by A P Gore
She sighed. Where else would she get a lamb to sacrifice themselves?
“Why are you sighing?” Gavin asked, tapping on the car’s touchscreen to play a song. The latest Ed Sheeran song played on the speakers, and her mood lifted instantly.
“Do you like Ed Sheeran?” she asked, closing her eyes and forgetting herself to the music.
“I do.” And then he leaned in close to her.
She opened her eyes and found his face inches away from her. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. If she raised her face by few inches, she could kiss those kissable lips.
Jesus, what was she thinking? And what was he doing?
Pushing him away, she tried to lean back, but the seat restricted her movement. “What are you doing?”
“I was putting the seat belt on for you.” He smirked. “I thought the song put you to sleep.”
She shook her head and fastened her seat belt. The man was crazy. Who put a seat belt on for a woman? Why did he always do things that sent butterflies aflutter in her stomach? Jesus!
The door closed automatically as she wrapped the seatbelt around her.
While they drove to the airport, Samantha stole glances at his serious face. He was quite clear when they wrote the contract. The first line stated, simply: No feelings. The second line stipulated no kissing, but Rosie made them put in a provision for emergencies. After sleeping on it, Samantha was fine with it. Unless there were feelings involved, what was wrong with a kiss or two? She could do that for Gavin. It would only help him if everything looked genuine and the trustee approved his inheritance. If the trustee suspected something was off, that would be bad.
The third line mentioned that she would stay in his home for a couple of days when the trustee visited, and she might have to visit him in case of emergencies. So, they were going to live their own lives. Which was good. She would continue working for Tecme Systems, getting no extra benefits. She’d insisted on that. Ultimately, it was a fake marriage, and she shouldn’t take undue advantage of the situation. He was already paying Aaron’s eventual college tuition and expenses, after all.
He cast a quick glance at her and smiled. “By the way, you look good in that red dress.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks; she glanced down at herself. Indeed, she looked different in the dress. Maybe because she was seeing herself in something new and different after so many days, or maybe the dress hugged her curves perfectly.
“Rosie bought it for me.”
“I guessed that.” He tapped on the soft looking leather of the steering wheel. His woody perfume rode on the air and evoked a strong sensory feeling of comfort in her heart.
“She’s such a sweet woman.” She really was. She’d added an extra line at the end of the contract, stipulating that Samantha would get a permanent position at the company when the contract terminated at the end of six months. Samantha didn’t want to agree to that, because Gavin had already agreed to pay off her fifty-grand in debt, sixty grand in hospital fees, and deposit a huge pile of cash in the bank for Aaron. What else did she need? But Rosie had added it anyway.
“She is.” Gavin smiled, sweetly, invoking an odd feeling in her heart.
When they reached the airport, Gavin pulled into short term parking, but bypassed the usual lot and swiped an access card to get into a different garage.
“I thought the short term lot was over there.” She had been to the airport once with James, and they’d parked their old truck there.
“It is. But as a private jet owner, I get access to private parking.”
Samantha swallowed. “A jet? You own a private jet?” Now she was in awe. Complete awe. How rich was he, really? And if he could afford a private jet, why was he in so much financial trouble as to need a fake wife?
He parked his car in between two yellow lines perfectly. She could never do that on the first try. Either her back tire would get on the line, or her front tire would land in the next spot.
“Now what’s so funny?” He brushed his fingers over his blazer, smoothing it. “Do I look funny?” He inspected himself in the rearview mirror.
She grabbed his hand and stopped him. “No, you look perfect. I was just thinking about my own parking skills—or lack thereof. James always gave me a hard time about it.”
“James?”
A mush of guilt rose in her stomach. Suddenly, the marriage felt wrong. She was betraying James’s memory.
The parking garage shrank, coming at her from all sides. A weight landed on her heart, and her breath became ragged.
No, she shouldn’t be doing this.
Her legs quivered. Her hands shook. Grabbing the door handle, she steadied herself, but the pressure on her heart kept mounting, choking her.
A hand landed on her arm, offering stability. “Are you all right?”
She yanked her arm free. Fine? She was far from it. Jesus, why did his touch always send tingles across her skin? Why did it feel like she was betraying James every moment she was with Gavin?
Chapter 21
Gavin’s head started to throb the moment he drove into the private parking garage. Every time he came here, he cursed the person who had the crazy idea of giving a closed garage like this to the private jet owners. The four walls around him seemed to constrict, triggering his caustaphobia.
Thank God, Samantha was with him.
The car engine roared in the enclosed space before going silent. Glancing at the red beauty sitting next to her, his lips automatically curled into a smile. Something was special about her. Every time he saw her, he felt the urge to pat her on the head and smile wholeheartedly.
She replied with a laugh. It was the second time she’d laughed without a joke. Was something wrong with him?
“Now what’s so funny?” He jumped out of the car and smoothed his jacket. “Do I look funny?” Leaning toward his driver side mirror, he checked himself. Well, he looked okay. Nothing funny.
A hand grabbed his elbow, and he jerked to stare at her. She was standing close, her big sea-blue eyes staring at him, god, he could dive in them and never return.
“No, you look perfect.” She blinked. “I was just thinking about my own driving habits. James always scolded me for that.” Her lips parted briefly.
“James?” He grunted. Now who was this guy driving with her?
Her hand froze, and she jumped back like he was a lava stone. Again. She had done it many times by now, and every time it hurt. It hurt to see her going away from him like this. Why couldn’t she just hold on to him? Even when they discussed contract, she was resisting anything he offered to her. Why would she decline his money? Agreed, she had a pride, but what’s wrong in taking from him? Didn’t he mean anything to her?
No. He shook his head. What was he thinking? Did he forget the first line he put in their contract?
No emotional feelings should come in their business relationship. It was forbidden, and here he was thinking something weird.
She leaned backward on the car, her knees jerking.
A protective urge took over him. Before she lost control, he grabbed her arms, steading her. “Are you all right?”
His phone went off. Rosie’s name popped on the screen and then she herself appeared in from around a corner.
“I’m sorry. I’m late.” She moved closer to Samantha and pecked her cheeks. When did they get so close to kiss each other?
Then she cheek-kissed Gavin too, whispering in his ear. “Doesn’t she look stunning?”
He nodded. She did. The red dress Rosie got her looked awesome. The way it fit her, it was a made-for-her dress. When he’d stopped his car in front of the coffee shop and peeked at her, his heart had skipped a beat, and his jaw had dropped. It was the birth of a beauty, like a frog transforming into a princess. Not that he’d hated her in oversized T-shirts and faded jeans. If someone asked, he say he preferred her previous self. Her smile and her eyes were enough to capture his heart. In this new attire, he was afraid that people would stare at other things.
And he would hate those inappropriate gazes falling on her.
“Sam, I just got Aaron admitted in the school you asked me to. The money is deposited, so Gavin can’t blackmail you anymore.”
Samantha’s chin lifted, her expression blank. “Blackmail?”
Rosie giggled. “I mean if you don’t want to marry him, just ditch him.” She squeezed Samantha’s shoulder.
Samantha’s gaze jumped to Gavin, and there was pain in her eyes, pain that penetrated his heart and made him uneasy.
“Why wouldn’t I marry him? No. I’ll marry him. I can’t betray him after taking his money and signing the contract.”
Gavin felt like a sharp knife pierced his heart and made a hundred deep cuts. Was she doing this only for the money? Didn’t he mean anything to her?
“If you don’t want to, don’t,” he said. “I’ll keep my word, either way.” He snorted, turning away from her.
“Let’s get this over with. I need to get back to my son,” Samantha said, her tone threaded with sadness.
Rosie caught his arm and pulled him toward the hanger. “Why’s she all sad? I left her nice and cute and happy at the coffee shop.”
Gavin sighed. “I don’t know. She said something about James, and now she’s like this.” Though, now that he thought about it, he remembered how she’d reacted immediately after speaking the name. Who was this guy?
“You jerk.” Rosie slapped the back of his neck. “That’s her late husband’s name. Why wouldn’t she get upset, thinking about that? This is her second marriage. Can’t you be considerate for once?” She pinched his oblique hard. “God, and what was that grunting you just did?”
“What? What did I do?”
Rosie frowned. “That blabbering crap just now. All that ‘I’m fine even if you walk away.’”
“Okay. You win. Now be a good girl and go back to her.” Gavin pushed her toward Samantha. Rosie was right. He’d acted like a jerk. Damn, now he remembered reading James’s name in Rosie’s report. Now he could easily spot five things he’d done wrong today.
Damn, why did he have to be a jerk? How was he going to make amends with her now?
Chapter 22
Samantha followed Rosie and Gavin as they walked ahead of her. The fresh air lifted her spirits when they left the garage. Then the jets appeared, stopping her in her tracks. She had been on a plane before, but nothing could describe what she was seeing now. Ten jets with the Hamilton name printed on them stood in a row. Wow! How rich could he be?
Gavin took his blazer off and said something in Rosie’s ear. She turned with a smile and approached Samantha. Rosie wore a white knee-length dress, and it accentuated her figure nicely. Earlier, staring at their backs, Samantha had wondered why Gavin didn’t marry someone like Rosie, someone suitable for him. Now, looking at the goddess walking toward her, she again thought they would look perfect together.
But why did it feel painful to imagine them together?
Sliding her hand around Samantha’s shoulder, Rosie leaned closer. “Is this first time you’ve seen a jet?”
Samantha nodded, her throat all closed up. “I didn’t know he’s this rich. Why does he need more money?” She stared at the jets in awe. “Selling one of these should fetch him enough money, surely.”
Rosie giggled. “Nah. These are his father’s jets. His jet is quite small in comparison.” She pointed at the end of the row, where a smaller black jet stood ready and waiting.
Though Rosie had deemed it small, it was only a little smaller than the other jets—more like the difference between a car that seated seven versus five.
“I don’t get it. Why don’t he ask his father for the money he needs?” Samantha asked as they strode toward the black jet.
Rosie rolled her eyes. “Don’t say I told you, but the person he owes money to is none other than his father.”
“What?” Samantha stopped, turning to gaze at Rosie. She knew many things about Gavin. Too many things for a secretary. But Samantha didn’t understand how they worked together. Nor did she understand how any other CEO worked with their secretaries.
Rosie’s face darkened, and she placed her fingers on Samantha’s lips. “Shhh! Keep it down. He’ll kill me if he finds out I told you. Just pretend like you don’t know.”
Samantha nodded, but she didn’t understand a son could owe money to his father. Rich people clearly had a different lifestyle. A lifestyle where she didn’t fit in. Why didn’t he marry someone like Rosie instead?
She stared at Gavin’s back, searching for answers. But all she saw was his back muscles flexing under his dark blue shirt.
She closed her eyes. “I’m sorry, James, but I have to do this. For our Aaron,” she muttered under her breath. As long as she guarded her feelings, she wouldn’t betray James. After all, the first line of their contract clearly stated that there would be no feelings involved.
Soon they entered Gavin’s jet. Awe spread across her heart once again as the lush interior revealed itself. Velvet smooth walls, two private cabins at the end, and four rows of couch seats spread across the length of the plane. Each row of couch seats had a dark brown wooden table separating them.
She gasped as she spotted a mini bar to her left. An attendant stood behind the bar, welcoming them with a friendly smile.
Gavin turned back and asked, “Sam, where do you want to sit? The cabin seats can convert into beds, so choose one if you want to lie down.” His voice was soft, much different from the snappy one he’d had back in the car.
Still under the spell of the lush interior, Samantha nodded.
“Don’t worry, she’ll sit with me.” Rosie grabbed her hand and dragged her to the first cabin. When they reached it, Rosie led her to take the seat near the window while she relaxed on the first one. “Let’s order some Champagne, to celebrate your marriage?”
Samantha shook her head. She wasn’t good with alcohol.
“Okay, but I’ll have some anyway.” Rosie tapped a button on her arm rest. “We should go shopping as soon as we land in Vegas.”
“Shopping? Why?”
“Come on, girl. You need a wedding dress and lots of jewelry. Don’t get all shy about spending his money. He has plenty.”
Samantha stared at the worn-out bag she had brought with her. It contained her old wedding dress, but now it seemed better to buy a new one. The old dress had too many memories associated with it. Happy and sad.
“A dress sounds good.” Samantha put on a fake smile.
“Yay!” Rosie clapped her hands. “I love shopping.”
“Geez. I love shopping too.” An enthusiastic voice chimed in as they were joined by an unfamiliar girl. She pounced on Rosie like a tiger leaping at its prey.
“Tan!” Rosie said, pulling the new girl into a hug and then kissing her cheeks.
Their pleasantries concluded, the new girl turned and looked at Samantha. She was beautiful, a tad more so than Rosie. She wore a brown crop top which complimented her brown eyes. They reminded her of Gavin’s eyes, but Gavin’s eyes had a depth to them that no other eye could match.
“Rosie.” A man’s voice echoed in the cabin.
Samantha tilted her head to stare at the new man stepping in. He seemed familiar. Where had she seen him?
The question answered itself as Gavin stepped in and wrapped his arm around the new man’s shoulders. They looked quite alike.
“Sam, meet my brother Graham and my sister Tan.” He pointed at the girl sitting on Rosie’s armrest. “And guys, this is Samantha. My friend.” Gavin had an odd look on his face, like he hadn’t expected his siblings to show up.
“What are you two doing here?” Rosie asked. She too seemed surprised.
“First, tell me, when are you joining me at the head office?” Gram asked. He looked quite like his brother, but his features were softer than Gavin’s, like he was a little overweight and soft. Gavin had a lot more muscles than him, especially his chiseled back.
Jesus. Why was she thinking about Gavi
n’s back all of a sudden? A tingle emerged in her core and passed to every part of her body. Red rushed to her cheeks.
Rosie made a sad face. “Your brother just won’t let me go.”
Gavin raised his palm. “Guys, seriously, what are you doing here? I’m going to be late for my meeting. Can we do this some other time?”
“We’re going to Vegas too,” Tan said with a smile. She had similarities to her brothers, like her squarish jaw, but it didn’t detract from her beauty at all. Actually, it highlighted her sharp nose and oval face.
“And why’s that?” Gavin asked with a serious face.
“I asked them to join me.” An authoritative voice boomed inside the cabin, and a man and a woman walked in. In an instant, Samantha knew they were Gavin’s mother and father. Gavin’s deep brown eyes and square jaw were Mr. Hamilton’s features, and Tan’s stunning face was like a younger version of her mother’s.
Jesus, the whole family was stunning.
But why was his family here? Did he invite them to the wedding? No, he and Rosie both seemed as surprised as she was. Straightening in her seat, she rubbed her palms together. They had turned sweaty despite the air-conditioned cabin.
Gavin’s father, suited in a dark black business suit, settled his eyes on Samantha. Under his intense scrutiny, her pulse quickened further.
“Is she the one?” Mr. Hamilton asked, his gaze turning dark and fiery.
Chapter 23
The air turned cooler the moment his dad’s voice echoed in the plane. Gavin’s heart constricted, and his nerves shrunk. A ball of fear rose in his gut. And now his father stood in front of him, glaring at Samantha.
This is exactly why he’d wanted to fly business class, but Rosie had insisted on using the private jet. And here they were, on the verge of exposure.
“Is she the one?” Robert’s eyes turned fierce. It was the game gaze he used to pin his competitors. The famous gaze of Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Everyone went silent. Their eyes turned to Samantha. The poor rabbit shrunk under their gazes, her hands visibly shaking.
