Stealing Hearts

by C. D. Samuda

  Shade laughed. Kurt was cool and she found that for the first time that night she was relaxed. When they left the police station it was near five in the morning. It was when they were on their way to her abandoned building that she realized Sweetie was still at the police station. She made a mental note to come and retrieve her the later.

  The car pulled up outside the address she gave them and she pushed Sweetie from her mind. All she needed to pick up was Spike and Smores … her two other cats. Another car also came to a stop and she glanced his way. He didn’t even bother getting out of the car.

  “This is where you live?” Kurt asked, getting out of the car.

  When he made as though to follow her she stopped him. “I can manage. I’ll be back in three minutes.”

  Without waiting for him to argue with her, she printed up to the old butcher sho, pushing open the rotting door. She crossed a large dusty room and opened another door. This one was a metal door which led to an old cold room. Inside the room and one small window which had put there herself. She had to ask Brick to bore the hole in the wall and them Mama Ruby had one of her guys install the window.

  Her mind settled on Ruby. How would she explain this to her? Shade decided to wait and find the best time to come back and talk to the woman. Pushing all that to the back of her mind she concentrated on placing the two cats in their cage and picked up the bag of cat food along with their bowls. With that done, she was ready.

  After heading through the door, she secured it with a lock from the outside. Inside the room was pretty safe although nothing of value was left inside. All that was left behind were a few pieces of clothing. Still, this was her home and if this deal didn’t work out, at least she knew she had her place to come back to.

  Chapter 5

  By the time Shade settled in the back seat of the vehicle her eyelids drooped. She tried to stay awake but her head hit the backrest and she was out like a light. She wasn’t sure how long they had driven and she assumed that they would return to the same place where she tried to take the car.

  She felt when the vehicle came to a halt and her eyes fluttered open. Somewhat disoriented, she looked around in stupor. They were inside and underground parking lot.

  “Where are we?” she croaked, her voice craggy from sleep.

  “This is where Braeden lives,” Kurt replied. “He lives on the penthouse floor.”

  “But that place…,” she trailed off.

  Kurt jumped from the car and came around to open her door. “Oh, we were visiting a friend and we drank a little too much, so Braeden crashed in his car.”

  Shade pondered what Kurt said as she picked up the cats’ cage and their food. It was apparent that Brick either got the car or the address wrong. Either way, this wasn’t supposed to go down this way. Not only was she disgruntled that she almost went to jail, she was baffled as to why she accepted this deal. It wasn’t too late, but that cocky bastard needed a good lesson and she was about to teach him how to respect women, no matter where they came from.

  You’re not my type.

  The words played over in her mind. Usually something like that wouldn’t have bothered Shade. She’d encountered numerous men who turned their nose up at her either because she was black or because she lived in the streets, so to speak. But something about this Braeden fellow rubbed her the wrong way. While he was asking her to become his wife, he was showing his disdain towards her kind. She planned on making the next six months the nightmare he never dreamed of. Just how she would do it remained to be seen.

  As she alighted Kurt’s car, her eyes flitted across the space in the underground parking. There were several silver cars and she wasn’t sure which was his. Kurt came to stand next to her following the trail of her eyes.

  “He’s already in his apartment,” he said in a low tone, leaning close to her.

  She almost jumped. “Who? I wasn’t looking for anyone.”

  “Yeah,” he replied with a chuckle. “This way.”

  She followed him across the space towards the lift where he stood before a small screen and pressed a button. Presently, Braeden’s face appeared and the two men spoke. She kept her eyes forward waiting for the private elevator doors to open. They rode the lift in silence as she wondered what Brick was doing now. He would have realized by now that he’d made a mistake with the car. She wondered if they knew she’d been picked up by the police.

  One thing was certain was that Mama Ruby wasn’t going to like it one bit. She imagined the row that would happen when Ruby realized that her son got Shade in trouble. Ruby was like a protective lioness that would fight for her. Not even her own sons were safe.

  The lift came to halt and opened into a spacious but sparsely decorated living room. The black and white furniture were minimalistic yet portrayed the masculinity of the place. A rounded black leather sofa with beige and white cushions, a few arm chairs to match. Beige carpeting lining the entire floor and white walls. Kurt kept his eyes on her, perhaps expecting the usual wide eyed stare. Shade wasn’t impressed by earthly possessions and she made no bones about that. Picking up her cage she followed Kurt.

  Momentarily, her to-be husband jogged into the living room wearing a robe. His hair was wet and his feet left damp footprints on the carpet. His eyes immediately felt to the cage, his brows creasing.

  “What’s that?”

  “These are my cats.”

  “I don’t want those critters in my house.”

  Without a word, Shade turned and began walking back to the lift. “Wait.” Kurt stopped her.

  She turned, her eyes making four with Braeden’s. “There was nothing in your contract that said I could not have pets.”

  “So you can read,” he said, his tone condescending.

  She stared at him.

  “Look,” Kurt said. “The cats can stay in her room. They are in a cage, so no harm is done. And it’s not like you’re allergic or anything.”

  “Just keep them away from me,” Braeden relented. “Your room is the second left down the hall. I have a meeting so I need to finish getting dressed. Kurt, can you take her shopping?”

  Kurt shook his head. “I got a meeting with a client this morning.”

  Shade addressed Braeden. “I can go on my own.”

  “I’ll send a driver for you,” Braden said. “I’ve got to finish getting ready. And keep those things in your room … at all times.”

  With that he turned and walked away. Kurt followed her down the passage and opened the door to her new room. She stepped inside, told him thanks and locked the door. Heaving a deep sigh she closed her eyes and leaned her back against the door. What the hell have I got myself into?

  Setting the cage down by the door she perused the room. There was a large king sized bed, sitting almost in the center with two night stands on either side. To the left was a set of double doors she assume was a closet. She walked over and opened them. The closet was empty. She looked across the room and there was a natural wood bureau and next to that a large chest. Another door led off from the right and this she was certain was a bathroom.

  She was right. A shower stall, a bath on legs and the usual face basin and toilet. The bathroom was luxurious and was stocked with everything needed to take a shower. Without thinking, she began stripping her clothes. When she had taken off every piece, she stepped into the shower stall.

  The water was hot and relaxing. She spent nearly twenty minutes scrubbing the grime from off the streets from her skin. It wasn’t often she got to shower. Sometimes when she made some money, she would spend the night at a cheap motel where she showered. But even that could not compare to this.

  As she lathered with the scented soap she found in the shower, a feeling of nostalgia enveloped her. Closing her eyes she steeled herself against those feelings, bringing to mind the reason she should never recall her past. Using the same soap she also lathered her hair, watching the dark water rinse from it. It badly needed a wash. It was a week ago that she got to take a showe
r and wash her hair.

  By the time she stepped from the shower, her skin shone and her honey complexion was as the right tone. She felt to clean that she was reluctant to put on the clothes she took off, even though they weren’t very dirty.

  Gritting her teeth she left the bathroom, wrapping the large towel she found tightly around her. When she reached the bedroom door leading out to the passage she hesitated. But she did need some clothes until she got new ones. Pulling the door open, she stepped into the passage. There were two more doors, one on her side and another on the opposite side of the passage. Shade wasn’t sure which door was Braeden’s room.

  She tried the first door, no one answered. She then knocked the one of the opposite wall, the door swung open upon the impact of her knock. She could smell the feint scent of his aftershave and shower gel. There was the robe he’d worn lying at the foot of the bed.

  She left the room and went to the living room, he wasn’t there. She turned and noticed that the living room opened up to the dining area. To the far right was a balcony separated by double glass doors. Another door led from the dining area and she followed that. It led her to the kitchen.

  He was not there either, apparently she was alone. She was about to turn back when she noticed a note on the kitchen counter. Tentatively she picked it up, uncertain whether to read it. Apparently Braeden left her the note. Her eyes ran over his flashy scrawl.

  Here is a credit card. Don’t overdo it. The driver will come by in half an hour. Buy something nice to get married in and the driver will take you to the court house. Get some decent clothes and whatever else you need.

  Braeden.

  Shade chortled. She was certain that Braeden Harrington already called the bank to place a limit on the card. Even with a credit card, she would still need some clothes to wear to go shopping. She was pondering this dilemma when she heard the lift open and someone shouting hello. She tightened the towel and left the kitchen.

  When she entered the living room, someone in a dark suit was standing there. His dark brown eyes widened as she entered. She noticed how his eyes trailed along her figure and coming to rest in her breasts.

  “You must be the driver,” give me a minute. “She said.”

  Shade returned to the passage and entered Braeden’s room in the hopes of finding some casual cloths. She knew they would be too large for her slender figure, but anything would have to do until she got to the store.

  After rummaging through the closet and some drawers, she found a track suit. It was large fitting, but fortunately it had string at the waist which she pulled tightly to hold it in place. She discarded with the top and chose a t-shirt which hung loosely from her shoulders. She was not wearing a bra and her nipples were imprinted for the world to see. She didn’t give a rat’s behind about that.

  Chapter 6

  The driver kept glancing at her through the rear mirror. Whenever she caught his eye he wound give her a bright smile. She knew he felt that she was kin, since they were both black. She turned her head and stared out the window, not in the mood to make friends.

  “Ma’am,” his voice interrupted her. “We are at the store.”

  It was one of the most prominent stores on Fifth Avenue. The driver quickly got out and came to hold the door open for her. Not caring that she was bare feet and wearing bagging pants and t-shirt, Shade stepped onto the pavement.

  “What’s your name.” she asked the driver.

  “Dave, Ma’am.”

  “Okay Dave, you can relax somewhere. This will take some time.”

  “Mr. Braeden instructed me never to leave you an inch, so I got to stay.”

  Shrugging, she turned away. “Suit yourself.”

  Dave followed her into the store. When she entered, a blond wearing a short dark blue skirt suit approached.

  “Can I help you?” he eyes trailed over Shade in the most scornful way before she raised her eyes and looked at Dave. “Oh, you’re here. We’ve been expecting you.”

  “You have?”

  “Mr. Harrington called to say someone would stop by. You look nothing as he described.”

  Shade was curious. “How did he describe me?”

  “He said you’d be wearing rags. I suppose these old clothes would be considered rags,” the attendant smiled.

  “These old things? Sure. They are his anyway,” Shade joked. “You see, I arrived just like that, so I need everything you’ve got.”

  “Sure.”

  Shade took the credit card from her pocket and turned it over. The miser gave her a regular card that she was sure had a limit. He could have given her a gold or platinum card.

  “Excuse me,” she addressed the attendant with the nametag Meg. “Meg, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does Mr. Harrington happen to have a credit line here?”

  “He sure does.”

  “Great.”

  “I will be your assistant today Miss Montgomery.”

  Shade looked at her in surprise. “Oh, thank you.”

  “Have I seen you somewhere before?” Meg asked.

  Shade looked around the store. This was not one of the stores she frequented and there was no way she could recognize her from her shoplifting disguise.

  “I don’t think so. I haven’t been here before.”

  “You like familiar,” Meg replied. “Let me know what you need.”

  “Where is shoe department?”

  “Over there, and there we have the cosmetic area,” Meg informed her, pointing in several directions. “You can also purchase toiletries there and our lingerie area is there.”

  “I need shoes, size seven and a half in all styles.”

  Meg turned away to beckon to someone, giving Shade the opportunity to rush over to the clothing racks. Within seconds Meg was beside her. She ignored the attendant and began pulling clothes of the racks. Then she turned to the show piece in the window. The suite was beige with faux pearl trimmings. There was a matching hat perched on the mannequin’s head with a clutch completing the ensemble.

  “I need that in size four,” she told Meg, admiring the exquisiteness of the design.

  “Coming right up,” Meg smiled broadly. “Would you like the shoes to go with that?”

  “Is it four inches?”

  “Four and a half.”

  “Perfect.”

  She tried on a few of the outfits such as three of the evening gowns, two cocktail dresses, a little black dress and two suits. She didn’t need to try on the jeans and tank tops she picked out. Someone brought about a dozen pairs of shoes, including four inch heels, flats, wedges and a pair of sneakers. Next she went over to the underwear department where she got matching panties and bras in her size.

  Meg was with her all the way, assisting her where needed. The attendant was getting happier by the minute as her commission increased with each item Shade added to the tab.

  “Meg, I need three perfumes and some make-up.”

  She was guided to the cosmetic counter where someone applied make-up and added the items to the bill. She next chose three scents – one for day, evening and special occasions. Braeden needed a wife, she was going to give him one. One of the other ladies offered to apply leave-in treatment to her natural curls to make them shiny. That too was added to the bill.

  “Is there anything else Miss Montgomery?” Meg inquired as her makeup was complete and she stared at herself in the mirror.

  Shade could think of nothing else. She shook her head and turned to look around, trying to see what could be added to the bill. She still had the credit card, so that could be used for something else.

  She was just turning back to her assistant when she heard the whispers. “She’s a model, I think I saw her in a magazine or something.” “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

  Shade left the cosmetics area and entered the changing room with the beige suit. It fitted her perfectly as though made for her. As she smoothed down the skirt, a memory of someone flitted across her mind. T
he woman loved Donna Karan suits, and the memory had her wearing one just like this one.

  Shrugging, she stepped from the cubicle, stuffing the sweat suit and t-shit in the bag Meg had given her. She was ready to get married to a man she didn’t know. Six months, he said. Six days was all she needed to teach him never to make a woman feel like she wasn’t a woman at all. By the time she was done with Braeden Harrington, he’d wished he hadn’t met Shade Montgomery.

  Chapter 7

  Shade had asked Meg to help her out by running the card and giving her some cash. Meg was more than happy to oblige given the big tip she would be getting from her shopping spree. She gave Dave a hundred dollars and sent him back to the apartment to drop off the bags while she took a cab to the courthouse.

  “But Ma’am,” Dave protested. “Mr. Braeden said…”

  “Help out a sister will you?” she said. “I want to surprise my fiancé.”

  Dave’s eyes bulged as he stared at her. Apparently Braeden didn’t tell him who she was. She suspected that he would not tell anyone whom she was. For the first time since last night, Shade wondered what his motive was for making such a contract with her. It wasn’t for sex. Most likely it wasn’t to bear a child. She didn’t ask him because she thought that she would get back at him for his condescending attitude and after a few days, she’d return to her butcher shop.

  With Dave taking the bags back to the penthouse, Shade made her way to the courthouse. She was running about half hour late, she imagined Braeden fuming at the nostrils. As the cab came to a halt outside the building, Shade felt her knees weak. Why was she doing this?

  “What the hell am I doing?” she muttered. “Why’d I want to marry a stuck up suit like him?”

  “I knew she couldn’t be trusted,” Braeden growled. “She ran off.”

  Kurt placed a hand on his shoulder. “Relax. If she was going to run off, why’d she send the clothes she bought back to the penthouse?”