The Cinderella Arrangement (18 page)

The sincerity in his voice took me by surprise. My heart thumped in my ears as he swept around the table with a smile that made me feel like I was prey. Did I want him?

Hell yes.

Will pulled out a chair and sat close enough for me to see the stubble on his chin. His hand slid across my shoulder to brush my hair from my neck and I shuddered as if his hand slid up my naked thigh. His deep chuckle sent goose bumps over my skin.

“Are you afraid of me? Or are you afraid of letting go?”

Both. Maybe he wanted someone to fuck on the trip, and maybe he thought I was talented. Did it matter?

Luke’s dire warning against Will echoed in my head.

What demons are you hiding?

“I don’t think getting involved is a good idea.”

“Who said anything about getting involved? It’s a business trip.”

“You’ve made it clear you’re paying me because I’m a pretty face.”

“I’m paying you to perform a job. Whatever happens during the trip is between two consenting adults.”

Could it really be that simple?

Getting caught sleeping with the boss—especially a well-connected man like Will—could ruin my career. So many things could go wrong.

And yet, I wanted to take the risk.

Suddenly, my hands were around his tie and I was yanking his body forward. His head dipped down and his dark eyes widened; my head lifted and that heat I so desperately sought was mine.

What the hell am I doing?

He kissed back hard, his mouth bruising mine. The hunger inside me swallowed him in. His hand swept up the thin fabric of my blouse and grabbed my breast. I gasped into his mouth. I was paralyzed for a moment, seduced by the delicate stroke of his fingers, his lips claiming me as though I belonged to him. My body shivered as I palmed his chest, wanting so badly to run my hands over every crevasse and that gorgeous dent under his throat.

When we broke apart, Will had that blazing look on his face and he stared at the table as if it would make a good bed. My heart hammered hard enough to make me feel dizzy.

I pushed against his chest. “This is such a bad idea.”

He smirked. “You started it.”

“I’ll do it,” I blurted as he swept down to kiss me again.

“That’s great. We can talk about the details over lunch.”

“Right now?”

He nodded.

I bit my lip hard.

“I can’t. I have to see someone.”

“Who?”

I could feel myself growing hot. “A guy.”

A black look shrouded his face. “What, your ex?” He laughed as he watched my growing shame. Then he shrugged. “I’ll call you later with the details.”

Then he left the room. I stood there, stunned, still staring at the same spot on the wall.

* * *

 “
S
o
, how’ve you been doing?”

Ben looked up at me from the round table. His hair had grown in a little. The blonde beard was cut at the same length. He wore the same plaid shirt.

How have I been?

“Well, I got laid off from the aquarium, but I’ve already got a new job.”

His light eyebrows lifted slightly. “Where?”

I wrapped my hands around the mug. “It’s a contract for Pardini Worldwide.”

The blue eyes danced with excitement. “That’s great, Nat!”

My eyes narrowed a bit at the use of my pet name. I didn’t want him to act like nothing was changed between us. “What did you want to talk about?”

He flinched at my tone and I saw him retreat into himself. “I wanted to talk about us.”

“Were you thinking about us during all those dates?”

His eyes widened with shock. Yes, Ben. I noticed the Facebook photos. As if you thought I wouldn’t.

“I was trying to get over you,” he said with an edge in his voice. “Can you blame me for trying to move on?”

Fine. Didn’t mean I couldn’t be pissed about it.

He shook his head. “Maybe I was angry that you’d throw away our relationship over Jessica.”

“I dumped you because you lied to my face. I told you something in confidence and the first person you blabbed to was a journalist. Then you denied it.”

Why did I come here?

“I know and I’m sorry, but I still can’t believe you’d throw everything away after everything we’ve been through together.”

“Actually, I came here to figure out whether I made the right decision. I’m pretty sure I did.”

“Natalie, come on!”

“You’re not sorry. You’re sorry you got caught.”

“Will you please just give us another chance?”

“Nope. Goodbye.”

The disappointment that flared in Ben’s eyes mingled with anger. It surprised me.

And good riddance
.

T
he memory
of the kiss burned in my mind, refusing to let me sleep all night. I tasted him, felt his tongue swirling in my mouth and his searing hot gaze when I pulled back.

What the hell are you doing
?

This trip would be a fantastic mistake. Aside from the glaring conflict of interest issues, I didn't know William. It might be an awkward three weeks.

Who cares? This will look great on your resumé
.

Yeah, and the paperwork he sent me looked legit. Really, there was no question about whether I’d go or not.

The question was what I’d do if I were alone with William.

I groaned in my bedroom, trying to search for something that would tell me what to do. I jumped at the knock on my door.

“Come in.”

Jessica’s head poked around the door.
Good
, I thought
. I can ask her about it
.

“Hey! I just got home. What are you up to?” she said as she sat down on my bed.

“I got a job. At Pardini Worldwide.”

She did a double take. “Um—what?”

I smiled. “And I saw Ben.”

“Whoa, whoa!” She stood up and placed her hands on her hips. “Slow down! When did this all happen?”

“Happened today, actually.” I enjoyed the waves of shock rippling across her face. “Will offered me a job to go to Europe and design the marketing for Luke’s campaign. I think I will take it. It’s only for a few weeks.”

“Wait—isn’t this weird? He knows you for a week or something and suddenly, he wants you to go to Europe with him?”

“It’s definitely weird, but I don’t care. I need this, Jessica.”

She looked at me with reservations stirring in her eyes, but she nodded. Of all people, she would understand.

“Well, how did it go with Ben?”

“Not so good. As expected.” I studied her face, looking for signs of relief. “Don’t you hate him?”

The question caught her off guard. “Hate him?” She shook her head. “I never had a problem with Ben, until…”

Until he sold you out.

“Listen,” she said in a louder voice. “I don’t care about it anymore. It’s all water under the bridge. You should give him a second chance if you have feelings for him.”

I aimed a searchlight inside myself to find remnants of the love I used to have for him. I had feelings. Mostly anger.

“I think we’re done. There’s nothing left between us but resentment.”

“You can do way better than Ben.”

I nodded, wondering if I should call my mom and ask for advice.

Right, yeah that’ll be a fun conversation.

“Are you going to tell your parents?”

She could always read my mind. “I guess I should let them know I won’t be here for a while. I’ll get it over now.”

“Okay,” Jessica said, sliding from my bed.

I picked up the phone and suddenly it vibrated in my hands. Almost dropping it, I held it to my ear.

“Hello?”

“It’s Will.”

Oh
. I bit my lip severely, wondering what the hell I should say.

“Hi.”

“Listen, I wanted to apologize for my behavior.”
He took a shaky breath.
“If you take the job, I’ll be nothing but professional the whole way.”

I’m the one who kissed him
.

My heart pounded. “Will, I’m the one who should apologize—”

“Natalie, let’s just forget about it, okay?”
he said in a testy voice.

I nodded before remembering I was on the phone. “Okay.”

“We leave next week. I’ll talk to you soon.”

All the humor left his voice. He sounded clearer—more awake. It was like talking to a stranger.

“Okay,” I heard myself say.

 “
Bye
.”

And just like that, it was over. There was nothing but static on the other end.

* * *

I
still hadn’t called
my parents, and it was the day I was supposed to leave with Will for London. I kept unlocking my phone to stare at the bright screen, debating whether to call them while the light died
.

I have to call them
.

“Nervous?” Jessica asked as she stepped into the living room.

I dropped the phone back into my pocket. “I feel the same as you did when you left.”

She smiled as she looked back on the memory. I warned her against going, even though I was jealous of her opportunity.

Now it’s my turn.

Luke sat nearby, and I knew that he was bursting to give me his opinion of what I should do, but I sensed that Jessica told him not to.

I paced in the small hallway and glanced at Luke, who looked grim. I was aching to ask him about Will. He caught my glance, and a smile flickered over his anxious face.

“It’ll be okay, Natalie.”

I was more worried about how awkward it would be. I whirled toward my bag. Did I pack everything?

Jessica and I jumped about a mile high.

“Can’t he knock like a normal person?”

My stomach did backflips as Luke shot from the couch and opened the door before I could move a muscle. Will stood there, looking fresh in his jeans and t-shirt. Just the sight of his arms peeking from the sleeves was enough to make me sigh.

His dark eyes narrowed as he focused his gaze on his cousin.

“Luke,” he said, inclining his head.

His cousin gave him nothing but a cursory nod, which was a mark of how angry he must be. Will responded with a lopsided grin.

“Are you going to step aside, or are you going to keep eye-fucking me?”

Luke moved away and Will stepped forward, his eyes settling on me. He might have been looking at a piece of furniture.

Cold gripped my limbs.

“Ready?”

“Yeah.” I grabbed the handle of my suitcase, but he ducked and took it from me.

“Ok, then.”

He gave Jessica a small smile before crossing the threshold out of the apartment. Luke followed him outside and Jessica and I looked at each other.

The look on her face made a horrible lump rise in my throat. She was blinking rather fast as she nearly bowled me over with her hug.

“I’m proud of you for doing this.”

“What? Why?”

Her arms tightened around my neck. “It takes a lot of courage to leave your comfort zone. Most people never do.”

My lips trembled. The flood of everything I’d been holding back suddenly burst through the dam I built up for myself. As much as I tried to deny it, I felt sick with fear every time I thought about my future.

My life was a constant battle for approval. While my dad opened my report cards, I would stare outside and think longingly of the playground where Jessica and I would play. Getting an A- was “acceptable,” but anything below that and I was grounded.

Going to college was like being born again. I could do whatever I wanted—I was free. I went against their wishes by majoring in graphic design. They screamed and raged at me, but I did it anyways, though not without a heavy dose of guilt. Within years of graduating, I made myself The Perfect Life to appease them. Perfect fiancé, perfect job, and not-so perfect apartment.

Then it all shattered and freedom’s intoxicating aroma beckoned me to Europe. William crashed into my life, promising excitement and spontaneity and suddenly I was flying thousands of miles with a complete stranger. It was overwhelming.

Jessica’s arms slipped from my neck and I turned away from her, rubbing my eyes. A warm, heavy hand patted my shoulder.

“If Will gives you any problems, call me,” Luke said in a gruff voice.

“I will, thanks. Bye!”

“Call when you get there!”

I hurried outside before I could change my mind and saw an Audi R8 parked by the curb. I laughed at the contrast between it and the rusty, Ford truck parked in front of it. Will had his arms crossed over his chest, sunglasses perched on his long, straight nose, looking bored. He said nothing about my red eyes. Will took my backpack from my shoulders and I flinched as his fingers grazed my shoulder, unprepared for the wave of dizzying heat. He popped open the door for me and I slid inside the leather seat, watching Jessica’s anxious face in the window.

I’m leaving it all. Finally.

The opening of the driver’s door interrupted the cocoon of my thoughts. Without being able to stop myself, I watched Will’s lithe body slide into the seat. His lean arm yanked on the parking brake and the engine roared under my thighs, revving like the feelings bursting in my chest as I watched him. His dark hair fell into his eyes and I wanted to reach up and push it behind his ears.

But he didn’t so much as glance at me.

My stomach lurched as Will peeled out of our street, whipping around corners as if his life depended on it. I gasped and gripped the armrests as he suddenly braked in front of the first red light. The slightest smile flickered on his face.

“Too fast for you?”

I muttered something in denial of that. “I need to call my parents and tell them where I’m going.”

Will said nothing. My eyes kept wandering up and down his thick biceps and the powerful thighs pressing against his jeans. I could even make out the faint crease between his pecs—and then I looked up and saw him staring at me.

I slammed the phone to the side of my face, hoping that it would hide my blush. Then it rang.

Don’t pick up, don’t pick up, don’t pick up.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mom.” I braced myself.

“Natalie.”

The stiffness in her voice meant that she was still very pissed off.

“Mom,” I said, my voice wavering. “I’m just calling to tell you I’ll be in Europe for the next few weeks.”

“What? With who?”

My mouth opened and closed. What should I say? I didn’t want to tell her the truth. My eyes watered as I thought of what she’d say. “I’m going with my boyfriend,” I blurted.

Will whipped his head around. My face was melting off my skull at this point.

“You have a boyfriend?”

My mind was galloping ahead. “I’ve been dating him for a while. You’ve never met him. I didn’t want to tell you because I knew you both liked Ben so much—”

“What’s his name? What does he do? Who—”

I grimaced. “His name is William. He’s Luke’s cousin.”

“The rich guy?”
Mom said in a much more excited voice.
“When are we going to meet him?”

I would have laughed at her excitement if I couldn’t feel Will’s eyes burning my skin. “Mom, I have to go.”

“It’s not true! She’s lying!” Will suddenly shouted.

I snarled at him. “Shut up!”

“Who is that?”

“NobodyIhavetogo. Goodbye!”

“Okay, sweetie! Love you!”
I could hear the confusion in my mom’s voice from Will’s shouting.

I hung up the phone and buried my face into my hands.

Why the hell did I do that?

“You’re such a little liar,” he tutted in a low growl that made my forehead sear with heat.

“I won’t play along with your charade. I’m not Luke.”

He didn’t look too pissed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t plan on doing that—I didn’t feel like telling her the truth and disappointing them.”

He throttled the engine, and I winced as the car lurched forward. We were already speeding past Oakland, merging into the lanes that would take us across the Bay Bridge.

“Well, we’ll be photographed so that’ll corroborate your lie. Your ex might not be pleased though.”

Shit. I hadn’t thought of that. “I don’t care.”

“You care about using me to make yourself look better in your parent’s eyes.”

He wasn’t impressed with what I did.

“I don’t judge you for all the things you do—don’t judge me. I’m just trying to make them happy.”

“Make them happy?” he said in an incredulous voice. “Natalie, Natalie,
Natalie
.”

My frown deepened with every repetition of my name.

“You’ll never be able to live up to their standards. You’ll never be able to make them happy. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you can move on with your life. I’m the only one out of my brothers who doesn’t suck up to my dad.”

“How’s that working out for you?”

His fingers whitened on the steering wheel.

That’s what I thought.

The rest of the car ride was silent. I kept waiting for him to slip some sexual innuendo into the conversation, but instead he seemed keen on pissing me off.

“Oh, you’ll have to take all the trains and buses that the laypeople use by yourself. You have to do a write-up of how to get to all these places.”

I didn’t expect that. “I’ll have to go by myself?”

He smirked. “Pardinis don’t take public transport.”

Whatever. Rolling my eyes at the smugness, I turned my head so I wouldn’t have to look at his irritating face.

“I got you a seat in coach. It’s a ten-hour flight, so that’ll suck.” He sniggered.

Another flare shot up my face. “It’s not a problem when you’re short. Coach suits me fine.”

Will’s jaw went slack.

I expected a crowd of paparazzi to follow us around, but Will parked us in the long-term parking lot and we took the train to the international terminal. I had never flown out of the country before and couldn’t keep my excitement from ramping up.