by MK Harkins
Todd clapped me on the shoulder. “I think I’d rather not say. I barely avoided getting knocked to the floor just mentioning her name.” He said it in a lighthearted manner, but I could tell he was eyeing me, trying to gauge my mood.
Todd had seen all my moods, and he knew when to take a step back. I’d been known to throw things when I got mad, so, I doubted he wanted to take any chances.
“It was just a kneejerk reaction to her name. I’ll keep my temper under control. I promise.” Or at least I’d try.
His eyes narrowed, and he nodded once. “Okay. I’ll tell you. But if you get angry, take it out on an inanimate object, not me. Deal?”
“Don’t I always?” I replied.
“You did say something interesting. Something I’ve always wanted to ask you about.”
He paused while I pretended to stretch and yawn. I didn’t want him to know how much this conversation affected me.
“You told me you hated beautiful women. Now, I found that strange because you’re with beautiful women all the time. What’s with that anyway?”
The shame and humiliation from my past bubbled beneath the surface of my relaxed façade. I shrugged. “You know how I am. I hate things one day and love them the next. I was probably just talking about Angela. I did hate her.” Damn. I still hated her. Beyond reason. “But I don’t care about her anymore.” I lied. I was fascinated by her. The way she moved, the way she talked and laughed. The same feelings from ninth grade had followed me into adulthood. Lust. Hatred. Shame.
Angela had attended one of our charity events two days earlier. I’d watched her all evening, staying in the background so I wouldn’t be noticed. She was with her parents, the Bartholomew’s, originally from Texas. I remembered they were old money, oil, I thought. They were wealthy beyond reason, with so much money, I was sure they could feed a small country. They would never do that though, not with their precious daughter, whom they spoiled rotten. Angela had worn a designer gown with so many diamonds, I thought I spotted a security guard shadowing her.
I recalled Angela’s outgoing personality, her ability to attract attention whenever she entered the room. She’d flaunted her wealth during high school, but I’d been too distracted by the newfound lust storming through my body to notice. That, or I didn’t care. When it came to Angela, I hadn’t cared about anything but her. What an idiot I’d been. I vowed never to make that mistake again.
“You know, I just thought about something.” Todd’s gaze landed on me. “All the girls you date? All of them look a lot like Angela.”
Sweat started to bead on my forehead. Damn.
FOUR
Jain
“Do you think they can help us?” I asked.
“I do. They have a stellar reputation in the fundraising business. They’re supposed to be the best,” Colin answered for Martin. We were in Martin’s executive office, troubleshooting the funding problem. It had always been the three of us that hashed out problems dealing with financial issues.
“He’s right. They’ve raised millions for companies just like ours. The owner, Braydon Decker, is a known workaholic, stopping at nothing until he meets the goal of his client,” Martin added.
“Yeah, he gets what he wants all right,” Colin muttered under his breath.
“That Braydon?” I asked.
“The very one,” he responded.
I turned my alarmed eyes back to Martin. “We have to work with the famous Braydon? The one the tabloids refer to as Bad Boy Braydon? The one all the women want to break?”
Martin raised his eyebrows and rubbed his chin. “What? Why would they want to break him?”
Colin, who knew everything about everybody, chimed in. “Braydon Decker is a known playboy. What makes him special, or I should say, different, is the fact that he never spends more than six hours with any given woman. And he never goes back for seconds. All the eligible women on the charity circuit and their mamas want to be the one to ‘break’ him. Who wouldn’t want a billionaire for a husband or son-in-law? But he has a certain type. Blonde, blue-eyed, tall and slim. Oh, and beautiful. Can’t forget that.”
Relief spread through me. “Well, I should be safe then!”
Martin exhaled quietly. “Good. Because I’ve assigned you as the liaison. You’ll be coordinating the event with Mr. Decker.”
I was stunned silent for a moment. “Wait. What?” I turned and stared at Colin, trying to communicate my reticence with my eyes. “Why me?” Colin should do this. I didn’t want to waste my time with some womanizer. There were more important things to do! I had at least ten clinical trials I was responsible for. My gaze darted back to Martin.
Martin met my borderline desperate, pleading gaze and replied, “You coordinate all our other functions and events. It seems logical you’d do this one, as well.”
No. He can’t believe I’m qualified for this. “I’ve organized employee meetings and a yearly holiday party.” This was nowhere near my skill level. “Can’t we hire this out?”
Martin’s eyes cast down before meeting mine. “I’m so sorry, Jain. We’re completely out of money. We’ll have to do this in-house if we have a chance of holding on.”
I tried my most convincing expression. “How about Colin?”
He shook his head. “I’ve got Colin working on firming up our business plan. Our numbers will need to be spot-on if we have a chance of securing funds.”
My shoulders slumped as I came to terms with my new assignment. I knew when I took on this job right after medical school that I’d need to be creative. At the time, I thought it would be in the field of research, not party planning. Or, should I say, fundraising? Were they the same thing? I should know the difference. What did I get myself into? I didn’t know what I was doing, combined with the fact I’d have to interact with the biggest player in the city, possibly even the country.
I tried to shake off the dread to no avail. The fancy coffee drink I enjoyed an hour earlier, seemed to be working against the lining in my stomach. It burned as a nervous feeling crept through my body. This was so far out of my comfort zone, I didn’t know what to think or do. I had to come to terms with my new assignment. I must do this. Now, I just needed to figure out how.
FIVE
Braydon
No, it couldn’t be. Todd’s statement about Angela took root, unnerving me. Hell, no. Like a photo album, my mind flipped through the many women I’d dated. Well, maybe not dated – bedded would be more accurate. Damn. All those women did have something in common. If they weren’t blonde by nature, they were by the bottle. They weren’t shy with their make-up and were extremely wealthy. They dressed and acted alike. But didn’t most women have that in common? That’s what it was.
Although the truth churned in my gut, attempts to ignore it failed. Could it be I attempted to replace Angela with these women? Was that why I felt such disgust and panic after we’d had sex? All I ever wanted afterwards was for them to leave, and fast. These girls knew what they were getting into. It shouldn’t come as a surprise when I’d asked them to go. I needed them to. Never thought about why. It had always been that way. Now, I started to question myself.
“You’re daydreaming again.” Todd’s statement jolted me from my inner musings.
“I was thinking about what you said – you know, about the women I date.”
“Yeah?” He arched an eyebrow.
“Do you think that’s what I’m doing? Replacing Angela?”
“Or punishing her.”
Whoa.
“Listen, I’ve known you since college, and I’ve never seen you with a woman for longer than a day. Have you ever thought about that? Why you can’t connect?” Todd asked a hard question.
Now he needed to shut up.
“I’m twenty-eight, for God’s sake. Why should I tie myself down? I’m ‘playing the field’ as the saying goes. I haven’t met anyone who’s interested me – except for what they could give me in the bedroom.”
Todd shook his he
ad; I knew what that gesture meant.
“Judge all you want. It’s not like they’re interested in me as a person. If you took away my money and the status it brings, those women would be headed for the exits in record time. I’m a realist; always have been. I’m better off alone. And before you say it, I’m not lonely. There’s a difference. I love my work, and my life is more than fine the way it is.”
“Well, I can see you’ve thought this out. You make a good argument, but I think you’re kidding yourself.” Todd quirked an eyebrow. Arrogant bastard.
“I’m about to change my mind about the inanimate object. I think a fist to your face is just what I need right now.” I was joking, but I noticed my hands had tightened into themselves. I got up from my desk to pour us both a glass of water. This conversation needed to cool down.
“Yeah, yeah. Right.” Todd waved his hand to dismiss me. He knew I’d never hit him. He’s like the brother I never had.
“You might want to consider your motives. If the right woman does come along, you wouldn’t notice, because you’re all tied up in the past. This Angela chick? I can guarantee you, she isn’t worth it.”
“She’d be worth a lesson or two,” I muttered under my breath.
Todd’s ears perked up. “Oh, no you don’t! Revenge only hurts the hater. Don’t you dare go after her for the sole purpose of hurting her. That’d make you no better than she is. Who knows? Maybe she’s all sunshine and light now.”
“Sunshine and light?” My eyebrows crept up.
A smile curved his lips. “I spent last weekend with my seven-year-old niece. You remember my sister, Becca?”
I nodded and sipped from my water.
“She flew in with her family for a visit since I won’t see them on Thanksgiving. Anyway, I’ll rephrase. Maybe Angela has changed. It’s been a long time.”
“Unfortunately, she hasn’t.” I felt my pulse start to kick into high gear again. “I watched her all night to see if that was the case. Not only is she the same as she was in high school, I think she may be even worse.” Her parents had become even wealthier, if that was possible, which gave her that much more power.
It was an interesting study. But if anything, it added even more negative emotions to what I’d already been carrying around. She was there, at our charity event, on the prowl. She was like a spider, biding her time, eyes watchful as she waited for her prey to be caught in the huge web she constructed. I’d checked up on her afterward. Word on the street was she waiting for a big payday. A millionaire wouldn’t be good enough for Angela. I’d wondered when or if her blue-eyed gaze and steel heart would turn my way. If it did, I’d be ready for her.
I’d observed her that night with interest as she worked the room. She wore a plastic smile while her eyes shifted around, surveying her possibilities. Calculating. Assessing. She wasn’t the brightest girl in school, but she did have street smarts. She knew who to approach and who to avoid. The men that didn’t measure up? She’d laugh and shake her head, dismissing them by tossing her honey-streaked blonde hair while she turned her back.
She wanted it all – status, money, fame. The event wasn’t a way for her to help breast cancer research. It was all about her and her mega-wealthy husband hunt.
What if I let her believe I was interested? I could work out my issues and rid myself of her for good. She won’t be interested in you, remember? Damn. That was a possibility. She might remember me, remember my name. I didn’t look anything like I had in my freshman year, and after my dad moved us my sophomore year, things began to change. Gains in height, muscle, and rowing for an award-winning crew team brought in the girls. I didn’t care though. I kept my nose in the books and made it to Harvard, but eventually, physical needs took over. Brittany Rogers—beautiful, rich, calculating and detached—took my virginity and taught me all I needed to know about women. And I mean everything. I left that night knowing exactly what I required in a sexual partner. No emotions, no phone numbers, no expectations. Perfect.
SIX
Jain
“Okay, I’ll do it. But…what exactly am I doing?” I asked.
Martin let out a sigh of relief. “I’ve never done anything like this, either. Our funds have always come from Research Ventures, Inc. Now that they’ve cut us off, I’m at a loss.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this a success.” I hoped my look of confidence was sufficient enough to match my words. On the outside, my face was a mask, hiding my true feelings of panic. Inside, I kept my insecurities locked up.
Martin, still sitting behind his desk, smiled, while Colin shook his head, shooting me a warning glare.
“Not that! What kind of girl do you think I am?” I hoped Colin was kidding.
“Remember what I told you about him. Women flock to him, even though they know it’ll be for just one day. Well, they don’t know for sure. I’ve heard every society girl hopes to be the one.”
“The one to marry him?” I asked.
“Maybe. I heard there’s a bet going around called Breaking Braydon, with a circulating list containing around two hundred names, and the pot’s over a hundred grand. Rumor is, if one of the women gets him to stay for over a week, they’d be awarded a huge payout. But I don’t think it’s the money they’re after. It’s the prestige for bagging the unattainable Braydon.”
“That’s messed up! That is the tackiest thing I’ve ever heard. Don’t these women have any self-respect?”
“Don’t feel too sorry for him. I told you before; he’s a known womanizer. He was probably the one to start circulating the list.” Colin laughed.
“Really? Who would do something like that?” Good grief, I’d gone from feeling sorry for him to detesting him in a matter of seconds. And now, I was going to have to work with this loser?
“It’s not for certain he even knows about the list, but he’s reaping the benefits. He gives the women six hours max, and then they’re shown the door. ” Colin made a shooing motion with his hands.
“Well, that’s a lot of detailed information on someone you don’t know. How did you hear all this?” I asked.
“Angela, a girl from my high school filled me in a few months ago. I bumped into her at a cancer fundraising event. Even though I entered Roosevelt High in my senior year, it was obvious from day one what she was all about. She’s as spoiled and unpleasant as they come. Her parents own a bunch of oil refineries, and they are as rich as Croesus. Apparently, she’s on the list and is very excited about it. She’s going for it, and she’s one of those girls who gets whatever or whomever she goes after.” Colin shook his head in sympathy. “Poor Braydon. He doesn’t have a chance.”
“I take back what I said earlier. I don’t feel bad for this Braydon guy at all. I’m sure he’s left behind a lot of broken hearts.” I raised my hand to stop Colin before he could speak. “Even if the women knew the ‘rules’, I’m sure every one of them thought they’d be the one to break him…or, you know, change his mind at least.”
“You’re probably right, but the fault still lies with the women. They knew from the start what type of guy Braydon is. You know, a leopard can’t change his spots.” His brow wrinkled. “What? You think I’d try to color the leopard? Don’t you know me at all? I don’t even date! I’m too busy, and…wh…what would I want with a playboy anyway?” I stuttered out.
“I told you. Women find him irresistible.”
“Not me. I promise.”
SEVEN
Braydon
“Are we taking this one on? Bastion Research?” Todd asked. “It appears they have a lot of potential for a breakthrough treatment for ALS.” He sat in front of my desk while I sorted through the paperwork.
I sighed. “I don’t think we can fit them into our schedule. We’re booked for ten months solid. It looks like their ship is about to go down in the next few months without an incoming wave of funds. It might be too late for them.”
It was too bad because this was a company I’d love to h
elp. Relatively small, with only twenty people on staff, they’d made some huge leaps in their trials, which could ultimately lead to either treatments or a maybe even a cure for ALS.
Todd leaned forward. “We have a meeting set up with the principals later today. I thought it was important to hear them out at least. If we can’t help them, maybe we can point them in another direction. How about we dig out that list of other venture capitalists?”
“I’ve looked over their financials. They won’t be able to take on any more debt. What’s needed is an influx of funds to stay liquid. They need a fundraiser.” A keen sense of disappointment swept through me. Every once in a while, a project came along we didn’t have time for. There were just too many.
***
Three o’clock arrived, and the three-person team from Bastion Medical Research were seated comfortably in the conference room. I hated this part of my job – breaking the bad news. I opened the door and entered the room.
I went to greet the representatives, but I stopped in my tracks. Who in the hell is that? I wasn’t expecting a female who looked…well, I couldn’t see her face clearly. Her head was tilted down, reading her notes, apparently unaware of my arrival. I was staring at a girl—no, a woman. She was wearing a lab coat. Baggy. I couldn’t fully make out her facial features. But those lips! They were full, pink, and sensuous, like none I’d ever seen before.
She looked up, and our eyes locked. I could barely breathe. Long bangs covered most of her eyes. I wanted to see them without the obstruction, but even without the hair, her god-awful glasses obscured them. Her hair was straight, a dull brown color matching what I could glimpse of her eyes. Her complexion ashen, no make-up, not even lipstick. Although her appearance was plain, I felt a pull, almost like a magnet. There was something about her that made me hesitant to break free. All I could think about was placing my lips against hers. I knew my reaction was not normal, not like me at all.