Virgin's Dirty Boss

by Nicole Elliot

  Six months. With him.

  Six months to find out what made him this way.

  3

  Scarlett

  To Scarlett’s surprise, she slept like a baby in the huge four-poster bed. When she awoke it was after ten, and she thought she was late for World History before remembering the change in her circumstances. No more classes, no more school. The one thing she loved about her life was gone. The semester had barely begun, so she should still be able to withdraw without failing. But she wasn’t a quitter, it just wasn’t her style. Yet here she was forced to leave one of her most precious things behind.

  With a sigh, she lay in the bed, staring up at the ceiling and wondering how she was supposed to fill her time. She’d brought her favorite books, but couldn’t spend all day reading. She was about to force herself out of the sinfully comfortable bed when there was a knock at her door. Though she wore a modest white nightgown, Scarlett pulled the duvet up to her chin before calling, “Come in.”

  A maid dressed in a black dress with a white apron entered. “I’ve brought you some breakfast, Ms. Terini,” she said with a smile. “Mr. Braxton asked me to have a tray brought up to you.”

  “Thank you.” The maid set the tray on the table near her bed, then left. Since he’d sent a tray to the room, did that mean she wasn’t allowed to leave? Surely he wasn’t planning on confining her to this room for the next six months? There couldn’t be a more luxurious prison, but it would still be a prison, all the same. She also found herself wondering why he hadn’t come to see her himself. She wouldn’t mind digging further into the man that was her keeper.

  As her stomach growled, Scarlett turned her attention to the tray. There were fluffy pancakes topped with strawberries and cream, her favorite. Did Carter know that? Or a simple coincidence?

  After satisfying her appetite, Scarlett forced herself from the bed, anxious to know if she was allowed to leave the room. She would take a quick shower and get dressed. She needed to know the lay of the land.

  Scarlett just reached the front door when she heard someone behind her. Turning, she found Carter staring at her coolly. “Running away?” he asked sarcastically.

  “Taking a walk.”

  “Don’t get lost.” He continued his walk through the bottom level of the house.

  With a shrug, she let herself out of the house and walked into the hazy sunshine. The day was cool and crisp as to be expected for October, and there were fresh leaves on the ground that hadn’t received attention from the gardeners yet.

  Making her way into the dense growth of trees that surrounded the lavish home, Scarlett inhaled the scent of the woods. The tree growth wasn’t thick enough to be considered a forest, but it was still nice to be in here. For a short time she could pretend that Carter Braxton did not exist, and that she had not agreed to this crazy bargain. She could pretend that she was home once more, walking through their small patch of trees while trying to briefly escape the pressures of college.

  Scarlett ambled down the path for a short time before deciding to venture into the denser undergrowth. She tried to keep the trail in sight at all times, but lost it suddenly. Turning around in a circle, she desperately sought some trace of the path, but found none. Frowning, Scarlett walked the opposite way for fifteen minutes, knowing that she hadn’t strayed that far away from the path. She set off in a northeast direction, and came across a stream. Forgetting about being lost for the moment, she plopped down by the bank, running a hand through the delightfully chilly water. So this was her grand escape, sitting by a small stream enjoying a moment of freedom. How quickly her life had changed.

  There was a makeshift bridge composed of fairly flat rocks lined up within stepping distance of each one. Scarlett couldn’t resist the lure of the stone bridge, and she took a cautious step onto the first rock. It was firmly set, so she crossed to the next one. She was halfway across the shallow stream when the rocks became slippery. Solidly stuck in the middle of the makeshift bridge, she could either go forward or turn around and go back. There were two less stones if she went forward. Biting her lip, Scarlett decided to turn back, knowing that direction would eventually lead to the path.

  She negotiated her way around carefully and took a step, aiming for the next rock. Her foot slid out from under her, causing Scarlett to fall backwards into the creek, hitting her head on a rock. Shit. Her head ached and she was chilled from the water. This was not the grand moment of freedom she had planned.

  Eventually she tried to stand, crying in pain when her ankle refused to bear her weight. Dragging herself out of the water, Scarlett propped her back against a good-sized rock, and tentatively touched her head. Blood, not much, but enough that she knew a concussion was probable.

  Without thinking about it, Scarlett eased off her sneaker and sock to inspect the ankle. It was already an angry shade of purple and starting to swell. After regrouping her wits, she put the sock back on and reached for the shoe. Her ankle had swollen enough that the sneaker wouldn’t fit on properly. When she tried to force it, the pain was bad enough to bring tears to her eyes.

  Indulging in the tears, Scarlett let them flow for a few minutes before she wiped the moisture away. Assessing her situation, Scarlett realized she was stuck by the stream until someone came to find her. She couldn’t put enough weight on her ankle to walk and found the thought of traipsing through the woods without her shoe less than appealing.

  The ache in her head was also making itself known, and her vision was a little blurry. Even without the ankle injury, the head wound would have been enough to immobilize her, at least for a while.

  Would Carter send someone to look for her? Would he even realize she was missing?

  She tortured herself, imagining he’d forgotten all about her, and no one would realize she was missing. In six months her father would show up to collect her, and they would remember Scarlett Terini had briefly been with them. They’d find her dead body, near the stream in the woods.

  Okay so perhaps that was a bit dramatic. Even if no one at the house realized she was missing, she wouldn’t be here longer than a day at most. Surely within a few hours, her ankle would be okay enough to walk, and she would eventually find her way out of the forest.

  Dreading it, but knowing it was necessary to reduce the swelling, Scarlett removed the sock and swung her body around, plunging her ankle into the icy water. Shivering, Scarlett wished she knew how to build a fire. At least it couldn’t get any worse, she consoled herself.

  Not two minutes later, a huge bolt of lightning streaked across the sky. It was followed by a boom of thunder, as the sky let loose a torrent of rain, changing her from sodden to drenched in a matter of seconds. It finally abated to a steady stream, before tapering off to a trickle that did not stop.

  4

  Carter

  “Boss,” said Darren, leaning his head into Carter’s study.

  “Yes?” Carter looked up from his quarterly budget reports for Roche Electronics.

  Darren came into the room. “Sorry to bother you when you’re busy and all, but nobody’s seen Scarlett in hours.”

  Carter removed his reading glasses, and looked at Darren. “I saw her this morning around eleven. She was leaving for a walk.”

  “It’s six now, Carter, and no one has seen her,” Darren repeated. “I looked everywhere and so did the staff, but I don’t think she ever came back from her walk.” He frowned before tentatively suggesting, “Do you think she flew the coop?”

  Shrugging, Carter stood up from the desk. “It’s possible, but I don’t think so. She probably got lost in the woods just to spite me because I told her not to. Take out a small team and look for her. Keep me updated,” he said as Darren hurried out. “Every hour,” he called after him.

  At seven, Darren called. “No sign of her yet, Carter. Want us to keep looking?”

  “Yes.” Carter was growing concerned himself. She was probably sitting at Terini Manor this very moment, enjoying a hearty chuckle about him
with her family. If she wasn’t though, they had to find her. The woods on his property weren’t extremely dangerous, but she was probably scared. And now she was his he had to protect her.

  Keep her safe.

  Keep her close.

  After waiting in the house for what felt like the whole night Carter called Darren. He knew he’d be surprised to hear from him, but Carter was also surprised. Surprised at how worried he was. “If you haven’t had any luck by nine, we’ll call in the police.” How was he supposed to explain the circumstances of this strange arrangement to the authorities? He should probably call Rocco to see if she was home, but didn’t want to show his cards just yet.

  Scarlett

  Scarlett was shivering from the cold and her clothes were soaked. Her head and ankle throbbed, and she was miserable. Her chin was resting on her chest as she tried to stay awake, knowing she must stay conscious in case she had a concussion. It took her a moment to recognize the difference in the sound, and then she realized there was something walking through the undergrowth. “Over here,” she called, praying it was someone to rescue her instead of an animal come to eat her.

  Darren and two other men found her within minutes, and he knelt beside her. “What the hell happened?”

  “I fell off the stones.” Her voice wobbled with embarrassment and stress. “I hit my head and sprained my ankle, or maybe I broke it. Either way, I can’t stand on it, and it hurts just as bad as my head.” She took a deep breath to avoid bursting into tears. “Then it rained, and it hasn’t stopped,” she said with tears in her eyes.

  “Let’s get you back to the house,” Darren suggested as he reached for his cell phone. She watched as he made a call. “We found her, boss. She’s hurt, so you might want to arrange for a doctor to meet us at the house.”

  “I can’t walk. How am I going to get there?”

  Darren lifted her into his arms. “I’ve got you,” he assured her as his two companions walked ahead and behind them, each training their flashlights forward.

  Scarlett relaxed in Darren’s arms, figuring it would be easier for him to carry her if she wasn’t stiff. The trek back to the house was much more difficult than the walk she’d originally taken. She felt like a fool when they hit the trail less than five minutes after starting back for the house. She’d been so close. None of this would have happened if she’d reined in her childish impulses and kept searching for the trail.

  The lights were blazing at the house as Darren carried her up the stairs and inside. Carter was standing with another man who was holding a black bag. “Thank you, Darren. Take her upstairs. Dr. Weiss will be up in just a moment.”

  He nodded to the maid. “Go up with them to help Ms. Terini change into dry clothes.”

  Scarlett was lying under the covers when the doctor walked in. “Tell me what happened.” Dr. Weiss looked at her head injury first. Scarlett told him the story as he examined her ankle too.

  “I’d feel better if you spent the night at the hospital. You have a concussion, and I want to x-ray that ankle. I don’t think it’s broken, but better to be safe than sorry, yes?”

  “I guess,” Scarlett said without enthusiasm.

  “I will arrange it. You rest here, but don’t fall asleep just yet.”

  “I won’t.” She yawned. “Thank you, doctor.”

  Darren came to retrieve her just a few minutes later. “Looks like we’re headed to the hospital. Mind if I carry you again?”

  “I’ve got her,” Carter interrupted. He carried her down to the town car and delicately put her inside. When he set her down she missed the warmth of his touch. The way he held her. He quickly climbed in next to her.

  “I’m sorry you’re hurt,” he offered.

  “Me too. I was so dumb, and I knew it. But I couldn’t help myself.”

  “Sometimes we do things we don’t mean to. No one blames you.”

  His voice was so soft and reassuring, nothing like earlier in the day.

  When they arrived at the hospital Dr. Weiss took care of checking her in. “We’ll start out in the emergency department for your x-ray, and then move you to a room later tonight, Scarlett.”

  She nodded, and was given a gown to change into. She shot a helpless look to Carter as the doctor prepared to make himself scarce. “Is the gown really necessary, Dr. Weiss?” he asked for her. “She’s obviously in pain, and there’s no one here to help her change.” She appreciated him trying to help her. The room was fuzzy and she was so exhausted.

  Dr. Weiss shrugged. “Don’t worry about the gown for now.” Within a few minutes, a woman in green scrubs arrived.

  “I’m Sharon,” she said with a smile. “I’ll be taking you for your x-ray. No, don’t get up—we’ll just take the whole bed, dear.”

  Scarlett glanced at Carter, wondering why he’d come back with her. Then they were in the hallway, and he was out of sight. Sharon pushed her through a series of hallways to an elevator. When they left the elevator, they went through a pair of swinging doors marked X-ray.

  Sharon positioned Scarlett’s foot and snapped some pictures, then returned her to the room. Carter was still waiting, and Scarlett sat in stiff silence, not sure what to say to him.

  “Sorry you got lost,” he said unexpectedly. “I should have offered to show you around, or asked Darren to. I just didn’t know what to do with you. I’m still surprised at how things happened,” he confessed. “I didn’t plan to be bringing you home with me last night, and I haven’t figured out all the details yet.”

  “You already apologized.”

  He didn’t respond. “So this was my father’s idea?” Scarlett asked, trying to hide her hurt at the knowledge.

  “It was his suggestion. I didn’t plan to agree, but somehow we both ended up here.”

  “Yes we did.” She wanted to add, hurt, because somehow she knew that was where this was going, for both of them.

  Dr. Weiss rejoined them, putting the x-ray films up on a lighted board. “No break. It’s just a very bad sprain, and you’re going to have to be off your feet for a few days.”

  “Does that mean I don’t have to stay?” Scarlett asked with relief. She hated hospitals more than anything.

  “I’m afraid you do. I want to monitor that concussion. If it worsens, I’ll need to have you here for a C.T. scan. If you’re fine by tomorrow morning, I’ll release you.”

  A nurse wrapped Scarlett’s ankle before she was once more transferred to a wheelchair and taken up to a room. After being settled in the bed, a nurse came in to give her a shot for the pain. Carter had hovered nearby during her exam and treatment, she was surprised to find she was comforted by his presence. He turned to leave with the nurse when she stopped him.

  “Would you stay with me until I fall asleep?”

  “Uh, sure,” he agreed.

  Scarlett smiled shyly. “It probably sounds dumb, but I just don’t want to be alone in here, you know? My mother died at Cedar-Sinai, and I’ve hated hospitals ever since.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “Cancer.” Scarlett didn’t give any more details, except to say, “We visited her every day, and my fear of hospitals sort of became a phobia. I really hate them.”

  “I understand. I remember going to see my father at the hospital right before he died. I was nineteen at the time, but it was still frightening.”

  “How did he die?”

  “A car accident,” Carter said, his tone betraying no hint of emotion. “He held on long enough for my family to say goodbye, and I’m grateful I got the chance.”

  “Were you close?”

  Carter nodded once, sharply. “Very close. He was a wonderful father, and I only hope I’m half as good if I ever have children.”

  “You want children?” Scarlett asked, mouth agape, she didn’t know how their conversation had taken this turn.

  “You seem surprised.”

  “No offense, but you don’t seem like the family man type. I can definitely see you as a captain of
industry, leading your company into the future, but I can’t see you bouncing a baby.”

  “What do you know of babies?”

  “Plenty. I used to babysit when I was younger. I wasn’t going to let my dad pay for everything.”

  “That’s admirable.”

  Scarlett watched a glint of light play on Carter’s eyes. He was interested, she could tell she intrigued him. Why else would he stay?

  5

  Scarlett

  Dr. Weiss arrived in Scarlett’s hospital room early the next morning. She blinked open sleep-heavy eyes, barely managing to focus on the clock hanging beside the television bolted on the wall. It read seven-forty, and she yawned, more of a reflex to the early hour than an actual tiredness. Her head was still heavy, and her thoughts fuzzy, but she wasn’t sleepy.

  “How are you feeling, Ms. Terini?” Dr. Weiss shone a bright light into her eyes.

  Wincing away from the light, Scarlett said grumpily, “I’ve felt better.”

  “How’s the head?” He mercifully removed the light from her eyes and gently turned her head to examine the bump.

  “Better,” Scarlett answered in a rush, not wanting to stay another minute. Even returning to Braxton’s home was better than staying in the hospital. “It feels kind of...” She searched for the word. “Um, full? Like there’s water sloshing around in my brain or something.”

  “That’s to be expected—just a result of the concussion. I don’t see any cause for alarm, Ms. Terini. I’ll get started on those discharge papers while you have a light breakfast, then give Mr. Braxton a call.”

  Scarlett’s stomach lurched with panic as she realized she didn’t know Carter’s number, and she had no other way to reach him. Was she going to be stuck in the hospital until he arrived? What if he decided to leave her there? Why hadn’t he stayed?