Bachelor Heart

by Regina Morris

Scott tapped on the page with her pen and she focused back on the contract. The hefty sum on the paper stared up at her. It was a lot of money. Funds she needed for Josh. His scholarship would be secured, he wouldn’t have to work two part-time jobs while attending school, and he wouldn’t have to feel so guilty any time he asked her for money.

  Naturally, she was happy to give him money for his books, for his food…she never once complained. Yet, somehow, Josh always felt bad about asking. He’d start off by asking for something like two-hundred dollars and within a couple of sentences be down to ‘I can make due with just fifty, if you can spare it’.

  There had also been talks of him taking a year off and working so he could pay cash for school without taking out loans. She didn’t want to hear any of that. His future was at stake, and he needed an education.

  She didn’t want to be a mother that couldn’t help her child out. This contract—this two-week contract—would solve so many of her problems.

  Not agreeing to do this job seemed pointless, even silly.

  Sitting across from Scott’s desk had made the transaction feel so…real. And, fortunately, very formal. This was a legally-binding contract, not just a promise of payment for a favor. A promise could always be broken.

  Money. Vacation. And, most importantly, securing Josh’s education.

  She could do this.

  Scott pointed to the page. “Initial here.”

  She scrawled her DB where he had indicated and then took a sip of her water. The money amount was fine, the pleasantries, too. Scott highlighted one section of the document after another.

  “Wardrobe allowance,” he said, pointing to another amount on the page. “Miscellaneous spending money for tips and other such things. Mostly to flash in case the press discovers you're staying at the Langtham.”

  That was a lot of mad money, more than she would ever spend since it was so frivolous. Her foot shook under the desk, so she placed her hand on her knee to stop it. She needed to focus on the big picture. “Mr. Ellington said my son’s scholarship…”

  “It will be secured for him,” Daniel said. “I believe it’s on the next page.”

  “It is, but first…” Scott circled the last item on the current sheet of paper. “I need Ms. Baxter to sign here, saying that she won’t sue the company or hold it, or you, responsible for any present or past emotional, mental, or financial anguish.”

  “Anguish?” Deborah eyed the page skeptically.

  “Ms. Baxter, this is a fake proposal of marriage,” Scott said, gaining her attention. “Mr. Ellington assured me that there is no romantic relationship between the two of you, and that there never has been. This engagement is only contractual. There is no promise of marriage here. No assurance of a relationship. No promise of love. And you can’t keep his grandmother’s ring.”

  Deborah felt the heaviness of the ring on her finger, and her cheeks blushed. She understood that this was all fake, but seeing Daniel on one knee, proposing…that was…well, nearly dream-perfect. But just a fantasy. Deborah could understand that some women could easily be swept away by such a sight, but not her. If Daniel ever had any romantic feelings for her, surely they would have surfaced over the last two decades of being in his employ.

  “I understand that this is a fictitious relationship.” She kept her voice light and pleasant, but didn’t hold back the hint of sarcasm. “It’s not like in the movies where I’ll take off my glasses, and Mr. Ellington will swoon.”

  She let out a slight—yet nervous—giggle as she initialed the paragraph, barely glancing at the text.

  Scott turned the page. “Your son, Joshua Baxter, will be allotted the full scholarship amount for the remaining three years he is in college. If he doesn’t meet the minimum GPA criterion, Mr. Ellington will continue the scholarship payments from his own personal accounts. This amount will be paid to Joshua even if he chooses to transfer to another school, but he must remain in school to receive the money. The sum of which is $45,000. This will cover his remaining tuition. Mr. Ellington has also agreed to pay an additional $15,000 per year to your son for college living expenses.”

  Deborah stared at the total as she felt the air leave the room. Her son was getting a full ride to one of the best universities in Texas, and she didn’t have to worry about him working while attending school. She didn’t have to worry about going into debt to help him get his education. She didn’t have to worry about anything.

  Josh wouldn’t drop out of school to work, either. This money would lock him in and ensure that he received his degree. It was the miracle she had prayed for.

  She felt tears welling up but managed to hold them back and look at Daniel. “That is very generous of you.”

  The smile he gave her—sincere and sensitive—sent lightning bolts of emotion through her entire body. “You’re the one doing me the favor,” he said, his voice velvety and smooth.

  His hand gently touched her shoulder. “I’m happy to take care of your son.”

  “This section covers the public displays of affection.” Scott indicated a lengthy paragraph and his voice ran over the words. The description of what ‘no sexual intercourse’ meant actually made her blush, and it made her realize just how thorough a lawyer Scott was. He defined at least five different sexual acts before getting to the list of approved physical contact.

  Not that she figured she and Mr. Ellington would engage in any such activity aside from hand holding.

  “Discrete kissing is acceptable…,” Scott continued.

  Kissing. She took in a deep breath and glanced over to Daniel. His piercing blue eyes melted her, but what she now focused on were his soft, full lips. He would, at some point, kiss her. Not passionately. She understood that. But still, a kiss. Her foot, which had been behaving for the last few minutes, began its little dance under the table once again.

  Daniel wore his dark gray suit with the power tie that always brought out the blue in his eyes. The whiskers of his five o’clock shadow covered his strong jaw and it gave him a rugged appearance.

  A suit that said business, and a face that said playtime.

  Yep. The whole package.

  “Do you have any questions about the contract?” Scott asked.

  Deborah sat straighter in the chair and took in a deep breath as she shook her head. She had just read the no-love clause, and was already having romantic thoughts? If there were anything between her and Daniel, it would have happened already. Daniel, though generous, had created this fake relationship thing for himself—for his gain. She was happy to help, but she needed to keep things in perspective.

  “If you’ll just sign at the bottom of the page, Ms. Baxter.”

  “Why do you need a picture of us?” Daniel asked once he had signed the document, as well.

  Scott’s gazed bounced from Daniel to Deborah and back again. “You said it yourself. Actually, I believe it was Deborah’s suggestion. You’ll need a picture to leak to the media.”

  Scott stored the documents in his desk and smiled back at them, giving the formal proceedings a more casual feel. “You got the ring. You got the girl. Now, we need to capture this happy moment for the world to see.”

  “I don’t want anything leaked to the media.” Daniel didn’t need a personal picture of himself in the news. Even when it came time for company picture opportunities, he usually had the media display the company logo instead of his mug on the pages of their rags.

  “We just need one image, something that we take and can control. A shot that clearly shows you and obscures most of Deborah’s face but will satisfy the press so they won’t hound you to pose for one.”

  “It’s a good idea,” Deborah said. “Just as long as you can’t make out that it’s me in the photo.”

  Scott stood up and looked around the room. “We’ll only get part of your profile.” He then pointed to the corner. “This place looks too much like an office, but the white wall will work.”

  He took his cell phone from his pocket, and D
aniel cringed. How many times had people taken out there phones just to snap a picture of him? He had lost count.

  “Daniel, stand over here and look at me. Deborah will face the wall.”

  This would be a close-up? Couldn’t he just be a thumbnail, a tiny head on a blurred .jpg image? Daniel walked to the corner of the room, not sure how to pose. He wasn’t even sure if Scott was a good photographer. Then again, if he weren’t, a fuzzy image would suit him just fine.

  “Take off your jacket,” Scott said. “You look too business-like.” When Daniel removed it, Scott added, “Take the tie off, as well. You look stuffy and formal.”

  “I am stuffy and formal.”

  Deborah held out her hand for his jacket. “You were the one who wanted this little charade, so behave and do what Scott suggests.” Once he’d removed his tie, he handed them both to her.

  Scott took them from her and placed them on the desk. “Deborah, your outfit is a bit too businessy, too. Since you have a blouse under your blazer, let’s lose your jacket, too.”

  Once off, Scott positioned her in front of Daniel, facing the wall. “I need you to turn your body just a bit, Deborah. I only want to see your side profile.” He then studied the two of them. “Daniel, put your arm around her waist.”

  It was like Scott was positioning a doll. Deborah stood close enough for him to smell the faint scent of her perfume. She always wore a delicate scent and never allowed it to be overpowering in the office.

  Taking a deep breath and puffing out his chest, he wrapped his hand around her slender waist, allowing her to take a step closer to him.

  This was the nearest he had ever stood to her. The closest their bodies had ever been—except for maybe a few times when they’d stood in crowded elevators. During those times, he did his best not to think of her as a woman.

  But, now, he enjoyed holding her close.

  “Oh, the glasses. Remove them.” Scott then pointed at her hair bun. “And let your hair down. It’ll help to hide your face.”

  Deborah unpinned her hair and handed the clip and her specs to Scott. She then tousled her waves and gazed into Daniel’s eyes. “This is that movie moment, Mr. Ellington.” She mockingly shook her head like all the women did in the movies. “Do you feel any different?” The tone of her voice was Marilyn Monroe breathy, but she soon started to laugh—her body moving slightly closer to his.

  This was Ms. Baxter. His right-hand woman. His employee.

  His Number One.

  But she was a vision.

  A vision with a sense of humor. Her lighter side was showing. He always enjoyed when she allowed herself to put her guard down. He found her playful sassiness very sexy.

  Daniel’s heart rate sped up, and a tightening occurred in his pants. A sensation that he had controlled around her for nearly two decades. One that he needed to control right now. She stood way too close, and he certainly didn’t need her brushing up against him.

  Her breath caressed his neck as she laughed. Her giggles were musical.

  The only time she ever let her softer side slip was when they worked late into the early mornings. Those times, she’d be so tired and giddy, she was an entirely different person. She’d let herself enjoy the moment.

  Daniel always had fun with this side of Deborah. It was the side he had always been attracted to, the one that he had always wanted to be closer to.

  Her voice filled with more joy, and he stared at the twinkle in her eyes as the smile reached them. The curve of her cheeks, the fullness of her lips…her entire face was framed by her dark brunette hair in a way that he had never seen before.

  She had a strong jaw, and high cheekbones—just like all the Hollywood starlets had back in the 1960s. He had noticed those fabulous features on Deborah years ago, but now, in her late thirties, they were striking.

  Daniel let out a nervous chuckle just as Scott said, “Okay, I got it.”

  The two of them turned to see Scott, who was staring at his phone.

  Deborah pulled away and began putting her hair back into its tight bun.

  The moment was over, but it had been captured digitally for all time.

  “This one is perfect.” Scott turned the cell around and showed it to Daniel. “You look dead serious, but Deborah is…”

  “Perfect,” Daniel said. He then looked back at her. “Your face is covered. You can’t really see who you are.” He tapped Scott on the arm. “Good job.”

  Deborah replaced and buttoned her suit jacket. “I should call a temp agency and get a replacement secretary.”

  Scott waived her off. “That’s already taken care of.”

  13

  Deborah followed the GPS directions to the Langtham Hotel, relying on her car’s guidance system to show her the way. The rental car was more luxurious than what she normally drove, but she was already playing her part.

  The sun shone in from the side window of the car and reflected off the diamond ring weighing down her finger. Each time she shifted, she could hear its soft thump against the wheel, as well. His grandmother's wedding band…

  She hadn't expected the ring’s perfect fit.

  The ring was beautiful, but to see Daniel down on one knee, proposing… Proposing, being engaged, getting married. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that it was all fake. Fake. Fake. Fake. Daniel had no romantic feelings for her, and he shouldn’t. He was her boss. She was only doing what a good employee would do to help her boss.

  There was no engagement, just a nice vacation and a beautiful hotel stay. That was it. Nothing more.

  Focusing on the road, she saw the hotel in the distance. Diplomats and high executives stayed in such a fancy place, not single mothers who struggled to put a kid through college.

  But for the next few days, she wasn't an assistant living paycheck–to–paycheck. She was to be a wealthy heiress, and she needed to play the part.

  No book existed on how to live like the rich and famous, but she suspected they tipped well. When she’d deposited the check from Mr. Ellington, she dutifully withdrew cash for flashing. It wasn't as though she hadn’t given well–deserved tips in the past, but it seemed silly to take out a few hundred dollars for tipping and mad money.

  She pulled up to the grand building and, even though she never did this, she decided to valet her car. She had to get used to spending money, plus, Mr. Ellington would pay the bill.

  She shook her head. Daniel. Daniel would pay the bill.

  Damn. She had to get used to calling him by his first name.

  An eerie sensation took hold of her, and she fought hard to shake it off. But she couldn’t. Daniel could have asked anyone to be his fiancée. Hell, he could have hired anyone to play the part. But he had chosen her.

  Maybe she shouldn’t feel too… What was the word she was looking for? Proud? She wasn’t sure, but she did feel excited. Energized in a giddy, school-girl way, and that was a feeling she hadn’t had in a long time—if ever.

  It was a feeling that she needed to keep in check, though.

  We’re just playing a role, she told herself. Nothing can—or should—happen between the two of them. Boss and employee was a bad combination.

  But the idea of being Daniel’s fiancée, even if just for pretend…she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. And the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach every time he called her by her first name? How could a man make a common name like Deborah sound so sexy?

  She now thought about the rest of the charade. She was supposed to be a rich Austrian heiress.

  Good Lord. When men fantasized, they went for large and stupid, didn’t they? She couldn't just be a businesswoman? Or a famous author? A rich heiress certainly clued her in as to what Daniel really wanted. She had never known him to date anyone of royalty, but the man could certainly dream.

  She pulled her car into the circular driveway toward a uniformed man, who immediately waved for a bellman and then walked to her car door and waited.

  The moment was here.
Two weeks of another life and all she needed to do was step out of the car and be transported into la–la land. She popped open the trunk, grabbed her purse, and opened the door. The doorman held out his hand to help her out.

  “Welcome to the Langtham, ma’am.”

  She extended her ringed hand displaying her huge lie so he could help her out of the car. She then handed the keys into his expectant palm without engaging him in conversation, just dismissively smiling at him.

  The bellman opened the trunk and pulled out her suitcases. She suspected she had packed too much but the spending allowance she had allowed her to buy an entirely new wardrobe. She could change into a new outfit several times a day and still not wear everything. Of course, she shopped for sales and didn’t pay department store retail prices.

  Opening the back door of the car, she picked up her computer bag. If she had to spend two weeks here, she could at least finish her latest novel. With the Ellington-Weston merger happening, she had very little time lately to write. Weekends and evenings were become scarce, and she really wanted to see where her characters were taking her story.

  She took the valet ticket from the man and entered the hotel, her luggage following her. As she walked to the front desk, she heard her name being called.

  Turning, she saw Caroline. Why was she here? And, more to the point, why did she have such a huge grin on her face. Judging by the Starbucks cup in her hand, she had been here a while.

  “Bridal Suite 2301.” Caroline extended her hand and, Deborah assumed, slipped the bellman a tip. He said a quick, “Yes, ma'am,” and then he left with the luggage.

  “What are you doing here?” Deborah asked, thrilled to see a friendly face. A top–secret escapade never included a girl's coffee klatch, but she’d gladly take it.

  Caroline looped one arm around Deborah's. “This is going to be so much fun!” She held up her cup. “Do you want to grab a coffee before going up to the room?”

  Having someone to spend time with sounded nice, especially since she hadn't realized the vacation would include company, but a six-dollar cup of coffee was not something she ever did.