Nothing But Trouble

by Ashley Bostock

  She laughed, her eyes gleamed in the light. “Oh, Michael, they’re old friends. I’m Regina Vilander.” She extended her hand to Sophia.

  “Regina, I’m Sophia Baldwin. Michael’s plus-one.”

  “You are a sight for sore eyes. Michael is lucky to have you as a date.”

  Michael smiled. “Thanks, Regina. Of course, if you’ll excuse us, I want to show Sophia a few more things.”

  “Be my guest.” She leaned out, and he kissed her cheek. “See you at dinner.”

  The two of them walked and talked with the other party-goers. “I’ll pay for anything you want to bid on.” He offered as they walked by the silent auction items. It was no chip off his shoulder. He’d done it for his dates in the past and there was nothing different about offering it to his date tonight.

  The look in her eyes, however, said something else. “No way. I could never do that. Thanks for the kind offer. The dress and shoes were more than enough.”

  He shrugged. That was a first. Unusual, by all accounts. Did she forget who he was? How many any of these items, if he won the bids, wouldn’t put a dent in his pocket? As nice as it was getting to know her, he was getting antsy. He could appreciate the art – most of the pieces were amazing. But nothing compared to the woman next to him. Her grace and poise. Her friendliness toward other people. The way she admired the art work and better yet, the way she looked at him. As if he were the man of the night. From the moment he saw her standing on the curb, he wanted to have her all to himself. To take her someplace quiet where they could visit and not be interrupted. Possibly do more than visit, too.

  Most of the women he’d dated were more interested in the brand of his suits, his Brietling watch and all the money he donated to charities -including what he would spend on them, than they were about the actual charities. It was as if none of that fazed Sophia. No silent auction bidding? What woman said no to that?

  “Do you know how many kids are enrolled into the programs?” Sophia asked.

  Michael shook his head. “I’m not sure. There are at least eight programs going on at any given time. Some are only for ten weeks, and some are shorter.”

  “Is that enough time for them to learn some basics in painting or drawing?” she asked him.

  “I don’t know first-hand, but I think so. There are some talented women running the organization. I trust they know what works and what doesn’t.”

  Sophia stopped at a painting. The tag read that it was painted by an eight-year-old. “My grandma taught me how to paint when I was young. It’s exciting to see so much young talent.”

  Michael smiled at her excitement. She was blowing him away. He wasn’t used to his dates having…feelings about the charities or other business-related endeavors he brought them to. Usually, they were pure arm candy. Smiling and nodding when necessary. Never had any one of his dates taken an active interest in the project. He found himself enjoying it. “Do you still paint?” he asked.

  Sophia’s lips turned into a frown. “Not for a long time. How many volunteers help out here?”

  “Not exactly sure. They are always taking volunteers because some people volunteer regularly while others only volunteer once a month. They may have a hundred volunteers but need more in the day to day.”

  “You don’t know much about the actual program, do you?” Sophia called him out.

  “I’m learning,” he chuckled deeply.

  Damn, she was right. He didn’t have all the answers because he wasn’t around this aspect of the program. What he did know, was that there was something she made him feel on the inside and it had nothing to do with the foundation. She, however, appeared to be interested in everything but him. At the moment. He’d been formulating a multitude of plans to get her to stay longer. Having the limo break down. Or maybe his driver had an emergency. Anything to be able to be around her longer. And when he watched how gracefully she strolled around in that dress, he couldn’t stop thinking of new ideas as to how to get her into his limo and further, into his bed.

  He could outright explain that he hadn’t thought of anything other than sliding that silky dress off her shoulders, watching it fall to the ground, and taking her over their dinner table and fucking her while she screamed in delight. What would the innocent Sophia say to him then? Would that faint blush turn crimson at his dirty suggestions? He’d love to find out.

  He placed his hand along her lower back. “Why do you have to be home by midnight?”

  She tilted her head as if contemplating her answer. “I have to take care of my grandma. She’s sick and she’s eighty and she doesn’t have anyone else but me.”

  He wanted to offer her all the things he offered all the other women he’d fucked. Fancy jewels, designer clothes – even though many of the clothes he got were complimentary from Cole - rides in helicopters, yachts and sometimes, whirlwind trips to Europe. In this case, a nurse. He could find one somewhere. Somehow he knew that Sophia wouldn’t bat an eye at his frivolous attempts. Hell, she thought she had to give the shoes and dress back. That was a first for any woman he’d dated. He wanted to offer her Chanel handbags, promise her a trip to the Caribbean - anything to get her to stay with him longer.

  “Isn’t there anyone else? Just for tonight? I can hire a nurse. Give me a minute, and I can find one.” He reached into his slacks to pull out his phone but her hand on his arm stopped him.

  “No, you can’t. I couldn’t accept that. I’m sorry. There is no one else.”

  He was acting like a complete fool. She obviously wasn’t attracted to him in the way he was with her. That was a first. It explained why the dress and shoes were doing nothing for her. He knew that’s what women wanted. All women. Clearly he was approaching this the wrong way. What was it going to take to get Sophia in bed for one long, steamy night?

  His thoughts were put on hold when the emcee got up on the stage and asked everyone to take their seat for dinner. Michael ushered Sophia to the table and pulled out her chair sitting next to his parents and Regina’s empty spot.

  “Where’s Regina?”

  Michael’s mom pointed to another table where Regina mingled with her two suitors from earlier. Michael couldn’t help his smile. His grandmother was definitely enjoying herself.

  “Michael, I’ve been looking for you everywhere. I’m so glad I finally found you. It’s so good to see you!”

  Michael gripped the back of his chair, his jaw hardened. He didn’t have to turn to know it was Mindy standing behind him. He’d recognize her breathy voice anywhere. He glared at Sophia, silently conveying for her to stay seated. He turned toward his ex-fiancée. Mindy had put on a few pounds, but she still had the same blonde hair with her make-up still worn the same way. She looked bitter, angry, unhappy and it made her look slightly older than she was. With Sophia’s soft features and hesitant smile, the two women had such contrasting looks and personalities, he questioned how he ever fell in love with a woman like Mindy to begin with. How come he hadn’t seen her for who she was, right off the bat?

  “Mindy,” Michael replied between thin lips. He pulled his chair out and sat next to Sophia. Fuck Mindy. He tamped down his manners, which told him to stand. He refused to get up. She left him at the altar. He was not the kind of man to stand for her. Not anymore. “This is Sophia. Sophia, this is Mindy.”

  “Sophia. I dated Michael for three years. We were set to get married, but it didn’t work out.” She thrust her hand out, her new engagement ring catching rays of light. “Thankfully. Or Rex and I would have never found each other.”

  He watched Sophia process what Mindy was so blatantly sharing with them. Her eyes darted to his and then back to Mindy. “Yes, thank God for that! Michael and I wouldn’t be engaged either if it weren’t for that.”

  It felt like the entire banquet room went silent in that moment. Sophia’s eyes were wide and wild as she looked to Michael for…he didn’t know what. Help? Support? He was just as shocked as she was although due to years of practice in the boardr
oom, he managed to keep his composure. Mindy jumped back as if someone had slapped her, her hand clasped to her chest like she was about to have a heart attack. Michael’s mouth formed a tight grin. He did a mental fist pump. Seeing Mindy hurt—a tiny bit—was sweet revenge to him. But was still nothing in comparison to what she did to him - the embarrassment, the wasted money, and the worst above all else, a broken heart that always wanted to resurface at inopportune times.

  “What? What did you just say? You and Michael are engaged?”

  “Well, I-” This time the crimson that graced Sophia’s cheeks wasn’t from Michael flirting endlessly with her. “I only meant-”

  “What she meant to say was that we are engaged. But since she doesn’t have a ring on her finger, we hadn’t planned on making an official announcement tonight. Had we, love?” He teased Sophia affectionately.

  The word love flowed effortlessly off his tongue and although he was pretending, he couldn’t help notice how nice it sounded to address Sophia that way. Love. Michael grasped Sophia’s hand tightly. “See? I’d bought her a ring, but you know how pesky those larger diamonds can be when you get them custom set, so I had to take it back in to our jeweler.” He took full advantage of this opportunity to touch Sophia, merely pretending she was his fiancée, right? His fingers skimmed along her bare shoulders and trailed along the edge of her back as he watched her eyes dilate in obvious arousal, and he happily waited for Mindy to hurl her next words at them.

  “Well, this must have just happened then,” Mindy snapped.

  “Oh no, we’re just private like that, Monica!” Sophia said. Michael’s jaw burned from smiling—inside secrets—he was sharing with Sophia. Damn, he hadn’t smiled like this since the night they chatted online. His gaze drifted across the perfectly decorated table to his parents, who were pretending not to listen, but he knew they were. They were parents after all. Mindy had almost become their daughter-in-law. Regina was going to be sorry she missed this, sitting with her suitors instead of them.

  “Mindy. My name is Mindy.”

  “Well, whoever you are clearly wasn’t worth mentioning. Michael hasn’t told me a thing about you. It was as if you never left a mark.” Sophia shrugged as if to say, oh well. Michael covered his grin with his napkin.

  “By the way, nice dress. Hand me down?” Mindy’s fake smile had Sophia straightening her back.

  Sophia smiled, “One of a kind. Just like Michael’s love for me. Michael took the day off work and spent it with me trying to find the perfect dress.”

  He stifled a chuckle that bubbled from his throat. He should stop this. It was all happening so fast. He glanced around the ballroom and realized no one was paying any attention to their table like he’d initially thought. Everyone at his table, were all ears, even though they were all pretending not to be. Smoothing out their dinner napkin, stirring their coffee, all the minute movements and silence wasn’t lost on him.

  He couldn’t stop this now though. He didn’t want to. Sophia was sticking up for him to that…that gold-digging bitch. He refused to call Sophia out no matter how humiliating this could be for him tomorrow. He’d have to find another PR to hire. Julia would quit, no doubt about it. The second she caught wind of this, she would reprimand him into next week. For now, it was easier to go along with the charade. What felt an awful lot like gratitude swelled in his chest as he moved his hand from Sophia’s shoulders to her satin-clad leg. His parents must have agreed on the matter, too. Neither one of them offered up the fact that tonight was the first they’d ever heard of Sophia Baldwin.

  Mindy turned toward Michael. “Three years together, and you told her nothing?”

  “What’s there to tell? I gave you my heart, you stomped all over it. You left me at the altar, remember? Besides,” he grabbed Sophia’s chin and leaned into her. “Sophia knows she is the only woman on my mind.”

  “Fine!” She turned to Sophia, her frown set in cold fury. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into!” As she barged off, Michael couldn’t help the satisfaction that rolled through his blood. He turned to Sophia, mouthing a silent thank you as he squeezed her thigh.

  With Michael and Sophia’s attention back to their tablemates, every eye was deadpan watching the two of them. Sophia leaned into his side, and as he raised his hand from her lap, he accidentally brushed the curve of her breast, and the fuck if all he felt was the soft cushion of her tit – no bra. Wondering about it all night and finally having it confirmed at the dinner table as they sat with his parents, had him wishing once again that the two of them could be alone. She raised her eyebrows at him as if she was reading his wicked thoughts, looked around the table to his parents, and then Bill and Linda Murdoch and smiled. “Will someone please pass me the bread?”

  Michael couldn’t stop the chuckle from his throat. Had the matchmaking from his website not been enough, that moment at the dinner table confirmed that Sophia Baldwin was much more than he bargained for. She was unbelievable – in a good way.

  Chapter Four

  What was she thinking? Where had that come from? That had always been her problem. Things had a way of coming out of her mouth before she could think of the consequences. She sure as heck hadn’t thought of what might happen by blurting out that she was engaged to a virtual stranger. None other than Michael Vilander, who ran a company larger than anything she could grasp. Practically a celebrity and she just told some random hussy that she was engaged to him. It was no doubt spreading across the floor of the entire Art Foundation’s gala that second. Sophia peeked over at Michael, knowing he must want to kill her, but instead he had the sexiest smile on his face she’d ever seen. His eyes glittered in warm, male appreciation.

  “So now you’re my fiancée?” he whispered into her ear.

  Her cheeks heated. “I am so sorry. It’s just that horrid woman was being so evil, and it spilled out of my mouth.”

  He chuckled, taking a sip of his water. His eyes were openly amused. “Thank you.”

  Wait. He was thanking her? And she’d been waiting for him to be upset. “You’re welcome. You aren’t too mad?”

  “I’m actually happy you did that.”

  “Why? She’ll figure out it was just a lie anyway. Everyone will. Oh, my gosh. Dish the Dirty. The newspapers. I’m—”

  “Listen,” he said, cutting off her exclamations. He set his drink down and took the opportunity to drape his arm around her. His fingertips danced across her shoulder blade causing trickles of desire to skirt down her spine. It wasn’t lost on her that the second she’d blurted out their fake engagement, he’d become increasingly touchy-feely. Truthfully, she was soaking the attention up just as a puppy soaked up a much-needed belly rub.

  “Maybe not. Let’s just pretend for now. Then we can talk about it later in the limo.”

  She inhaled a deep breath in through her nose and out her mouth. She didn’t have a clue where he was going with this, but something deep inside her pulled and tingled. His parents were obviously unsure of what to say, so she helped Michael out by trying not to blow their cover. She didn’t know the other couple at the table and who they were to Michael.

  “Michael? I guess it’s time to tell your parents about our secret engagement.”

  Michael’s eyes glinted and a slow smile formed. “Of course. Sophia and I are getting married. Right, love?”

  She laughed. It sounded foreign to her ears. That was all he said. Apparently, he didn’t feel the need to elaborate and when his mother started asking questions and rattling off venues, it was all Sophia could do to nod in agreement for the rest of the dinner. Michael’s mother was going along with the story just fine. Sophia idly wondered if this fake engagement was making her so happy because this was as close as she was ever getting to Michael having a wedding any time soon. Once their dinner plates were taken away, the band began to play amazing classical music, and couples began to dance.

  “Dance with me?” Michael opened his hand, palm up, and she didn’t hesitate
to grab ahold of it. Somewhere along the way, she’d unconsciously decided to live for the night. Where she was hesitant before, she was all in.

  On the dance floor, her heart stuttered as he pulled her snug against his body and they began swaying in time to the music. His chest was broad and with her almost five-inch heels, she was only an inch or two shorter than him. There hadn’t been a time when she had ever been nestled into a man’s arms this way. He was strong, solid and she tried not to be too obvious as she enjoyed the smell of his cologne – up close and personal. How had she gotten so lucky? She didn’t deserve being here at this fancy gala, with wealthy people wearing tuxedos, oh, and dresses that, in one pull, could pay for her grandma to have two full-time nurses and more. She tried not to think about her life, shoving it into the back corners of her mind. Tried not to think about all the money that swirled around these people and how much of it was wasted on fancy food and dresses. Shoes and tuxedos. She pushed it all back into the far corners of her mind.

  At least for tonight.

  “I feel terrible about this charade. What are we going to do? We don’t even know each other.” She whispered urgently into his ear.

  He didn’t answer her right away, just kept swaying to the music but then his low voice rumbled against her ear. “We’ll get to know each other. Give it one month. Pretend to be my fiancée for one month, and after that, we can go our separate ways.”

  Sophia felt the beginnings of a panic-attack and took a deep breath through her nose and let it out slowly from her mouth. How could they pretend? “Are you crazy? Why, Michael? Won’t that make things worse?”

  “Actually, no.” He twirled her around the dance floor and caught her with his hand pulling her hard into his torso. “No one knows exactly how long we’ve been together. This story will hit all the social columns tonight, make the front-page tomorrow, especially since Mindy knows. Julia Owens, my PR Specialist, can make a statement to the press that we’ve kept it a secret up till now. After we pretend we’re engaged for a month, we can casually break it off, she’ll take care of it all. No one will have a clue that it was never true to begin with.”