Feeling restless, I stood, walking around. “We’re going to have to act comfortable with each other. If I kiss your cheek or wrap my arm around your waist, you have to act as if it’s normal.” I tugged on my shirt hem. “You’ll have to do the same. Reach for me, smile, laugh when I bend down and whisper something. Stretch up on those ridiculously short legs to kiss my cheek. Something. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Then she grinned—the most mischievous expression crossing her face.
“What?”
“If you call me sweetheart, do I get to call you something, ah, special, too?”
“I’m not one for nicknames. What did you have in mind?”
“Something simple.”
I could live with that. “Like?”
“Dick,” she stated with a straight face.
“No.”
“Why not? It’s a short form of your name, and it, ah, suits you, on so many levels.”
I gave her a sharp look. I was sure she knew the nickname was attached to me in the industry and was trying to poke fun. “No. Pick something else.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”
“You do that. Dick is off the table, though.”
Her lips quirked.
I rolled my eyes. “Give it up, Katharine.”
“Fine. Dick works so well, but I’ll try.”
I ignored her obvious humor. “No—enough.” I stepped in front of her, meeting her amused gaze. “Now, shall we practice?”
“Practice?”
I picked up the remote and hit play, changing the music until a low, gentle melody hummed through the speakers. “Dance with me. Get used to how it feels to be close to me.” I held out my hand, saying the one word I never used with her until the past few days. “Please.”
She let me drag her to her feet and awkwardly she moved closer. With a sigh, I wound my arm around her waist, tugged her close, and breathed in the scent of her hair wafting up into the air. We began moving, and I was surprised how natural it felt. Far smaller than the women I was used to, she barely met my shoulders; her head fit under my chin. She seemed slight and fragile in my arms, yet she molded against my body well. After a few minutes, she lost the stiffness in her shoulders, letting me lead her around the room effortlessly. She was unexpectedly graceful as she moved, given how often I had watched her trip on her own feet.
A voice spoke in my head, whispering maybe what she needed all along was someone to hold her up, rather than tear her down.
That brought me up short, and I jerked back, staring down at her. She blinked up at me, filled with trepidation, and I realized she was expecting some sort of nasty remark. Instead, I cupped her cheek, and her eyes grew wider.
“What are you doing?”
“Kissing you.”
“Why?”
“Practice.”
Her breathy “oh,” hit my mouth as my lips touched hers. They were surprisingly soft and pliant, melding to mine with ease. It wasn’t an unpleasant sensation; in fact, I felt a trail of warmth run down my spine at the contact. I released her lips, only to drop my head and kiss her again, this time a fast brushing of my mouth on hers.
I stepped back, releasing my hold on her. The air around us was thick, and I smirked. “See, not so bad. It won’t kill you to kiss me.”
“Nor you,” she retorted, a tremor in her voice.
I barked out a laugh. “I guess not. Whatever it takes to get the job done.”
“Right.”
I grabbed the remote, turning off the music. “Well done, Katharine. We’ve done enough bonding for the evening. Tomorrow is a big day, so I think we both need to get some rest.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“You did a good job today. Thank you.”
I turned on my heel and left her gaping after me.
KATHARINE
I HAD TROUBLE SLEEPING AGAIN, so I tiptoed down the hall, pushing open Richard’s door. Tonight, he was on his stomach, one arm wrapped around his pillow, the other one hanging off the edge of his massive bed. He was still snoring—his low, raspy hum I needed to hear.
I studied his face in the dim light. I traced my lips with my finger, still shocked at the fact he had kissed me, held me in his arms, and we danced. I knew it was all part of his grand scheme, but there were moments, glimpses, of a different man than I was used to seeing. The flash of a smile, a twinkle in his eye, even a kind word—they had all caught me off-guard tonight. I wished he allowed that part of himself out more, but he kept his emotions—the positive ones—locked away. I had already figured that out. I knew if I said anything, he would lock himself down even more. So, I remained silent—at least for now. I had to admit though, kissing him hadn’t been bad at all. Considering the venom his mouth could produce, his lips were warm, soft, and full, and his touch gentle.
He groaned and rolled over, taking the blankets with him, his long, lean torso now exposed. I swallowed, partially in guilt for staring at him, partially in wonder. He was a beautiful man—at least on the outside. He muttered something incoherent, and I moved back, leaving the door ajar, scuttling back to my own room.
He might have been a little more pleasant at times this evening, but I doubted he would react well to me staring at him while he slept.
Still, his quiet rumbles helped me to drift off into a peaceful slumber.
I left the condo early and went to visit Penny. She was wide-awake and in a good mood. She knew me today, tweaked my nose, and we talked and laughed until she fell asleep. I sipped my coffee while she napped, looking at some of her little pieces she’d been painting. I chose one I liked in particular of some wild flowers, and was admiring it when she stirred. She watched me, then rolled her chair over, holding out her hand for the painting.
“I like this one.” I smiled. “It reminds me of when we’d go and pick flowers in the summer.”
She nodded, looking distracted. “You’ll have to ask my daughter if it’s for sale. I’m not sure where she is.”
My breath caught in my throat. She was gone again. The moments of clarity were getting further and further apart, and I knew better than to upset her.
“Perhaps I can take it and go find her.”
She reached for her paintbrush, turning for her easel. “You can try. She may be at school. My Katy is a busy girl.”
“Thank you for your time, Mrs. Johnson.”
She gestured toward the door, dismissing me. I left the room, clutching her painting, stifling the tears. She didn’t know me, yet deep in her heart, she still thought of me as her daughter. The same way I thought of her as my family.
It was a sobering reminder of why I was doing this with Richard. Pretending to be something I wasn’t.
It was for her.
I wiped my eyes, and headed back to the condo.
When I opened the door, Richard met me with a scowl on his face.
“Where were you? You have an appointment!”
I drew in a deep breath and counted to ten. “Good morning to you, too, Richard. It’s only ten. My appointment is at eleven. I have plenty of time.”
He ignored my greeting.
“Why didn’t you answer your phone? I called. You didn’t take your car, either.”
“I visited Penny. The home she is in is close, so I walked.”
Reaching over, he tugged on the small canvas I had clutched to my torso. “What is this?”
My grasp was ineffectual, and he held the painting in his hands, studying it.
“You aren’t hanging this crap in here.”
I swallowed the bitterness in my throat. “I wouldn’t dream of it. I was going to put it in my room.”
He pushed the small canvas back at me. “Whatever.” He walked away, glancing over his shoulder. “Your clothes arrived. I put them in the closet in your room and left the bags on the bed. Burn whatever you’re wearing now. I don’t want to see it any longer.”
Then he disappeared.
Later that afternoon, when I returned
to the condo, I felt like a different person. I had been buffed, scrubbed, and waxed within an inch of my life. My hair had been washed with some body infusing shampoo, conditioned, cut and layered, then blown dry so it hung in long, luxurious waves down my back. Once my makeup was done, I barely recognized myself. My eyes looked huge, my mouth full and pouty, my skin like porcelain. I hurried upstairs and slipped into the new lingerie and dress Amanda and I had picked out for the afternoon; she told me it was perfect. Off-white with a flowered overlay, it was pretty and floaty, and it looked like summer. The low-heeled sandals were comfortable, and I was sure I could stay upright.
I took in a deep breath as my nerves began to tighten.
It was time to see if Richard agreed.
RICHARD
Impatiently, I drummed my fingers on the counter. I heard the tapping of heels and turned my head, the glass I was about to drink from freezing part way to my mouth.
The Katharine I was used to seeing wasn’t this woman. As I suspected, with the right clothes, a good haircut, and some makeup, she was quite pretty. Not like the flashy, confident women I was used to, but rather an understated beauty she carried well. Not my usual type—however, in this case, it would work.
I glanced down at her hand and frowned. “Where is your ring?”
“Oh.”
She opened her small purse, took out the box, and slipped on the ring.
“You need to wear it all the time. Leave the box here.”
“I took it off for a manicure. I forgot to put it back on.” She smiled—a wide, almost teasing smile. “Thank you so much for reminding me, my darling.”
I raised my eyebrows. “My darling?”
“You didn’t like Dick, so I picked another endearment. You know, like lovers.”
I crossed my arms, glaring. “I think you’re laughing at me.”
“I would never.” She tossed her hair, the dark waves rippling down her back. “So, will I pass?”
“My money was well spent.”
She picked up her purse. “You have such a way with words, Richard. So smooth and lyrical. I’m shocked women weren’t lined up pretending to love you.”
Her remark made me chuckle. She had a cutting sense of humor, which was something I liked.
I followed her to the door, opening it for her. She waited as I locked it, and with a smirk, I offered her my hand.
“Ready, sweetheart?”
She rolled her eyes, placing her hand in mine. “Anywhere with you, my darling.”
“Let’s do this.”
Katharine accepted my extended hand, letting me help her from my car, her eyes huge in her face as she took in the extraordinary house and grounds. Even I was impressed. Graham Gavin’s estate home was lavish.
“Try to control your emotions,” I murmured, tugging her close, hoping it appeared natural. She didn’t fight me, leaning her body into mine as the valet drove off with my car. “You need to relax.”
She looked up at me with a frown. “Maybe you’re used to this sort of opulence, Richard. But I’m not.” Her gaze moved around rapidly; panic beginning to show on her face. “I don’t belong here,” she whispered. “They’re going to see right through this sham.”
I bent low so I could meet her eyes. “No, they aren’t,” I hissed. “I’m going to stay beside you, and we’re going to act as if we’re in love. Everyone here will think I chose you and us over my career, and you, damn it, are going to act as though you fucking adore me. Got it?”
She tilted her head up, uncertainty written all over her face.
I softened my voice. “You can do this, Katharine, I know you can. We both need this to work.”
She looked over my shoulder. “Graham Gavin is coming over.”
“Then it’s show time, sweetheart. I’m going to kiss you and you’re going to act as though you like it. Pretend I just gave you a gift. In fact, I’ll give you one, if you pull off this first meeting.”
For a second nothing changed. Then her gaze became determined, and she beamed at me. The expression transformed her face from merely pretty to beautiful. The change caught me off guard, and I stared down at her, surprised at my thoughts.
“Richard!” she exclaimed. “You’re too good to me!”
To say I was shocked when she reached up, threading her fingers through my hair and yanking my mouth to hers, would be an understatement. I recovered quickly, holding her tight and kissing her far too passionately for such a public place. When I heard the clearing of a throat behind me, I smiled against her mouth and drew back. She stared up at me, then as if it was the most natural thing in the world, touched my lips.
“Passion pink isn’t your color,” she teased, wiping at my mouth.
I dropped another kiss on her lips. “I told you to stop wearing the stuff. I’m only going to kiss it off anyway.” Keeping my arm around her, I turned to greet Graham.
“Sorry, Katharine is easily excited.” I smirked. “And who am I to resist?”
He chuckled, extending his hand, introducing me to his wife, Laura. Almost as short as Katharine, her golden hair swept into an elegant bun, she was grace personified.
I, in turn, introduced Katharine as my fiancée, smiling as she blushed and greeted them both.
“You must tell me what excited you so much, Katharine.” Laura smiled at her.
“Richard just told me about an unexpected gift. He’s constantly surprising me. Please call me Katy. Richard insists on my full name, but I prefer Katy.”
I shook my head. “It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”
She rolled her eyes, and Laura chuckled.
“You’ll never convince him otherwise, Katy. Men are such stubborn creatures.” Reaching out, she hooked arms with Katharine, tugging her away. “Come; let me introduce you to my family. Jenna is dying to meet you. Now, what is this gift he gave you?”
Following behind, I listened carefully, wondering what she would decide I had given her. Jewelry? A trip? Those were the extravagant gifts the women I dated liked to receive.
Once again, she surprised me.
“Richard made a generous donation to the ‘no-kill shelter’ where I volunteer. I had told him I was afraid they may close up due to lack of funds.”
Laura glanced over her shoulder with a wide grin. “What a lovely gesture, Richard. Graham and I will match your donation. We both have a soft spot for animals.”
Katharine gasped. “Oh, Laura, you don’t have to do that!”
Laura hugged her arm. “Of course, we do. How long have you been volunteering there?”
I spoke up; thankful for the lists we’d made and the fact I had a good memory. “Three years. She’s been named Volunteer of the Year twice.”
“How wonderful! Graham, make sure you write out a check for Katy when you’re talking to Richard later.”
Those words encouraged me. If he was going to talk to me in private, I hoped it meant what I thought it did.
Graham smiled at Laura. “I will, my love.”
I had planned to stay close, but it seemed my plans were thwarted at every turn. Once introduced to Jenna, her husband Adrian, as well as their older son Adam, his wife Julia, and their two children, Katharine and I were separated. Jenna was eager to meet Katharine, her green eyes much like her father’s, wide and excited. She was average height, attractive, with blonde hair and a friendly smile. Her husband resembled a linebacker, as wide as he was tall, with dark hair and eyes. Their mutual adoration was obvious—if not a little nauseating.
Jenna grabbed onto Katharine, dragging her around to meet some other women, while Graham introduced me to several key members of his staff. It was obvious Graham’s intention wasn’t a secret. He was letting the rest of his valued staff meet me, and I knew their opinions would matter, so I was on my best behavior, putting on the charm. For the first while, I kept glancing over to Katharine, wondering if she was saying or doing anything to jeopardize our situation, but she looked surprisingly calm, and seemed to be h
olding her own. Graham noticed my preoccupation and ribbed me good-naturedly.
“Relax, Richard. No one will kidnap her. I promise.”
I forced a chuckle. “Of course not. She, ah, she’s rather shy, that’s all,” I stated lamely. I couldn’t tell him why I needed to stay close.
“You’re protective of her.”
I was? That was what he thought?
“It’s been a rough few days, for both of us.”
He nodded, looking serious. “I heard what happened.”
Perfect.
“I couldn’t let him berate her that way, or allow him to belittle our relationship. It was time to leave, regardless of how it affected my career,” I stated with conviction. “I wanted our relationship—our real relationship—out in the open. I wanted the world to know we were engaged.”
“You put her first.”
“Always.”
He clapped my shoulder. “Come meet some people, Richard.”
A while later, I walked toward the small group of people with Katharine. I had observed the Gavins and how they interacted, and I was correct in my assumption. They were a very demonstrative group. When they were close to each other, the couples were constantly touching. Both Laura and Graham were also affectionate with their children and grandchildren. I knew I needed to show the same sort of affinity with Katharine. I hoped she could respond in kind.
The women were laughing, shaking their heads. Katharine spoke up. “I know, for someone usually so health conscious, Richard is terrible. He eats far too much red meat. Every chance he gets, especially at Finlay’s. The twenty-four ounce rib-eye every time.” She chuckled. “I’ve given up trying to stop him because there’s no point. At least he eats better now that I cook for him. The number of take-out menus I found in the drawer when I moved in was frightening.”
Stepping up behind her, I wrapped my arm around her waist, drawing her back to my chest and dropping a quick kiss to her neck, noticing her small shiver. “What about you, Katharine?”
The Contract Page 8