Honest Betrayal (3 page)

Brenna raised her eyes to the ceiling. “You’re hopeless.”

“That’s not a compliment.”

“That’s the best I can come up with. You barge into my office, ruin my lunch break, insult my business, accuse me of ruining your life, and then make fun of me and you want a compliment?”

Hunter’s voice was soft. “I wasn’t making fun, I was being sincere. I find you very attractive.”

And he meant it. That’s what bothered her. She turned to her computer and placed her hands on the keyboard annoyed that they were shaking. “Now let’s see who I can find for you.” She forced a smile. “Perhaps whoever I chose will end up being your perfect match and turn from a fake fiancée into a real one. Of course I will have to charge you for my services.”

Hunter picked up the letter opener and laid it on the desk. “We could discuss this over dinner.”

“You plan to eat me?”

The corner of his mouth kicked up in a quick sexy grin. “That’s a tempting thought.”

Brenna cleared her throat, feeling heat steal into her cheeks. “You can either do this now or schedule an appointment.”

“You need to finish your lunch. When do you close your office?”

“Six.”

“Good we’ll have dinner tomorrow. That will give us a perfect opportunity to sort out any details.”

“We’re not going to dinner,” she said, punctuating every word.

She expected him to argue. He didn’t. Instead he sat on the edge of her desk, the puppy again cradled in his arms and began to whistle.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

“Can you guess the tune?”

“Get off my desk.”

Hunter shook his head. “No, that’s not right. Listen.” He whistled again.

“The theme to
Gone with the Wind
?”

“Very good.”

She stood. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“You remind me of Scarlett. You look like you want to throw something.”

“Yes, throwing you out would give me the greatest pleasure.”

“Why won’t you have dinner with me? I know you enjoy a good meal.” He measured her rounded figure with masculine appreciation. “Don’t get upset. I’m complimenting you. Skinny women can be dangerous. Their bony elbows are lethal in bed.”

“Get off my desk.”

He did. For a moment she wished he hadn’t. She was afraid her head would fall off from looking up at him. “Fine. See you tomorrow.”

“I’m not going to dinner with you.”

He grinned and handed her the puppy. “Don’t worry. You have all night to change your mind.”

Once the door closed, Brenna put the puppy on the ground and rested her forehead on the desk, resisting the urge to bang it.

Pauline entered the room. “Are you all right? I am so sorry, I couldn’t stop him.”

“You could no sooner stop a hurricane. Which is exactly what he is—unrelenting and destructive.”

“What did he want?”

“Me.”

Pauline fell into a chair. “What?”

Brenna lifted her head. “Relax, it was nothing like that.”
Though that would have been nice.
She’d never been wanted like that before. She was sure it would be a thrilling experience. She brushed the thought aside. “He was engaged to Janice Brinkton, but she won’t have him because she’s fallen for someone she met through us. So he wants me to act as his fiancée at an event he’s going to in three weeks.”

Pauline shivered. “I couldn’t imagine anyone marrying him. There are some men who should remain single.”

Brenna shrugged and glanced at her briefcase, there she saw the worn copy of
Gone with the Wind
she’d finished reading. “Clever jerk,” she muttered.

“What?”

“Nothing.” She bit the end of her pen.

Pauline recognized the telling habit. “What is it?”

She sighed and set the pen down. “I like him,” she said, simply. “I know it sounds absurd. He’s ridiculously arrogant, doesn’t even understand his own nature, is domineering, controlling...”

“And you like these traits?” Pauline asked uncertain.

“No, I like
him
.” For some reason she couldn’t get out her mind the sight of him saving the puppy from choking and then rubbing it’s tummy and letting it play with his fingers and lick his face.

“I think you’re just in shock. Don’t get ahead of yourself. True he is good looking.” She paused. “Okay gorgeous, but as we both know that is not enough.”

“It’s not his looks. It’s...he’s so alive. So sure of himself. And he’s ambitious. I find that very sexy.” She held her chin in her hand and watched the puppy return to its corner. “He even saved your puppy’s life,” she said gesturing to it.

“Really?”

“Yes. The poor little thing was being strangled by its leash and Hunter saved it. And he was so sweet with him after.” She sighed. “Unfortunately, he’s completely unsuitable for me.”

Pauline looked at her alarmed. “You’d actually consider him a match?”

Brenna raised a brow. “I am single.”

“But he’s all wrong.” Pauline wagged a finger. “Remember whirlwinds can disorient us.”

“Don’t worry. I’m too practical to indulge in a passing crush. Anyway he doesn’t fit my list of requirements.”

Pauline leaned back recalling her requirements. “Considerate—definitely not. Sense of humor—no way.”

“I think he has a sense of humor. He thought I was attractive.”

“You are attractive.”

“Yes, until I walk. That usually alters their perception. It’s amazing how easily men lose interest,” Brenna said the words without regret. She knew it as fact and didn’t let facts bother her. “It was nice to fool him though. I stayed planted behind my desk, meeting him eye to eye as though I were normal.”

“You are normal,” Pauline said defensive.

Brenna waved a hand annoyed. “You know what I mean. He thought I was attractive and I didn’t want to disappoint him. It doesn’t matter anyway, I have the perfect woman in mind for him and then this little glitch in our schedule will be over. I’ll make sure to double his fee for this unusual service.”

“Real men wouldn't care about your limp.”

“Real men are in short supply.”

“Are you sure you can find Hurricane Man a match?”

“Yes, everyone has one.” For some reason the thought made Brenna smile.

***

“Who’s Brenna Garrett?” Miles Almquist asked, glancing over Hunter’s shoulder.

Hunter quickly closed the notebook where he’d been writing notes about her. “The owner of Love by Design.”

Miles sat at his desk, curving his lean body into his swivel chair. It squeaked against the concrete flooring of the office. Although in his mid thirties, his dark hair was already graying at the temples, and his face, always set with the distinguished British air of ennui, hid a clever mind. “Brenna Garrett Randolph,” he said. “That sounds like a dignified name.”

“It’s not like that.”

“When a thirty-four year old man starts writing down a woman’s name with his own, it is.”

Hunter clasped his hands behind his head. “She fits all my qualifications.”

Miles sat forward intrigued. “For what?”

“To be my wife. I plan to present her as my fiancée in three weeks.”

“And how long have you known this woman?”

Hunter opened his notebook and jotted down another note. “About an hour.”

“An hour?”

He nodded.

“Are you feverish or just mildly insane?”

“I’m fine.”

“While I recognize that Janice’s behavior must have been upsetting, it’s not like you to be hasty. I would say impulsive, but we are talking about you.”

“What appears to be impulsiveness is really just a quick assessment of a situation ripe with opportunity.”

Miles rested his chin in his hand and shook his head. “That sentence only makes sense to you.”

“When you meet her, you’ll understand.”

Miles narrowed his green eyes. “What does she look like? Describe her.”

“She was wearing a blue power suit with silver hoop earrings.”

“And?”

“She has light brown hair that just brushes her shoulders and her eyes are brown like oatmeal.”

Miles’ hand fell to the desk. “Oatmeal?”

“I like oatmeal.”

“Try not to write any sonnets.” Miles glanced at their secretary. “What is Lynn wearing?”

Hunter opened a drawer and grabbed a highlighter. “A dress.”

“What color?”

He slammed the drawer shut. “I don’t know. Why would I?”

“Look.”

Hunter turned in her direction. What he saw was a slender woman wearing a black and pink polka dot dress with a red lace collar. He winced. “Shouldn’t we have a dress code?”

“You can’t prohibit bad taste.” Miles sat back and drummed his fingers on the desk. “I have a theory.”

“Enlighten me,” Hunter said without interest.

“Your notebook is an attempt to rationalize a very basic reality. In other words, you want to sleep with her.”

Hunter stared at him stunned then clapped his hands together. “Perfect.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If I’m able to convince you of this, then I’ll have no problem activating my plan to introduce her as my fiancée.”

Miles frowned, shaking his head. “No, I think this is the real thing. Infatuation at its most destructive.”

He rubbed his chin. “I wonder if Ruby will be as easily fooled.”

“Mothers aren’t easily fooled and neither am I. Hunter, you like her.”

Hunter shrugged, finding no reason to deny it. He hadn’t felt this good in years. “I admit that I find her attractive, fascinating.”

“The last thing you found fascinating was a gastroscope. She must be some woman. Be careful my friend, many a stronger man has fallen victim to the disease.”

“What disease?”

“It starts out as infatuation then turns into lust then if you’re not careful you’ll become infected with it.”

“What?”

“Commitment. It’s something women call love. It has the same affect. A state when all rational thought disappears. You’ll sleep with her and it won’t be enough.”

Hunter ignored him. He routinely blocked out information he deemed illogical. He opened his notebook and tore out the page, staring at it a moment. Yes, she definitely fit all his qualifications. Now he’d have to convince her that he fit hers.

“Code red,” Miles warned in a loud whisper. “Here comes the golden boy.”

The golden boy, Daron Randolph, sauntered into the room dressed in gray trousers and a tan shirt. He held a manila folder tucked under his arm. He flashed a grin as welcoming as a shark’s. “Hello, ladies.”

Hunter crumbled the paper in his fist, glaring at his cousin and nemesis. They both wanted the Director position for Marketing and R&D that would be announced after the banquet. Daron seemed to be the first choice since he met all of the company’s requirements. He’d married well, risen quickly in his division and possessed all the external qualities of good leadership. He was physically striking, polished and ruthless.

Daron shook his head as he stood between the two desks. “It’s unfortunate you won’t be able to attend the banquet, Hunter, but I realize public humiliations are not your forte.”

“I’ll be attending,” Hunter said in a quiet tone.

“Without a fiancée to present? You are bold.”

“My fiancée will be with me.”

“No, she won’t. Janice is marrying Michael Peterson. Someone she met through some dating service. Hadn’t you heard? I was sure you’d received an invitation.”

Hunter’s tone hardened. “Since Janice is to be married, obviously it’s not her. I thought you would have made that simple deduction yourself.”

“It won’t work, you know.”

Hunter tossed the crumpled paper in the trash bin.

Daron leaned on the desk looking down at him. “I know you. You’ll plan something, but it won’t work. Producing a fiancée conveniently for one night is so cliché, it’s ridiculous. Do you honestly think we won’t see through the smoke screen when things don’t work out in a couple of days? Face it, your little two-year plan failed. Concede. You’re second best.” He shrugged. “But that’s nothing new. You’ve always been one step behind me.”

Hunter rubbed his hands together, his gaze never wavering. “No. Not always.”

Daron straightened, his voice turning to ice. “I have a wife and child now. Uncle Curtis has invited us to the ranch and will hold a party to celebrate my ten year wedding anniversary.” He grabbed the folder from under his arm and flipped through its contents. “He may be your father.” He lifted his eyes. “But everyone knows who’s his favorite.”

Hunter tapped his fingers against the desk, bored.

Daron tossed the folder on the table. “Sales are up thanks to my introduction of the Wells walker. Don’t worry. When I’m promoted, I’ll let you move into my old office. You two look a little cramped in here.”

Miles spoke up. “I wouldn’t be so sure about your promotion. Hunter’s record is as impressive as yours, plus he developed the Trandor cane.”

“And what do you call something that nobody ever uses?” Daron stopped, his eyes darting between them. “Oh, that’s right. Useless. Nearly a year later and the thing still hasn’t sold.”

“And I’ve met his fiancée,” Miles added.

Daron paused. “What’s her name?”

“Brenna Garrett.”

“How long have you known her?”

“A few months.”

He began to smile certain he’d catch them in a lie. “What does she look like?”

Miles glanced up at the ceiling as though lost in thought. “Very attractive. When I met her she had on a blue power suit that complimented her light, brown hair and eyes. You’ll agree when you meet her.”

“That’s a little too vague. Tell me something specific.”

Miles glanced at Hunter. “She’s the one who fixed Janice up with Michael. She took one look at Hunter and wanted him for herself.”

Daron stood momentarily speechless. “I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t have to believe me, but do you think I’m clever enough to make up a story like that?”

“I think you’re clever enough to make it up. So the real question becomes is Hunter clever enough to pull it off?”

Miles nodded. “True. We’ll see. Fortunately, your mouth is big enough for you foot.”

“I will be looking forward to meeting her.”

“We’ll make sure she gets her rabies shots first.”