‘No, I’m fine, you guys head home. It’s been a late one.’
She knew Brian didn’t have a reason to get up early in the morning, but she had a job.
‘Will I meet you tomorrow at the hospital?’ asked Brian.
Faith was mildly taken aback. Perhaps the selfish, spoilt, rich boy did possess an ounce of commitment and reliability.
‘Sure if that’s what you’d like. I know,’ she stopped mid-sentence. ‘It was great you came and brilliant that you were slumming it at Paulo’s Pizza. What you said at the auction about the money was right. The donation was the most important aspect. As far as I’m concerned you’ve done your duty. Skip the rest of the week if you’ve other things to do. As you said, quarter of a million dollars is a lot of money to be taken to a pizza dive and waste time at a hospital.’
Brian studied her carefully. How could someone friendly and sexual, transform into a detached ice queen in seconds. Remembering Susie’s warning of the damage leaks to the press could do, he couldn’t be certain Faith wouldn’t use his absence as an excuse to run to the papers to drum up publicity to attract donations for the hospital.
‘I’ll be there,’ said Brian wearily.
Taking Faith at his word, he didn’t follow her to her front door. He did however insist Marcus stay put until he saw her enter her house safely.
Chapter Six
‘Someone had a late one,’ said Gabriel at the breakfast table the following morning.
‘Yes and someone had too much to drink,’ Faith confessed, pushing away the bacon and eggs he’d prepared. ‘Sorry Gabe, my stomach can’t face anything hot and greasy.’
Faith drew a chair up to sit at the dining table as though it required an exertion of Herculean proportions, Gabe moved aptly to retrieve cereal, milk, a bowl and spoon for her. The house was designed to accommodate Gabriel’s mobility issues. As equal, Faith was glad he could cater to her hangover.
‘You’re going to have to eat something to line your stomach and energize you. Drink some water to rehydrate because we have to crack on with filing and administration today.’
Gabriel was a hard task master. He did the accounts and administration for their shared company, providing similar services for clients. They motivated each other but sharing a home office did make it difficult for either party to plead a sick day when the other knew it wasn’t warranted or self-inflicted.
‘Besides I’m dying to hear all about the billionaire playboy. Did he turn up? Did he try it on with you? Did he go to Paulo’s Pizza?’
‘Yes, kind of and yes,’ mumbled Faith, gulping down a glass of orange juice.
‘Wow!’
‘Oh don’t sound so shocked. He’s well bred. Of course he fulfilled his duties.’
‘I don’t remember any of his duties including making out with you.’
‘Shut up Gabe.’
‘Anyway how does someone ‘kind of’ try it on with someone?’ he asked, ignoring her request for silence.
She raised her head shamefully.
‘He didn’t try it on with me. I started making out with him. Then it went horribly wrong.’
‘How so?’ asked a bemused Gabriel.
‘Let me say limousines aren’t the best places to move from first to second base.’
Gabriel spat out his coffee.
‘I cannot believe after all the hearts you’ve broken, this guy’s got you in a muddle because of the size of his wallet.’
‘No, it’s not the money factor.’
‘What, then?’
‘I feel out of my depth. I’m sitting in a stretch limo. One minute I’m in my element at Paulo’s, eating pizza without cutlery and talking for America, the next I’m in a limousine zooming along the streets. I was wearing jeans and sneakers.’
‘You always wear jeans and sneakers at the hospital.’
‘I know. I felt dreadfully out of place next to him in his posh clobber.’
‘Who cares? It’s only a week, then you’ll never have to bother with him again.’
Faith toyed with her cereal.
‘I’m guessing you’re seeking to extend your partnership,’ ventured Gabriel.
‘I don’t know. I feel confused. One minute I he’s a brat, the next he’s open and honest and I feel something good in him.’
‘It’s okay to like him. He did come through for you and turn up when he was dead set against it at the gala. Time is likely to be far more important to him than money. Maybe give him a chance if you’re interested.’
‘I don’t know if I am. Can you get to know someone in a week?’
‘I can’t answer that, but I do think you can get to know the essence of someone in a week.’
‘I was drunk and tripped in the limo. I was crawling on my hands and knees. Even I know those jeans make my bum look like Mount Rushmore. What must he have thought of me? I was mortified. I even told him not to bother coming again if he wasn’t up for it.’
‘You what?’
‘It was a get out clause. I was trying to save face. I don’t think I can bear having a crush on someone who thinks I’m a total klutz.’
‘Ahhh, then you do fancy him.’
‘Okay, yes.’
‘Calm down, sis. This is playground behavior. Act normal when you’re with him. You’ve always had a wicked sense of humor.’
‘I want to impress him not be a clown.’
‘You’ll impress him by being yourself,’ advised Gabe.
‘Well I certainly wasn’t being myself stumbling wide eyed in a limousine, pouring myself free drinks and shamelessly throwing myself at a playboy billionaire without invitation.’
Gabriel had to laugh at the image she painted, but his ringing low tones were infectious.
‘At least I made an impression.’
‘I’ll say,’ he sniggered.
‘Come on, let’s get on then,’ said Faith brightly.
‘Hey, Faith?’
She looked at her brother.
‘How were things left with Mr. Porterhouse?’
‘I was a bit of an emotional wreck.’
‘You mean you were a bit of an off-handish cow?’
‘I hate that you know me that well.’
‘Drop him a text or call, thanking him for turning up and say you’ll catch him later. At least that way you’re implementing damage control. Guiding the course of true love.’
‘I wouldn’t go that far.’
‘Trust me. Give the guy some encouragement or you may have blown your chances. The male ego is a fragile thing, however we present ourselves.’
‘I hardly think my invitation to stop volunteering at the hospital would have dented his pride.’
‘You might be surprised.’
Abbey raced up the stairs to her bedroom to retrieve her cell phone.
Chapter Seven
Brian awoke to the sound of his phone vibrating. The number he didn’t recognize, but upon opening the text he realized it was from Faith. It was a sweet wake-up alarm. On any given night of the week Brian would party hard, or hang with friends to all hours as it suited. As a first, he’d asked Marcus to take him straight home after dropping Faith off last night.
Faith confused him. He knew he wanted her but wasn’t exactly sure why. When she’d offered him the chance to rescind his auction duties, he’d been wounded. Hurt because he was determined to satisfy his part of the agreement. Hurt because he sensed a definite spark with Faith which she was less keen pursuing.
Hurt because he’d opened up to Faith sharing his day-to-day difficulties, only to receive negligible interest from her. Either she didn’t believe him or hadn’t recognized the courage he required to divulge his personal problems.
On one hand, from what she said over dinner, his problems probably did pale in comparison when placed alongside her own. Her family consisted solely of her and her brother. She’d dealt with lot of loss and tragedy at a young age and had to assist in the care and support of her brother, whilst running a business.
Clearly they weren’t issues he’d ever had to deal or cope with. It was only he was trapped in his life which was hard to convey to anyone.
Faith was a strange balance of freedom and focus; he knew he could learn from her. If he was honest, he had hoped she might come to understand him. Unlike the majority of women he dated, who were driven by fame and fortune, Faith was driven by compassion and justice. Evidently her sympathy dried up when it came to Brian Porterhouse.
She was passionate. It was evident in the way she physically connected with him. Faith didn’t give off the vibe that she was cheap. Her actions suggested she harbored feelings for him. Perhaps they were only sexual which could be fun, reasoned Brian, but he’d been present with Faith. Not dwelling on the past or planning the future. He was anchored with her. The kiss had been all the more meaningful because of it. To be shunned coolly after flummoxed him.
He was determined to have her at whatever cost. As his heart sped up at the thought of her, he knew it would be prudent to ascertain what price he would pay to bed Faith.
The text he received was pleasant and friendly. Apologizing for inadvertently trashing his car; blaming it on her hormones and the hooch from Paulo’s Pizza. She finished by saying she was looking forward to seeing him that evening, asking him to call or text if anything cropped up in his schedule to prevent him attending.
His thumbs punched lightly on the keyboard of his cell phone to confirm via text he had cleared his diary and would be there punctually. No sooner had he sent the text than he worried his prompt response would make him appear too eager—never a winsome quality. To make matters worse there had been no response from Faith, leaving Brian on tenterhooks for the rest of the day.
Taking a leaf out of Faith’s book, Brian decided to dress in accordance to what the tasks required. As well as mingling with the children at the hospital, they’d stripped and made beds and occasionally ran minor errands for nurses and patients alike. Having gone through his wardrobe, Brian hastily rang a contact to provide him with a stylist who could bring a selection of clothes befitting his volunteering for the week. Decked out in fashionable jeans, sneakers and t-shirt, he checked the labels were subtle so as to not draw attention to his status.
He got Marcus to deliver him to the hospital in the Hummer. Noticing his designer stubble in the car’s side mirror as he got out, he wondered if he should’ve been clean shaven for the hospital. He scanned the hospital car park and front grounds repeatedly until Faith crossed his line of vision. He was astonished at the sight of her wearing an above the knee flouncy skirt and figure hugging, cleavage plunging top. Her sneakers traded in for ballet pumps. She was inexplicably cute.
He looked forward to her running down corridors with her short skirt flying up as she sped along. Even to the inexperienced, Brian realized Faith’s outfit was not the most practical choice.
With a chaste kiss on the cheek, they entered the ward exchanging only a few conversational pleasantries.
Making an effort for Brian, Faith sought an alluring outfit. He’d seen her as a knockout and as the casual girl-next-door—her current attempt had been to strike a balance between the two. As Brian’s eyes blatantly scanned her up and down, she knew he was bewildered by her clothes, rather than besotted be them. To make matters worse, as she trooped in the hospital the receptionists gushed, asking why she was ‘glammed up’ and what plans she had.
Nurses commented at how pretty she was and how flattering the skirt and top were; again asking if she was going out. The trouble was Faith had no plans. If she invented a ‘date’ to excuse her wildly inappropriate attire it would put Brian off. Saying she ‘felt like a change’ sounded pathetic and would, correctly, direct Brian to the assumption she had dressed up for him.
In the end Faith found herself saying it was wash day and unfortunately they were the only clean clothes left in her wardrobe. With great bravado she announced she would think twice before letting her laundry basket fill to that level again. In her mind it sounded a plausible excuse, but having to say it aloud to at least three different people it sounded unbelievably silly. One of the male hospital porters suggested she let her washing mount longer next time, because she’d turn up in a swimming costume.
Brian sympathized with Faith. Subconsciously, he laced his fingers through hers, squeezing tight as the porter and janitors guffawed at the vision of Faith carrying out her chores clad in a bikini.
‘For what it’s worth I’d love to see you running round in a bikini,’ said Brian in a hushed voice. ‘Only if I had my way it’d be on a private island in the Caribbean.’
His words were comforting; the image momentarily idyllic. Faith had to pinch herself to remind her that was Brian’s life not hers; the likelihood of it happening was inconceivable.
The twosome talked to the physiotherapists, allowing Brian to watch them in action and explain how it aided mobility.
Brian was startled to bump into Gabriel walking on crutches. He struggled but pushed himself to walk the full distance of the room. Having ended his session, he sat on a chair next to Brian.
‘I thought you were bound to the wheelchair,’ said Brian.
‘I pretty much am. Soon I will be completely, but I’m twenty-three. Be nice to try and keep up normality for as long as possible.’
‘I guess. Why bother if you’ve got the chair? Surely there’s more perks to wheelchairs than crutches.’
Gabriel half-smiled.
‘Do you like sports?’ he asked Brian.
‘Yeah, of course. But anyone can sit in a chair to watch a football or baseball game.’
‘I meant do you like playing them?’
Brian chose his response carefully. It seemed mean to rave of his love of sports when Faith’s twin brother could barely walk the distance of a room.
‘Do you?’ badgered Gabe.
‘Yes I do. Soccer is my game.’
‘Me, too. I was sports captain at primary and middle school. I tried to get on whatever teams I could get onto as soon as I hit high school, but that’s when everything went wrong. Even though my Dad had it, I kind of thought I might be lucky, but my muscles couldn’t hold up. I couldn’t play anymore, no matter how hard I tried. I loved sports; especially soccer—the beautiful game. The doctors said to give up, but I ploughed on till my muscles gave way. I’ll never run on a green field again with a ball, but I sure as hell remember my last match.’
‘Doesn’t that make you incredibly bitter?’
‘Not really. It inspires me to fight for as long as I. Eventually it’ll all go, but for now if I can walk for a couple of minutes a day I’m going to do that. I can’t throw in the towel. I want to remember the last step I take by myself. Even if it’s only a few meters it’s worth the toil and sweat. It means something to me. I can see you’re an active sportsman, you get what I’m saying?’
Brian pondered what Gabriel said. He considered his own private education, the sports he’d played, the various activities he’d done while traveling, the soccer team he played with every Sunday, the training sessions he’d been highly irritated to miss this Tuesday and Thursday because of his hospital duties. He took them for granted, when Gabriel cherished every step. To Brian, Gabe’s days were full of personal accomplishments, which seemed a fruitful existence outstripping the mundane lavish routine he was stuck in.
Shift done, the three went outside to gaze at the stars.
‘This is awkward isn’t it,’ blurted out Faith.
Gabe laughed, happy Brian shared the joke.
‘Can I give you guys a ride home?’ asked Brian.
Gabriel and Faith looked in awe at the giant Hummer.
‘With all the will in the world, I think getting me and the chair in there will be more hassle than it’s worth. The limo we could have chanced, but I hear it needs a serious risk assessment performed if the two of you take another ride in it.’
Faith knew a blush was creeping up her neck. She could’ve strangled her brother for the barbed remark. Brian, o
n the other hand, wasn’t sure what to say. Longing to be one-on-one with Faith, he could hardly abandon her twin stranded in a wheelchair at the front of the hospital.
‘We live within walking distance, or rolling distance in my case,’ said Gabriel, ever expert at dissolving anyone’s discomfort regarding his wheelchair.
‘Perhaps I could walk you both home?’
‘I’ve other plans,’ yawned Gabe. ‘It’d be nice if you took Faith out though. It was unfortunate those were the only clean clothes left in her wardrobe, but it’d be a real waste for her to be dressed up only to have to head straight home.’
‘Honestly I’m sure Brian has other plans,’ said Faith scowling at Gabe.
Brian slicked back his hair, standing straighter to regain confidence.
‘As a matter of fact I don’t. I’d than honored if you permitted me to take your sister out.’
‘Steady on,’ joked Gabe. ‘We aren’t in the 1800’s. What two consenting adults get up to is entirely up to them.’
He whispered to his sister, waving her off. Reassured by his plans she accepted the arm Brian offered.
As they climbed into the Hummer without incident or accident, the all too familiar silence descended.
‘Is your brother okay getting himself home?’
‘Do you honestly think I’d go if he wasn’t?’
‘No, of course not. I feel bad deserting him.’
‘Feel assured he’s safe and sound.’
Faith listened in as Brian made a call, booking a table for two to be available in the next fifteen minutes. Although she’d been hoping to go out with him, that he automatically assumed she’d accompany him to wherever he chose annoyed her.
‘Did I mention how exquisite you look tonight?’
Faith glowed at the compliment, accepting it graciously. Brian was undoubtedly a product of his upbringing. It wouldn’t cross his mind a woman would prefer to be asked out for dinner, rather than dragged along willingly.
As the Hummer drew up at the restaurant, Faith trembled. The people entering and exiting the venue were formally dressed, whereas she and Brian were nearing scruffy.
I Kissed A Playboy Page 4