Page 18 of What the Doctor Ordered
We ate in silence for a few minutes, the only sound being silverware tapping lightly against our plates. I tried not to glance at Kiley out of the corner of my eye since I was hyper aware of the fact that my t-shirt she was wearing was riding up her thighs, exposing her smooth, creamy skin.
“These might be the best eggs I’ve ever had,” Kiley said after a long moment.
I started at the compliment and then grinned at her. “I’m assuming that you’re exaggerating as a way of expressing your gratitude.”
Kiley giggled, seeming relieved that I was lightening the mood as well. “Not at all, actually,” she said. “I’m serious. These are better than a lot of restaurant scrambled eggs.”
“I’m glad you like them,” I said. “My father taught me how to scramble eggs when I was a little kid. I’ve been making them the same way ever since.”
Kiley’s eyes warmed at my words, and she continued to eat her eggs enthusiastically. Her face fell just moments later, and I found that I couldn’t ignore her suddenly forlorn expression.
“Something on your mind?” I asked carefully.
She twitched slightly, as if she forgot where she was for a moment. “Oh, it’s nothing really,” she said, wincing. “I was just replaying my time with Kramer over again in my mind. I can’t believe I fell for his charming boy act. I really thought he was a nice guy. Pretty foolish of me, huh?”
I shook my head. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that,” I said. “There is nothing wrong with being a trusting person. It just makes it a lot easier to know you and care about you.”
Kiley blinked before her cheeks colored slightly and a pleased smile crossed her lips. “Thanks,” she said. “Well, I’m kind of glad things happened the way that they did. This could just be the universe telling me that I’m not ready to date right now, whichis kind of what I figured anyway. I’m far too busy since I need to work to afford my vet school tuition.”
The opportunity that just presented itself was far too perfect for me to pass up. I turned on the bar stool so that I was facing her. “There may be something I can do to help you with that.”
Kiley’s head snapped up and she stared at me in confusion. “What do you mean?”
I chose my next words carefully, knowing that failing to do so could end with me getting slapped. Again. “I’m in a bit of a predicament,” I began. “It turns out that, as a condition of my father’s will, I won’t be able to gain control of the company my father left me unless I am either married or engaged. I have no interest in being either of those things at the moment, so I am in need of someone to help me simulate that status.”
Kiley furrowed her eyebrows, frowning at me. I could practically see the gears turning behind her eyes. “So…You want me to pretend to be your wife?”
I was surprised that she didn’t sound quite opposed to the idea, just as if she was asking for clarification. “My fiancée, actually,” I corrected. “It would be much more believable than me suddenly obtaining a wife.”
Kiley nodded slowly, absorbing this.
I continued quickly, encouraged that she didn’t immediately get up and walk out. “I would pay you handsomely of course,” I said. “I would only need you to play the part for about six months, but my offer would more than cover your tuition for the next year.”
Once Kiley was able to process what I was asking of her, her eyes rounded as the shock started to settle in. I wasn’t entirelysurprised when uncertainty started to spark behind her eyes. “I don’t know, Simon. This sounds a little crazy,” she murmured.
I felt panic rise in me. Kiley was the first woman to even slightly consider my offer, and I had spoken to over a dozen women the night before. “I would be able to offer you more than just your tuition,” I said, adding a more persuasive tone to my voice. “I would treat you as if you were really my fiancée. Spoil you. You wouldn’t have to worry about anything other than focusing on your studies.”
She was still hesitant, but I could tell she was more on the fence now rather than leaning toward objecting.
I lowered my tone even further, pinning Kiley with a stern look. “I can tell that you haven’t been taking care of yourself properly,” I said. “You have been working hard on top of going to school. That’s a lot of stress. Judging by the subtle dark circles under your eyes and how pale you are, I imagine you haven’t been getting adequate sleep and might not be eating well. Am I correct?”
Kiley averted her gaze, biting her lower lip, which just confirmed my suspicions. I was even more shocked when she looked up at me and nodded. “Okay, I’ll do it,” she said.
I hid my shock, smiling and nodding. “I’m glad to hear it,” I said. “Then, allow me to lay down my expectations for you. There isn’t much. I will need you to accompany me to social functions. There will likely be a couple each month over the next six months. I will supply funds for you to purchase any clothing or accessories you might need for these events.”
“Alright,” Kiley said, nodding. “I can do that.”
This was such a business-like conversation that I couldn’t help but smirk. “Although, if you are willing to make yourself available for other activities, I wouldn’t be opposed.” I stressed the word “activities” and leaned forward a bit, giving her a dark, heated look.
I could almost hear Kiley’s heart skip a beat. She sucked in a breath. “I might not mind that either,” she said quietly, looking up at me through her impossibly thick lashes. She shook her head and narrowed her eyes at me. “I still expect to be respected, though. I am not a sex toy.” Her voice held some heavy warning to it.
I gave her a serious look. “Of course,” I said. “I don’t see you as a sex toy at all. A toy wouldn’t be as passionate as you are about helping animals and certainly wouldn’t be able to make the noises that you make while being pleasured. Or punished.”
I smirked when Kiley’s face flushed even further, the pink across her cheekbones bordering on red. I hardened my expression. “In order to keep up pretenses, I will need you to be obedient to me. I will require that you do as I say when I say, especially while we’re in public. I will need to make sure this relationship we will be play acting is believable.”
Kiley’s eyebrows rose toward her hairline, and she clenched her jaw, fire in her eyes. She nodded after a moment though. I smirked. This was going to be interesting, indeed. I had a feeling I was going to have the pleasure of tossing Kiley over my knee quite a few times over the next six months.
CHAPTER 9
