Scandal (Dirty Laundry Book 2)

by Jackie Paxson

  Placing her hand in his, he covered them with his other hand giving them a gentle squeeze. Chrissy felt tears prickling her eyes again. Through shear willpower she pulled them back.

  “Thank you, Mr. Mathewson.” She smiled.

  “It’s Bill to you, Chrissy. Now, I need to be off. I will check in on you later today. Have fun.” He waved as he walked away.

  “You really didn’t know who you’d been talking to, did you?” Max asked.

  “Not a clue. I figured he worked here but didn’t assume he was the owner.”

  “Bill has always been very down to earth. James is the same way. Now, James’ father is another story. I hope you don’t have to mix it up with him too much.”

  “I’m sure it will be fine.” The ball of dread that had been building all day made another appearance.

  “I’m sure you will. Let me take you out for dinner tonight to celebrate. Bring Mariah, too.”

  “I can’t.” Chrissy looked down at her shoes.

  “Why not?”

  Chrissy swallowed then said, “I have a date tonight.”

  “A date,” he said flatly.

  “Yes.”

  “Thought you didn’t want to date anyone.”

  “I don’t, but Jeremiah convinced me I need to try things before writing them off.”

  “So, what you are really saying is that you don’t want to date me.”

  Chrissy looked at Max. Hurt crossed his features. Why would a man who could have any woman, including the receptionist, be hurt by her going out with another man? She refused to answer him.

  “I see. Well, good luck today, Chrissy. I know you will do great.” Max walked to the elevators.

  Before she could go after him James was back with a warm smile on his face. “Ready?”

  “You bet.”

  Chrissy walked past the closing doors of the elevators as she followed James. Max’s face was blank, but his eyes had an unfathomable storm brewing.

  Chapter 13

  It’s a No to Knob Gobbling

  “I can’t believe Jane is such a raging bitch,” Jeremiah said from her bed.

  “Well, I didn’t make the best impression.”

  “Especially when you slapped Max. Oh man, I wish I’d been there when you did that. I can just imagine his face.” Jeremiah made a face like the one Max made in the elevator.

  Chrissy stopped rummaging through her closet and looked at Jeremiah. “Please tell me you didn’t do anything with her to get me that internship.”

  “Why are you asking that?”

  “She implied something happened between the two of you.”

  Jeremiah bit his lip. “That woman has been trying to get in my bed from the moment she started screwing her way to the top at Top Dog.”

  “So, you didn’t?”

  “I didn’t….”

  “Good.”

  “I let her blow me.”

  Chrissy spun around in her closet getting caught on the hangers and falling to the floor. “What? You just said…”

  “I just said I didn’t let her in my bed, and I didn’t. I let her blow me at my desk in the office.”

  Chrissy made a gagging noise.

  “That’s actually the noise she made when she was gobbling my knob.” He laughed.

  “What does gobbling my knob mean, Mama?” Mariah was at her door holding a doll in one hand and a brush in the other.

  She shot a glare at a laughing Jeremiah. “What’s up, sweetie?”

  Her question forgotten, Mariah walked over to Chrissy still sitting in the closet. “Mitzy’s hair is tangled and this dang brush won’t work.”

  The doll’s tangled hair looked like someone had teased the crap out of it then tried to braid it. With the little brush, Chrissy meticulously untangled the doll’s hair.

  “Thanks, Mama. I’m gonna finish my cartoons.”

  “Go ahead, sweetie.”

  Jeremiah and Chrissy stayed quiet until they heard the sounds of cartoons coming from the living room. Jeremiah started giggling again.

  “Shut up!” Chrissy whisper yelled.

  “What?”

  “I swear if my daughter starts talking about gobbling knobs, I will castrate you.”

  “I gotta teach them young.” He laughed again and dodged a shoe thrown at his head.

  “You are horrible.”

  “Yes, but that’s why you love me. So, speaking of gobbling knobs are you going to do Rory’s tonight?”

  “Will you please stop saying that? And no, I am not doing that. What kind of girl do you think I am?”

  “The get pregnant out of wedlock kind.” He dodged another shoe. “Seriously, though, are you going to try with Rory?”

  Chrissy let out a sigh and slumped back into the closet. “I plan on it.”

  “Good. You need to let loose once in a while.”

  “I do.”

  “You don’t. You are so afraid to repeat mistakes that you have shut yourself off to the world.”

  “I’m going to try. Rory seems like a nice guy.”

  “And hot. Don’t forget hot.”

  “And hot.” Chrissy laughed.

  Jeremiah clapped his hands making her jump. “Let’s get your ass dressed before you end up downstairs in heels and just a trench coat. Or maybe that is exactly what you want to wear.”

  She glared at him. “Nope. Let’s find clothes.”

  “Have I told you how gorgeous you look?” Rory said over his menu.

  Chrissy blushed. “Only fifteen times now.”

  “Sorry, you are just breathtaking.”

  “Thank you,” she said quietly.

  Rory had been right on time with a bouquet of roses. Jeremiah was immediately by her side taking the flowers and pushing her out the door. She didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to Mariah. She was glued to her cartoons and hadn’t realized Chrissy was leaving. They took Rory’s silver sedan to what appeared to be a high-end Italian restaurant. There were even paparazzi outside.

  When the paparazzi realized they weren’t famous they dismissed them letting them pass with no fanfare. The Piazza de Luna was built like an Italian villa. Or at least what she imagined an Italian villa would look like. There were Roman god and goddess statues with fountains tinkling in the background. The tiled floor was a mosaic illustrating everything Italian. She truly felt like she’d stepped out of the car and into a villa in Tuscany.

  “Do you know what you want to order?”

  Chrissy blinked at the question. She hadn’t really looked at the menu. The ambience had entranced her allowing her mind to wander. “Not yet.”

  “I know I’m having a tough time deciding. I’m between the lobster ravioli or the mussels with white wine sauce.”

  “Those both sound fantastic.”

  Chrissy perused the menu noticing that nothing had prices. That wasn’t good. How was she supposed to pick a cheap item if she didn’t know how much anything was? Her anxiety spiked, and she gripped the menu tighter.

  “Are you ok?” Rory asked.

  “Yep,” she squeaked.

  Rory cocked an eyebrow at her. “Pick anything you want.”

  “Ok.”

  Yeah, right, she was going to pick anything. She saw the spaghetti and meatballs. That couldn’t be too expensive.

  “I know what I want.”

  Rory signaled for the waiter they were ready.

  “Ladies, first,” rory said with a sexy smile.

  “I will have the spaghetti and meatballs, please.”

  The waiter blinked at her. “Ma’am, I’m sorry but the spaghetti and meatballs is a children’s item.”

  Chrissy opened the menu and found the item. It was exactly where the waiter said it would be under the children’s menu.

  “Uh…sorry. I will take the lasagna.”

  The waiter nodded. Rory ordered the lobster ravioli and a bottle of wine. The waiter left them to stare at one another.

  “I hope you like wine. I didn’t even think abou
t it when I ordered it,” Rory said.

  “I like wine.”

  Silence descended upon them. It wasn’t an incredibly comfortable silence. Chrissy sipped her water while looking around at the stars around them. She was sure most of the people dining at the restaurant made ten times the amount of money her parents did with the B & B.

  “How was your first day?”

  “What?” Chrissy snapped out of her daydreaming.

  “Your first day at your internship?” Rory smiled.

  “Oh, it was a disaster that turned out to be the best thing ever.”

  He furrowed his brow. “How did that happen?”

  With a sigh, Chrissy went into her day. Starting with Talia’s meltdown to her savior in the geriatric CEO. Rory’s face showed every emotion as she told her story. He truly paid attention to what she was saying. It gave her a warm sensation in her belly.

  “Fancy seeing you here.” A familiar voice drew her attention.

  Max stood next to their table with his arm wrapped around a busty blonde. When she looked closer, she realized it wasn’t even one she’d seen him with.

  “Yeah. You’re starting to act like a bad rash, Max,” Chrissy said, focusing her attention to the napkin in her lap.

  He glared at her and pulled his date closer. She giggled into his shoulder. It was like listening to nails on a chalkboard.

  Max regained his composure and turned toward Rory sticking his hand out. “Max Hamilton.”

  Rory took his hand. “I know who you are. I’ve seen your movies.”

  “A fan?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far.”

  A snort/laugh hybrid escaped Chrissy. The waiter decided at that moment to return with their wine.

  “2015 Drouhin Musigny,” the waiter declared.

  He poured a small amount in a glass. Chrissy watched at Rory swished the wine around in the glass, sniffed it then drank it. With a smile, Rory nodded his approval to the waiter. He proceeded to pour the wine into their glasses then escape back to where he’d come.

  “That’s a 1300-dollar wine,” Max said.

  “Oh. I like wine. Can we get wine, sugar bear?” the blonde barnacle squeaked.

  “1300 dollars?” Chrissy choked on air.

  “Yep. Didn’t know being a pilot made that kind of money,” Max said to Rory with a smirk on his face.

  “I was an air marshal. Now, I own part of a bar with my brothers.”

  “I’m still not seeing how you can afford this.” Max turned toward Chrissy. “I hope you brought your credit card, sweetness. I doubt this guy will be able to foot the bill.”

  Rory’s face turned red. “Look, you don’t know me. If I were you, I’d just leave.”

  “No. I want to see you explain this to Chrissy and still get her to stay.”

  Rory squinted his eyes at Max then turned back to Chrissy. “My full name is Rory O’Shaughnessy.”

  Chrissy had no clue what she was supposed to get out of that. That he was Irish? So, what?

  “O’Shaughnessy?” Max choked out.

  “Yes,” Rory confirmed.

  “Is this supposed to mean something to me?”

  Max and Rory looked at Chrissy with identical looks of surprise.

  “You’ve never heard the O’Shaughnessy name?”

  “You’re Irish?” Chrissy shrugged.

  “Good lord, Chrissy. He is saying he is related to O’Shaughnessy Whiskey. It’s some of the best whiskey produced in the world. It’s a billion-dollar company,” Max said with exasperation.

  “You’re a billionaire?” Chrissy asked Rory.

  “Sort of. My grandfather and dad run the business right now. The pub we opened is just one of many we are opening around the US. We are using it as an outlet to get the whiskey more mainstream. I am now in charge of it.”

  “Wait a minute. Were you ever an air marshal?”

  “Oh, yes. My father and grandfather have allowed me and my brothers to pursue our interests but when the business calls, we are to come back when called.”

  “Like dogs,” Max muttered.

  Rory glared at him. “Don’t you have a table to get to?”

  Max opened his mouth to release another snide remark, but Chrissy cut him off. “Max, I believe you need to find your table. Your date seems to be wilting or deflating a bit. Time to pump her up.”

  The blonde suckerfish giggled giving credence to Chrissy’s theory that her brain was full of bubbles.

  “Come on, baby. I have to be on the stage by ten tonight.”

  Chrissy couldn’t resist asking. “Stage?”

  “Oh, yes. I am one of the premier dancers at The Glittery Clam.”

  Max’s face turned red. Chrissy smirked at him as he dragged his date away.

  Chapter 14

  Zinging with the Wrong Man

  After the awkward confrontation, dinner was much more relaxed. Chrissy realized that there was a lot more to Rory than just a hunky air marshal/billionaire. He was sexy, smart, funny and very sweet. She’d found herself laughing more than she had in months. There was definitely an attraction in the air between them. Unfortunately, when he reached across and held her hand while gazing into her eyes, she didn’t feel anything.

  Squeezing his hand, she said, “I need to go to the ladies’ room.”

  “Of course. I believe it is over there.” Rory pointed to a darkened hallway with a sign that said Bagni. Good thing he knew Italian.

  Chrissy stood from her chair grabbing her purse then headed toward the bathrooms. She wove through tables upon tables with celebrities. Clearly all were there to be seen. They all had pasted on smiles. Men ate steak while the women had lettuce with lemon for dressing. Chrissy shook her head. That was a world she’d never be a part of. She was a real woman not the collector edition.

  Entering the bathroom, Chrissy didn’t see anyone. She went over to one of the stalls and sat down. She retrieved her phone to text Jeremiah. It was past Mariah’s bedtime but knowing Jeremiah she was probably up buzzing around with a pound of sugar in her bloodstream.

  Chrissy: How is everything going?

  Jeremiah: Fine. Mariah is sound asleep.

  Doubt squirmed in Chrissy’s belly.

  Chrissy: Picture please.

  Jeremiah sent her a picture of a grumpy cat.

  Chrissy: Picture of my angelic child sleeping.

  A moment passed while Chrissy waited perched on the toilet. Two women entered the bathroom talking loudly about their dates. She recognized the voice of a popular television actress. The other woman she didn’t know. Before she could eavesdrop on the conversation that they had while doing their business, her phone vibrated.

  Chrissy looked down at the phone. Jeremiah sent a picture of a sleeping Mariah. She bit her lip to keep herself from laughing. Mariah was using her fake sleep face.

  Jeremiah: Satisfied?

  Chrissy: Nope. She isn’t asleep. You two are fakers.

  Jeremiah: LOL...sorry. Fed her some ice cream a bit late and now she is wired.

  Chrissy: No doubt. I’m glad things are going well for you.

  Jeremiah: Speaking of going well…how is the date?

  Chrissy: Good. He’s a really nice guy. He makes me laugh. Something I haven’t done a lot of in a long time.

  Jeremiah: Good. I won’t wait up then.

  Chrissy: You were going to wait up for me?

  Jeremiah: No, but I felt it needed to be said. LOL

  Chrissy rolled her eyes.

  Jeremiah: So, how is the date going? It can’t be that great if you’re in the bathroom texting me.

  Chrissy: How did you know I was in the bathroom?

  Jeremiah: You are still a nice girl at heart. You’d never text in front of a first date.

  Chrissy sighed.

  Chrissy: There isn’t a spark. He held my hand, and it felt like he was my brother. It didn’t help that Max barged over to our table with his fake boobed companion. I think her name was bubbles or maybe that’s what she had
instead of brains. I can’t remember.

  Jeremiah: Max is there?

  Chrissy: Yes!

  Jeremiah: Did you tell him you were going there?

  Chrissy: NO! I haven’t talked to him since I saw him at Top Dog.

  Jeremiah: Interesting…well get back to your date. I will talk to you when you get home.

  Chrissy glanced at the time on her phone. She’d been in the bathroom for close to 15 minutes. A grimace scrunched her face at the idea at what Rory would think she was doing in there.

  She left the stall then washed her hands. The awkward conversation she would be having with Rory played in her head. When she reached for the door it swung toward her with two rail thin women giggling as they entered. Moving out of their way, Chrissy managed to slide out the door. What she saw when she stepped into the hallway stopped her cold.

  Max was leaning against the wall. He had the exact same pose that he had at Top Dog. Coincidently, that was also outside of a bathroom she’d been in.

  “Is this a thing you do now?” Chrissy asked.

  “What?” He pushed off the wall.

  “Stand outside the bathroom and lean against the wall in that movie star way.”

  His deep chuckle sent a zing of electricity through her.

  “Movie star way?”

  She huffed and crossed her arms in front of her. “You know what you do.”

  “Does it affect you seeing me like that?”

  Standing straighter she said, “Absolutely not. I think it and you are ridiculous. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a date to get back to.”

  “I do mind.”

  Before Chrissy could protest and make a grand exit from the darkened hallway, Max pulled her into the shadows of the hallway then pressed her against the wall. His lips crashed down on hers. She felt every contour of his body melding with hers. It was like two complex puzzle pieces finally fitting together. Max’s hands flexed on her lower back pulling her impossibly closer. The hard bulge in his pants pushed against her stomach. A moan escaped, and he took that moment to slide his tongue into her mouth. Their tongues tangled imitating what their bodies couldn’t do at that moment. They were in a hallway in a restaurant, after all. And just like that ice washed over her. She was at a restaurant, on a date with another man while making out in the hallway with the worst possible man.