Caroline asked, “Your sister?”
Stephanie lifted her chin and said, “Yes. My sister. She’s married to Jacob Donovan. Ridley, another sister, is married to Carter Rockson. Olivia, another sister, is married to Johnny Dawes of the California Dawes. And my last sister, Georgiana, married a baseball player.”
The litany of her family relations had already made Stephanie acceptable to my brother on paper the night I called, but I cared more about Stephanie from the mail room with dreams of Bath more than faceless people I hardly ever saw.
Caroline nodded like she approved now. “Those contacts might be useful for Logan, but I’m surprised to hear that Charlie has started caring about his clan again.”
I met Stephanie’s gaze and said, “I’m taking Stephanie to the Highland Games.”
So we’d both learn a bit about each other’s life.
Caroline stood and brushed my shoulder. “I’m quite impressed. I’ll leave you two alone.”
Neither of us said a word until I was sure Caroline was gone. As the waiter brought the bill, Stephanie asked, “So how come your brother and Caroline aren’t…”
I handed my credit card to the waiter and said, “I think even Logan understands that if you marry the wrong girl, life becomes either unbearably dull or unbearably difficult. And while Logan’s not a dreamer, he’s not that much of a fool.”
Her mouth flattened like I’d just given her bad news. “That’s unkind.”
I cocked my head.
She shrugged and said, “I can’t help it if I believe there’s only one love for each of us.”
The notion was strange, but for some reason, my heart shifted in my chest. “Now, that’s old-fashioned.”
The waiter brought the receipt and we stood to leave. She curled her hand in mine as she said, “True, but the trick is really that none of us know for sure who’s that one right person, and we can make horrible mistakes if we’re not careful.”
I held the door open for her, saying, “Now you sound a bit like my father.”
I could feel myself stiffen like she’d offended me, but I wasn’t ready to let her go, either.
She patted my arm and asked, “Your father?”
“Yes.” I squeezed her hand and said, “My parents tolerated each other and took their duties seriously. But parenting was always drudgery for them, with sprinkles of long lectures.” I let out a huff, like that sentence took energy, and said, “Enough about me. What about your father?”
She looked at the street ahead of us and not at me as she said, “He was over the moon for my mother. I think when they died so close together, I stopped believing love was ever going to be in the stars for me. No guy ever measured up, and I preferred the men in books to the ones I met.”
I cupped her face and stopped our forward momentum. “Even Richard?”
She glanced up at me, and this time no one would interrupt, even though people were filing past like shadows on their way to lunch. “No, not even him. But he did let me live in my dream world until he was finished with me.”
I kissed her cheek and said to the only woman in vibrant color. “Well, here’s to new beginnings. How about tomorrow you and I head to Bath so you can tell me how Stourhead Gardens was described in the books that’s different from what I’ll see?”
She curled her arms around my neck. “Sounds delightful.”
I leaned closer. “Stop sounding so bloody English.”
She laughed. “Okay. Then how about ‘fuck yeah, let’s do it’ instead?”
“There, that’s more what I expect from you,” I said quickly. I claimed her lips with my own.
She was sweet and just having her around made my already full life better. I didn’t want to let her go. Ever. She was almost perfect and made me feel like I was part of her world, even though we both knew that was impossible.
Chapter 11
Stephanie
When I ended my last meeting, one thing was clear. I needed help.
And I wasn’t talking about a secretary. I needed someone with good management skills. The only person I knew with the skills I needed right now was my old boss, but my hand shook when I picked up the phone on my desk.
She had the power to deny this and, unlike everyone else, she’d remember me today. On the second ring, she answered, and I said, “Margot, there you are.”
“Miss Steel, I’m sure you’re quite busy.”
Miss? Fuck. Yesterday she’d called me “Stephanie”. I rubbed the back of my head and said, “I called because I want to thank you for always being a good boss to me.”
“I wasn’t kind.”
No, but that wasn’t her job. I had my sisters to cry to, not my boss. And right now I needed someone who could ensure the creative team and the techie people could work together smoothly, so I said, “You always gave me time off when I asked and kept me in line.”
“I was your supervisor.”
And a good one. She was also qualified for upper management. I ignored my goose bumps, because today I learned that I need someone who keeps everyone on a tight schedule. So I played with my necklace and said, “Right, and I’m hoping you’ll accept a temporary promotion that triples your salary.”
“What?”
“Mr. Grannd has me building an app based on Jane Austen.”
She let out a small laugh, and I could imagine her gazing up at her ceiling. She’d heard me on many lunch breaks discussing the events I attended. So she asked, “That’s your new job here?”
I should get to the point. Margot was one of the most organized people I’d ever met. She knew my schedule for requested time off before I even asked. So I said, “Yeah. And while I’m great with Jane Austen, I’m not the best at organizing people, which is why I’d like you to organize everyone and ensure all the people in the moving parts communicate and coordinate.”
“What happens if…well, if your new relationship doesn’t work out?”
Right. I’d never be taken truly seriously here. No one else said it today, but I’m not stupid either. Once Charlie and I ended, I’d have to stop messing around and truly figure out what I wanted to do to support myself.
I sat back and said, “I don’t know. But supervising a bigger project, if it’s successful, would earn you a pay raise for now and the experience you need to get a more important, permanent position.”
“Let me talk to my husband. I’ll text you tomorrow morning.”
Good. Margot had the management degree, so she’d be accepted by all these business types. Behind me, my office door opened, and my skin warmed, which meant it was Charlie.
So I quickly said, “Excellent,” to Margot and hung up.
I stood. Charlie came over and hugged me as he asked, “Are you ready, Stephanie?”
No denying our relationship. Everyone knew.
So I took his hand and didn’t care for a moment as we headed to his elevator. I kept my mouth shut during the walk, but once the doors closed and we were alone, I said, “I want to apologize for lunch.”
We descended as he asked, “Why?”
For wishing he’d fall in love with me...not that I’d be stupid enough to say it out loud. I swallowed and said, “For getting all uppity with Caroline and listing my sisters’ spouses. Like I know we aren’t really equals, but I don’t like being judged by people I don’t know.”
He nudged me and said, “I don’t care what Caroline thinks. And as for me and you…”
He curled his hands around my waist, and I turned to him. My heartbeat picked up as I asked, “Yes?”
H gazed at me, and I swear he saw right through me when he said, “I like…us. And you seem to get me when most people don’t.”
Warmth rushed through my limbs as I said, “I like us, too.”
And his lips met mine and my blood stirred. I needed him in my life for however long this lasted.
It was like Charlie was the battery that woke me up from my years of inertia.
As the bell rang to signal we�
�d reached the ground floor, he let me go and we walked outside.
However, his driver wasn’t in his usual spot. Instead, it was his black car, the one I’d driven yesterday. He put the key in my hand and said, “You’re driving.”
I pressed the button, the car unlocked, and I asked, “Where are we going?”
He let himself in the passenger seat and waited for me. I slid into the driver’s seat and he said, “I made us reservations at the Royal Crescent Hotel, and I’m sure I’ll be hungry by the time we arrive.”
Bath? He really was serious about me showing him Jane Austen’s world. I started the car but asked, “Right now?”
He sat back like he was comfortable and said, “Why not? I told you I booked us a private tour tomorrow, and I want us to have a good time.”
I laughed and backed out of the spot. Once I straightened out on the street, and we moved forward, I said, “To be honest, I never stayed there. But the grounds are lovely, so I’m excited to actually see one of the rooms, which I’ve heard are beautifully appointed.”
He clapped his hand over his heart, and he snapped his fingers like he was out to make my dreams come true. “So that’s why you’re going.”
I reached out and squeezed his arm. “No. Because I get to be with you.”
For a few minutes we navigated out of the city and headed toward the bigger highways leading to Bath. Once I was on the road we’d be on for a while, I glanced over at Charlie and said, “Also, I want to hire my old boss Margot Fletcher as the project supervisor, but she was worried about job security if you and I don’t…work out.”
His face was full of light that somehow made me relax as I drove, and he said, “Ahh. And what did you say?”
I shrugged and stayed focused on the road. “What old bosses said to me. You get the experience and that can lead to higher pay.”
He pivoted and stared at my profile. I swallowed and waited for his observations, almost with bated breath, until he said, “Good non-answer which seems to be hard for some of my very seasoned employees to give.”
I tapped the wheel. “I thought it was a standard class y’all attended in business school.”
He cocked his head. “No, but maybe they learned it in your history major.”
A buzz raced through me. Right. No matter how easy it was to be with Charlie, we’d never work out. I wasn’t born into his universe, but I said, “Sometimes it freaks me out that you looked me up in that much detail.”
His gaze narrowed as he said, “I told you about the background check.”
I played with my necklace and wished I had my mother’s goodness as I said, “You did. Anyhow, I’m hoping Margot takes the job.”
He reached over and squeezed my shoulder. “Text her that if she does an excellent job for you, I will guarantee she supervises at least three more projects for me.”
My eyes filled with water and burned a little. I hadn’t meant to cry, so I sniffed it away and said, “Awesome.”
We continued the drive as fewer and fewer cars were around us now. Night crept up on the edges of the day, even though we had a few more hours of light, but we were lulled into a peace.
After a comfortable silence, he said, “Let’s talk about you.”
I blinked while my pulse quickened. With friends, my evenings were usually about forgetting my life and living in a dream world. But Charlie didn’t read fiction and probably preferred business and success non-fiction if I had to guess, but I asked, “Me?”
He traced my arm and said, “Yes. You had my teams in shock when they figured out you aren’t someone they can ignore. Reports say you’re intelligent, articulate, fair, and open. I’ve never read such high praise from a first impression of someone new to upper management.”
My heart ate up that praise like he’d given me a birthday cake. I let out a sigh as I imagined that today was now my life. For now, I followed the signs and reminded myself to not get too attached as I said, “It reveals more about the people you hire, though.”
His expression blanked like I’d slapped him. For a moment neither of us said anything, but he broke the silence and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Pfft.” I let out the sound like it was obvious, but then said, in case he didn’t understand me, “None of them noticed me when I delivered things to their offices. It was like I was invisible before today.”
He leaned back, his hands behind his head like he was completely at peace again. “You probably were. People only see what they want to see most of the time.”
Yet, he had no idea I’d stayed in offices waiting for envelopes from a few of his executives to mail, and it was like I was the wallpaper they’d ignored until now. No one had even breathed a “hello” at me, so I gripped the wheel and said, “I suppose, but it’s a little shocking.”
He traced my body and said, “I notice you walking alone, and feel when you’re near.”
Awareness of him rushed through me now as I asked, “You do?”
He chuckled. “Yes, and it’s not just about sex, because we’ve scored that goal, and I want more.”
Maybe. I ignored the softening of my body, because I was driving and we were nowhere near the promised five-star luxury at the end of the road. So I winked and said, “I’m not a teenager, so I hope we can wait till we get to the hotel this time.”
Since we were almost at the end of the over two-hour drive, he nodded, but said, “Very well, though you have to promise to walk around naked the second we get to the room.”
My eyes widened. “Have to?”
This time he was specific when he reached over and cupped my boobs. “Yes. I’m very curious about what your breasts do when they’re free.”
I laughed. I hadn’t expected that level of honesty right now, but I didn’t brush him off when I said, “You’re funny, Charlie.”
“Only with you,” he said, and went on to give me directions to the hotel.
Charlie was sweet, a little naughty, and kind. Together he made me feel alive, so what we had together should be enough, though in the back of my mind, I feared I might be falling in love.
Chapter 12
Charlie
We checked into the Garden Villa, which was the hotel’s private residence option with a walled garden and private villa. This way we could have private alfresco dining, so we could tour but otherwise have private time.
As I closed the door, I pinched her ass and said, “Now.”
She threw her head back as she put the jewelry bag down. “Now? So I just strip and that’s that?”
I nodded and stepped back as I blatantly stared at her breasts under that white shirt of hers and said, “Yes, though there is a robe in the bathroom for when dinner is delivered.”
She unbuttoned her shirt, swaying like there was music, but only for a moment. Then her face turned bright red and she shook her head. “I am awfully hungry. I’m sure I’ll be more open after I’ve eaten.”
Fair enough. I’d have to be more convincing, but I fished the earrings out of the bag and handed the box to her as I said, “Done.”
She motioned to her ears, eyebrows up in a question, and I nodded. She inserted the studs as she asked, “So you just want me to skip around naked? That’s it?”
I nodded like that was exactly what I asked for, though I smiled at her as she finished with the earrings that flashed colors on the walls when the light hit them, and said, “More later, if you’re interested.”
She heaved a great sigh, like she was annoyed with me, but ran her hands around my hips and patted my cock. “We’ll find out if you have as much stamina as you did last night, but after we eat.”
Someone knocked, and I let the staff in with our dinner and pointed to the patio as I whispered in her ear, “Thank you for indulging me.”
“I haven’t yet.” She winked at me, but as soon as the servers left, she asked, “Are we eating outside?”
I hugged her and gave her breasts a gentle squeeze as I said, “If you like.”
She took my hand and held it while we entered the walled garden, saying, “I do. The private walls really make this room with a view extraordinary. It’s like we live in our own part of the palace.”
I pulled her chair out for her and said, “You have unlimited access to the spa and bathroom, with all services, for as long as we stay.”
She stilled, and her eyes were wide, like I’d just proposed. “Seriously?”
My stomach twisted. I’d likely marry someone like Caroline, I suppose. A woman who made my blood turn cold but fit into my world. I ignored the thought as I took the seat beside her and said, “It’s normal. It’s part of the room price.”
She put the two wine glasses together and handed me the bottle to open as she said, “My sisters must be used to some of the finer things in life, but my old apartment was the size of the bathroom in there. It’s hard to imagine all the perks being your real girlfriend might include.”
I took out the screw and gazed into her brown eyes. “Real. Are you fake now?”
Her cheeks colored, which made her cute and fuckable at the same time, as she said, “No. But sex can happen without a relationship.”
I handed her the glass I poured and said, “So you’re just using me for sex?”
Her eyes twinkled as she said, “Yes, that must be it. Exactly.”
I clinked glasses with her and said, “I recognized that about you immediately.”
This time, I’d ordered her the same thing I had: roast halibut with smoked salmon as the side starter, so she didn’t need to eat mine after ordering something bland. She didn’t seem to value the old-world order and served the appetizer and her meal together.
Another reason she’d never actually remain in my life.
As she finished, she frowned a little as she asked, “What’s going on, Charlie?”
I took off my tie and asked, “What do you mean?”
She sipped her wine, put it down next to her plate, and said, “You seem…standoffish.”
Scottish Seducer: Opposites Attract: Jane Austin fangirl and the Scottish Billionaire (Steel Series Book 6) Page 7
