The Contract (10 page)

It happened so fast, I had no time to stop it. One second David was shouting, the next, Richard was standing over his prone figure, his hand curled into a fist so tight his knuckles were white. He towered over him, chest heaving; he was the very picture of a man protecting something, or someone he loved. “You never talk about her like that, again. You never talk about her, period. We’re leaving here today. I’m done with you fucking me over, dictating who I fall in love with and where. I’m done with you and Anderson Inc.”

“You’re going to regret this, Richard.” David spat, wiping the blood off his face.

“The only thing I regret is wasting as much time as I have giving you the best fucking campaigns this company ever produced. Good luck with your success record once I’m gone.”

He stepped back. “Sweetheart, get your things. We’re leaving. Now.”

I ran to my desk, grabbing my purse and coat. The few things I found in my desk earlier were already in Richard’s boxes. I had made sure there was nothing personal on my computer and my area was tidy. I knew Richard had wiped his hard drive, chuckling as he did something, muttering, “Good luck, fuckers,” then shut down the machine. I could only imagine what the IT department would discover.

He strode out of the office, ignoring David, who was screaming obscenities, threatening lawsuits and telling him he was ruined. He indicated the exit with his head, and I scurried to open the door, following him down the hall, David trailing us, still cursing and flinging insults. Other employees and executives were staring at the commotion. I kept my eyes focused on Richard’s back, certain he was strutting. He held his head high, shoulders straight, not at all embarrassed by the scene he had caused.

When we reached the elevator, he pushed the button and turned to the small crowd who were watching, not knowing what was going on, but loving the drama of it all.

“It’s been a pleasure, but I’m out of here. Good luck working for the bloodsucker we all know as David.” The doors opened and he dropped the boxes inside, then swept his arm in a wide arc. “After you, my lady.”

I stepped in, my face flushed with embarrassment. As the elevator doors began to close, he stuck his arm out, forcing them to reopen. “And by the way, so you can stop gossiping and wondering, yes, Katharine and I are together. She’s the best thing this company ever did for me.”

With those words, he grabbed me, dragged me to him, kissing me as the doors shut, closing off the shocked gasps.

Immediately, Richard moved away from me. I stumbled back against the wall, breathing fast. His kiss had been hard, deliberate, with an edge of anger to it.

“Why did you do that?”

Bending down, he picked up the boxes and shrugged. “Might as well leave with a bang.” He chuckled. “The way the gossip mill works in this industry, this will be everywhere by tonight.” He started to laugh, his head falling back on his shoulders. “That fucker did me a huge favor and he has no idea.”

The doors opened, and I followed him to his car. I waited until I sat beside him before I asked. “Favor? Did you . . . did you plan all this?”

He grinned, looking almost boyish. “No. I planned on doing it differently, but when he barged in, I went in another direction.” He winked as he slid on his sunglasses. “I do that well, Katharine. The client wants it changed, you learn to think on your feet. David knew what was happening as soon as he saw the boxes. I decided a scene would be a good thing.”

“Good for whom? It was embarrassing.”

“It was advertising. The name of the game. In one move, not only did the entire company get to see the dissolution of my relationship with David, they also found out about us. By the time we get to Graham’s place tomorrow, he will have heard about it. He’ll know I punched David for talking trash about the woman I love. It’s perfect. I couldn’t have planned it better if I tried.”

I shook my head, flabbergasted. I never would have considered what just happened as “perfect.”

“Relax, Katharine.” He snorted as he skillfully wove in and out of traffic. “You’re done. You don’t have to go back there. I’ll call my lawyer and make sure we send the first volley to cut David off at the knees.”

“First volley?”

“David hates negative publicity for the firm. If he thinks I’m going after him for broken promises and an unhealthy work environment, he won’t try anything. It’s just for insurance.”

I sighed and rested my head on the cool glass.

“You have the afternoon free. Maybe you should do some shopping.”

“Must I?”

“Yes. I told you—I need you to look the part. I have a personal shopper lined up. I’ll call her and arrange for you to see her this afternoon. We can stick with our plans for the evening.”

“Great.”

He turned up the music, tapping out a rhythm on the steering wheel, ignoring my sarcasm. I hated shopping—mostly because I could never afford to buy much. Maybe not having to pay the bill, it would be fun.

I hoped so. After this morning, I needed something to distract me.

Not long after we arrived back at the condo, Richard signed for an envelope. He opened it and thrust a black credit card at me.

“What’s this?”

“For you to shop.”

I looked at the face of the card, seeing my name emblazoned in silver.

“How did . . . ? Never mind.” I sighed. It was obvious, whatever Richard wanted, he got.

He sat down, reaching for the card. “Sign it and use it. I called Amanda Kelly—she’s the personal shopper I told you about. She’s expecting you in an hour.”

“Fine.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Couldn’t she send me a dress for tomorrow? I’m sure you’ve already informed her exactly what you want me to wear.”

He shook his head. “This isn’t solely for tomorrow, Katharine. I meant what I said. Get rid of the clothes you’ve been wearing. I want you in dresses, well-tailored suits, smart outfits. Decent shoes. A whole new wardrobe.”

“Do I have to toss my underwear, as well?” I questioned, and even I could hear the snark.

For a minute he blinked, then started to laugh. “You do have a little backbone in there somewhere. Yes. Toss it. All new. All in keeping with the role you’ll be playing.”

I rolled my eyes, taking the card. “Fine. It’s not as if anyone will see my undergarments, anyway.”

“What is it with you?” He growled. “I’ve never had to beg another woman to spend my money. Usually, they can’t wait to get their hands on my bank account. Why are you so fucking stubborn?”

I stood up. “Then get one of them to play your loving fiancée in this ridiculous farce.” I began to walk away, stopping when his long fingers wrapped around my arm.

“Katharine.”

I shook my arm free. “What?” I spat.

He held up his hands. “I don’t understand the problem with outfitting you.”

Wearily, I rubbed my hand over my eyes. “If tomorrow doesn’t give you the result you want, you will have spent a lot of money for nothing.
All
of this c
raziness
will have been for nothing.”

“All of this craziness?”

I blinked away the tears I felt forming. “Pretending we’re engaged. Taking me out of my home, throwing away both our jobs, subjecting yourself to having to spend time with me. Even David knew how much you disliked me, Richard. How is this possibly going to work?”

He shrugged. “If, and it’s a big if, it doesn’t work, you’ll have a bunch of pretty new clothes to wear to your next job. Let’s be honest—your hovel wasn’t much of a home; we’ll find you something far better. Think of it that way.” He stepped forward. “And, frankly, Katharine, perhaps I judged you too quickly. I
don’t
dislike you. In fact, I rather enjoy listening to you argue with me.”

I didn’t know what to say to his unexpected declaration.

“I think, perhaps, we need to call a truce. You’re right on one thing. We need to present a united front, and we can’t do that if we’re on edge with each other. So I have an offer to extend.”

“Okay?” I asked, almost fearful of what he was about to say.

“You go shopping, spend my money. Spend an indecent amount. Consider it a gift for all the lousy things I’ve done over the past year. I’ll make my calls, and some arrangements I need to take care of. When you get home, we’ll spend the evening talking and getting to know each other a little more. Tomorrow, we’ll face the day as a couple. Okay?”

I chewed on my cheek as I studied him. “Okay.”

“Good. One more thing.”

“What?”

He held out his hand, a small box in his palm. “I want you to wear this.”

I stared at the box, not making a move.

“It won’t bite you.”

“What is it?” I whispered, already knowing the answer.

“An engagement ring.”

When I still didn’t move, he sighed in frustration. “You had better not expect me to get down on one knee.”

“No!” I gasped.

“Then take it.”

My hand trembled as I reached for the box and opened it. A large solitaire in a white gold, vintage setting, shimmered under the light. It was exquisite.

I lifted my gaze to his.

“I described you to the sales woman and said I wanted something simple yet stunning. There were larger ones, but for some reason, I thought you would like this ring.”

His odd, kind words touched me. “I do.”

“Well, put it on. It’s part of the image.”

I slid it on my finger, staring at it. It was a perfect fit, but still it felt strange on my hand.

“I’ll take good care of it until it’s time to give it back.”

He snorted. “I’m sure you’ll try. Given your clumsiness, I’ve insured it.”

I rolled my eyes, the moment of being touched passed in that second.

He looked at his watch. “Okay. The car will be outside waiting for you. Go get yourself presentable.”

He turned and left the room.

I picked up my purse, the ring catching the light.

Well, it seemed I now had a fiancé.

I was engaged to a man who disliked me, but was willing to overlook it so he could get a new job and piss off his old boss.

Certainly, that was the stuff dreams were made of.

KATHARINE

THE AFTERNOON WAS A WHIRLWIND.
Richard had indeed told Amanda precisely what he wanted, and the list was endless, it seemed. Dresses, pants, skirts, blouses, suits—a vast array of materials and colors drifted by me. There were also new bathing suits, lingerie, and nightgowns. Item after item was tried on, discussed, and either discarded or placed on the ever-growing pile of clothes to keep.

Thankfully, after watching me for a short time, the footwear she picked out was all low-heeled. Still stylish, she assured me, but I had a better chance of staying upright.

The last straw was the exercise clothing she showed me. By that point, I was beyond exasperated. I couldn’t fathom a time I would need to have expensive workout clothes. He had a private gym in his apartment for God’s sake. When she indicated it was on Richard’s list, I threw up my hands and told her to add whatever she felt was suitable. I was done.

I walked out of the store, carrying the outfit for the next day, wearing a new pair of jeans and a silk T-shirt in a rich red color. Richard, apparently, didn’t want to see me arrive back in my “old stuff.”