by Jane Keeler
“What’s wrong?”
“I just realized I left my book on the bus.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Karlee tried to put on a cheerful face but she was disappointed. She loved reading, and always felt more secure knowing she had a book with her at all times. She felt a little annoyed that she’d lost her book for a man who probably had more money than J.K Rowling herself. “It’s just a book.”
“I’ll get you a new one.”
“No, that’s okay. So, can I ask you a question?” After all, that was why she’d gotten off the bus in the first place. To get a story. Otherwise, what was the point?
“I’ll answer your question if you answer mine.”
Karlee laughed. “Sure. Although I don’t know why you want to find out about me. I can assure you that my life is very boring in comparison to yours. Now, my question—why on earth were you on a bus?”
“Because I had a terrible fight with my father, and I’m tired of him telling me what I can and cannot do. I caught a bus because I knew it was the last place he’d think to look for me.”
“That was a smart move. I mean, I was sure it was you on the bus, but I told myself it couldn’t be because I knew a guy like you would never catch the bus. Okay, next question—”
Gabe put up his hand to stop her. “Not so fast. My turn. Why don’t you have any money?”
“Wow, that’s personal.” Karlee hadn’t quite expected a question like that to come her way.
Gabe was determined to get to the bottom of it. “Well, you have a good job from the sounds of it, and you seem like a competent person. So, why no money?”
Karlee sighed. If she was going to get anything out of this conversation with him, she might as well be honest. “Because my mother is sick, and most of my money goes towards her medical bills.”
Gabe’s face went ashen. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay. It’s no big secret. Now, what was the fight with your dad about?”
“You probably saw the tabloids. Angelica Trelegan’s tell-all story about our relationship. We dated seriously for about six months, but her true love was always Hollywood. I think she saw me as a means to an end, and when I didn’t come through with introductions to producers and the like, she dumped me. Selling the story was her way of squeezing one last little drop out of our relationship… God, I hate reporters! Bunch of vultures!”
Uh-oh. Karlee would have to tread carefully. She wasn’t a tabloid reporter, but it sounded like Gabe’s wounds were still fresh.
“Anyway,” Gabe continued. “My father decided he’d had the last of me running around loose and it was time I settled down. With some nice young lady of good family and strong character.”
Karlee appreciated his honest answer. She didn’t actually read the gossip magazines very often, but that story had been hard to miss. Her heart went out to Gabe.
“So I take it you don’t approve?”
“You’d be right. My father has someone in mind already.”
“What if she’s drop-dead gorgeous?”
“Who cares? I want someone I have a connection with. I know you think I’m some big player who only wants models, but you’d be wrong.”
Karlee found herself blushing. He was right. She did think he’d be that sort of guy. He certainly portrayed himself as such. She liked his answer. Very much. “Okay, well, that’s good. I’m sorry to hear about your father. There’s no way of changing his mind? I suppose not, seeing as you’ve run away.”
“No chance at all. He’s not the easiest man to talk to sometimes. Look, I know he means well, and he thinks he’s looking after my best interests and all, but he needs to realize that his interests are not necessarily my interests.”
“And that’s when you bolted?”
“That’s when I bolted. Right, your turn. So, do you have a boyfriend? And if not, why not?”
“Two questions in one. Ballsy,” she said. Why were his questions so personal? “Uh, no boyfriend. Single and ready to mingle.” She grimaced. Single and ready to mingle? Did she seriously just say that? “Actually, not much mingling going on either. I’ve been single for about six months now. It wasn’t like I was in a super-bad relationship or anything, but I was with the same guy for two years, even though we both knew we weren’t right for each other.”
Karlee pushed the hair out of her face. “I decided eventually that it wasn’t worth it. It was hard to break up with him, because he was a decent enough guy and things weren’t that bad between us, but it was the right thing to do. So I guess I’ve been taking some time to figure out what I want.”
“And have you figured it out?”
“Well, you’ll have to wait and see, because my turn is over. Now I want to know more about you. What are your plans in New York?”
He laughed. “I have no idea.”
“Oh come on, you must have a plan of some sort. I mean, why New York?”
“Uh… Because I have a place there and I like it. Because that’s where the first bus was going? I don’t know. I guess I figured I’d just make a plan once I got there, but I honestly don’t know. I mean, I guess it’s silly. My father is going to find out. He has a lot of contacts and he’ll know how to find me. Maybe I just wanted to shock him a bit. Make him realize I will walk away from him if I have to.”
“Does walking away from him mean no more inheritance?” She hoped he didn’t notice the extra question.
“Sadly, yes. And yes, I know how horrible that makes me sound.”
“Are you crazy? Of course it doesn’t. I’d hate to walk away from money like that. And it’s your life. It’s what you know. It’s all you know. I honestly don’t think you sound horrible at all. But trust me—you’re better off following your heart.”
He sighed. “Yeah, that’s what I keep telling myself.
They sat like that for a while, chatting and finishing off their sandwiches and coffee, and even getting more from the lady now dubbed ‘the nicest shop owner in the world.’
Karlee was surprised at how thoughtful and articulate he was. He was certainly clueless about many aspects of what she deemed a normal life, but he definitely wasn’t stupid. In fact, she couldn’t help but think of him as charming. He was certainly way more open about his life than she expected him to be. In return, she was open with him too… mostly.
It had been a long time since anyone had taken such an interest in her life, and it was nice being able to talk to him about it. Even though she was almost certain she was not his type—in other words, not a model—he made her feel pretty. It didn’t matter whether he really found her attractive or not. It was nice to have someone make her feel that way for a change.
It was getting late and they still weren’t sure what they were going to do. Karlee decided to phone and find out when the next bus would be arriving, and was startled to find out there wasn’t another one coming that day. The soonest they could expect another bus was first thing the next morning.
“I have an idea,” she said to Gabe when she told him about their predicament.
“Oh yeah?”
“Just let me check something real quick…” She moved away from him so he couldn’t listen in on the call. She might be able to get her boss to spring for a night in a hotel and a bus ticket.
She phoned Mr. Grossman and, after a long and acrimonious discussion, he finally agreed. He made her promise she’d get more details than what she already had, but she could hear in his voice that he was impressed with her.
She’d gotten off a bus in the middle of nowhere to follow up on the story, and he couldn’t deny that she was doing her job. Perhaps she wouldn’t get fired after all. When she got back from her call he lifted his eyebrows in question and she gave him two big thumbs up.
“Let’s go!” she told him. “We have a hotel room waiting for us: I saw one just down the street.”
“So how did you get a hotel room? I thought you didn’t have any money.”
“My boss paid for it.
I’m on assignment for him, after all.” The lie tasted foul in Karlee’s mouth. She comforted herself with the thought that it wasn’t a real lie, exactly—it was just that she had omitted to tell Gabe the whole truth. The evasion did little to pacify her guilt.
Luckily the rain slacked off, though it was getting windy. At least they were able to make it to the hotel without getting soaked.
Chapter 8
“Hi, uh, Mr. Grossman called and booked a room for us? It’s for Gabe and Karlee,” she said to the woman at reception.
Her boss had told her to leave it to him, but she had a sudden fear he’d booked one room instead of two. He didn’t believe in spending money on his employees and she wouldn’t put it past him. She was both relieved, and, strangely, slightly disappointed to discover he had actually booked one room for each of them.
“We only had two rooms left. Unfortunately one of the rooms doesn’t have a bathroom, so you’ll have to share. I am sorry about this, but it was very last-minute. In addition, Mr. Grossman said he checked the timetable and the bus will arriving at seven tomorrow morning. He said he transferred money into your account to pay for the tickets. He also asked us to provide you with some food, so you’ll find picnic baskets in your rooms. The kitchen is closed, so I hope you’ll find that satisfactory.”
Karlee found herself blushing for no apparent reason. Perhaps it was the idea that this stranger knew so much about her life and her lack of money. Maybe it was the thought that she and Gabe had to share a bathroom. She thanked the receptionist and took the keys.
“You can take the room with the bathroom,” she said quickly.
“No, it’s yours. But do you mind if I come in and have a shower?”
“Of course not. You’re welcome to it. Why don’t you bring your food over to my room? We can eat and then shower.” The minute she said the words she regretted it. She made it sound like they were on a date, or as if they were going to shower together or something. Thankfully Gabe didn’t seem to notice her embarrassment.
“Great. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Karlee smiled when she saw her room. In a way she was glad for all the problems they had encountered and the fact that she had jumped off the bus to chase a story. It meant she got to sleep in a nice hotel bed rather than on the bus.
Karlee couldn’t remember the last time she’d been in a hotel. She was saving all the money she could to help pay for her mother’s treatment. A hotel was too much of a luxury to indulge in. Gabe knocked on the door far sooner than the ten minutes he’d said he’d be. She opened it and smiled.
“We had those sandwiches not too long ago, but I’m hungry again. Come in.”
“Wow, your room is nice.”
“Oh no, is yours awful?”
He laughed. “No, my room is fine. I’m just kidding.”
They sat on the bed and created a sort of picnic. There was bread, dip, mini pizzas, salad and a little bottle of wine. It was lovely.
Karlee smiled. “This is nice. I forgot how much I like hotels.”
He grimaced. “Yeah, but this isn’t really a hotel.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s tiny. It’s more like a motel really.”
Karlee felt immediately annoyed. “It’s a hotel to me. Not everyone can afford luxury, you know.”
He looked crestfallen. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. Man, I sound like an idiot sometimes. I forget how privileged I am.”
They talked for a while and polished off most of the food. Soon Karlee found herself yawning. “Sorry.” She covered her mouth. “I’m exhausted. Bus rides always do that to me.”
“That’s okay. Why don’t you go shower? I’ll go in after you and then we can get some sleep.”
Karlee took a long shower, relishing the warm water and the strawberry-smelling shampoo. There was a big bathrobe in the room, which she wrapped around herself. Then she headed out. It was very strange to come out of a shower and see Gabe sitting on her bed. Strange, but nice.
“Your turn. The shower is great.”
Gabe grinned and took off his shirt. She tried not to gape but found she couldn’t look away. Gabe was even better looking with his shirt off than he was with it on—something she didn’t think was even possible. As he got to the bathroom he unbuttoned his jeans and then slowly closed the door. He smiled at her as he did so and she was sure he was flirting with her.
She shook her head violently when the door closed. “Stop it!” she whispered to herself. Gabe was obviously like this with all the girls. She was nothing special. He knew he could get any girl he wanted and he couldn’t help himself. She needed to be smart about this.
The only problem was that later, when he was out of the shower and back in his room, she couldn’t get his shirtless image out of her head. Especially because when he came out the shower he’d only had a small towel wrapped around his waist. He’d apologized and told her she’d taken the only bathrobe. She gulped and smiled and pretended it was the most normal thing in the world for her to entertain gorgeous half-naked men in her hotel room.
She told herself to get a grip and start thinking with her head again. She needed to concentrate, and there would be no more thinking of Gabe without his shirt on or what that bulge in the towel promised. She could feel a tingling in her pussy and knew she was getting wet.
Her fingers started to drift, almost unbidden, between her legs. Her own wetness surprised her. She touched the fullness of her clit, rubbing it in small circles, and then slid her fingers deep inside. She tried to think of other men she had known or had sex with, but her mind kept snapping back to Gabe. She thought about his cock sliding in and out of her, and it was enough to bring her to a fast, shuddering orgasm that almost made her sob with its intensity.
She slept well, and got up the next morning ready for action. There was no time for breakfast, but they’d been smart enough to save a bit of their leftover food to eat on the bus that morning.
They got onto the bus and found seats next to each other without saying a word. Then, out of the blue, Gabe handed her a box of chocolates.
“What’s this for?” It was a big box with a nice assortment of flavors. It looked good, it was just completely unexpected.
“I thought I’d pay you back for that chocolate bar you shared with me. It really did help me feel better.” He seemed a little taken aback at her abruptness.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be nasty. I really am happy with the chocolate. Mmmm… dark chocolate, my favorite! Why don’t you share it with me? It was nice of you, Gabe. I guess I just want you to see that money is not the only way to happiness. I’m happy to just sit and talk to you. Honestly.”
He laughed. “Really? Hmm… I’m not used people liking me for who I am. This is strange for me. You a lot more independent than I am. I thought I was, but I’m starting to realize I have no idea about the real world.”
“Well, that’s what I’m here for.” She smiled at him.
He grinned back. “Thanks Karlee. Now, give me a piece of chocolate.”
“So demanding.” She laughed.
They spent the next few hours sharing chocolate and eating the breakfast they had packed for themselves at the hotel. It was only later that Karlee realized she still didn’t have any information for her article on Gabe and Braxton Industries. She didn’t know anything more than she had when she phoned her boss the day before.
She knew Mr. Grossman wanted more from her, but she didn’t feel like talking business just yet. Mostly because she actually quite liked Gabe, and he was being very open and honest with her. So much so that she found it difficult to be a ‘reporter’ around him. All she really wanted to do was talk to him as a friend. I’ll get the dirt another time, she told herself, and settled in for another long chat.
Chapter 9
The bus ride was long, and Gabe wasn’t sure he’d have gotten through it without Karlee next to him. She was so easy to talk to, and he found himself wa
nting to know more and more about her. She probed him about his ex-girlfriends and he was ashamed to admit he didn’t have many.
“What? The great Gabriel Braxton doesn’t have many ex-girlfriends? I don’t believe it.”
“Hey, I didn’t say I haven’t been with a lot of women. I just haven’t had many girlfriends. Angelica was the only long-term girlfriend I’ve had in the past year, and you know how that turned out. Trust me, having a relationship is not easy for me. The paparazzi watch my every move, so getting close to anyone is always hard. Eventually I just found it easy to sleep with women rather than to be in a relationship. Sounds awful, I know.”
“Sounds sad, actually,” she said. “So, have you ever been in love?”
“Once.” He sighed. He hadn’t thought about Jessica in a very long time. It was easier not to. “When I was eighteen. She was the first and the only girl I ever loved. She was beautiful.”
“So what was the problem?”
“She was poor.”
“Oh.”
He nodded. “Yeah. Even though she was studying to be a nurse, my father refused to believe she was good enough for me. Can you believe it? A smart, beautiful girl like that, and he said no. He said she was probably only after my money.”
“And you let her walk away?”
“I was young, and I didn’t want to disappoint my family; and, yes, of course, I didn’t want to lose out on all that money. Selfish, I know. It’s my biggest regret.”
“What happened to Jessica?”
“Last I heard, she was married and living in Boston. Happy.”
Karlee reached out and squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry.”
For a brief moment he thought they might kiss. Their eyes locked and they just looked at each other for a while. It was as if a wall had come crumbling down. He’d never told anyone about Jessica before.
Before anything could happen the bus came to a halt, and two policemen stepped on board. Gabe was sure they were there to ask him about the mugger, but they weren’t even looking at him. They said something to driver and walked forward to address the passengers.
