Deceiving Her Boss (17 page)

 
By the time Allie reappeared in her kitchen, Sean was pacing the floor.  He
looked like a caged animal, Allie thought.  A large ferocious man in her tiny
kitchen, and an impatient one at that.  But when he saw Allie, the look on his
face softened.

 
"You look nice," he said quietly.

 
"Thank you," she said, setting her purse and sweater down on the
kitchen table.

 
"Are you OK?" he asked, almost reluctantly.

 
She nodded.

 
"You were gone a long time," he pointed out softly.

 
"I know.  I'm sorry."

 
"Let's go, sweetheart," he said, holding out his hand.  "Things
will look better after they've had a while to sink in."

 
Allie looked at him curiously.  "So they've already sunk in for you?  You
decided this last night, didn't you?" she asked, realization dawning as
she thought about his resignation to the photo appearing.

 
"I saw it as an option," Sean admitted.  "Depending on whether
the photo was printed, and how incriminating it was."

 
"So that's why the thought of the photo appearing in the paper didn't
bother you.   You already had this plan in mind."

 
Sean didn't correct her.  In truth, the photo hadn't bothered him because if it
were published, it would force this issue to a head.  They needed to resolve
it, and now they couldn't procrastinate.  He wanted this woman, and if marriage
was how he would get her, then marriage it would be.

 
She sighed, gathering her things from the table and picking up her keys from
the counter.  "OK.  I'm ready," she said, refusing to look at Sean. 
But he stepped in front of her and gently lifted her chin until their eyes met.

 
"Never doubt that I have your best interests in mind here too,
Allie," he said softly.

 
She pulled away, but not before nodding slightly in response.  She moved to the
door and opened it, holding it for Sean to precede her on the way out, then
turning and locking it behind them.  He led her to his car and held the door
for her, then moved around to the driver's side.

 
"Do you have any preference where we go?" he asked her as he climbed
in beside her and turned to face her.

 
She shook her head.  "Surprise me," she said, her eyes meeting his at
last.

 
He took her down to the old part of town, where lots of little shops and street
vendors were set up, and they walked around, stopping in various stores to look
around, watching the ducks in the water, listening to various artists playing
their instruments of choice, and at last sitting down at a table overlooking
the water for lunch.

 
They didn't say much as they walked.  Allie was too busy thinking to talk, Sean
was trying to give her the space he knew she needed, and both were aware that
their relationship would change from this point forward.  But they were
comfortable together after knowing each other and working closely together for
so long.  When Sean touched her arm or her back to guide her through the crowd,
or when she took his hand to stop him when she wanted to look at something,
their movements were natural and unforced.

 
By the time they sat down for lunch, Allie felt a bit more relaxed.  Sean
didn't appear bothered at all by any of this, Allie realized, but he not only
had had more time to get used to it, but he had thought it up.  And although
she wanted to resent him for that, Allie couldn't.  If she could think of a
better solution to this mess, she'd offer it up.  But he was right.  His
reputation was on the line, and while she could move away and start over, he
couldn't.  So she'd help him.

 
The problem was down the road.  If they married in two weeks, then what?  How
long before they slept together?  A matter of days, probably, Allie conceded. 
And then, how long before he tired of her, and began a discreet affair?  Or
perhaps more likely, given his ethical code, how long before he began to plan
the divorce?  Would she be able to survive it?

 
She was in love with him.  She wasn't sure how she'd made it as long as she had
without realizing it, because when she thought back, she couldn't think of a
time when she hadn't loved him.  Even when she was just his faithful little assistant,
and he was the unattainable boss, she had loved him.  So sleeping with him
would mean a great deal to her.  It would be emotional, not just physical.  And
that's where the heartache would come in, down the road.  Because once Allie
gave her heart and her body, that was it.  She was a forever kind of girl.

 
Would he realize it at some point?  Take one look at her and know?  She would
rather cut off her arm than have him read that in her face, she thought. 
Because if he knew she was in love with him, he would both pity her and hate
her.  He was not a commitment kind of a guy.  This marriage thing would be a
brief diversion in his life.  But if he knew that she had given him her heart,
he'd feel nothing but contempt for her.  That's how he treated his women, she
knew.  They were never permanent fixtures, and he had no use for a woman who
held on to him after he had decided that they were through.

 
So her goal was to keep her heart guarded.  He would have her body, she was
sure of that.  But he couldn't have anything more from her.  She wouldn't be
able to share anything with him -- not her feelings, her hopes, her dreams --
all of that needed to stay inside of her.  She needed to keep her life as
separate from his as she could.  Then, when it was time for him to leave, she
wouldn't shatter.

 
Sean watched Allie as a million emotions flitted across her face, but none of
them stuck and none were fully recognizable.  He knew that she was thinking
about them, and about their future, and it bothered him a bit that she was
keeping it all inside.  But he knew that she needed to work things out in her
own brain before she could share them -- he had learned that about her over
time.  So he settled back in his chair and watched the water, letting her work
through her feelings on her own time.

 
When Allie finally reached some semblance of acceptance, she reached for her
water glass and the menu.  After placing their order with the waiter, they
looked across the table at each other.

 
"Will you be playing blackjack on our wedding night" Sean asked Allie
with a slight smile on his face.

 
"No.  The night before the wedding," she said, completely serious. 
"I'll use what I win to buy our champagne.  You'd better hope I win big or
you'll be drinking a $2 bottle out of a paper bag."

 
Sean grinned.  "I was your lucky charm last time around.  I'll hang out
with you this time, and maybe we'll be able to afford the good stuff."

 
Allie smiled then.  "There's always the slots, if my blackjack skills turn
out to be lousy.  I may have had beginner's luck last time."

 
Sean laughed.  "I'll pack a few rolls of quarters," he said.

 
Despite the tension between them, their lunch was fairly relaxing.  They fell
back into a normal routine as they ate, and by the time the meal was over, it
was almost as if nothing had changed.  After Sean paid the bill, they strolled
back to the car.  As they got in, he started the car and then turned to her.

 
"Allie, listen.  I want you to feel free to choose whatever ring you
want.  Don't worry about the expense -- this is my gift to you."

 
She nodded.  "I'll give it back to you when this is over, Sean.  I know
this is just a prop for..."  She didn't have a chance to finish her
sentence.  Sean had turned off the ignition and reached for her.  Holding her
chin firmly in one hand, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.  Hard.  A
bruising, punishing kiss.  A kiss that dominated, rather than seduced.  But,
God help her, she responded.  And that's when Sean broke the kiss and lifted
his head, looking directly into her eyes.  Still holding her face steadily in
his hand, he spoke softly, almost coldly.

 
"There will be no talk of divorce between us, Allie.  And no talk of
props, or acting, or games.  This is real, and it's us.  You are marrying me in
two weeks, Allie.  And that ring will stay on your finger.  Do you understand
me?" he asked.

 
"But...  but you said..."

 
"What did I say, Allie?"

 
"That it would last for as long as it takes.  I assumed that when things
died down, and the rumors went away..."

 
"You assumed wrong. "

 
"But..."

 
"I told you, Allie.  You will be my wife.  I take that very
seriously."

 
"Seriously enough to marry me without loving me?"

 
Sean was silent.  Silent for long enough that Allie began to wonder if he had
seen through her, and seen her love for him.

 
Finally, he stroked his thumb over her cheek gently, and softly said,
"I'll be very good to you, Allie.  I will be faithful, and I will be
committed.  I hope that's enough for you."

 
She said nothing, just held his gaze with her own.  Finally, she pulled away
and looked straight ahead.  "You don't give me much choice," she said
quietly.

 
They drove in silence to the jeweler's.  When they pulled up outside the shop,
Sean turned to Allie.  "OK, here is our first test, sweetheart.  Can you
pretend to be madly in love while we pick out a ring?"

 
"I can," she said quietly.  "Can you?"

 
Sliding out from the passenger seat, she waited for Sean to join her on the
sidewalk before linking her hand with his.  She smiled up at him, in what she
hoped was an adoring manner, and watched as he smiled back down at her,
squeezing her hand while he did so.

 
"Mr. Greyson, welcome.  And congratulations!  This must be your charming
fiancée."

 
"Hi Sal," he said, shaking the other man's hand as he introduced
Allie.  "This is Allie.  Allie, this is Sal, one of the most talented
jewelers in the metro area."

 
"
One
of the most?" Sal asked, his countenance changing to a
scowl.

 
"OK, OK, THE most.  I just didn't want to swell your head anymore than it
already is."

 
Allie laughed at the exchange.  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sal,"
she said as she shook the man's hand.

 
"Come in, come in.  Let's find the perfect ring."

 
Allie saw it almost immediately.  It was small, far smaller than she assumed
that Sean would want her to wear, but it was a square diamond, set in a very
simple white gold band.   When she pointed to it, Sean looked at her
incredulously.  "Sweetheart, are you sure?  You wouldn't want something
more... well..."

 
"Bigger?" she smiled up at him.  "No.  I like simple.  If it
were up to me, I'd probably forgo the engagement ring entirely.  No offense,
Sal," she added immediately.  "This is beautiful, though.  I'd wear
it and love it."

 
Sal looked at the ring she chose and then up at her face.  He glanced over at
the man next to her and said,  "She's right, Sean.  She's not the type to
wear something ostentatious.  She needs a ring to match her, not you.  You can
afford any piece of jewelry in this store, and everyone knows it.  But the ring
that you choose for her reflects your love for her.  It needs to show that you
understand her and want what she wants."

 
"Will you at least try on a few other rings, sweetheart, just to be sure
that you're not choosing something based on what you've always had, not what
you want?"

 
She smiled and shrugged.  "Sure.  You and Sal choose."
  But even though Sal brought out some lovely rings, and some equally
pretentious ones, at the end she still wanted the ring she'd first seen when
she walked in the store.

 
"I'm sorry, Sal.  I'm a bad fiancée," she teased as Sean was over
with Sal's assistant, taking care of payment.  "You should have been able
to milk this engagement for a few hundred thousand dollars at the very least. 
But I'll be back here in the future.  Your designs are absolutely beautiful."

 
"Thank you, Allie," Sal said with a smile.  "And I'll still be
able to milk your fiancé for a few more dollars.  He won't be content to only
give you this ring.  Not when he saw your eyes light up at some of the other
pieces in here."

 
Allie laughed lightly.  "Good.  We appreciate you opening up for us
today.  The least we can do is bring you a bit of business."

 
As Allie and Sean left the store, Sal shook their hands.  "Sean, if you
don't make her happy, I'm going to steal her away from you," he threatened
with a smile.  "She's the nicest woman I've ever seen you with, and if you
blow it, I'll make you sorry."

 
Sean shook his head.  "You don't stand a chance, Sal my man.  She's
mine."

 
Allie looked down at her finger as they left the store.  "It's beautiful,
Sean," she said quietly.  "Thank you."

 
He leaned down and kissed her gently on the cheek as he opened the car door for
her.  "You're welcome, sweetheart."