He paused to give them a smile he knew would be in all the tabloids, and then he rushed her inside. The server seated them, took their drink orders, and then left them to look over the menu.
Tara fidgeted. “What do you suggest?”
“I like the Linguine Alle Vongole, if you’re looking for something light. The Filetto Al Barolo is good if you like filet mignon.”
“I’ll have the linguine.” She folded her menu and placed her hands in her lap.
He leaned back in his chair and took a good look at her. She was nervous. But something else lay beneath the surface, and he couldn’t quite peg it. “Where are you from?”
“Iowa.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What brought you to L.A.?”
She frowned. “My ex-husband.”
Oops. Maybe that wasn’t the best question to ask. “What are your plans for the future?”
“Right now I just want to pay off all the legal fees from the divorce. After that, I’d love to move back to Iowa. Raise my daughter in the Midwest where they have good values.” Her cheeks colored. “I mean . . . no offense.”
He laughed. “None taken. So, doing this with me could help you reach that goal, right?”
“Right. And that’s the only reason why I’m considering it.” She cringed. “Again, no offense.”
He picked up his water and sobered. This girl wasn’t into him at all, which was frustrating. He was used to being able to get what he wanted from women. “I’m beginning to take offense.”
She didn’t look him in the eye. “I just want to live a quiet life. I’m all done with the limelight.”
He squinted at her. “What do you mean?”
“My ex is Bobby Goodwin.”
“The unknown who landed the big role in the last James Bond movie? He’s the one that...” He stopped when he realized who she was. “Oh.” He remembered the story now. Bobby had made it to the big screen and tossed his wife and kid by the wayside for some supermodel.
The pain was evident in her eyes. He scrubbed a hand over his face, and empathy bubbled up inside him. It was obvious Bobby had hurt her badly. “Sorry,” he said, his sentiment somehow inadequate.
She lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “It happened. I can’t change it.” Her gaze turned to meet his. “But I can protect myself from anything like that happening again.”
Rick swallowed, unsure of what to say. “This would be different.”
“Yes, it would,” she whispered.
The server came back and took their order. After she left, he tried again. “Will a hundred thousand pay off your debt and allow you to move to Iowa?”
Tara stared at the table and shifted in her seat. “Yes.”
“Good.” He smiled, tipped his glass toward her, and took a sip of his water. “Then I see only one logical course of action.”
“If I agree to this, what will be expected of me?”
She was going to say yes, he was sure. He grinned. “I’d have my attorney write up a contract. You’d be expected to be seen with me as we announce our engagement. We’d have a few public appearances, at least one with your daughter. Then we’d get married with the media covering the wedding. After that, we’d be seen on a honeymoon, and then a few more appearances. We’d stay married for one year, then get a quiet divorce.”
She eyed him. “And in private?”
He shot her a frown. “This would only be a marriage on paper. You would not have any obligations when we were in private. What did you think I was proposing?”
She folded her arms and cocked one eyebrow at his question. “All I know of you is what I’ve read in the papers, and let’s just say that hasn’t been favorable.”
She was right. He’d helped perpetuate his own bad reputation on purpose, and had gone too far. Now he needed to rein it in. “Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.”
“I don’t.”
He studied her, back straight, fingers gripping the table like a lifeline. What did she think he was? Some kind of psycho? “So, you’ll do it?”
“Who will take care of Kylee while we’re out in public?”
“I can hire a nanny.”
She didn’t look like that pleased her, but she nodded. “Okay.”
“Is that a yes?” He hated to admit it, but he was holding his breath, waiting for her to answer.
“If I say no, will I be fired?”
He leaned back and exhaled, frustrated. “Of course not. I’m not trying to strong-arm you into anything. I just see this as a mutually beneficial arrangement. If you don’t want to do it, then fine.”
A scrutinizing look came over her and she slowly nodded. “Alright, then.”
Rick wanted to scream. “You’ll marry me?”
She looked away from him, as if she couldn’t bear to gaze on him anymore. “Yes.”
Finally, she said yes. He should have felt happy, getting what he wanted, but for some reason the triumph wasn’t what he expected. The victory had fallen flat.
Chapter 3
Tara sat across the desk from Rick’s attorney, signing papers. Mountains and mountains of papers. Sweat broke out on her forehead as she agreed never to breathe a word of the setup to anyone. She signed that she would not be entitled to more money than agreed upon, that she would not be able to sue, take unauthorized photos, or countless other things a person could think of, and some things she never would have thought of.
When the signing was done, she exited the office feeling stripped and exposed. Why was she doing this? She couldn’t help but feel like it was a stupid mistake she’d regret the rest of her life. She walked through the marble hallways and up the stairs toward her new place of residence. Rick’s master guest bedroom.
As she entered the room, Kylee cried out in delight. “Mommy!” She ran toward her, little pigtails bobbing, and hugged her legs.
Sophie, the older woman from her apartment complex who had been watching her daughter, set down a black garbage bag full of Kylee’s clothes. Sophie looked around the room. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
Tara shook her head. “No, but do we ever know when it comes to matters of the heart?” She’d told Sophie she was moving in with Rick, and nothing more.
Kylee squealed and climbed on the king-sized monstrosity. “Is this my bed?”
“No, you’ll have your own room,” a low voice said behind her.
Tara turned to see Rick in the doorway. Why did her heart always pound when he was near? She tried to steady her breathing. He was just a man. A smokin’ hot man, but still. She wanted to argue with him about where Kylee would sleep, but with Sophie there, she just forced a smile.
Sophie frowned and backed up. “Well, I best be going.”
Tara put her hand on Sophie’s arm. “Thank you for bringing Kylee. I appreciate all you’ve done.”
Sophie cast a shadowed look at Rick before nodding. “You’re welcome.” She left the room.
Kylee climbed down from the bed and walked up to Rick, her head tilted back as she looked up at him. “Who are you?”
“I’m Rick.”
Tara grabbed her daughter’s hand, pulling her away from him. Rick had said he wasn’t fond of children, and she didn’t want Kylee to bother him. “Kylee, are you hungry for lunch yet?”
Her daughter’s big, brown eyes stared at her. “Sophie gave me fish crackers.”
“That’s fine. Let’s go see what else there is to eat.”
“I’ll have the kitchen make some lunch.” Rick pulled his cell phone out of his pocket.
Tara held up her hand. “No, that’s okay. We can go make ourselves something.” It was stupid to sit around and wait while the staff made her a sandwich. This morning she was the staff. She was capable of putting peanut butter on bread.
Holding Kylee’s hand, she led her down the stairs and through the hallways to the kitchen. She’d gotten used to the layout of the house and could maneuver her way around for the most part.
Wh
en she entered the kitchen, she waved to Eliza. “We’re just going to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.” Tara opened the cupboard and pulled out a loaf of bread.
Eliza frowned. “I was just fixing lunch.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind making a sandwich for my daughter.”
Eliza put her hand on her hip. “Rick called down and asked that I do it.”
Tara froze. She watched as Eliza pulled the peanut butter from the cupboard, Tara’s blood boiling. Why would Rick do that? She didn’t want his staff waiting on her. And she’d told him she wanted to do it. “Could you watch Kylee for a moment?”
“Sure.” Eliza sat down on a stool next to Kylee and started spreading the peanut butter.
Tara went to find Rick. If he thought he was going to push his rich-person lifestyle on her, she’d have to set him straight. She found him sitting in his office chair, typing on his computer. He looked up when she entered the room. “Hi.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why did you do that?”
He pushed his chair back. “What did I do?”
“You told the staff to make Kylee a sandwich.”
“So?”
“I said I would do it.”
He stood and came around the desk. “You’re going to be married to me soon. You can let the staff do things like that.”
She fought the urge to stuff her fist into his pretty face. “I thought this whole thing was to show the public how down-to-earth you are. How you can mingle with the simple people.”
He seemed taken aback. “You think I’m a snob?”
“I think you’re out of touch with reality. You have no concept of how people live. You’ve lived in privilege so long you don’t even know what it’s like to make your own sandwich.” She turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm.
“Wait.”
She faced him, ignoring the tingling sensation of his skin on hers, and stared down at his hand until he let go.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend. Most people...” He stopped and chuckled, taking a step back to sit on the edge of his desk. “Well, most people aren’t like you.”
What did that mean? “You’re right. I don’t want to be waited on, hand and foot.”
He held up his hands in a surrender motion. “Fine.”
“So will you kindly tell your staff to treat me just how they used to treat me? And let me make the decisions for myself and my daughter.”
He nodded. “Okay.”
She turned and walked to the door, but before exiting she said, “And it would do you some good too.”
“What?”
She cast a glance at him. “You know. Make your own lunch once in a while.” She left before he could respond.
RICK STARED AT THE space where Tara had been, wondering what he’d gotten himself into. He’d wanted to see what she’d be like when she came out of her shell. Now he knew. She was pig-headed, strong-willed, and basically infuriating.
And he was stuck with her.
He blew out a breath, walked back behind his desk, and sat in his chair. Oh well. He’d only have to be seen with her a few times, right? Pose for some pictures at the wedding. Be seen in Bora Bora for their honeymoon. The rest of the time he could avoid her.
He scrubbed a hand over his unshaven face. He needed a drink, but he’d promised Phil he’d stay away from the booze.
He pulled up his social media accounts on the computer and tapped the desk with his index finger. What should he post that would hint at things to come?
After a moment of thought, he typed:
Have you ever fallen for someone who works for you?
There. That would get people talking and start some speculation. The photos of him and Tara in her work uniform were already out there. It wouldn’t take long for people to put two and two together.
His feed began lighting up with responses. Some were humorous:
Yes, but my wife didn’t like it too much.
Some were more along the lines of what he was hoping for:
Who has your heart, Rick?
I’ll work for you any day.
Is it serious, Rick?
He answered the last one.
It might be.
He smiled as more responses came in, some lamenting that he might not be single anymore. Some offering to take her place. Some making fun of those groveling for attention.
His phone chimed and he pulled it out. It was a text from Phil.
You and Tara have dinner reservations tonight. Dress nice. I’ve made sure the paparazzi will be there.
He held in a groan. So much for avoiding Tara. Now he had to go tell her about the reservations, and by the way she acted earlier, he wasn’t sure she would like it. He stood and turned off his monitor. Maybe she’d gotten over it by now. Either that, or she’d insist they stay home and make sandwiches.
He found her in the guest bedroom, playing with her daughter. A foam puzzle of some cartoon character lay spread out on the floor. Tara didn’t see him come in. He watched her as she patiently let her daughter try different pieces until one fit. “Good job,” she said, smiling.
He hadn’t seen a genuine smile on her face before now, and it fascinated him. It changed her whole countenance. She looked sincerely happy, and he wondered what he could do to produce the same effect.
She turned and saw him and the smile faded. “What do you want?”
Nope. Still hadn’t gotten over earlier. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Phil has secured reservations for us. We are to go out and be seen. Sorry. I didn’t know about it until now.”
She drew in a breath, letting it out slowly. “It’s what I signed up for, I guess. Who will watch Kylee tonight?”
“I’ve already hired a girl. You’ll like her. Her name is Amanda. She’ll be here soon.”
The little girl frowned. “I want you, mommy.”
“I know, darling, but I have to work tonight.” Tara smiled at her daughter. “You’ll have fun with Amanda. You can teach her how to put your puzzle together.”
Kylee stared at the floor, and then big tears rolled down her cheeks. Rick was stunned. He’d never seen a kid silently cry. He’d seen plenty of temper tantrums, especially in public. The kind that grated on your nerves and made you want to toss the kid out the window. But this was different. She just stood there, fat tears streaming down her face, and it was breaking his heart. He knelt beside her. “Hey, it’s okay. Why don’t you show me how your puzzle works?”
She turned away from him and put her hands up to her face. He picked up two pieces that obviously didn’t fit, and shoved them together. “Is this how it goes?”
She peeked through her hands, then laughed. “No!”
Her infectious laugh was the sweetest thing he’d ever heard. He smiled and chose two other mismatched pieces. “How about this?” He shoved them together.
Her giggle filled the room. “No!”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tara hide a smile. It wasn’t like the one she’d given her daughter, but he still felt a bit of satisfaction from being able to bring one out at all. He continued to match the wrong pieces until Kylee picked two of them up and showed him how they fit together.
“Do it like this.” She patted him on the shoulder.
He grinned at her. “Oh, I see. Like this.”
He put one sideways into another piece, and she giggled. “You’re so silly.”
“Why? This isn’t how it goes?”
She laughed. “No!”
He scratched his head. “I swear that’s how I learned it in puzzle school.” He thought he heard a snort come from Tara’s direction, but when he looked, her face was serious. It didn’t matter. He was getting the little girl to laugh, and he was quite enjoying it.
Kylee plopped down on his lap and put her hands on his face. “You’re funny.”
Good. At least he’d won one of them over. “So is Amanda.”
Her eyes lit up. “Is she as funny as you?”
She stood and picked up several puzzle pieces. “Okay. I will play with Manda tonight.”
That was easier than he’d thought. He got up from the floor and patted Kylee on the head. “You’ll have fun.” He turned to Tara. “Phil said to wear something nice. I guess I should go put on a suit.”
She nodded, then mouthed, “Thank you.”
He left, feeling like he’d won something, although he couldn’t figure out what.
Chapter 4
Tara slipped into her evening gown and twisted in front of the mirror. Getting dressed up to be seen in public was all a little too reminiscent of her days with Bobby, and it turned her stomach. Would the paparazzi recognize her? Still, she’d agreed to it. She had to.
She pulled her hair back in a French knot, pinning it in place, and allowed a few strands to fall. After she finished applying her makeup, she spritzed perfume and slipped into heels. Grabbing her clutch, she took one last glance in the mirror. Showtime.
She exited the master bathroom. Kylee and Amanda were sitting on the floor playing with Barbie dolls. When Amanda had arrived, Tara had spent some time talking with her. As a young college student, Amanda had taken the nanny job so she could help pay for school. She was bright and loved kids. Tara felt confident Kylee would get along great with her. She kissed her daughter on the top of her head and smiled at Amanda. “I don’t think we’ll be late.”
“That’s fine. You guys have fun.” Amanda curled her hair behind her ear and grinned. “We’ll play for a while, then have dinner, and I’ll put her to bed.”
“See you later, pumpkin.”
“Bye mommy,” Kylee said, not even bothering to look up.
Tara walked out into the hall just as Rick was coming out of his bedroom. She forced herself not to suck in a breath. He was movie star material in jeans, but he was even more handsome in a suit. If this were a Jane Austen movie, there’d be a lot of swooning going on. But she reminded herself that putting a suit on a pig didn’t make it a man.
He looked her over and smiled. “Hey.”
[Anthology] A Clean Fake Marriage Romance Collection Page 67
