Scrooge McFuck (Some Girls Do It #2)

by May Sage

  This was new. There was… chemistry between them. A sizzling current barely concealed under the surface. She’d never felt it before, her attraction had seemed entirely one-sided, but now that they’d somehow acknowledged they didn’t dislike each other, there was no denying the… potential for more.

  With her boss.

  Dammit.

  “How’s Maya?” he asked.

  It should have been a safe subject, but the fact that he genuinely seemed to care made her want to grab his tie and pull until his face to hers. She wasn’t sure she’d let him go.

  “Well. She asked if we could go see you yesterday,” Piper added, smiling and shaking her head.

  Bennet frowned, displeased. “Next time she does, call me.”

  She could feel her cheeks reddening.

  “We have a lot of work to catch up on,” he said, casually running his fingers on his hair, brushing it back.

  His movement fascinated her; Piper forced herself to look away, stop wishing that she could touch the dark, luscious hair.

  “There’s a bunch of messages to run through, so let’s get to it. I called downstairs and asked that someone bring refreshments every hour, but don’t forget to take your breaks if I don’t emerge for a while.”

  She nodded, feeling awkward because bringing refreshments was her job. She didn’t want him to stop treating her like his personal assistant - Piper took a lot of pride in her work, after all.

  Ten minutes later, she shrugged that notion off. No, he’d delegated the coffee break tasks because she was going to be rushed off her feet until the end of the year, at least. There was over a thousand emails and dozens of messages to run through - and the admin assistant downstairs had already dealt with the non-important ones.

  She was confused, at first, but listening to the first voicemail clarified what had caused that mini Armageddon.

  “Ben, my man, what is it that I hear - you? Taking a personal leave of absence? Well, I never. Hope you’re enjoying yourself. Please call about the Perkins deal.”

  He’d taken time off – the whole week, apparently. To take care of her. That wasn’t the kind of thing a man did for a woman he was indifferent to – right? He could have called her parents, or hired a nurse; but he didn’t.

  She was working though the pile on automatic pilot, when he interrupted her flow, calling out, “Hey Piper, have you had a break yet?”

  Glancing at the clock, she saw four hours had already passed by; she grimaced as the unfairly hot businessman emerged from his office, shaking his head.

  “Of course you haven’t. Okay let’s get out of here. I owe you lunch after a morning like that.”

  Working lunches were probably something most executive secretaries were used to, but they’d never had one; she was already stressed enough when his driver stopped in front of Per Se’s building.

  “Wait,” she stopped him, holding his forearm, “I’m not dressed for this.”

  Bennet shot her a croaked grin, “You’re dressed for anything, woman. You could get married in this dress and no one would bat an eyelash.”

  She had chosen her best dress that morning; a white A-line with a sweetheart neckline and a knee length full skirt that made all her curves look ten times better. It would have been fit for a tea-party but as she’d found it in the sales section of the business apparel a while back, it justified her wearing it at work.

  “Getting married doesn’t require four figures per person.”

  She recalled enough from the time she’d spent living with her parents to know that even for billionaires, Per Se was a treat.

  “I’m quite certain most of our acquaintances spend a few million on their weddings,” he replied, rolling his eyes. “Come on Piper. I want to treat my awesome assistant for working her ass off this morning. And I want to speak with my friends.”

  Ben revealed a shocking truth as his grin widened; dimples. The man had dimples. Feeling dizzy, completely taken aback, she just followed through, unable to form a coherent thought.

  The food was spectacular, once she got over the fact that they’d spend more than her monthly rent.

  “Look at what arrived this morning,” Bennet told her, getting an envelope out of the inner pocket of his jacket.

  He slid it towards her, and she opened it, curious.

  Then, her jaw hit the floor.

  “Bennet, I can’t accept this.”

  Tickets – one for an adult, one for a child – from NYC to Alaska; there also was details of a reservation for a cottage in North Pole.

  This was perfect. This was magic; and just too damn fucking much.

  “You’re going to go home and tell Maya you refused her dream trip? Because, I might very well let it slip, next time I see her,” he teased, making her shake his head.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  His eyes flashed in a way that made her think she knew; the heated, meaningful look didn’t last, though.

  “I… owe you. I’ve made a lot of assumptions about you, and none of them were even a little bit accurate. I shouldn’t have treated you as I did in any case, but I think I did it believing that I was teaching a spoiled brat a lesson. What you’re doing on an everyday basis begs recognition. That’s what this is,” he replied, pointing to the envelope. “Me recognizing that my employee deserves praise.”

  She bit her lip, because said that way, how could she say no?

  “But while we’re on the subject, I’d be fascinated to know why your parents aren’t fucking helping. And also, why you’re still living in that dive, although I pay you plenty enough to afford somewhere decent.”

  Piper should probably have been offended, but she just rolled her eyes; there was the Bennet she knew.

  “Well, now you ask, I’m living in that dive because my parents cut me off the minute I told them I was pregnant and marrying John. I guess they were hoping I’d change my mind on both points; as I haven’t, we haven’t spoken since.”

  Somehow, that made him laugh.

  “So, I’m not the biggest asshole in your acquaintance? Good to know.”

  “Not even close. Anyway, we moved there because that was all we could afford, on top of furnishing a place from top to bottom; we said we’d move when we’d saved the money, but there was never any cash to spare. I was so caught up in Maya and work that I didn’t pay much attention to the accounting; I guess John…”

  She wondered how she could say that without sounding like an absolute idiot.

  “He took your money.”

  She nodded, shrugging.

  “Anyway, moving is definitely a priority, but I was hoping to save enough for a down payment on a house, first.”

  “Smart,” he nodded, understanding.

  There wasn’t a trace of judgement, which loosened her shoulders and her tongue. They chatted comfortably, talking about anything from work, to Jennifer, his parents, hers and Maya. He told her about his friends – and recognizing a name, she squealed, “That’s Lucy’s boss! Carter Harris; she works for him.”

  “Small world,” Ben smiled. “Anyway, I’m closer to Trick than Carter. We go way back.”

  He gave her so many anecdotes about his friends, it felt like she got to knew them. Wayne was a sex addict, Devon – whom she’d met – was a doctor, but Wayne kept using him as his psychologist; then he said Trick had issues with a girl who’d given him laxatives and dyed his hair.

  She couldn’t stop laughing at that one.

  “Yep. That definitely was Lucy.”

  They spent over three hours chatting and to her surprise, Bennet just told her to go get Maya and go home.

  “It’s Christmas week. It’s not like anyone else is working anyway,” he’d shrugged.

  Bennet

  Ben had his reasons for not wanting Piper back at the office, and he was glad she didn’t ask, as he wasn’t quite sure about what she might have felt about it.

  Deciding that asking forgiveness definitely beat asking permission and being shot d
own, he was on his way to Miami, and four hours later, he was standing in a hotel lobby, staring in the face of a bleach blond guy entertaining a table of gamblers and sparsely dressed club girls.

  This was John Kennedy? Piper Stone’s husband? He couldn’t believe his eyes, but the half-drunk idiot did match the picture he was holding on top of a folder.

  He bided his time, waiting until the audience had retracted - with all of his money - before getting up and joining the man, who’s glazed gaze made him think alcohol wasn’t the only drug he’d indulged in, although it wasn’t even 8pm.

  He genuinely didn’t understand the man, and it made him feel a little uncomfortable. It was never good to enter a deal without knowing what made your adversary tick.

  “Mr. Kennedy.”

  The man raised his glass in acknowledgement, “Hi there. Want to play?”

  Ben had to laugh, “No, sorry.”

  He wasn’t in the mood to take his money; Ben was no professional poker player but he was pretty confident even Maya would have kicked the guy’s ass, in his state.

  “If you don’t want to play, man, leave the seat for someone who does,” John waved, his tone quite aggressive.

  “I don’t think so - but I’ll make it worth your while,” he promised, getting some paperwork out of his folder, and putting his checkbook on top.

  That caught his attention.

  “I’m going to be brief. I’m here on behalf of Piper Stone.”

  The man let out an exasperated sigh, “What, she sent a private investigator after me? How desperate. Can’t she get the message? I don’t want her.”

  “And your child?”

  He wasn’t sure what he’d expected; but not that. Not a man so self-centered and indifferent to anything unrelated to his pleasure, he’d just shrugged at the mention of his little girl.

  “Mr. Kennedy, I have a divorce agreement drafted here,” he said, picking one of the three documents he’d had prepared. If he’d found a decent human being, he might have had used one the others - but under the circumstances, the last one was what he needed. “It states that you agree to dissolve your union, and renounce your rights as Maya Stone-Kennedy’s father.”

  The other documents were very different; they opened up visits and other relationships, but he didn’t want that man anywhere near Piper or Maya, for that matter. He knew there was a very good chance that Piper might hand him his ass for what he was about to do, but he didn’t regret it. Even if she decided to never speak to him again after this, he would have protected her against an alcoholic, drug-addicted, compulsive gambler who was known for frequenting brothels - from what his investigator had come up with.

  “And why would I do that? The bitch’s family is rich as fuck. I can stay married - they’ll eventually give up the ghost, and I can claim half of what she has.”

  Somehow, Ben managed to stay in his seat, although it cost him. When his fist unclenched, he forced a smile and nodded.

  “Right. Well, you’re aware that Ms. Stone and her parents are currently not in contact, and we don’t know how they’ve arranged their wills. Besides, they’re both rather healthy, and in their sixties. If you’re not inclined to wait three decades for a potential outcome that may never occur, Ms. Stone is willing to pay handsomely to be rid of you now.”

  He seemed so enthralled by that idea he didn’t even question how his poor wife would come up with the money.

  “How much?”

  “How much would it take?”

  “A hundred thousand. I won’t take anything less.”

  It was even harder than preventing himself from punching the weasel, but Ben didn’t laugh. A hundred thousand? For renouncing Piper and Maya? Ben had come expecting to pay millions - and he would have, without a second of hesitation.

  “Well- it’s a little over what she’s stated…”

  “Then tell the bitch I won’t sign anything.”

  He sighed, and nodded, before holding his phone up to his ear, and pretending to check.

  After a short fictitious conversation, he nodded.

  “A hundred thousand, then. We have a deal.”

  And he, if he played his cards right, might just have a family out of it.

  Ben decided that he’d wait to inform Piper that, as long as she was willing to sign the document drafted by his lawyer, she wasn’t going to be married anymore. It might come as a shock - and she might be upset that John wouldn’t be paying child support, either. But he hoped that, with enough explanation, she might see his way of thinking.

  He was trying to convince himself that he hadn’t acted like too much of an overbearing ass, while slowly walking through the airport lobby when his eye caught something shiny in the window of a shop. Turning towards it, he found himself in front of Cartier.

  He must have been staring for a while, because a salesperson came to speak to him.

  “This is classic,” the man informed him, pointing to the heart-shaped diamond ring he just couldn’t stop looking at.

  No point lying to himself. He was thinking that it would suit Piper. Funny that he’d never watched any ring that he’d associated to Miriam or Jennifer but this… if he ever proposed to Piper Stone, it would be with a ring like that.

  “Ballerine, brilliant-cut. This one is a 2.99 carats. We offer bigger ones, but they can look almost gaudy - at this size, it would suit a more reserved lady.”

  “Could I have it sized in New York City if I purchase it here?” he found himself asking.

  He wasn’t sure how; he should be shopping for scarves and perfume, maybe a teddy bear for Maya - not rings.

  At the same time, it felt… right.

  Insane, but right.

  “Of course, sir.”

  “Right.” Well, in for a penny… “I’ll take it.”

  Piper

  Piper was a hormonal disaster, her brain and her body at war with each other, and she was pretty sure her stupid heart was also getting involved. Maybe a teeny-tiny little bit.

  “You’re joking.”

  “Nope. There really is a new Star Wars out. Rogue One - google it. Where have you been?”

  Genuinely believing that he was pulling her leg, she went to check on the box office, and there it was - Rogue One, on the hour at just about every hour.

  “Dammit! And there’s something from Harry Potter’s world, too!”

  “I over-work you way too much,” Ben swore solemnly. “Well, there’s nothing else for it. Maya, you, and I shall go check out this movie tonight,” he’d said. “After ballet, of course.”

  She loved how he remembered the day of her kid’s ballet class.

  “They’ve broken up until January now - we can go early,” she replied, before it hit her that he’d asked her out for a date.

  A date - with her kid. She wasn’t sure that counted. Maybe they were just hanging out.

  Body, brain, heart - they all had their piece to say about that. She shut them up and just added, “I’m really looking forward to it.”

  Ben smiled easily.

  “And you’re leaving tomorrow after work,” he checked.

  “You would know,” she rolled her eyes. “You’ve bought the tickets.”

  They were catching a plane to Seattle and another one to Fairbanks, arriving close to midnight. She’d called the airport, and they’d assured her that there would be plenty of taxis around the time when planes landed - even that late.

  “We are. Thanks again - Maya hasn’t shut up about it.”

  “I know.”

  She’d spent the afternoon with them on Tuesday, and she might have spent a whole two hours telling him all about her plans to see Father Christmas, and saying that he was the coolest Ebenezer ever.

  The silence following the smile they exchanged was dangerous, charged with so much longing and heat that her nipples stood to attention, believing that it was time to come out and play.

  Down girls.

  “I feel strange, leaving the office for a week,” Bennet con
fessed unexpectedly.

  “You’re taking next week off, too?”

  He shrugged in response, “I tried to book a few appointments but it seems that everyone else will be off. In any case, the last few years were rather uneventful.”

  She nodded, pretending that she was paying attention to what he was saying rather than the way his lips moved, and how pretty and pink and kissable they were.

  It killed her, but every day, it became harder to stop herself from doing something about the sizzling attraction. She had to remind herself that she was a responsible adult - a mother. She just couldn’t afford to jump into something with her boss; she had Maya to think of; what would happen when he grew tired of her like he evidently had of Jennifer?

  “What?” he asked, “You seem a little sad.”

  She didn’t know how or why the words crossed her lips.

  “I’m wondering what… happened with Jennifer. You two seemed…” like horny teenagers, “passionate.”

  Ben had the good sense to seem ashamed.

  “Jennifer was, for lack of better words, a rebound.”

  She thought he might leave it at that for a minute, but he sat on her desk, and started to absentmindedly play with one of her pens as he explained, “I had a relationship - a long time ago, right after college, but I thought she was it. I was ready for her to be it.”

  He was sincere, she could see it.

  “It didn’t work out. I’m not going to pretend it was her fault - the blame’s on me. I worked too hard, and paid too little attention to her.”

  Piper could imagine that; he seemed so focused and passionate when he worked on a deal.

  “Maybe she should have talked to me before- anyway, she didn’t, she just walked out, and it broke something in me. I didn’t date for five years. I’ve… played around, and then some - for a year - then I was done with that, too.”

  She nodded, gesturing him to go on.

  “So, after four years of celibacy, I met Jennifer.” Then, he laughed and said, “Alright, I’m not going to lie. I met you. Or I saw you again, anyway. And… I was attracted to you. That’s something I hadn’t felt for a while. I regained the ability to be attracted to women; and then, I met Jennifer. We hung out for a month, and she seemed good enough. So, I tried a relationship.”