Boyfriend for Hire (5 page)

“Sure, I can come, I would love to meet the gang. Is there anything I can bring?” Tawny snagged a cookie, nibbling nervously.

“Gifts aren’t required, but I’ll tell you my health-conscious son has a thing for local wines. Oh, and your spouse,” her eyes dropped to Tawny’s unadorned finger, “or your significant other is welcome to come. And don’t worry about Brad from earlier.”

“Great.”

“Can I put you down for two, then?”

Uh . . . “Definitely.”

The woman beamed. Tawny could see how she’d built this company. It was clear she loved a good party. “Wonderful, can’t wait. Who will be coming with you?”

Oh shit!
Who
is a darn good question
. She grabbed the first name that came to mind. “His name is David. David Farber.”

As she sat in her Mini Cooper, she felt like the doors were closing in around her, choking the air off. Tawny didn’t care. Dying beat telling David what she had done and what she needed.

Needed
. Her stomach rolled. Up until today Tawny had prided herself on being a strong, independent individual who didn’t need anyone else to succeed in her goals. She didn’t need to be part of a couple to fit in. Then why did she say she’d bring a guest?

Fear.

Disappointment ate at her. Pinched eyes, drawn mouth, sloping shoulders, all signs she’d let Mrs. Spinelli down. She’d seen those same signs with her mom. Time and again, her actions and decisions exasperated her parents. All because of a naked finger. So Tawny caved.

Again.

Just like at the bank. She should have filed a complaint with the Department of Labor. Or at least told her best friend the truth. She should leave. Tell Mrs. Spinelli there was no significant other. Learn to stand up for herself again. Like the old Tawny.

A tap on the passenger side window brought her head up off the steering wheel. Cobalt blue eyes stared back at her. She slipped out of the car and walked around to lean against the car.

Here goes nothing
. “Hey, David, I need a favor.”

“Sure, I’ve got to let the dogs out. The lovebirds are out looking at invitations or something.”

He led. She followed. Not out of an antiquated belief that men should lead. Nope, more out of self-preservation of her skirt. Whoever went first would be greeted by two slobbering, loveable dogs who wanted nothing more than to crawl up into your arms. Sure enough, David opened the door and both dogs charged, happy to see a person after being alone all day. She hung back until she heard a door open and the barking grew fainter. Making her way to the back door, Tawny waited while David took care of their food and water bowls.

“What’s the favor? Got some electrical problems at your place?” he asked.

If only. “No, it’s not work related. Well, it is, but it’s my work, not yours.” Great. Talk about a babbling idiot. Deep breath in. Let it out nice and slow. “Here’s the deal. I had a job interview today and I think I nailed it.”

“Excellent. You need a reference?” He wiped his dirty hands down the front of his shirt, down over his sculpted pecs.

Lucky T-shirt. Oh, to have Wonder Twin powers right now.

“Thanks, but, um, no, that’s not it either. I wouldn’t ask, but I’m in a fix and I really need this job.” There was that four-letter word again.

He leaned against the other side of the doorjamb, crowding her without trying. “Tawny, ask. If it’s within my power, I’ll say yes.”

That was the thing. She knew he would. Not because he’d asked her out a good half dozen times since they met, either. If Playboy was his first name, loyal was his middle.

“I want to hire you to be my boyfriend.”

His jaw hung slack as he stared at her.

“Okay, see, there’s this party on Sunday. The boss’s birthday and the entire staff will be there, with their families. Mrs. Spinelli was going on about work-life balance and playing as hard as they work and didn’t I want to bring my significant other with me. The next thing I knew, I said yes, put me down for two.”

He smirked. The man understood this was killing her and he smirked. Forget it, she’d go alone, tell everyone her friend had to work. They’d sympathize; after all, they worked most weekends.

“Why not tell her the truth? Right now you’re single and concentrating on your career.”

“Never mind. It was a dumb idea.” The dogs ran back and forth through the sprinkler David had turned on for them. Once life had been that simple. No cares, no concerns, just having fun with her best friend enjoying summer. Why did she want to grow up? Being a child had been so much easier. Simpler times. Good times. A time when the future had seemed like a million years away, unlike now, when it was passing her by at the speed of sound.
When was the last time I cut loose and had fun without worrying about the consequences?
Oh yeah . . . three weeks . . . massive hangover. Proof she needed to keep her head.

“No, I said if it was within my power, I’d say yes. What time do you need me to pick you up, and is this a formal party?”

Relief swamped her system. “Sunday at eleven. It sounded pretty casual with people bringing spouses and kids.” What if his idea of casual meant flip-flops and cut-off jeans? “David, it’s really important I make a good impression, show I can fit in—”

“Don’t worry. It’s not my first picnic. Besides, I forgot to pick up my Neanderthal suit at the cleaners.” His voice cut to the quick. “Tell me, does this gig come with fringe benefits?” Once again the playful David stood before her.

“I should have asked Brody.”

“Relax. I was kidding. I will be on my best behavior and be a proper, attentive, but not-too-loving boyfriend for you.”

“Thanks. It’s just for the day, so I can show them I know how to have fun. You know, have it all together and won’t crack suddenly and I don’t know what, pop all of the balloons at some kid’s birthday or something.”

He shifted closer, crowding her space and spiking her blood pressure.

“Do you?”

“Do I what?”

David lifted a strand of her hair, twirled it around his finger a couple of times. “Know how to have fun? When was the last time you did something spontaneous? Listened to your heart instead of your head?”

His gaze dropped to her lips, and hers followed suit. He was centimeters away. His warm, minty breath heated her skin. Before she changed her mind, she grabbed the front of his T-shirt and pulled herself up to kiss him. It was quick and tempting and didn’t last nearly long enough to satisfy. “See you Sunday, lover.”

Chapter Four

D
avid had no plans to blow today. He’d waited months for a chance to show Tawny the other side of him, to prove he wasn’t the playboy she thought. In his hand he held a single white carnation. He’d left the roses at the store. The lady had told him the flower stood for good luck. He ignored that it also meant pure love. Today it was for fortune.

The front door to Tawny’s place swung open before he advanced up the stairs. Every fantasy he’d ever had played out in his head, all starring Tawny Torres, as she stood before him. The dress hugged curves a race-car driver would sell his soul for. The heels spiked his heart rate. He could smell her soap—coconut, mixed with the scent of flowers, something tropical, creating visions of white sand beaches, crashing waves, and skimpy bikinis. Wicked sexy. No way could she go to a picnic dressed like every guy’s wet dream.

“Wow, darling, you look great. Now go change.”

“What? Why? I spent hours picking this dress out.”

“It’s all wrong for a picnic.” David grabbed her hand and hauled her inside. “Where’s your room?”

She dug those do-me heels in. “Oh, nice try, Farber. You’re not stepping one foot in my room.”

He ran his hand over his chin. Women. “You said this job was important.”

“Your point?”

“Then you don’t want to show up looking like you’re ready to steal every woman’s husband, including your new boss’s. Put on those short pants you women wear, and a top that’s, um, looser.” She stormed off down the hall, every step an angry click. “And for God’s sake, put on some tennis shoes. You can’t play horseshoes in those things.”

He could hear her mutter from the other room. Drop a few choice words, all aimed at him. Fine. She asked for his help, he planned to succeed. A different venue, another event, hell, he’d be the envy of every guy there. But today was about Tawny, helping her fit in and win the job, and being with her.

He remembered the feel of those curves pressed against him in his truck. The featherlight stroke of her fingers on his thighs. The sexy, mischievous smile as she looked at him with lust in her eyes. The brisk kiss she’d surprised him with the other day. He’d thought of nothing else in the past forty-eight hours.

She stood before him now not with desire, but uncertainty. Tawny had followed his instructions to a T, yet still screamed sex kitten. Silky brown curls fell over her shoulders. The blouse she’d picked hung softly against her curves. Snug rolled up jeans exposed her slim, tan ankles above spotless white Keds. She gnawed on her lower lip. He wanted to kiss her worries away.

“Well?” she demanded, scrunching up her nose in disgust before spinning around to go back to her room.

He caught her arm. “You look good.”
Beautiful. Stunning. Innocent. Sexy
. “Come on, let’s get moving before you’re unfashionably late. So what’s the game plan once we get there?”

“What do you mean?” She was back to chewing on her lower lip.

He’d never seen this side of Tawny before, shy, hesitant, quiet. Since the moment they’d met, months ago, she’d been a force to reckon with. Always laughing, smiling, flirting, and definitely not a woman to mess with. He’d do whatever it took to see the fire back in her.

Why it mattered, he didn’t know. Didn’t know why it mattered what she thought of him either. Their best friends were engaged. Chances were high they’d be in each other’s lives for a long time. Getting involved was complicated. If and when things went south, the mess would spill over and screw with other people’s lives.

If only he could get her out of his system without messing up their friendship.

“Well, I think the less information we give, the better. Right? Then we’re not trying to remember a tangled-up web of lies when talking to someone else. I’ll introduce you as my friend.”

“They’ll assume you mean boyfriend.” Dave opened the truck door, assisting Tawny in.

“Hey, we can’t help what other people think.” She waited until he cut out into traffic to finish. “If they ask, we met at the gala fund-raiser for the rec center and worked together while it was rebuilt. Stick with the vague outline of how things really started, and that’s all they need to know today. It’s the first time they’ve met us. I doubt they’re going to grill us for personal details like how many times a week we have sex.”

She could doubt all she wanted, but he’d been to enough parties to know once the alcohol flowed, all bets were off. Hell, last spring, a woman his mother’s age propositioned him at a church dinner. Stick a bunch of party planners together, people who routinely dug into people’s lives to do their job, and yeah, he wouldn’t be surprised if they asked what his favorite position was. And he wasn’t talking sports.

His cell rang as he slid out of the truck. A quick glance at the screen and he excused himself for a moment. “Hi, Mom.”

He held up his finger to Tawny to tell her he’d only be a minute.

“Hi, honey, are you and the boys playing lacrosse today? I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“Not at all, Mom. I’m at a birthday party with Tawny.”

“Cherry’s Tawny?”

Dave smiled. Not today, today she was all his. “Yep. What’s up?”

“I’ve been invited by a friend at work to go to the Cape next weekend. Can you come by, check on Mr. Fluffnstuff for me? He’s never been alone before.”

“Sure. Dad is going to be out of town too on a run. I’ve got to stop by and get his mail, so no problem. I’ve got a busy week ahead, but I’ll stop by after you get home. Have a great time.” He hung up and walked over to where Tawny waited for him.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“Yeah. You and my mom have a lot in common. You’re both workaholics. It looks like she’s finally putting some fun in her life. I’m glad. She’s earned it. Now let’s see what we can do about yours.”

The Casino loomed in front of Tawny and David with its circular portico, ionic columns and the grace of days long since past. No bright, shiny lights, bells and whistles, or smoke-filled rooms with zombified people staring at slot machines as the name suggested.

A sign welcomed the staff and families of NE Event Solutions. Inside another sign led them through a beautiful wood-paneled room with a green tiled fireplace and through a set of French doors to the back lawn.

As far as Tawny knew, in one hundred plus years, the mansion had never hosted gambling unless you counted the hundreds of marriages performed on the lawn or in the great ballroom.

“They don’t make ’em like this anymore. Good bones. Well taken care of. She’ll be around for a long time.” David took her hand as they descended down the stairs to the grass. “Would have been perfect for the rec center dinner.”

“Trust me, we tried. They were already booked up. We were told weekends are reserved anywhere from eighteen to twenty-four months in advance. I’m surprised they rented to such a small party during peak season.”

“That’s because we send a lot of business their way.” A familiar and unwelcoming voice from behind her piped in.

Tawny paused before introducing David to Stacy, the receptionist.

“You’re her . . . husband?”

“No, we’re not married,” Tawny blurted out.

“Boyfriend?” Stacy’s eyes lit with interest. With a slight shake of her head, her hair fell gently over her shoulder. Bow-shaped lips slipped into a little pout. Her posture shifted ever so slightly to thrust her perky breasts out. Basically, she gave it her all.

David didn’t respond as Tawny or Stacy expected. He slipped his arm around Tawny’s waist to pull her against him. “We don’t like to use labels.”