I Kissed A Playboy (9 page)

The interviewer protested, claiming they potentially had enough material to use. Neither Brian nor Faith had to say a word. Faithful to the end, in Faith’s eyes, Susie became a snarling over-protective dog. She reminded the interviewer the questions for the interview had been contractually agreed and signed. If any publication went ahead the terms of the contract would be broken because the set of questions hadn’t been completed.

The photo-shoot was complete, but the interview incomplete. Reminding the interviewer of the Porterhouse family presence in the media, she asserted if any material reproduced from the interview when Faith had been ill were to be used they would immediately put themselves in the legal firing line.

Reluctantly, the interviewer was left with no choice but to concur. It wasn’t worth risking a lawsuit. The gossip was juicy but she was blocked at every end on this matter. Susie rearranged for an interview on Friday at 9pm, once Brian had completed his final shift.

As the tabloid crew left, Faith’s arms circled Susie’s neck. Susie resisted slapping Faith earlier and was already concocting ways to warn Brian away from her, but the genuine warm-heartedness and remorse resulting from her panic and inexperience softened Susie’s kind heart. She knew she’d never win Brian’s love, but that didn’t stop her being his friend or wanting the best for him.

That Brian would lower himself to sitting in new designer threads on a toilet floor to comfort and understand any woman was a giant step forward in him maturing as a sensitive human being. The girl had heart and her influence on Brian was positive. Susie hugged Faith, matching the degree of enthusiasm delivered in her embrace.

Chapter Eleven

‘I know it’s only 6pm and I know we’re supposed to stay for me to show you how the equipment is used and blah blah blah, but if I’m entirely honest, after all that, all I can do is rest and recuperate,’ admitted Faith to Brian, as Susie left having escorted the magazine entourage safely off the hospital site.

‘I was hoping I may be of service in that department.’

‘Don’t tell me you’ve got a secret laboratory that can teleport me home to bed.’

‘Sadly not. We have to take a little walk.’

Brian gripped Faith’s hand and dragged her upright.

‘Come with me,’ he grinned devilishly as they walked the hospital perimeter.

At the rear of the hospital in a clear space was a helicopter. Faith was used to the odd ambulance helicopter using the pad, but knew straight away this was not one of those models.

‘Are you serious?’ she asked.

‘Tonight Faith Spires—and a bit of tomorrow—you are all mine. I want to treat you like you should be treated. We’ll take the copter to the airport. My father purchased a Concorde when the airlines stopped using them. I’m whisking you to Paris. We can sleep in, have a late lunch looking over whatever landmark you pick and I promise we’ll be here on time tomorrow.’

Faith’s mouth dropped and she gaped.

‘I wish you’d been as silent as that in the interview,’ ribbed Brian.

‘But my clothes and shoes,’

‘Gabe packed.’

‘But work,’

‘Gabe’s covering.’

‘But Gabriel himself.

‘Has his fiancé, Sasha, staying. He’ll be glad to have her alone.’

Faith shook herself from her dumbstruck state.

‘How did you organize all this?’

Wrapping his arm round her waist, he dipped her for an exaggerated romantic kiss.

‘It’s amazing what incentive a glorious, strong willed, soft-hearted woman can be to the most hardened of souls.’

‘Brian you are not a hardened soul.’

‘No, but I am hardening,’ he winked, leading her to the helicopter.

The helicopter flying over the city at night reminded Faith how lively the center was. She may be tucked in a quieter suburban area, but the lights and liveliness from above were invigorating.

Flying on a private, chartered plane was the most unreal part of the journey. Although security and passport checks were mandatory, everything ran smoothly. Faith hadn’t traveled extensively because of her father and brother’s condition, but imagined the long queues for bag and passport checks could prove tedious. Bypassing the long line of economy travelers, she had a small gloat playing princess. They were guided onto the lush renovated Concorde.

Alongside standard airplane chairs, there were sofas, TV’s and game consoles, with a bar and cocktail waitress. Faith had an idea that if the plane wasn’t a gift to Brian, it had certainly been decorated to his tastes and interests. Once airborne, Faith completely forgot she’d even been tired. The disastrous interview and cruel words she’d spurted were boxed, closed and abolished to the past.

Brian’s good-natured reaction threw her. She wasn’t sure she’d be as forgiving if she was in his shoes.

‘Didn’t you want to cancel this when I opened my mouth in that interview?’

‘Honestly? No. I wished I’d had a muzzle though.’

She threw a pillow at him.

‘I feel guilty,’ she confessed. ‘I feel like I shouldn’t be enjoying myself. Not like this.’

‘Why? Why if it’s available do you think it’s bad?’

‘I guess I believe the money could be better spent somewhere else.’

‘I believe you’re worth it and don’t even think for a second I lay this on for every woman.’

To demonstrate she knew he wasn’t spinning another line, she moved from the opposite couch to snuggle in next to him.

‘Can I ask you a question, Faith?’

‘Anything.’

‘What do you do for fun?’

‘I’m boring compared to you.’

‘Faith, answer the question.’

‘I love the movies. It sounds terrible but I enjoy reading romance novels. I know people say they’re formulaic and candy floss but they’re a distraction and give a girl hope.’

‘And your drawing?’

‘How’d you know about that?’

‘You left early. I’m nosy. There was a sketch book next to your bedside table. I flipped through. You’re talented.’

‘It calms me. I like trying to capture the liveliness of the every day. Drawing a person I want to show their character. Even drawing an apple; I want it to look organic and tasty. A house I want to convey its age and mystery. I love picking up a pencil and making a new world on paper.’

Faith listened to Brian’s steady heartbeat.

‘When you speak like that you make me feel,’ he paused too long.

‘What?’ she asked.

‘It affects me. I feel moved. That’s crazy talk for any man. You’ve taken me off my original point.’

‘What was the original point?’

He stared out the window regaining control of his emotions.

‘When you buy a new romance book, take Gabe to the movies, buy charcoal or decent art material—do you feel guilty for doing it?’

‘Of course not.’

‘Which is sensible. You’re entitled to enjoy yourself. Have some fun. You devote free time at the hospital when you take your brother three nights a week. You’re employed full-time and do overtime. It isn’t a crime to indulge your hobbies. If anything it’s healthy. Maintains a positive mental state.’

‘I didn’t realize you and Gabriel were such close friends.’

‘We aren’t, but we could be. Anyway, you’re the one who left me in the house alone with him. You must’ve known he was going to come on strong.’

‘Did he?’

‘Yes. Even in a wheelchair he’d definitely conceive a means to take me out if I hurt you. He had no problems with flying solo tomorrow because he thought it obligatory for you to be treated. Plus, he said he got more work done without you twittering away to him from your desk.

Faith wasn’t sure she liked the two men discussing her.

‘I don’t go without. I’m happy.’

‘I don’t doubt that. He said you sat on a panel for the Muscular Dystrophy ward of the hospital. That organizing the auction was a nightmare. I saw all the rich, kept women selling themselves off like prize dates. Gabe said it was you who ran yourself ragged contacting agents of famous people to donate other types of items to sell at the auction.’

‘The deadline was stressful, but it wasn’t hard work at all. It worked because the situation wasn’t too dissimilar to the reasons behind your attendance at the gala. The celeb’s agents were happy to donate memorabilia because obviously it increases their public profile in respect of charity support. If I get the interview right on Friday and we do generate more donations I’ll have done my part as well.’

‘Faith can we do one make one rule for this date?’

‘I’m sitting with the dishiest man in America on a private jet to Paris, I think I owe you one.’

‘No talk of the hospital or publicity or charity. I did this to be here with you. Tell me how you feel becoming an Aunty. Tell me whether you enjoy working from home or miss the company or others. But please, as important as it is, no talk on the hospital or my reputation. Focus on the real Brian Porterhouse.’

‘I must be such a bore.’

‘You’re far from that. I can’t believe I ever thought I’d be caught saying this without a woman initiating it, but I would like to romance you. Wine you, dine you, connect with you.’

‘Is that code for consensual sex?’

‘Please don’t tell me I’m to be the hapless romantic in this relationship,’ pleaded Brian.

‘Ahhh, we’re in a relationship?’

Brian’s blue eyes darkened to the color of a thunderous sky.

‘If I open my heart to you, what guarantee will I have that you’ll do the same? How do I know you prising open my heart isn’t a way for you to prise open my wallet?’

Faith’s eyes were prickling with tears as her heart pounded at the rawness of the conversation.

‘I’m frightened, too. I’m scared to say how I feel. It’s too soon. Everything I read contradicts everything I’ve discovered about you. How do I know your words aren’t rehearsed and a means of catapulting you to your star in high society?’

‘Perhaps we both need a little...faith.’

‘That should sound corny,’ said Faith, her voice barely audible, ‘but it doesn’t.’

‘Close your eyes and rest with me. I feel like I’m holding a sunbeam when you’re in my arms.’

Faith did as he requested.

‘We’re visiting the city of lovers. Tomorrow when we wake, tell me where you want to eat and what you want to see.’

‘It’s unoriginal, but I’d adore the perfect view of the Eiffel Tower.’

‘That I can arrange. It’ll even be close to sunset because of the time difference.’

‘Will I make it—’

Brian pressed his fingers to her lips to shush her from mentioning the hospital.

‘I’ve got a timetable and itinerary down where we can have a nice relaxed meal in a beautiful city without it impinging on any of your daily duties. There’s nothing to concern yourself with. Everything’s organized. No anxiety. Let’s enjoy this.’

‘Promise me though, it’ll be somewhere you’ve never taken any other woman,’ she said sleepily, her eyelids feeling heavier and heavier.

He kissed her head. Her insecurities were sweet. Brian wished she could read his mind to know, this was his first trip to Paris to be with a woman he loved, not a woman he was impressing. It was pointless belaboring the point.

‘Promise.’

The normal flight from New York to Paris was almost seven and a half hours. Thanks to Brian’s father’s investment in a Concorde jet, the journey was reduced to less than four hours. The two nodded off comfortably, but had a relatively short nap after their heart to heart and abuse of the on-board bar.

Struggling to wake, Faith couldn’t believe she’d crossed the Atlantic and left America for Europe. Ushered to yet another helicopter, she watched in wonder as they flew over Paris in the early hours of the morning.

‘It’s weird to think it’s gone midnight at home, when the Paris must be getting ready to wake for rush hour,’ murmured Faith. ‘It’s surreal. Like a dream.’

‘I believe every good girl deserves to have at least one dream come true,’ declared Brian, as he led Faith from the helicopter pad to their hotel, which looked like a small European castle.

Without fuss or bother the two were guided to one of the Presidential Suites. Faith was wowed their hand luggage awaited their arrival.

‘I wish I hadn’t worn jeans and a shirt. I feel like a cleaner here not a customer.’