by A P Gore
“Finally.” Rosie shot daggers with her eyes. “I found the CEO of the multimillion-dollar company who likes to run away.”
Gavin raised his palm. “I can explain.”
“You’d better tell me she agreed after you ran through the building holding her in your arms.”
“It looked cheesy, didn’t it?” He ran his fingers through his hair. Damn. She was just a temp worker, and he was treating her like a girlfriend. What had gotten into him? But when he saw her passed out on the floor, his heart tried to jump out of his chest. What else could he do in such a situation? Leave her there and ask someone else to take her to the hospital? Or wait for the paramedics to show up when he could take her to hospital faster?
No, he couldn’t do that. Four hours ago, when he lifted her in his arms, he realized she meant something more to him. More than just a temp worker. He also understood that thoughts like that were dangerous. Quite dangerous. But in that moment, nothing had seemed more important than getting her to the hospital.
“Cheesy?” Rosie said. “Don’t get me started on the rumors floating around the company. Two directors called me asking about this. Already.”
Gavin scratched the back of his head. He was stupid. Really stupid, and that damn woman was responsible for it.
“At least tell me that you got a yes out of her. Something good has to come of all this, right?”
He was about to say no when the door opened behind him, and Samantha walked out looking cute in her hospital gown. The only bad thing was the IV attached to her hand. She should eat more and do less manual labor. He’d better change that for her.
“Yes, he got a yes from me,” she said, calmly. “I have conditions, which we can discuss. Otherwise, I’m fine with the arrangement.” But despite her acquiescence, she glared at him.
Now what? Why was she shooting fire at him?
Chapter 18
Gavin left when the nurse entered the room. Samantha watched him go with gratitude while biting into the sweet apple he bought for her. When he stepped out the door, the hospital room felt empty. No matter what she thought about him, he always went overboard when helping her. Less of a CEO more of a nice guy. A great friend, if he agreed. Inside her mind, a small desire sprouted, a desire to know him better.
The nurse handed her a sheet of paper. She smelled like she’d bathed in antiseptic. Even Aaron shifted in his sleep.
Putting the papers to the side, Samantha brushed her fingers along his forehead, easing him back into the sleep.
“Please sign this. It’s your consent for Aaron’s surgery,” the nurse said.
Samantha carefully read the paper. It had lots of things mentioned like normal precautions, possible complications, and an acknowledgement of the risk. The bottom of the page detailed the cost.
Thirty thousand dollars.
She almost puked the of apple she’d swallowed a moment before. Was the nurse crazy? Thirty grand? Even if Samantha sold everything she possessed, she wouldn’t get that kind of money.
“Nurse, there seems to be some mistake with this. I’ve got insurance. Did you include that?” She knew her insurance wouldn’t cover the whole surgery cost, but at least some of it should be covered, right?
The nurse studied her like she was an antique. “Yes, this amount is what’s left that your insurance doesn’t cover.” She leaned closer and whispered, “FYI, your insurance coverage isn’t very good. If I were you, I’d go for a better one.”
A mush of dread formed in Samantha’s stomach. She knew her insurance wasn’t top tier. Jesus, it wasn’t even middle tier. But what was she going to do now? Thirty grand? It was impossible. But the doctor had said it was dangerous for her pumpkin to keep his appendix.
The nurse suddenly giggled. “Oh, right! Actually, you don’t have to worry about it. Your boyfriend already paid the cost in advance. We put it there for formality.”
“Gavin did that?”
Misha patted her shoulder, eyes suddenly alight with fresh gossip. “The nurse in reception told me. He booked this VIP room for fifteen days! This—” Her finger circled around the room. “Cost a lot. Lot like two grand a day.”
Another mush formed in her stomach, mixing with the old one and pushing her heart toward her throat. Two grand a day.
She hurried toward the door. Maybe she should ask the hospital to transfer them to a lower type of room. But would she be able to afford that either? Why was he doing this for her? Maybe she should help him with the fake marriage after all. She had to repay this debt somehow.
She stopped just short of going out into the hall, hearing Gavin talking with Rosie.
“You’d better tell me she agreed after you ran through the building holding her in your arms,” Rosie said, frustration leaking into her voice.
Samantha felt like she would die of embarrassment. The CEO had run through the building, holding her in his arms? Jesus, her whole department would be on her tomorrow.
Why had he gone overboard? Her lips went parched.
“It looked cheesy didn’t it?” Gavin sounded regretful. Yes, he should feel regret. He should repent for his sin. Why did he carry her—a temp worker—from the office like that? What would others think about them now? If she could, she would’ve smacked him upside the head.
“Cheesy? Don’t get me started on the rumors floating around the company. Two directors called me asking about this. Already.”
There it was. God, she couldn’t show her face there again. Everyone would stare, calling her the CEO’s crush or something. The undatable reputation she’d built was shattered in pieces now.
“At least tell me that you got a yes out of her. Something good has to come of all this, right?” Rosie asked.
Gavin didn’t reply for a moment.
He did this all for that? That made sense.
Still, a hint of disappointment sprouted in her mind.
No, wait. Why was she disappointed about that? He was clear from the start that there would be no feelings involved. It was better that way. She couldn’t develop feelings for him. James and Aaron were all she had, and that’s all she needed until she died.
Yes, this would be a business transaction. That way, she would repay her debt and get a bright future for her son.
Determined, she stepped out into the hall. Rosie’s gaze jumped to her, surprise lingering in her eyes.
“Yes, he got a yes from me,” Samantha said. “I have conditions, which we can discuss. Otherwise, I’m fine with the arrangement.” She studied Gavin, expecting acceptance from him.
Gavin threw his shoulders in the air. “Works for me.”
Rosie clapped her hands. “Great! Now, if you love birds give me your conditions, I’ll have a contract drawn up by morning.”
Samantha shrugged. “Works for me.” Tit for tat.
Gavin stepped in front of her. “Let’s do this after Aaron recovers. It can wait.”
She studied him, wondering if he really meant that. “Now is fine. Nurse told me that the doctor gave him a mild sedative, so he won’t wake up for a few more hours.” Her heart wanted to sit next to her pumpkin and run her hands through his curly hair, but she was afraid if she waited long she might change her mind.
“Are you sure?” Gavin brushed his fingers against her arm. A stream of small tingles ran down her spine, evoking an odd sensation in her body.
She closed up on him, moving an inch away.
“First condition: No physical contact.”
Gavin’s face darkened, and he pulled his hand back like her skin burned.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—” He turned away, his eyes pained.
“Guys,” Rosie said. “You can’t really put that in the contract.” She narrowed her eyes, giving them a grandmotherly look.
“And why’s that?” Samantha headed toward her room. It wasn’t sensible to discuss the contract in the corridor when she had a fantastic room booked for herself.
Rosie followed her, and so did Gavin.
“Come on, you’re getting married, and you have to prove it to the trustee. How can you stand feet away in front of him? You might have to kiss as well.”
A chill ran down Samantha’s spine. Her eyes jumped to Gavin’s lips, his full, totally kissable lips.
Jesus, what was she thinking? How could she kiss him?
She tried to pull her gaze away from his lips, but it was pulled back to them like a thread of chewing gum. And god, he was smirking, a smirk so adorable she could eat it up.
She pointed at him. “Why are you smirking? I’m not kissing you.”
Gavin gazed into her eyes. God, his brown eyes were breathtaking. She could lose herself in them for hours.
“Sam.” His lips parted, and her eyes remained glued to them like they were the world’s best ice cream. Strawberry flavored, and completely irresistible.
She raised a hand and placed it over his mouth. “No, no. Look away, Sam. No staring at his lips.”
Suddenly, she realized what she just did. She was saying her thoughts out loud, and her fingers were on his lips. His totally kissable lips.
“God!” She screamed from the top of her heart and ran, ran with all her might back to Aaron’s room.
Misha said something to her, but Samantha was already hidden behind Aaron’s bed, her heart pulsing in her ears.
No. This was a crazy idea. A totally crazy idea.
Chapter 19
Gavin watched Samantha run out of the room. Dumbfounded, he touched his lips. What was that all about?
When she’d touched his lips, a lightning spark passed through her fingers and into his body, paralyzing him. All he could think about was how her fingers might taste.
Damn. He ran his fingers through his hair. This was crazy. No, he was getting crazy.
Rosie laughed so hard that tears rolled out of her eyes.
He stared at her. “What’s so funny?”
“Her.” She pointed at the door. “God, she’s so cute.” She wiped her cheeks, still laughing. “Damn cute.”
Gavin looked at the door, still frozen. Her touch lingered on his lips like fire.
“God, she ran like a rabbit after touching your lips. I wonder what will happen when you kiss her.”
Gavin smiled sheepishly. “I told you, she’s intriguing.” The thought of kissing her sent a spark through his core. It was appealing, the idea of kissing her thin lips.
“And interesting,” Rosie said with a serious face. “She’d make a great wife.”
He blinked, letting her words sink into his mind. After a moment, he realized what she was implying.
“Don’t talk nonsense. This is a business transaction and nothing else.” He peeked out into the hall; Samantha was nowhere to be seen. The rabbit must be hiding somewhere. A smile played on his lips. She always did something that threw him out of the wagon. “Let’s get back to the office. I bet the board is waiting for me.”
Rosie nodded, and they headed out.
THE BOARD MEMBERS SAT around the conference table. After firing ten, only five remained, and they all were sweating in the air-conditioned room.
Tapping on the table, Gavin glanced at each of them. Numbers popped into his mind. Numbers in their bank accounts.
An attendant dressed in a black business suit and bathed in rose-scented perfume entered the room with a tray full of coffee mugs. She served them silently and then walked out. Gavin allowed no snacks in the board room. He liked to work here, and only work happened here. Coffee was another matter. Caffeine kept people awake and alert, so he permitted it in his meetings.
A few seconds passed, but no one dared to touch their black coffee mugs. Each had numbers embossed on them, the numbers equal to the money in their bank accounts.
“Rosie,” Gavin called.
After a few seconds, a solemn Rosie entered the room. All eyes turned to her. By this time, she was known as the Executioner.
“Fire...” Gavin’s eyes circled around the room, stopping on every director. One of them was sweating profusely. Maybe he would die of a heart attack. He would go last.
“Fire the attendant please. She’s wearing way too much perfume.”
A wicked smile played on Rosie’s lips as she nodded and stepped back out.
The directors breathed a collective sigh of relief. A couple of them shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
Gavin chuckled. “Don’t worry, friends. I’m not firing anyone else.” They weren’t friends. They were all responsible for the company’s demise, and he had each one’s account details and how much money went into their accounts. They were still here because their crimes were lesser than the others. And, in part, because he couldn’t fire the whole board as per the company bylaws. Their time would come in a few days. Before that, he needed to find a few hard-working directors.
Gavin waited for them to relax, then continued, “But I can’t guarantee your position if I don’t have a revival plan on my desk by morning.” Wait, the next day Aaron’s surgery was scheduled. “On second thought, make it the day after tomorrow.” He slapped the table, stood, and walked out of the silent board room. From start to finish, no one spoke. No one. No one even dared to breathe too loudly.
Rosie met him in his office.
“The attendant has been reassigned. She’ll be well away from their prying eyes until we resolve the matter.”
Gavin grinned in response. Rosie was the perfect secretary and knew him inside out. She was one of the few people he could trust.
“But I have a question,” she said.
“Shoot.”
“Why did you change your ultimatum to the day after tomorrow?” She smirked. “Don’t tell me you’re concerned about Aaron’s surgery.”
He opened his mouth and immediately shut it. Leaning over, he rested his palms on the desk. “You know that I hate roses. Don’t you?”
Rosie stared at him with a blank expression. “And?”
He arched his brow, letting a serious expression slip onto his face. “Did you notice your name has the word rose in it?”
Undaunted, she stepped forward and pulled an envelope out of the file she was holding. Slamming the envelope on the desk, she gave him I-see-through-you look. “That’s my resignation there.”
“You little...” Staring at her, he bit his lower lip. This woman. If she wasn’t his cousin, he would have fired her already.
“Come on. Accept it. Gram is already asking me to join him at Uncle Robert’s business. I bet he would offer me much better pay.” The smirk on her face deepened.
He picked up the letter and fed it into the shredder next to his desk. “I don’t accept paper resignations. Next time, send it into the system.”
Rosie giggled. “But really, did you just delay your timeline because of Samantha’s kid?”
Ignoring her, he rose and padded toward his coffee machine. The same question had been bugging him since he made the decision. Was he doing this because of Sam?
Chapter 20
Relaxing, Samantha enjoyed the chilly air inside the coffee shop near the hospital while the sun beat down on everything outside. Misha was right. The coffee here tasted much better than what they served at the hospital. For starters, it tasted like real coffee, bitter and sweet at the same time, and it smelled so good. The strong smell reminded her of Gavin’s vanilla flavored coffee.
Maybe she should put that in their contract. A package for her every week.
As she giggled at the thought, a white sports car stopped in front of the coffee shop, attracting her attention. The door opened upward, like batman spreading his wings. A handsome man in a dark gray blazer and faded white jeans jumped out of the driver’s seat, smiling at her through the window. The eyes of several patrons at nearby tables jumped to watch him.
Seeing him, Samantha’s heartbeat quickened. He would be her husband. A fake one, but still a lawfully married husband. Smiling back at him, she put her cup down and walked out of the coffee shop.
Gavin lifted the dark black s
hades from his eyes and cast a magical smile at her as he padded toward her. Her pulse raced as his eyes sparkled.
“Let’s go.” Sliding his hand to the small of her back, he led her to the passenger seat. His touch sent tingles across her body. His touch had been doing this for so many days now. The man was a danger, and every time he came close, a new sensation emerged in her core.
Glancing at his clean-shaven square jaw, she gasped. Everything his lips revealed, an urge struck her to kiss those kissable lips.
Why? It was forbidden. He was a forbidden man. Jesus. All men were forbidden to her. For the last four years, she had protected herself, and she would do the same for many years to come. Aaron was her everything now.
“Don’t worry,” he said softly. “Aaron’s safe with Misha and the nurse. They won’t let anything happen to him.”
Her heart eased a little with his reassuring words. Fake marriage or not, Gavin kept up his end of the bargain. More than kept up. Not only had he hired an nurse come sitter to look after Aaron while they flew to Vegas, he also paid Misha to stay with Aaron full time. He said Aaron would be more comfortable with Misha than the nurse. Samantha agreed. Even though she didn’t like the way Misha had handled Aaron’s accident, she was the best bet they had.
“I’ve asked Rosie to drop an iPad off for Aaron, so we can FaceTime him every couple of hours,” Gavin said, jumping into the driver seat.
“Thanks.” He didn’t have to do that, but he did anyway. He’d visited Aaron every day since his surgery, too.
“Is Rosie coming with us?” she asked, hoping she would. Rosie was a nice person, always taking her side. It was Rosie who went through every condition in the contract with Samantha and explained them in detail. She even insisted that Samantha put the compensation amount in there.
At first, Samantha was taken aback by the amount Rosie suggested. But they hadn’t fazed Gavin in the slightest.
