Pleasing the Shifter: The Complete Series (BBW Paranormal Bear Shape Shifter Romance) (2 page)

Maybe she should just call her Dad. She hated to ask him for money but this situation really was desperate. Her waitress job wasn’t giving her enough shifts to make ends meet and she obviously needed to get another job but until then she needed some money to tide her over.

She thumbed the business card the lady gave her as she considered whether she should call her Dad. He would definitely loan her the money, but she really didn’t want to do that unless she absolutely had to. He fully supported what she was doing out here, trying to follow her dreams, but she wanted to do it on her own.

What had the lady said? A personal assistant job? Maybe she should at least talk to her, see what it was about. She dialed the number on the card and the woman answered. “Hello. This is Gina.”

“Hi, this is Hope Whitehall. You gave me your card earlier. Something about a job?”

“Hope! Yes, thank you for calling. Did you change your mind?”

“Maybe. The thing is I need money. Fast.”

“I understand,” Gina said. “It’s expensive to live in the city. Especially as a starving artist.”

“How much does it pay?”

“Pay? My client is very wealthy and he wants a smart girl with a particular look. You would be perfect.”

“Okay, but how much does it pay?” Hope asked.

“Let me see,” Gina said. “It’s in my notes somewhere.”

Hope could hear her shuffling papers around.

“Yes, here we go. Four-hundred dollars a day.”

“What? Is this a joke? That’s not funny. I’m not in the mood to be messed with.”

“I promise, it’s no joke Ms. Whitehall. That’s what he’s paying. But the position calls for a girl with a certain attitude and discretion.”

“What does that mean? This isn’t an escort service is it? Please tell me you don’t want me to be a prostitute.”

Gina snorted. “Absolutely not. It’s for a personal assistant. My client is a secretive man so you have to be someone who can be very discrete.”

“Okay, that’s not a problem,” Hope said. “When could I come for an interview?”

“There is no interview. When can you start?”

“Start? Um, how about tomorrow.”

“Perfect. A car will pick you up tomorrow morning. Pack a suitcase. You’ll be staying at his house while you work for him.”

After what felt like forever, driving over hill after hill way out into the country, so far out that Hope started to wonder if the driver even knew where he was going, the limo finally pulled off the main road and approached a large metal gate in the middle of nowhere. The driver barely slowed as they came to it and Hope decided they were going to ram into it. She braced herself and almost screamed out to him to watch out, but at the last second it swung open and they sped through safely. Hope turned around out to look out the back window just in time to see it slam shut. She had the sudden realization that she hadn’t told anyone where she was going.

They wound their way up the cobblestone driveway before coming to a stop in front of the biggest house she had ever seen. Calling it a house was an understatement. Compound would have been a more appropriate way to describe it. Even the mansions she’d seen in movies looked nothing like this. If someone told her a king lived her she wouldn’t have been surprised. It was that big.

The driver got out and she waited for him to come around and open the door for her. She could get used to this, she thought, giving him her hand as she stepped out of the car.
 

While the driver got her bags she admired the landscape around her. It was all so perfectly manicured, hedges that looked like they’d been carved by artists and flowers of every color for as far as you could see. Then the front door opened and a black girl in a maid’s outfit came out, walking quickly with her hands behind her back.

When she came close enough Hope suddenly realized that the maid–who was walking so upright it looked like she had a board under her dress that went up her back–was actually her friend Sofia.
 
“Sofia!” she said as she ran to her. “Damn girl, I haven’t seen you since graduation.” She threw her arms around her squeezing her in a hug.

But Sofia’s body was rigid and she pulled back away, nodding and giving her a forced smile. “Miss Whitehall,” she said. “Very nice to see you. I’ll show you to your room.” Then turning to the driver, she said, “Bring her bags.”

“What’s up with you?” Hope said. They hadn’t seen each other in a year and that was just cold.
 

But Sofia started walking back towards the house, her hands still behind her back, and when she turned around to find Hope still standing there with her mouth hanging open, Sofia said, “This way please.”

Something was definitely off here. Maybe Hope had done something to piss her off. But how could that be, she just got here. Maybe that was it. Sofia thought she was better than her because she was some billionaire’s maid.

Sofia disappeared through the front door and Hope hurried to catch up with her. She intended to stop her, to make her tell her what the hell was wrong, but when she walked through the front door all of that left her mind. The inside of the house was so nice it was like it was sparkling. Marble everywhere. Fancy art hanging from the walls. Ceilings so high you could barely see them. She craned her neck back to take it all in.

“This way Miss Whitehall,” Sofia said. This time she looked like she was starting to get annoyed.

“Okay, damn. I was just checking out the place. It’s amazing. When did you get all uppity anyway? We used to be cool.”

Sofia’s eyes widened then she glanced quickly to the driver who was busy lugging Hope’s two bags up the stairs. It looked like she wanted to say something but she held back.

Hope just shook her head. Some people could change so much, and not in a good way either. In high school she and Sofia were always cutting up together laughing about anything and everything. But now she was so damned serious. It was sad really. Hope told herself she would never get that way. Even if this job she was doing here became more permanent. She’d never act like that.

The two didn’t say another word to each other as they marched through the maze of hallways on the third floor of the mansion. When they finally came to the wing where Hope would be staying she was sure she’d never be able to find her way back out without a map.

The driver set her bags down in the room and left without even making eye contact with her. This was getting ridiculous. These people acted like they were from Mars.

Sofia shut the door to the room and sighed.

Hope said, “Okay, what the hell is going on here?”

“Keep your voice down,” Sofia whispered.

“My voice?”

Sofia took her by the hand and led her to the bathroom where she turned both the faucets on.

“Wow.” Hope looked around the large bathroom. “These rich people know how to live.”

Sofia leaned in close to her and lowered her voice. “Listen. You have to be careful what you say around here. People are always ready to snitch if they think it will get them somewhere. You understand?”

Hope raised her eyebrows. “I can honestly say I don’t understand Sofia.”

“This is a big opportunity for you but you also need to be careful. These rich people operate with a whole different set of rules.”

“Okay,” Hope said, “I’m glad you’re bringing this up. Why on earth–”

“Can you keep your voice down please.”

Hope lowered her voice to a whisper so that she could barely even hear herself over the running water which now began to steam up the mirrors. “Why on earth would this rich guy hire me to be his personal assistant without an interview? I mean don’t get me wrong, I think I can do it. But this–“ She pointed to the bathroom that was almost as large as her studio apartment in the city. “–this is on another level than I’m used to dealing with.”

Sofia nodded. “I know. I know. Here’s the deal. My boss is a very rich and very powerful man. And he protects his privacy relentlessly. You understand?”

“I guess. But what does that have to do with me?”

“I’m not entirely sure. Mr. Cartwright likes curvy girls.”

“Mr. Cartwright? See, that’s the first I’ve even heard his name. I’ve only been talking to some lady. And she hasn’t been all that helpful.”

“Like I said, Mr. Cartwright values his privacy.”

“Ok,” Hope said. “Am I even going to get to meet the guy today? I don’t even know if I want to do this now. This is all pretty damn weird. I need the money but I don’t need it that bad. This guy sounds like a psycho.”

“He’s actually nice if you follow his rules. If Mr. Cartwright wants to meet you then he’ll meet you. Trust me. But listen to me very carefully Hope.” She paused. “Are you listening?”

“Yes. Damn, I’m listening. You don’t have to talk to me like I’m a kid. I’m nineteen years old. I’m an actress, I know what I’m doing. And who are you?” She pointed to the ridiculous maid outfit her friend was wearing. “You’re a damn french maid.”

“I’m more than a maid, trust me,” Sofia said flatly. “And I don’t doubt that you know what you’re doing. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t. I’m telling you this so you don’t get hurt. Or worse.”

“Worse?”

“When Mr. Cartwright asks to meet you then be polite, answer his questions, but do not under any circumstances get involved with him.”

Hope laughed. “Are you serious? Involved? Like involved in his bed?” She rolled her eyes. “You always were jealous when the guys looked at me. I’m no slut. Besides I’m pretty sure you slept with more guys in high school than I did. Isn’t he married anyway?”

“He’s not married. But he has secrets. Secrets I can’t talk about. You don’t understand how these people are. I’m telling you, don’t get involved with him.” Sofia turned off the faucets. “It’s nice to see you again.” She finally let a smile out that seemed genuine enough.

“You seem stressed,” Hope said. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” And with that she left Hope alone to unpack her things.

The next day Hope was in the ballroom with Sofia and some of the other staff, watching as they worked on table decorations for a party Mr. Cartwright was having soon. She still couldn’t believe the house had a freaking ballroom in it. Everywhere she looked it seemed there was something to be impressed by. Even just the number of employees that were around to keep it all going. That alone must have cost a small fortune. She still hadn’t seen from the mysterious Mr. Cartwright and she started to wonder if he even existed.

Sofia was still acting weird around her. But she did have a certain authority over the rest of the maids it seemed. She would order them around and they would all jump anytime she looked at them.

Hope was watching two butlers to move a large potted plant that was in the way. “I think about another foot over,” she said to them.

The two men took deep breaths and looked at each other. Only when Sofia told them to get to it did they start back into it. Hope couldn’t help but smile at that.

Then she noticed everyone stand straight up, like they were in the army and they were coming to attention for an officer. Sofia whispered to her, “Mr. Cartwright is coming. Don’t forget what I told you.”

Right, she thought. Don’t get involved. As if she would.

Hope turned around in time to see an attractive man in an expensive looking suit coming towards them.

He met her eye and smiled as he approached them, his whole face lighting up as if he were meeting an old friend. “Sofia,” he said, “how are the party preparations coming?”

“Very good sir.”

Hope wasn’t one to get nervous around men but Mr. Cartwright was down right hot and she felt her heart speed up just a touch when he looked at her again.

“And who might this be?” he said, smiling at her again.

“This,” Sofia said, “is your new personal assistant. Miss Whitehall. Miss Whitehall this is Mr. Cartwright.”

“Very nice to meet you Miss Whitehall.” He took her hand in his, brought his face down and brushed his lips against the back of her skin. “Please,” he said. “Call me Ethan.”

“Ethan,” Hope said, getting into her part. “It’s so very nice to finally meet you. Thank you for the opportunity to work for you. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

“I’m sure I won’t.” He looked at Sofia again, saying, “You come highly recommended. And Miss Whitehall do you have everything you need? I’m sure Sofia is being most helpful?”

"Yes, she is of course. My room is very nice.”

"Good." He smiled and looked at Sofia then back at Hope. "Miss Whitehall would you mind coming to my office to look at something? I'd like your advice."

Hope looked at Sofia but her face revealed nothing. The man wanted her advice on something. It's not like she could say no anyway. "Sure. No problem."

He led her to his office and closed the door behind them. "You have a beautiful smile."

"Thank you Mr. Cartwright. That's so sweet of you to say." She wanted to tell him he had a beautiful smile also. That he was one of the most attractive men she'd ever seen. But Sofia's warning echoed through her head. Still, she enjoyed playing this part.

"Please, call me Ethan. I insist." He pointed to a red couch on the far wall. "So, what do you think about this couch. Does it go with the room. I have to admit I'm terrible with these things."

Hope walked over to the couch, studying it, before turning back to look at him just in time to catch him checking out her ass. Her heart started to pound even more knowing this man with so much money so obviously wanted her. "Normally," she said, "I don't like red in an office because it can make things feel so frantic. But with this much natural light," she pointed to the large window, "it seems to work."

He nodded, smiling at her, then walked over to where she was. "Go ahead. Sit down. The leather is from Italy."

She sat on the couch, crossing her legs. The leather did feel nice on the exposed skin of her leg beneath her skirt.

Ethan sat down next to her. "You know," he said, "I had my investigator look into you."

She raised an eyebrow at him.

"You're smart and you're an artist. I like smart people. And I like to support the arts. I love movies. Do you? Of course you do. You’re an actress. Tell me what you’ve been in.“