Kissing Booth

by River Laurent

  Wait, what the hell am I thinking?

  Of course, it’s me. He’s just found me sleeping in his bed, like I’m Goldilocks, or something even though I’m not a blonde, and he’s not a bear. Though he is pretty big and I’m pretty sure he could tear me to pieces if he wanted to.

  “Truly, I’m sorry for this. I cleaned for seven hours and I was up all night studying and—and I was just so exhausted, and you weren’t supposed to be back for two days. I was going to change the sheets, anyway. So it’s not like I’ve done any real harm—I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Of course, it was wrong, germs and all that.”

  His eyebrows shoot up, though he remains silent.

  “I apologize. I tend to babble when I’m scared to death and I’m scared right now, because I really need the money from this job and oh, look, I’m babbling again.”

  He holds up a hand to signal silence.

  Instantly, my mouth snaps shut.

  He’s still staring, which I would tell him is just about the most unnerving thing in the entire world if he hadn’t already signaled for me to shut up.

  My insides are all quaky and shaky and a little watery. What’s he going to do to me? Call Helen? Get me fired? Oh, my God, I need this job. I’ll even give him today’s work as a freebie if he promises not to get me fired.

  “What’s your name?”

  My eyes widen. Interesting lead-in. “Dani. Dani Saber,” I whisper cautiously.

  He nods. “Dani. I assume you’re not the usual cleaning woman who takes care of my apartment.”

  Crap again and again. How did he find out? Did I miss a spot or something? Is he going to get angrier if he finds out I’m not his regular? But Helen didn’t say it was secret. I should just come clean since he probably already knows, seeing he brought the issue up. Lying would definitely be a bad move. I nod with a sigh. “That’s right. How did you know?” I can’t help but ask. I know I was as thorough as I could be.

  “You changed the linens in the guest rooms.”

  My jaw drops in shock. “Hang on. Lisa doesn’t normally change the linens?”

  “Not unless there’s evidence of the bed having been used since she was last here.”

  I shake my head in wonder. “But how can you tell? All the sheets are exactly the same.”

  “The inside corner of each sheet is embroidered with a different color. Call it extreme, but I like to know what my cleaning people are up to.”

  I nod, even more impressed at the extent of his weirdness. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

  He shrugs. “Your service is the only one I’ve found so far that’s anywhere close to suitable. Otherwise, your coworker does an adequate job. You, however, do excellent work, and I always give credit where credit is due.”

  “Thank you so much,” I breathe out, some of the tension draining out of me.

  “Except for the part where you fell asleep on my bed, rather than completing the job.”

  And the tension is back. “I know. As I said and say again, I’m sorry. Very, very sorry. Please don’t tell Helen, I mean, Mrs. Lincoln.”

  He ignores everything I said and asks me a totally different question, “You said you were up studying all night?”

  I frown. “Until four in the morning.” Which reminds me. I look around. “What time is it now?”

  “Ten-thirty,” he murmurs without checking his Rolex.

  Ten-thirty? Jesus, I didn’t take a nap. I had half a night’s sleep. “Again, I’m so very sorry. I won’t take long to finish up in here. An hour tops. If you want to wait downstairs, I’ll be as quick as I can.”

  “No,” he says quietly.

  Did he just say no? “Oh, all right then. I’ll come back tomorrow when you are at work, or something.”

  He has a very powerful personality, for sure. I know I should be afraid of him, or at least intimidated. The hair stands up on the back of my neck whenever our eyes meet, like he’s shooting invisible electric sparks at me. It’s a sort of intoxicating sensation, and damn it, he’s toe-curlingly, gloriously hot. Easily the best-looking person I’ve seen.

  What can I say?

  I’ve always appreciated beauty. I let my eyes side away from his sculptured mouth and begin to walk backwards. Even though I don’t actually want to be out of his way. “Okay. I should be off. I’m sorry again. And thank you. Bye now.”

  I’m two seconds away from the door when his commanding voice stops me in my tracks. “Not so fast.”

  Chapter 8

  Dani

  My stomach drops. “Excuse me?”

  “I said, not so fast. Are you hard of hearing?”

  Oh, so that’s it. I’m still sleeping and this is some bizarre dream. Is it possible for a person to hallucinate after inhaling too much vinegar and lemon? “My hearing is just fine. I was only wondering why you would order me around like that.”

  “I asked you because there are other things I wish to discuss with you. When it’s time for you to work in my bedroom, you’ll be the first to know.”

  My skin flushes and there’s the hair on the back of my neck standing up again, right on schedule. Does he even know he dropped a heavy double entendre? Yes. I think he does. My cheeks burn even hotter than before. I’ll just ignore that. “What is it you want to discuss?”

  “Have a seat.” He gestures toward the bed.

  I shouldn’t just give in, but it’s probably better for me to just do things without asking why, even if it runs counter to my personality. One of the things that always drove my foster mother crazy was the way I couldn’t stop asking questions. She liked it a lot better when I kept my mouth shut.

  I perch carefully, only slightly unnerved by the way he’s staring at me. “Did anybody ever tell you it’s rude to stare?” I murmur.

  “I can’t help it. I’ve never seen that shade of red on a human face before.” For the first time, a slight smile plays at the corners of his mouth.

  —Oh, my Lord, it’s possible for him to be even sexier. Pure lust explodes inside my body. He’s superhuman, or an angel, or something. That has to be it. I press my palms to my burning face. “What is it, then? I’m sure you want to unwind after traveling.”

  “I’m fine, thank you.” He straightens out his long legs.

  I can’t help but notice how thick with muscle they are. He’s a real piece of work, in many ways. My eyes helplessly stray upwards, past the area of his—umm—upper-thighs and just a little bit higher, and oh, my—that is some package he has there. Big. Suddenly, I realize what I’m doing and lift my eyes all the way up to his, and they are sparkling with wicked humor.

  Oh, God. So embarrassing.

  He just watched me check out his junk, and I was practically drooling. I’m such a dumbass. I should just suffocate myself on his super-soft pillows right now. If my cheeks were red before I cannot imagine what color they must be now. They feel like they’re on fire. I meet his amused gaze for a split second before letting them jerk away, while I desperately think of something to say, but really, what can I say? It was an eye-lick pure and simple.

  He gestures next to his head with his finger. “Can you remove that thing on your head?”

  Jesus, can this get any worse? “Oh.” I snatch the shower cap away and my hair tumbles untidily down over my shoulders and back.

  His eyes darken as he looks at me through half-lidded eyes. “Hmmm…”

  I shift awkwardly. “What do you mean ‘hmmm’?”

  “I have a problem which I believe you can help me with.”

  My heart starts hammering in my chest. I still haven’t forgotten his comment about working in his bedroom. Is he going to proposition me? Does he think I’m that type of girl? Well, I was sleeping in his bed. A thousand thoughts fly through my head at the speed of light. Dani, you are one sex-starved, pitifully pathetic woman! What should I do? This time, I decide, I need to say something. “I hope you don’t think I’m going to do anything with you…”

  His eyes flash. “I�
��m insulted you’d even think such a thing.”

  I can feel myself start blushing again. Like a freak. I lift my chin defiantly. “I don’t know you. How would I know what you’re thinking?”

  His gorgeous eyes give me a lazy once over. “I don’t need to offer women money for sex, Dani.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  “I’m offering you a trip to Las Vegas.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “There you are again, asking me to excuse you. In which way was I unclear?”

  I tip my head to the side. “When you offered a stranger a trip to Las Vegas. Somewhere around there.”

  “Allow me to explain,” he says, a slow smile is tugging his mouth upwards. He leans forward, elbows on his knees, his stare intense. Like he can see through my clothes.

  I realize for the first time that I’m only wearing my tank top. The hoodie got discarded hours and hours ago, once the work got a little tougher. I resist the urge to cross my arms over my cleavage.

  “I have a wedding to attend in Las Vegas, and it’s unfortunately the wedding of my ex-girlfriend.”

  “Oh.” My nose wrinkles. “That’s no good.”

  “That’s putting it mildly. I’ve been dreading it ever since the happy event was announced. We only broke up a few months ago, after dating for…um…some time, so you can imagine.”

  I never would’ve thought a man like him would be so affected by his feelings. I wouldn’t imagine he even has feelings. Wrong of me, maybe, but I can’t help it. He just comes across that way. “I’m sorry. That really sucks. I can only imagine.”

  “Have you ever had the privilege of watching an ex you haven’t yet gotten over get married?”

  “No. No, I can’t say that I have.”

  He nods slowly. “You’re right, then. You can only imagine.”

  I can’t help but toy with the bedspread a little as I try making heads or tails of where this is going. Am I his therapist now? “So, you need somebody to accompany you to this wedding.”

  “Correct.”

  “No offense intended, but don’t you have female friends?”

  His smile is slow. “No. I can honestly say there are no female friends in my life.”

  “Because why would a man want to be friends with a woman?” I can’t help but roll my eyes even though he’s in the power position right now. I’ve never been a fan of men who don’t understand that women are more than pleasure bots, or whatever they think we are.

  “I’m not highly skilled in male-female relationships, and I don’t do things I’m not good at.”

  I want to ask how he expects to ever get good at it then, but something tells me that would be completely pointless.

  “And any female acquaintances may…um…misconstrue an offer such as this. Besides, my ex has a nose for such things. A brand new face would be best.”

  I get what he’s saying and can almost imagine some of his acquaintances. Bubble-breasted bimbo gold diggers who would expect more than a trip to Vegas with a man as good-looking and rich as him. Because he’s obviously loaded. His Rolex could pay my rent for years, and I’ve seen the other three watches in a case on his dresser. “What are you asking? That I attend this wedding as your plus one?” Oh, my God, can I really do something like this? I don’t know this guy. He could be anybody. And he’s so darn pushy. Bossy. I can’t imagine we’d get along well, as that sort of attitude always rubs me up the wrong way.

  He smiles, showing off a perfect row of straight, perfectly pearly teeth. He really is extremely, extremely hot.

  I’m just about ready to faint from sexiness overload, when his grin gets wider, almost wolfish.

  “I’ll need a little more than that in return, Dani.”

  I take a deep gasping breath and stand. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ll need you to act as my fiancée and pretend you’re in love with me.”

  Chapter 9

  Dani

  Now I’m sure I’m going to faint, so it’s a good thing the bed is just behind my legs. I sink down, hard. This impossibly handsome billionaire wants to take me with him to Vegas! “You want me to pretend we’re engaged—and in love.” It isn’t a question. I just need to say it out loud to be sure I’m not imagining things.

  “That’s right.”

  I gaze at him with wide eyes. “Why? Why me? A complete stranger?”

  He leans forward again, and this time I catch a whiff of his cologne. That musky, spicy, intoxicating scent makes my head spin worse than it already is. Not fair. He’s just so damn hot. I need to get my brain functioning properly because things just got real.

  “For one thing, you’re a beautiful woman.”

  I blush and turn my face slightly away.

  “You must know it’s true, so don’t put on the shy act. Beautiful women know on some level how beautiful they are.” He pauses, his eyes shining. “Though, I must admit, you’ve probably looked better than you do at the moment.”

  I run a self-conscious hand over my sleep-mussed hair. “Thanks. I got this way after scouring your apartment.”

  “And the effort is appreciated.” He sits back, grinning wickedly. “Another reason: you’re honest. Honesty goes a long way in my book. The fact that you made the effort to do the job correctly rather than balling up another set of sheets from the closet and throwing them into the laundry chute says a lot about your character. I appreciate that. I’ll need a woman with character if we’re going to pull this off.”

  “A woman with character who will lie for you.” I really don’t know why I’m smirking.

  “A woman with character who I can trust not to try to take advantage of me.”

  “What does that mean? How would I even go about doing that?”

  He pauses, blue eyes a little wider, as though he’s marveling at me. “You honestly have no idea. I’m liking you more and more with each passing moment, Dani.”

  “I don’t even know your name.”

  “Brock,” it rolls off his tongue like something dark, sensual and borderline dangerous.

  “Well, Brock, I don’t know how I feel about this offer.”

  “I appreciate your honesty.” He tents his fingers under his chin again, as he was doing when I woke up and found him watching me sleep—how creepy is that?—and says, “I enjoy negotiating and I’m prepared to do just that. Let me warn you however, that I’ve been known to drive a hard bargain.”

  Terrific. I have to get myself in order and stop wondering what he’d look like without his shirt on. My heart’s beating so fast, I’m afraid I might be sick. I need to outfox him, somehow. My competitive nature won’t allow me to give in. “All right.” I swallow hard. “I assume you’d want us to share a room when we’re there.”

  “A suite,” he corrects.

  “Fine. A suite.” That makes things a bit better, or does it? “I would appreciate there being an arrangement in place for us to sleep separately.”

  “Naturally.”

  That was easy. Maybe too easy. “I would expect to sleep in the bed, of course.”

  He chuckles. “We both will. It’ll be a two-bedroom affair.”

  My mouth goes dry at his choice of words. I lick my lips. “Uh…I would probably need something nice enough to wear to a wedding,” I admit, the old shame comes flooding back as I look down at my hands. His cleaning woman, admitting she doesn’t have nice clothes. Because she’s never had nice clothes. She may no longer rely on Goodwill, but her wardrobe would never fly in Brock’s circle. I can’t help but laugh softly at myself. “Funny how stupid little things can bring up old baggage. I’m not exactly proud to admit I don’t have a nice dress.”

  “Baggage is tricky,” he agrees, but there’s a new softness in his voice which surprises me.

  My head snaps up. I look up at him defiantly. I don’t want him pitying me, or anything. I’ve worked hard for everything I’ve got and I’m not ashamed of anything I’ve done.

  He smiles. “No worries. I wasn’t inte
nding to let you go to the wedding with me before purchasing a suitable wardrobe for you.”

  A wardrobe? “What’s that, now?”

  “This is a weekend-long agreement. You would need more than just a dress for the wedding. I planned to purchase clothing which pleases me.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “Why should it please you?”

  He shrugs. “I’m the one buying it.”

  I fold my arms in front of me. “I’m the one wearing it.”

  “You don’t have to wear it.” His eyes flicker over my body.

  Now, a shiver runs through me. “Yeah, and I don’t have to go with you.”

  He looks me in the eye at this challenge and we stare at each other for a long, silent moment. What’s going on in his head? I wish I knew, though I’m not even certain I’d be comfortable with the answer.

  He clears his throat. “Wearing clothing that I find attractive is hardly a wise sticking point, Dani,” he warns. “I promise I have excellent taste, and since I will have no use for them, they would be a gift to you. You could keep them. I would like you to.”

  “So long as they’re comfortable and I like them too. I’m not spending the weekend walking around looking like a fetish porn model, or something.”

  It’s his turn to raise an eyebrow. “Hmm. Now there’s an idea.”

  I frown. “I mean it.”

  He waves his hand. “Cool your jets. You’re quite safe. My proclivities don’t run in that direction.” There go his eyes again, straying further south. “Though I could be persuaded to change my mind.”

  “Eyes up here, please.” I point to my own eyes.

  He obeys with a cheeky, little-boy-caught-being-naughty smile.

  I know he should irritate me to the point of slapping him and storming out, but I just can’t seem to muster up the indignation. Maybe because he’s so darn charming. Maybe because he seems like a fairly honorable person. Or maybe the truth, because he’s so frigging sexy that I want him to flirt and talk dirty to me.