by Ella Jade
“You want me to go to a wedding with you?”
“It’s in Connecticut. I would require your services until Sunday afternoon. All of your expenses would be paid, including a wardrobe which would be yours to keep after the weekend.”
“You need a date?”
“I would need you to appear as my girlfriend.”
“Is this a joke?”
“I wouldn’t joke about something like this. I’ve thought the entire thing through.”
“A man who looks like you should have no problem finding a real girlfriend to buy clothes for and flaunt in front of his family.” She thought for a moment. “Unless there’s something wrong with you.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me.” He raised his voice a bit. “I had planned on attending alone but circumstances have changed. I’m in a bind and from what I gather, you are too.”
Her instincts screamed to run in the opposite direction. She’d never been the type to fall for a scam. “I’m not interested in—”
“I’ll pay you two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for your time.”
“What?” Apparently a side of crazy came with those good looks.
“One hundred and twenty-five thousand today, if you agree.” He pulled out a check from the inside pocket of the jacket he had draped on the back of the chair. He slipped the mint green paper across the table. “You’ll get the rest on Sunday afternoon.”
“That’s fifty grand a day.” She studied the check. It would take her years to make that kind of money working these shit-end jobs.
“I’m aware.” He nodded as if the money meant nothing. “I’m asking for your time, a commodity I believe should be well compensated.”
Too good to be true.
“Do you make it a habit of paying women to be your girlfriend?”
“Pretend girlfriend,” he reminded her. “You would be the first.”
“Why me?”
“Does it matter?”
“What exactly do you expect me to do for that money?”
“I told you.” He narrowed his eyes. “I need a date for a long weekend. Everyone needs to think we’re a couple.”
“You’re willing to pay me to go away with you for four days. I’m supposed to take your word we’re going to a wedding in Connecticut? How do I know you won’t kidnap me and want to do all sorts of kinky stuff to me? You could be some sex-obsessed lunatic.”
“Kinky stuff?”
“Yeah, you know, like bondage and blindfolds.”
“Do you like that sort of thing?” He tried to conceal his smirk.
Her heart rate increased at the thought of this totally hot guy tying her to a bed. He looked like a man who was good at being in control. The kind of control a girl wouldn’t mind relinquishing for a few hours or even a weekend.
“I can assure you sex will not be part of this deal. My cousin is marrying the governor’s son on Saturday.” He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a file. “All of the details are in here, including what time my car will pick you up tomorrow to take you to my friend’s boutique in the city. She’ll help you with everything you’ll need for the weekend. I’ll meet you there and we’ll leave for New Haven.”
“Do you know how crazy this sounds?”
“I do.”
“Two hundred and fifty thousand?” She glanced at the check. Another opportunity like this one would never present itself again. The money could help pay off her bills and fund better drugs and treatment for her mother’s illness. “How do I know this won’t bounce?”
“Bounce?” His voice was softer as his lips curled into a smile. “Are you serious?”
“I don’t joke about money.”
“Neither do I, Ms. Vercelli. That gives us some common ground to start with.”
“I don’t know.” How could she be expected to take this offer seriously?
“I can accompany you to the bank right now and we can cash that check. What do you say? Will you take my offer more seriously then?”
His aggressive side piqued her interest. What was it about her that captivated him? Why her?
“I need some time to think about it.”
“I don’t have time. I need your answer now. I’ll make sure your shifts are covered here. Do we have a deal?”
She didn’t answer him. Instead she studied his expression. Would four days away with a gorgeous billionaire be so bad? She’d never had a vacation before unless she counted the long weekends to Sea Side Heights when she was a kid. The benefits of what that money could pay for outweighed the cons. No one would have to know she had accepted his offer. She could tell her mom she needed to go on a job interview and explain everything later. Their problems would be solved.
Cannon looked at his watch as he cleared his throat. “Have you made your decision?”
“You’re not a patient man, are you?”
“I’m afraid not.” He leaned back in his chair. “I’m a busy man.”
“Is that why you can’t find a real girlfriend?”
He ignored her question. “I’m a closer. I negotiate until both sides get what they want. What do you want to close this deal?”
He really did want to treat this as a business arrangement.
“You have to tell me why you need a date.”
“It’s not important.”
“It is to your potential weekend girlfriend.”
He opened his mouth but before he could speak she corrected herself.
“Your potential pretend weekend girlfriend. You asked what my terms were and now I’m telling you.” She arched a brow at him. “I’ll walk.”
She had him. He’d already stated he didn’t have time. He must have been pretty desperate to seek out a waitress from Brooklyn.
He stared her down for a few moments with that intimating glare of his but what did she have to lose? If he really needed her, he’d have to answer her question.
“You’re a bit of a negotiator yourself, I see.”
“The ball’s in your court.”
“My ex-girlfriend is in the wedding party. We had a messy breakup but I thought she’d moved on. Apparently, she’s looking to rekindle our relationship this weekend.” He sighed. “I have no interest in that. However, her family owns half of my company so there’s a lot of pressure for us to get together. It’s a delicate situation.”
“Ava Carrington?” She blurted out.
“How did you know that?”
“I follow the tabloids and the social magazines. I’ve seen the two of you in there.”
Coda had also had the pleasure of meeting the stuck-up woman one night when she was in the art department at Cannon and Carrington Advertising. Coda hung around some of the graphic artists who worked late meeting deadlines. A few of them helped her with her portfolio and taught her some new computer programs. Ava had cracked some snide comment about them fraternizing with the housekeeper. There was no way a woman like Ava Carrington would remember someone like Coda but Coda never forgot her.
“If Ava and I were to get married, it would be beneficial to both families. I do not want to marry this woman, and I don’t want to lead her on. Most importantly, I want my family, especially my grandfather, to see that my bachelorhood is not on the auction block. I need you to convince them of that.”
His gaze softened, making him appear genuine and not as scary as he first seemed. How bad could a man who didn’t want to hurt an ex-girlfriend be?
“I’ll do it.”
“You will?”
“Like you said, we both need something. You’re willing to compensate me for my time and I’ll do whatever it takes to make your ex see you’ve moved on.” Coda thought it might be interesting to see that snob’s reaction at Spencer walking in with a date. “With me.”
“Good.” He rested his chin on his fingers, appearing more relaxed than a few moments ago. “I’m hoping this will be the motivation everyone needs to see I’m not marrying her.”
“I can be a pretty good actress.
” She held up the check. “You’ve given me my inspiration.”
“I’ll speak with your boss about you needing some days off.”
“That won’t be necessary. The girls around here owe me for picking up shifts for them. I’ll take care of it. I’ll have to call out from the cleaning service the next few days though.”
“Consider it done.” He extended his hand. “I take it we have a deal?”
“We do, Spencer.” She shook his strong hand but when she went to pull away he didn’t let go.
“Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He brought her knuckles to his mouth and brushed his lips across them.
“Yeah, tomorrow.” She watched his lips graze along her hand. She could feel his hot breath on her fingers.
Shit!
“Bye, Coda.” He stood, put his jacket on, grabbed his briefcase, and strolled out of the restaurant as if this were some ordinary business transaction.
Coda watched his every action wondering what she’d gotten herself into.
Chapter 2
Coda must have been out of her mind to accept a proposal like this. Being paid to accompany a billionaire on a weekend getaway was like something out of a movie. Things like this didn’t happen to girls like her. But she found herself in the upscale Manhattan boutique trying on every designer dress in the place anyway. In an hour she’d be headed to Connecticut with a complete stranger.
What choice did she have? She and her mother were one month away from being evicted. The bills had piled up and her mother needed physical therapy for her back. The insurance company only paid a percentage and without the therapy her mom wouldn’t be able to go back to work. Coda saw an opportunity and she took it. She knew how to survive.
“Here, sweetie.” Kendal Mason, the owner of the boutique came into the dressing room and handed her six matching bra and panty sets. “You’ll need these too.”
“Um, underwear? I don’t need those.” She did have some of her own clothes. She didn’t need Cannon paying for her unmentionables too.
“No offense.” Kendal glanced down at the cheap bra she wore. “You could use some new underwear. Trust me, Spencer will love these on you.”
“No, it’s not like that.” Heat crept up the back of her neck.
“Don’t be embarrassed. Spencer’s discreet. He didn’t tell me anything, but when a man is willing to drop fifteen grand in an hour so you have everything you need for the weekend, I’m betting he’s going to see your panties.”
“Fifteen thousand dollars?” Coda needed to sit down. She was aware that Cannon had tons of money but she never imagined she’d ever see so much.
“That’s a bargain. You’re getting three designer dresses, shoes, lingerie, and casual clothes for five days. I wanted to do jewelry too but Spencer told me not to overwhelm you.”
“Of course, because spending thousands of dollars in less than an hour shouldn’t overwhelm me.”
“It’s not an issue for Spencer. You must be pretty important to him.”
“I can’t try anything else on.” Coda had tried on at least thirty dresses and countless jeans, shirts, and shoes. If she couldn’t handle the shopping portion of the deal, how would she manage pulling off being the billionaire’s girlfriend?
“I’m having everything folded and neatly packed into your luggage.”
“Luggage?” Coda had shown up to the boutique with a duffle bag she’d gotten from a department store giveaway.
“I took care of that too.”
“Is there anything you haven’t taken care of?”
Kendal was Wonder Woman in couture. Who needs a cape?
“I get paid well to dress women like you. Spencer asked and I was happy to oblige.”
“Are the two of you... I mean, were the two of you...” Coda didn’t know why she cared but her curiosity had gotten the better of her. “Did you date?” A real girlfriend would ask that question.
“No.” Kendal smiled but didn’t offer any more information on the subject. “Wear this adorable outfit today.” Kendal handed Coda a simple sleeveless, dark green dress. “The brown knee high boots go with that one. I’ll make sure all of these get into your suitcase.” She took the underwear and headed to the front of the store.
Coda changed into the dress and zipped up the boots. She took in her reflection in the full length mirror. Not bad. Expensive clothes and sexy panties really did make a difference. She pulled her hair up off her neck.
“Leave it down.” A deep voice from the direction of doorway startled her.
She spun around to find Spencer, dressed in a meticulous navy suit, leaning against the doorframe. Her stomach quivered when she took in his perfectly styled dark brown hair and those mesmerizing blue eyes.
“I didn’t mean to surprise you.” He walked into the dressing room. “Kendal said you were just about finished. I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed.”
“I have too much,” she said. “I don’t feel right about all of this stuff. I don’t think I need that many clothes.”
“You’ll be at the hotel for four days. We have three dinners to attend, four breakfasts, and a cocktail party when we arrive tonight. You look lovely.”
“Thank you.” She released her hair. “You want me to wear it down.”
“If you wouldn’t mind indulging my request.” He gazed at her locks. “It’s very beautiful. I like the way it curls at the ends.”
“You’re the boss, so whatever you want.”
“Part of the deal is that you convince people we’re a couple.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her out of the dressing room. “You probably don’t want to refer to me as your boss. They may get the wrong impression.”
“Oh, right. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. The sooner we start pretending the easier it will be.”
“Kendal really thinks I’m your girlfriend?” Coda nodded in the direction of the approaching boutique owner.
“Why else would I send you here to buy a wardrobe?”
“She probably thinks I’m really good in bed.” She placed her hand on his shoulder and pulled him closer to him.
“What?” he whispered, clearly shocked by her statement.
“Kiss me.” Her heart pounded hard against her chest when she brushed her lips against his. “Right now.”
Spencer wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his lips to hers just as Kendal made her presence known.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she said. “All of the bags are loaded into the car.”
Spencer grinned at Coda before acknowledging Kendal. “Thank you for all you’ve done to help Dakota.”
“It was my pleasure. Wait until you see what we’ve come up with.” Kendal winked at Coda. “You two have fun this weekend. I hope you’ll come back soon.”
“Thanks for your help. You did a great job with picking everything out.” Coda took Spencer’s hand. “Are you ready to go?”
Spencer said goodbye to Kendal before leading Coda out to the car waiting for them.
“Convincing enough?” she asked as she put on her sunglasses.
“Very.”
A large man, no more than thirty, dressed in a black suit came around and opened the door to a black car.
“Coda, this is Andrew, my driver.”
“Hello, Ms. Vercelli.” He smiled. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” Coda slipped into the backseat of the sleek vehicle that smelled of new leather and watched as Spencer spoke to Andrew. After a minute, Spencer joined her.
“Do you need to make any stops before we head to New Haven? The hotel is a converted old mansion on a sprawling estate. They have a small gift shop and will accommodate us with whatever you need, but if there is something specific you want, it would be easier for us to get it before we leave the city.”
“I’m fine.” She waved her hands. “This is going to take some getting used to. The last time I was in a car like this was for my senior prom. Do you always
travel this way?”
“Usually,” he said as he hit the button that raised the glass divider. “I live in the city, so it’s easier to have a driver. My schedule fills with meetings and I’m in the car a lot. I can utilize the travel time if I’m not driving.”
“So, you’re the CEO? That makes you the one in charge?”
“Something like that.” He laughed. “I still have to go through my grandfather and his partner for most decisions.”
“You don’t like that?”
“Not really, but they’ve trusted me enough to get the job done. I can’t complain.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-nine.”
“That’s impressive to be so young and in charge of one of the biggest advertising agencies in New York City.”
“You know about Cannon and Carrington?”
“Just because I’m your cleaning woman doesn’t mean I can’t know who I clean for.”
“I didn’t say that. I guess we need to take this car ride to learn about one another. How long have you been waitressing at the diner?”
“Five years. I started my freshman year of college.”
“Where did you go to school?”
“NYU. How about you?”
“Princeton. What did you study?” His phone interrupted their conversation. He glanced at the screen. “I’m sorry, I have to take this.”
“That’s okay.” She pulled out her phone. “I’ll text my mom and let her know I’m on my way out of town.”
SPENCER HAD BEEN ON and off the phone for most of the car ride. He hadn’t meant to take so many calls but if he lost this new account he’d never hear the end of it from Jack and Pierce. There had to be a way to satisfy this client, but damned if he could figure out what that way would be.
He placed his laptop in his bag and slipped his phone inside his pocket. Coda’s head rested against the window and her eyes were closed. He wondered when she had drifted off. Her slow, soft breathing had a calming effect on him. He’d been uptight and stressed over this deal. He’d hoped to have the approval signed off on before today but the client kept coming back with problems.
“Sir,” Andrew spoke through the speaker. “We’ll be at the hotel in about three minutes. It’s up around this bend.”
