’t do anything wrong.”
Annie glared at him, the irritation quickly growing into anger. “You have plenty of your own annoying traits.”
“Name one,” Marcus laughed.
Annie thought a moment. The truth was, she really couldn’
t think of that many. Then a smile spread across her face and she moved slowly across the room to stand in front of him. She reached for the shirt he held in his hand, getting as close to his body as possible. Standing as straight as she could, she looked into his face. She could feel her breath speeding up and their hands touched as she slowly took the shirt. Then she stood on her tiptoes and put her hands on his chest to steady her. She could feel his heart beating under her right hand and it thrilled her that she could have at least some affect on him. She put her mouth close to his ear and he leaned in to her. She took a deep breath and said in the most sensual, seductive voice she could muster, “You snore.”
Marcus’ mouth dropped open as Annie backed away with a smirk and headed out the door. “No, I don’t!” he told her emphatically.
“Oh, yes you do,” she called back, leaving him staring after her, his head shaking back and forth. Annie felt exuberant. It was by far the most seductive thing she’d ever done and it excited her that she’d pulled it off. If he wanted her to be platonic, she could be. But she couldn’t deny the electricity between them, and judging by his quickening heart beat, now he couldn’t either.
Chapter 12
Wednesday evening Marcus and Annie got ready for the party. This was it, New Years Eve; the last night of their arrangement. Annie tried not to think of the party as the last time she’d spend time with Marcus as her boyfriend. She’d gotten used to him being there, used to having him in bed with her, used to his smile and antics. She shook her head, trying in vain to get the thoughts, feelings and emotions out of her mind. Business, business, business, she repeated to herself as she applied her mascara.
“Are you almost ready?” Marcus poked his head into the bathroom.
Love For Hire: The Helena's Grove Series Book 2 Page 7