by DeRosa, Mila
Shock was her initial reaction, soon replaced with fury. “I’m sure there’d be many women keen to line up for that particular proposal, but I’m not one of them.” She stood to leave. Just when she thought Reeves was more than the superficial player he was known as, he disappointed.
“Sit down. I wasn’t finished.” Anger tainted his tone.
Begrudgingly, Bryn did as she was told, mouth set in a defiant pout and arms folded across her chest. Nothing he had to say would change her mind about being his escort.
“A thousand dollars a day, all expenses paid. All I require is for you to serve drinks during scheduled periods of the day. The rest of the time you’ll be there as my guest.”
The terms didn’t sound so bad as she initially thought, but she had no interest in staying with Reeves in his cabin in the Blue Mountains. Despite his description of the job, it still sounded like a lure to his bed.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m busy.”
“I never offered a date.”
Bryn opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again.
“A few days is all I’m asking. Are you sure you can’t take time out of your busy social life.”
The money was almost too good to refuse. “When?” Curiosity got the better of her. She could always give it some thought and get back to him. Jodie’s condition was an easy fall back if she needed an excuse.
“Saturday through to Monday.”
“But that’s in two days,” she gasped.
“Oh good, you know the days of the week. Yes, two days.”
“All of these added extras that I don’t recall being part of my job description—playing chaperon for weekends, not even close.” The restriction of being seated when the urge to pace surfaced added to her frustration.
“Think of it as a bonus—a rare opportunity.”
“Really?” She scoffed. “Surely you could come up with something better than that.” The words were out before she thought them through, but the smirk teasing his lips indicated he was taking a lighthearted approach toward the situation.
“Really—the money is good, and for little in return.” Reeves shrugged, his attitude screamed the deal was done—a no-brainer in the scheme of things. “Besides, what better company could you ask for this weekend?” He grinned, baiting her.
“Huh. If you do say so yourself.” She rolled her eyes, and half a smile touched her lips.
“What? You don’t like Sally? or Luke for that matter?
“Oh. They’re coming too?” Relief was as evident in her tone as it was her face. “That’s okay then.”
“So you’ll come?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“I don’t know if I should be offended or impressed—”
“Impressed—I imagine the first knock to your ego will be the hardest to deal with. But, don’t worry, it’ll get easier.” She smiled to soften yet another blow, hoping she wouldn’t end up jobless and on her ass in the street before the night was through.
Momentarily speechless, Reeves didn’t respond. Mouth partially open to speak, then closed a moment later.
She shrugged as if offending her boss was an aim rather than a blatant disregard of care.
“You’re not like my other staff.” He gazed at her as if still struck dumb.
“What? Scared of you?”
“They’re not scared of me—are they?”
She shrugged again. “Some. Others are just in awe.”
“And you?”
“Neither.” The only sense she experienced in the presence of Reeves was pissed off, yet safe, neither something she’d admit out loud.
Reeves smile faded. “I know you. I’m not sure where from, but I do.”
Under the scrutiny of a drug lord was never a comfortable place to be, but given his rival, Reeves was a lamb in comparison to what she was used to. So maintaining composure was a breeze. “Perhaps I have a doppelganger.”
Surely he couldn’t remember her. Their paths had crossed a few times, a fleeting glimpse from the background. He was older than her by only a few years, but enough that she was a child when he ran with Baxter’s mob. He couldn’t have remembered—but she did.
In awe of him as the women who frequented the clubs, Reeves had always been appealing, without the air of arrogance he’d adopted with his title of Lord.
Back in the day, he’d been the only runner her mother allowed in their home. The son she never had, the perfect heir to the family business. However, she would never have told him that. Even she regretted getting caught up in the damned life, one that was, no doubt, upon death, a sentence to the deepest darkest depths of hell imaginable.
Not wanting her life for Bryn, she didn’t stop her when she left, instead encouraged her to run and never look back.
Contact with her mom was the reason Bryn came back to town in the first place, yet she’d not yet worked out a way to make that happen. In time, she would.
Chapter 7
A doppelganger all right. A different form, but one so close they could pass off as the same. Reeves realized he was staring, so blinked. “You still keen for tomorrow night?”
“Not sure keen is the right term, but, sure, it could be fun.” She shrugged, seemingly nonchalant.
“Wow. Were you added to my staff to torture me?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Again with the shrug—a habit, perhaps, or a way to display dismissal. Trying to make people believe she didn’t care for much, to keep them a safe distance from getting close or too attached.
Bryn wasn’t like other women he knew, or invited into his bed—an independence he found alluring. From the exterior she appeared in control, but from knowing what little he did about her, he wasn’t so sure. But, what toyed with his thoughts the most was how he knew her.
“Perhaps I was added to your staff to bring you back to reality.” She jutted her chin out in defiance.
He liked that about her, the confidence that escaped every so often as if to prove she was more in control than he gave her credit for.
“Is that so.” He chuckled, his ego was bound to take a hit if he didn’t make an attempt to change the subject. Bold as she was, he couldn’t imagine she was cruel or looking for a fight, despite holding her own.
“As much as it’s been a pleasure chatting with you,” her words were as sincere as he was a law-abiding citizen. “I must be going. No doubt, thirsty bodies need attention.” She stood, and this time he didn’t try to stop her, instead he nodded.
“If you’d be so kind to think of me throughout the night, I will remain in here this evening.” He paused as if about to say something, then stopped. “If you could inform Sally, I’d appreciate it.”
Bryn raised one eyebrow, a habit she didn’t seem to have control over as she did it so involuntarily. The slight nod of her head was enough to indicate she had heard. “You’ll be missed—two nights in a row.”
Was that curiosity in her expression? He couldn’t be certain.
“I have a mountain of paperwork, which is more entertaining than those out there.” More than he should’ve said, but he felt more relaxed with her than he did most people, even if she was one of his staff members.
“Pot of coffee? Or your usual.”
“The usual for now. Might need the coffee later.”
Bryn nodded and headed for the door.
“Do you enjoy waitressing?” He was curious about her, and wondered if her skills were extensive enough to maintain a position as his personal assistant. If business proceeded as he hoped it would after the weekend was through, he would be hiring.
“I like the other staff.” She wrinkled her nose as if searching for a positive. “I know I suck, and it’s not in my nature to beg, but if you’re thinking of letting me go, please will you reconsider.”
“If you suck so much I wouldn’t have asked you to accompany us this weekend.”
“Oh.” The single syllable, when expelled from her lips was the most delightful image to watch. High
cheekbones outlined a hollowing that enhanced the feline shape of her features, lips puckered around the word. Exotic and more alluring than any woman he’d encountered before.
“Have you had any administrative experience?” He cocked his head to the side and watched as she processed his question and gave thought to her answer.
“I have, although I don’t think I have a contact to offer you as a reference.”
Reeves shook his head. “I don’t need a reference, your word is good enough for me, and your skill would speak for itself.”
“Who said I was skilled? I merely stated I’d had experience.” Laughter trilled and she winked.
Playful was sexy when Bryn dished it up, and a buffet she’d offered so far.
* * *
As Bryn suspected, Jodie was gone by the time she got home from work. A note left beside the kettle confirmed. Apparently, Josh was ready to be a father and begged her to go home. A repeated pattern, one that would probably continue for the rest of their relationship, or until he caused enough harm that she couldn’t go back.
With nothing much to do for the day, Bryn set about cleaning blood from the couch and cleaned her already clean house. A few loads of washing and stacking the dishwasher filled in time until she had to get ready for dinner with Reeves.
Dread, deep in the pit of her gut began to bubble and churn until it formed a heavy lump in the pit of her gut. Reeves was her boss, charming and sexy as hell, but first and foremost her boss, and completely off limits.
Hibernating in his office for days, ignoring requests to come out to play, he seemed more approachable, more eligible, than when he was surrounded by glamorous women and badass men.
Bryn made the most of having the full day to get ready. A long hot bath infused with calming essential oils, she bathed until the water began to cool and her fingers and toes were wrinkled. Dried off, she smoothed body butter from neck to foot, then applied moisturizer to her face.
She didn’t normally wear much make up to work. The heat radiating from sweaty bodies mixed with stress about delivering a full glass to its owner would’ve been enough to melt it off anyway. Tonight would be a first. Given she didn’t have a lot to choose from as far as attire was concerned, she hoped to compensate with the mask she created upon her face.
Time was on her side, so she didn’t have to rush, her only chore left was to locate the only dress she thought she still owned. Moving from place to place meant unnecessary items were left behind, should they be bought in the first place.
Clothes, shoes, bags were all kept to a minimum. Basic and practical had served her well. The odd date she’d been on over the years hadn’t been to anywhere fancy, so jeans and a nice top were adequate.
Even her work uniform, black leather pants and fitted white shirt were fancier than anything else she owned. Despite going back to work after dinner, she didn’t imagine Reeves would be impressed to be seen wining and dining his staff. To many he was like a movie star without the request for photos and his autograph, but famous in his own way. His reputation as a bad boy stretched beyond the boundaries of the club. Ridiculously good-looking, he was like the forbidden fruit too alluring to resist.
Bryn rummaged through draws, and then the closet, in hope she kept the black knit dress she wore to a semi formal event a few years ago. Short and simple, it was a dress me up, dress me down type. Surely she didn’t leave it behind.
With clothes all over the floor, her bedroom resembled that of a teenager, and still she couldn’t think where it might be. Having to go to the mountains already meant a shopping trip was on the cards, she didn’t want to add dress shopping to the list.
Perched on the edge of her bed, she glanced around the room. Think, Bryn, think. She slid off the bed and onto the floor to peer underneath where she kept her emergency pack. Sure, the dress was a little racy to be classed as a necessity, but it was the only one she owned, so there was a chance she’d stored it in there.
Careful not to mix the clothes on the floor with the ones in the bag, she found what she was looking for at the bottom. She sat back and leaned against the bed, relieved she didn’t have to keep searching. With one pair of strappy heels to her name, it made decision making a quick one.
It wasn’t so easy getting ready when she didn’t know where they were headed. Reeves insisted on keeping their destination a secret. The only clue he gave was that she may need a jacket if she struggled with the cold, but even then they had the option of being inside or out.
Meeting him anywhere other than Highfliers would’ve been her preference, but he wouldn’t hear of it.
Makes more sense to drop off your uniform beforehand, he’d said. You can leave it in my office. There was no indication that his suggestion implied more than a practical option, but it was enough of a warning that she wasn’t to dress in uniform for their dinner arrangement. After there conversation the day before, there was no way she was going to over analyse his intention. He was a man after all, in her experience they were generally straight down the line and didn’t over think so much.
Outwardly it was easy to play it cool, despite the sensation of millions of bubbles forming deep inside and bursting all at once. A chill whipped through her and she shuddered despite it being warm out. With heels higher than she was used to walking in for long periods, Bryn opted for a cab ride to work.
“Look at you.” A low whistle escaped Sally’s lips before a grin spread across her face.
Bryn laughed. It was always strange to see colleagues in general attire, not that she often made such an effort with her appearance. “Is this okay?” She didn’t bother to hide the doubt from her tone. Sally would understand, serving the racy crowd was one thing, being expected to act as one for the night was not unlike playing Cinderella.
“Okay? Girl, you’re smoking.” She laughed, as Bryn wrinkled her nose, not comfortable with compliments, even though she’d instigated the comment in the first place. “Reeves is out the back, no doubt pacing a hole in the carpet out of fear you won’t show.”
“Yeah, right.”
Sally raised her eyebrows and challenged her to argue, but Bryn didn’t take the bait. With a bit of luck Reeves would be keen to leave pretty much straight away, so as to miss the crowd and the stares from judgmental patrons. Without even sleeping with him, Bryn feared she’d be an assumed notch on his belt anyway.
As before, Reeves opened the door before she knocked. Perhaps there was some truth in what Sally said about him pacing. At the rate she strode down the hallway he wouldn’t have made it to the door before her if he was seated behind his desk.
“Wow, you look amazing.” Reeves took her in with one sweeping gaze that came to rest on her face.
“Thanks. You sound surprised.”
He shrugged, a pink flush tainted his tanned face. “You always look great, but—” he shrugged again and didn’t offer a valid explanation for his reaction. There was no way she was going to ask him to elaborate. Fishing for further compliments wasn’t her style. Besides, she wasn’t looking for his approval, but was pleased he seemed to like what he saw.
“Would you like to stick around and have a drink first, or should we wait until we get to the restaurant?” Reeves didn’t strike her as the type to hand over control, but she wasn’t passing up the opportunity to have a voice.
“I’m happy to wait.” She crossed the room and placed the bag containing her uniform and change of shoes in the corner.
“Good choice.”
She turned to see Reeves watching her, she smiled, hoping to look relaxed, when really her insides were churning at a rapid pace. The need for a drink, the stronger the better, was increasing.
“Ready?” Reeves returned the smile, features softing, he almost wasn’t intimidating.
“Let’s go.” Beating the crowd wasn’t the only reason she was keen to leave so quickly, the temptation to back out still loomed.
After giving instruction to Sally, Reeves led Bryn out the side entrance where h
is driver was waiting with the sleek black car that he’d picked Luke up from off the streets.
“Good evening, Reeves. Bryn.” His driver nodded at each of them in turn, as he opened the back door on the driver’s side.
Reeves gestured for her to get in as he walked around to the other side.
“Good evening.” Bryn slid into the car and waited. There was something daunting about not knowing where they were headed, but exciting too. “So, where are we going?” She waited until he was settled beside her, as his driver pulled away from the curb.
“Ahh, that’s for me to know.” He grinned, reaching across the seat, he placed his hand over hers and squeezed. “You’ll like it, I’m sure.”
Bryn caught the eye of the driver as he glanced back at her in the revision mirror and smiled. Obviously he agreed.
When she was a little girl, her father insisted she and her mother travel with a driver, but she didn’t remember it feeling so awkward—like a whisper was the necessary level for conversation.
Reeves continued to hold her hand. Warm and strong, she liked how it felt. Tonight she was Cinderella for a few hours, reality would catch up with her but for now she planned to go with the fantasy.
Minus the title Prince, he was every bit as charming. The three hundred and sixty degree revolving restaurant she’d heard rave reviews about, but never had the privileged of dining there until that night. Treated like royalty was only part of the appeal. The view of the city lights from every angle and food that looked too good to eat, and tasted even better, was not how she was used to spending her Friday evening.
In the presence of Reeves, she held in the awe and settled for mildly impressed. The man was clearly trying to whoo her, and it would do him some good to sweat. To try a little bit harder if more than a working relationship was on his mind.
“So, did you get through the pile of papers on your desk last night, or did you save some for when we return.” She wasn’t in the mood to work, the wine already going to her head, she was more than a little curious as to how she would keep her tray upright.