January (Calendar Girl #1) Anthology Anthology (73 page)

The night had been long and the conversations boring. A few weeks of this was going to be as dull as the historical section of a local library. It was going to be full of nothing but old men, business deals, and gold-digging skanks. I needed to figure out a way to be more helpful.

I pondered that very question while I walked through the vast, dark halls of the mansion later that night in search of the kitchen. A soft light shined at the end of one stretch of hallway. Art and sculptures from different centuries were displayed every ten feet. The house felt more like a museum of art than a home. There were no snapshots or photographs of the family donning the walls. No memorabilia that I could attribute to Aaron’s youth. There were just stodgy antiques and pricey artifacts that didn’t seem to have any personal value. They were clearly relics of times forgotten by the house’s inhabitants or just used for opulent decoration. It made me sad because some of these pieces were true gems. They should be elevated and highlighted not placed to fill space in a vast and mostly empty mansion.

The hall ended up leading to a lavish, grand kitchen. Stainless steel appliances, four glass doors that you could see through. One set of doors had milk, cheese, fruit, and veggies. The normal suspects you’d see in a fridge. The other set had fresh flowers of all varieties.

“Oh, I didn’t see you there,” came a lilting voice from my side. I turned and found the house manager, Kathleen.

I smiled and waved. “Couldn’t sleep. I haven’t really adjusted to the time change yet.”

She entered the room, went over to the cabinets and pulled down a couple plates. “Would you like a sandwich?”

My mouth watered. “Boy, do I ever. I’ve only eaten gourmet foods the last two days. A plain old turkey and cheese would be heavenly.”

Kathleen smiled softly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Every couple moments her blue eyes would glance my way. With practiced ease, she made us both a sandwich. Still, she didn’t say a word, but I could tell something was on her mind.

“You know, you can ask me anything. I’ll answer honestly. I’m getting the feeling you don’t know why I’m here.”

She shook her head, crossed her hands over her robe-clad chest, and dropped her gaze.

“I’m an escort; Warren hired me.” I answered honestly.

Kathleen’s eyes went as wide as an endless blue sky. Her hand went to her heart and she braced herself on the butcher-block counter. “I see.”

I couldn’t help myself. She obviously had something going with the Senior Shipley. “It’s not what you think…” I started but she backed up until her bum hit the fridge.

“Doesn’t matter what I think. I’m uh…I’m just the help.” Her eyebrows narrowed and she whispered again, “I’m just the help.”

Leaning a hip against the counter, I waited until she looked at me. Tears pooled in her eyes, and it broke my heart. “I’m not sleeping with him. It isn’t like that.”

Her head snapped back. “But you’re an escort. You just said—”

I cut her off. “I said I was an escort. Hired to attend functions with him, as his personal arm candy. Not his bedmate; it seems he already has that part covered.” I smiled and she blushed.

“I don’t know what you mean.” Kathleen grabbed the lapels of her robe and covered more of her chest, even though not even a speck of skin was visible.

“Sure you do.” It was becoming very clear to me. On top of the table sat the two sandwiches she made. One was twice the size of the other. Uh huh. “Who’s the sandwich for?”

Again, those sweet cheeks of hers turned a nice shade of rose. “I’m quite hungry.”

“Yeah, I’m hungry after a round of great sex, too. Go take your man his sandwich. Your secret is safe with me.” I grabbed the plate with the smaller sandwich and turned to go back to my room. Late night TV was calling my name.

“Mia, he doesn’t want anyone to know. It would hurt him.”

That got my attention, and I spun around on a toe. “Hurt him? How?”

Her shoulders sagged. “I raised Aaron after his mother died. He wouldn’t understand. His father and I agreed not to tell him.” She rotated her neck on her shoulders, but they still dropped down. “Besides, I’m not a woman of wealth. All the men in business have wives that are in the life. I’m a nobody.”

I reached out a hand to her, but she backed away. “It’s fine. I chose this. If I wasn’t madly in love with him, I’d have left already. It’s better that I have him under the cover of night than not at all.” Of course, I disagreed wholeheartedly but when I started to reply, she clasped my arm and got close. “Thank you for your concern, but you don’t know either of us. We’d appreciate your discretion in this matter.”

She waited while I stood there not certain what to say. “If that’s what you want,” I finally said.

“It is. Thank you. We’ll visit in the morning. Mr. Shipley notified me he has a list of events that he plans to take you to. I’m glad I know why you’re here. Thank you for your honestly, Mia. It is a refreshing trait around these parts.” Her lips formed that small smile I’d seen in the office when I met her yesterday, and now twice this evening. I had to admit, it worked at keeping me calm. She left me standing there with my sandwich and a potential side project. Of course, I needed to find out if Warren felt the same about the lovely housekeeper as she did about him. I’d also have to feel Aaron out as to his thoughts about Kathleen and their history.

I had a strong suspicion that feeling out young Shipley was going to be a tough job, but someone had to do it. I snickered at my own lame joke and headed for the maze of hallways leading back to my room. Tomorrow was a new day.

Chapter 3

Half asleep, I walked through the doors of what I assumed was the dining room. Eureka! I’d found it. As soon as I entered and took in the space, a groan spilled from my lips. Kathleen approached, fully dressed in her pencil skirt, silk blouse, and heels, looking freshly pressed and pristine. Her graying blonde hair was pulled into a tight twist, not a strand out of place. It was seven in the morning and her face revealed a light dusting of makeup. Tasteful and suited her age and grace just right, but it was seven in the morning. Who looked that put together so early?

Kathleen showed me to a place setting at Warren’s left. I sat like an elephant and blew the layers of loose hair off my forehead. Warren tipped the corner of the newspaper down and smiled.

“Morning, Mia. I trust you slept well?” His eyes took in my camisole and cotton pajama pants. Of course, I’d brought the bubble gum pink tank and multi-colored striped pants looking every day of my twenty-four years. I could be this man’s grandchild, and here I was, serving as his date.

I huffed. “I know
you
did,” I said, knowingly. He set his paper down into his lap and rested his elbows on the solid oak surface.

“It seems you have become aware of some very private information. Would you care to discuss it?” His tone was straightforward with absolutely no hint of concern.

Kathleen’s eyes looked away as she poured me a cup of coffee and refilled Warren’s.

“Not especially. Would you like to discuss why you hired an escort while your girlfriend serves your breakfast?” I answered boldly, knowing I was stepping
way
over what would be considered appropriate for a woman in my position. The last thing I needed was to lose my bundle of cash before I could ship it off to Blaine, the dirty rat bastard ex of mine.

Warren grimaced and his mouth tightened, so much so, that his lips turned white. “You’d do well to remember your place. Personal matters are none of your business.”

He had a serious point. “I apologize; you’re right.” I wanted to ask Kathleen for a slice of humble pie for breakfast instead of the eggs and bacon she set in front of me. Instead, I cast my head down and picked up the fork. It was heavy and solid. Probably cost more than a month’s rent.

Shoveling in the food, I sat and tried to mind my manners. The second Kathleen left the room, I set down my fork and turned to Warren.

“Look, I’m sorry.” Warren folded up the
Washington Post
and set it on the table. “I guess it’s hard for me to understand why I’m here when you have a perfectly beautiful woman ready to do as you bid.”

His gaze held mine as he seemed to think about my statement. “Kathleen has been with this family since Aaron was a young boy. She helped raise him when we lost his mother. Only recently have we begun something more.” Warren inhaled then sighed. “Honestly, I’m not even sure how to broach this. Having an affair with the help wouldn’t look good for me—or the business. I’m uncertain whether Aaron would accept it or not. He loved his mother deeply. Her passing hit this family hard.”

“But it was Kathleen that helped hold it together right?”

“Yes, absolutely. Things would have been much worse without her here to pick up the pieces.”

“So then you owe her in a way.” His eyes burned at that comment, but I continued. “When I chatted with her last night, I figured it out; she didn’t tell me, by the way.”

“I’ve been with Kathleen for over a year and she’s not mentioned anything to a single soul. I know she’s trustworthy.”

“Then why don’t you trust her with your heart? Bring her out into the light. Has she not earned that?” He ran a hand over his chin as his jaw tightened. “Maybe you don’t love her like she does you? Is she just someone you use to get your dick wet?”

Warren stood up abruptly and tossed his napkin on the table. “I will
not
have you address me with such crude language or accuse me of something so heinous. My time with Kathy is special and…and wait... Did you just say she loved me?” I nodded, and he put his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels. “Really? Did she actually say the words?” From angry to pensive in twenty seconds flat. That may be a record for my matchmaking skills.

“Yeah, last night. Said she wouldn’t stay with you in a hidden arrangement if she wasn’t madly in love with you.”

This time Warren sat down in a heavy heap. “I’ll be damned.”

“You mean, you didn’t know?” I’m certain my tone was quite shocked because I was. I’d been there two days and I figured out the woman was head over heels. How could he have been bedding her for the last year and not know? Maybe it was that politician side to him. Always thinking someone had an agenda of their own. The world would be a lot better off if everyone said what they thought and believed in living the Golden Rule.

Warren shook his head and placed a hand over his mouth. “This whole time…”

“Yep. You could have been hitting that for a lot longer.”

With that, he let out a huge chuckle. “Mia sweetheart, you are definitely a handful all wrapped up in a pretty package aren’t you.”

“A handful?” I shrugged. “I’ve been called a lot worse.” I grinned and he placed his hand over mine.

“Thank you. I’m not yet sure what to do with this information but I do know that I need to proceed with my plan. The project will suffer, and after last night’s win, we need to strike while the iron is hot. You understand? I need you to do what I’ve hired you to do.”

“You got it. Whatever you need.”

“Good. Review this list and plan for the next few week’s events. The rest of the time will be your own. I believe Aaron has offered to show you around DC proper if you’re interested.”

I nodded vigorously. There was no telling when I’d be in our nation’s capital again. I wanted to soak up all the sites I could.

Again, he patted my hand. “I’ll be busy until Friday. We have a dinner to attend hosted by local United Nations ambassadors for different non-profit organizations. Saturday, you’re attending a tea held by Arthur’s current lady friend. There will be at least ten other women I need you to make friends with. If you’re in with them, I’ll be invited to events that their men are hosting. Access to these men within their inner circle is crucial to the next phase. Are you up for the challenge?”

I placed my hand at my forehead and saluted him. “Aye aye, sir!”

“Definitely a handful. In the meantime, enjoy spending time with my son. Seems he’s rarely around anymore, but with you here, I’ve already seen him twice in two days. Interesting to say the least.”

“Mmm, interesting.” I concluded and finished up my coffee. “See you Friday, Warren.”

“Until then, Mia.”

***

To: Mia Saunders

From: Sexy Samoan

To remember you always.

The text message from Tai was cryptic until another text came through with an image. It was his right shoulder. A shiny brand new black tattoo shone through the image. It was placed on what used to be his bare right shoulder. The Samoan symbol for friendship. The same symbol I left for him in the picture I had done by a local artist. Tai had tattooed it on his body. For me. On the side that he said was just for him. It was large, tribal and one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen.

I pressed my contacts and clicked the send button. It rang a few times before a female answered.

“Hello, Tai’s phone,” the female giggled sweetly.

“Um, hi. This is Mia. Tai available?”

“Mia!” the woman responded with a heaping dose of enthusiasm. “Babe, it’s Mia!”

Babe.
This woman called him Babe in a way that could only be interpreted as proprietary. I crossed my fingers and waited.

“Who’s this?” I asked, hoping I was guessing correctly.

“It’s Amy. Remember, you set Tai and me up at the restaurant last week?”

The desire to fist pump couldn’t be stopped. Silently, I jumped in the air and did a solid touchdown dance, air fist pump included. Once I’d shimmied enough, I focused on the phone. “Yes, of course. How are things going?” I asked conspiratorially. Never once did I claim I wasn’t a typical girl. At least in some aspects, like when we wanted to get the goods.

“Oh Mia, just amazing.” Her voice got very low. “I’m totally…” she inhaled. “Just...you know…he is so…” she hesitated again.

“Perfect?” I offered the word-challenged, lovesick girl.

“Yeah. Mia…this last week...it’s been unreal. Thank you.” Her voice turned breathy, as if she was choked up.