C9 A Date

DESTINY

Then I went downstairs to look for James. I found him on the patio, smoking. He didn’t see me. He leaned against the railing looking out at the garden.

I stood there for a few minutes, admiring the curve of his butt straining against his jeans. He must have felt my eyes on him because he turned around rather quickly.

“Hey,” he said.

“I was wondering where you were.” I said, “Mr. Barrington.” The more I thought about it I became angrier. He played me for a fool, not being honest about who he was.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “What’s eating you, Destiny?”

“Are you a billionaire?” I came straight to the point. I watched him, crossing my arms across my chest. He smiled his disarming smile. Well, it wasn’t going to work on me, buddy.

“Destiny…” He raised his hands, “No, I’m not one yet. But I will be if my grandfather doesn’t disinherit me first. Does it matter to you?” His hands were on my shoulders.

“It matters when you’re not honest.” I hated it when people lied to me. “I mean, what is your agenda, Mr. Barrington? Is there something wrong with you? Why do you want a girl like me to marry you? I bet you could have any girl you wanted. Or do you want me because you think I’m naïve and stupid?” I slapped his hands away from me. He frowned.

He sighed. “Destiny, stop jumping to conclusions.” He took my arm and marched me inside. “Sit down, let’s get a drink. What happened between a few minutes ago and now that made you so angry at me?”

I plopped myself down on the couch, pouting like a child. “My friend Lorraine called me, and she told me who you were.”

He stood with his back to me, pouring each of us a drink. “Oh, and who is this Lorraine who thinks she knows who I am?” He walked over to me, handing me the drink. He sat down next to me. I scooted away from him.

“She worked with me at the store.” I took a sip. The liquor burned my tongue all the way down to my stomach.

He studied me for a minute. “So she only knows what she reads on social media and in the papers. You don’t strike me as someone who judges people on such things as other’s opinions.” He said, over the rim of his glass.

“She never told me what they write about you or what she thinks about you, James. I am angry because you weren’t straight with me.” I said, looking him right in the face.

He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Destiny…”

“No, don’t you Destiny me. I want to know everything, or I walk out of here and go back to my trailer park.”

“Alright then. The women I usually hang out with, doesn’t meet with my grandfather and father’s approval. They want me to marry into the Davenport family, a very influential family. But I detest their daughter.”

“What kind of women do you hang out with then, James?” I asked, thinking probably celebrities and models.

Did he just wink at me? “All kinds of women. I’m not picky. As long as they know how to have a good time.”

“Oh…” I felt my cheeks heat up. I knew what he meant by a good time. I wasn’t that ignorant. “But why me though?”

“Well, I told myself I would marry the first girl I ran into who doesn’t know me from a bar of soap.” He lifted his glass to me. “There you were, Destiny. It was fate. Do you believe in fate?”

I gaped at him, openmouthed. “Are you serious?”

“Very.”

Unbelievable.

“Do you think your father and grandfather will approve of me?” I asked, frowning.

He laughed, “We’ll find that out soon enough. We’re having Sunday lunch with them tomorrow.”

I took a large sip of the drink and started to cough. Boy, it was strong. He reached over, patting my back.

“Easy now.” He stroked my back while I spluttered, my eyes tearing up. He took the glass from my hand. Our fingers touched for the briefest moment and my stomach made a weird flipflop. Gosh, this man had the most gorgeous eyes, blue like the ocean or a clear sky.

James’s hand cupped the side of my face and his thumb brushed over my cheekbone, sweeping a teardrop away. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, fine. Not used to strong alcohol.” I hardly ever drink anything stronger than an occasional beer.

He smiled, “Good, I wouldn’t want to corrupt you.” There was some expression in his eyes I couldn’t read, but it made me feel hot all of a sudden. “You’re a sweet girl.”

“I’m eighteen, so I am an adult.” I replied, my eyes wandered to his lips.

He brushed my hair back from my face. I thought he was going to kiss me, but instead he stood up and poured himself another drink.

“We have to get our stories straight if we are to convince the James’s of our relationship.” He said, turning back to me.

“You mean, we have to lie to them?” I asked, horrified. I couldn’t lie to save my ass.

“Yeah, what else?” he shrugged.

“You know what? I have an idea.” I smiled at James. “We ought to use the paparazzi to help us. Go out on a date, be seen together. Give them something to post.”

James tapped his chin. “As much as I hate reporters, I suppose you’ve got a point there.” He stood up and grabbed my hands. “You hungry?”

“Starving!” I grinned.

***

He called ahead to his favorite restaurant to make reservations for us, winking at me.

“There you go, the restaurant owner will be sure to call the damn reporters to get publicity for his establishment.” He smiled, dimples appearing in his cheek making my heart flutter.

I shouldn’t be crushing on him this was a job. I had to remind myself of it.

In the car I turned to him. “Don’t you have a chauffeur to drive you? Like in the movies?”

He snorted, laughing. “I have control issues, I guess. I hate being driven. My grandfather has the driver, Max. Old as the hills. But Grandfather refuses to let him go on pension.”

“Maybe because your grandfather trusts him. It’s difficult to learn to trust new people.” I remarked.

“Do you trust me?” James looked at me all seriously, and it made my mouth go dry.

I didn’t answer immediately. “I guess so.” I said eventually. “Do you?”

“Yes, I do.” He nodded, a slight smile forming at the corners of his mouth.

We stopped in front of the restaurant where an attendant waited to park the car. James opened my door, and took my hand to help me out, like a true gentleman. Although I knew it was just for show. His hand slid around my waist, and I shivered when his breath fanned my face as he whispered into my ear. “Time for our little act, Sugar.”

The owner came to greet us.

“Mr. Barrington, welcome. You haven’t been here for some time.” He smiled broadly, rubbing his hands together. “Come, I’ve prepared your usual place.”

“Thank you, Tony. Honey, you’ll love this place. Their food is amazing.” He winked at me, and I smiled at Tony.

We sat down at a private booth; Tony pulled out a chair for me. He was practically gushing over us, and I wondered how anyone could get used to this. I certainly wasn’t.

Soft lighting and romantic music just audible in the background made for a romantic setting. There were roses on the table and a whole lot of plates and cutlery that I had no idea how to use.

James noticed my awkwardness and smiled at me, offering his hand over the table. I placed mine in his.

“Is it to your liking, Mr. Barrington?” Tony hovered.

Without looking at him, keeping his eyes on me, James replied. “Yes, Tony. Like I said, I want every-thing to be perfect for my special lady.” He brought my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers. The heat rushed to my face. I glowed like a beacon.

“Excellent.” He clicked his fingers, and a waitron came running.

Without letting go of my hand James ordered wine for us. He moved closer to me, placing his hand on my leg.

“You can be sure old Tony is calling the reporters right now, if he hasn’t done it before we came.” He said close to my ear. “I’m going to kiss you now. Don’t freak out, okay.”

His lips brushed mine lightly, teasingly. I felt faint, my head buzzed.

“Don’t look so frightened, for heaven’s sake. You’re supposed to be in love with me.” he said, smiling but his tone told me he was irritated.

“Sorry. This is a bit overwhelming.” I’ve never even flirted with anyone. I tried smiling at him, but it felt stiff.

He sighed. “Yeah, I understand. Try to relax, and just follow my lead.”

Easy for him to say.