Facade (23 page)
Authors: Kim Carmichael
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Mythology & Folk Tales, #Contemporary, #Romance, #Fairytale, #Hollywood, #contemporary romance
Once again she found herself face to face with him.
“This time next year, your own business is perfectly set up and you’ll have seven figures to do with what you please.”
Seven figures? Images of stacks of money, stacks and stacks of money like a cartoon appeared in her mind. She barely ever had three figures to her name let alone seven. Still, she opened her mouth, inhaling to get the power to tell him exactly what she thought of his offer, how she couldn’t be bought and sold.
“Don’t give me the line about money not buying happiness.” He leaned forward. “It may not buy happiness, but it buys security, wellbeing and potential.”
Maybe the man should have been an attorney instead. She almost believed him. Almost. “I am sure if you have all that money you could find a different girl much better suited for your needs.” She pointed toward the street. “Hollywood and Vine may have what you’re looking for.”
He held his hands out as if tossing the ball into her court.
Curiosity alone made her ask the next question. At least she told herself it was curiosity and not consideration. “What would this marriage entail?”
“Funny you should ask. I happen to have a prenuptial agreement I can tweak rather easily.” He reached into his suit jacket pocket and pulled out a folded paper. “For the duration of the year we would need to live at my family’s mansion. We would have our own wing.”
“Of course, and I’m assuming a chef, maid and butler as well.” The minute she returned home she needed one heck of a cleansing to make everything she heard go away.
“Five maids, maybe six, one butler, several various assistants, a chef, and a chauffeur.” He flicked the paper. “We need to be in the same bed every night. We must be together by midnight.”
“What happens if we’re not? Will you turn into a monster?” She tapped her foot. “Actually, I think you’re already a monster, so maybe we’ll all turn into pumpkins.”
“I never want us to appear anything other than happily married.” He went on without a hitch. “We spend the holidays up with my grandparents in Vermont.”
“You have grandparents?”
“We all have our shortcomings.” He shrugged. “I am not to compensate you for your year of service.”
“But…” She swore before this conversation finished she would slap him or herself for thinking about the monetary gain and she forced the visions of those perfect piles of money out of her consciousness.
“However, there’s a loophole even my father didn’t consider.” He raised one finger. “I am allowed to be involved in your line of work, and every decent husband gives his wife a monthly allowance. How else can you do all the things that make you a good wife?”
“I don’t think anyone could make you a good wife, least of all me.” She curtseyed. A long forgotten tingle in the back of her nose indicated tears might be on the way. “I bid you goodnight Mr. Van Ayers, and thank you for my bedtime story.”
“You know, until I saw you tonight I gave up. I never give up.”
A nuance in his voice, a small shake, a fault in the perfect timbre made her pause. Nan always told her to look for the subtle signs. The truth and the beauty would be found in what most people overlooked. She lifted her head. Any semblance of amusement or a smile vanished from his face. “Why me? Just because I don’t wear a suit doesn’t make me your fool.”
“I don’t think you’re a fool.” He held his hand out as if to stop her. “I thought above anyone else on the planet you would be open-minded to helping us both out.”
A breeze whispered through the alley. Chills ran through her and she hugged herself since no one would be around to do it for her. “You’re serious.”
He remained silent.
“The story, the list, the marriage, the money, you’re not joking.” She stomped her foot. “Swear to me you’re not joking.”
He put his hand over his heart. “I would take an oath if I could. You can notarize my words.”
She closed her eyes needing to block out everything and think. The answers to her problems couldn’t be as easy as a year penance with some snarky, albeit gorgeous, banker.
“Starting the second after you sign the marriage license you will never have to worry again about any of your so-called material things again. You will be set for life.” Randolph’s words vibrated through her. “So will your Nan.”
At the mention of her only family, she opened her eyes. A life where Nan could relax, do her work, teach her and never have to scrimp for the little she needed. An opportunity to give back a small bit what Nan gave to her. Their future would be assured, and they could buy a house, a real house. “I’m not sleeping with you.” What was she saying?
He cleared his throat. “You must sleep with me, but you don’t have to
sleep
with me. I will have you know there will be a fidelity clause in the contract.”
She decided not to mention there was no need for such a thing. Her life was a fidelity clause.
“If you agree, I will draw up your official contract on the plane. We will spend the night in Las Vegas and tomorrow you will need to move.” He returned the paper back to the secret pocket in his jacket.
“Nan needs to come with me.” Was she saying yes? Her heart stopped, skidded to a halt. “She gets full use of the kitchen.”
He narrowed his eyes and stared off as if thinking.
“Nan comes or you are out your business, your trust fund and your sleeping only partner.” Though she knew she should walk away and forget this whole deal, she stood her ground, unsure if she wanted the deal or only wanted to win. Randolph the third brought out Willow the terrible.
“You’re a tough negotiator.” He put his hand out for a shake. “If Miss Nan moves in and creates havoc in Chef’s kitchen, do we leave now to get married?”
She stared at his offering, a large hand with long fingers and perfectly manicured nails. Karma and prayer wouldn’t provide for her or Nan, they were days away from not being able to afford food. They needed a miracle, and as Nan would say, sometimes miracles happened in the most unexpected places. One year for the rest of her life.
She glanced up at the stars, took a breath and put her hand in his.
About the Author
Kim Carmichael
Kim Carmichael began writing nine years ago when her love of happy endings inspired her to create her own.
A Southern California native, Kim's contemporary romance combines Hollywood magic with pop culture to create quirky characters set against some of most unique and colorful settings in the world.
With a weakness for designer purses, bad boys and techno geeks, Kim married her own computer whiz after he proved he could keep her all her gadgets running and finally admitted handbags were an investment.
Kim is a PAN member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as some small specialty chapters. A multi-published author, Kim's books can be found all over the world.
When not writing, she can usually be found slathered in sunscreen trolling Los Angeles and helping top doctors build their practices.
To find out more about Kim Carmichael visit:
Website:
www.kimcarmichaelnovels.com
Hollywood Stardust Website:
www.chargge.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/kimcarmichaelnovels
Twitter: @kimcarmichael4
Novels:
Typecast– What’s Your Fantasy?
On The Dotted Line – A signature can change every thing
Trifecta – A typical Romance that just happens to have three people
Pieces of Three – Some are pieces of three
Novellas:
Closure – There’s always the one
Eternity – His choice – eternal salvation or eternal damnation
Shorts:
Interchangeable – Two men have one night to show the woman they love they are not interchangeable
The Promise – A mistake brought him to her, a promise kept him returning
Hands On Me – Do they go with their mission or their hearts?
Children’s Book:
My Daddy Wears His Art – A story of acceptance
Anthologies:
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