Page 27 of Contract Of Shame

“None of my business about her past.”

“Just so you know, whoever that man is, isn’t a friend of Scarlet. She’s been jumpy since bumping into him, and the fear in her eyes is not fake. He scares her.” Lily took a beer for her husband and left Richard with his confused thoughts. Double dating with his friends was a big fucking mistake.

This contract that was his bright idea was also the biggest mistake of his life. No matter what he did, the contract was underlined in everything. He saw it written in Scarlet’s face as she was near him.

Richard moved back to their table and settled in next to her. He placed an arm around her shoulders and brought her close. The waiter came to take their order. The men had steak while the ladies ordered chicken. It was so refreshing dining with women who weren’t afraid to eat.

“I’m pleased, Scarlet. When I have to dine with Wayne’s business associates and their dates I’m stuck with women who eat celery sticks for a living,” Lily said.

“I think I’ve proven by the size of me I like to eat.” Scarlet smiled, but even Richard noticed it didn’t reach her eyes.

“I don’t care for the food. Once you eat a steak cooked by Lily there is no going back,” Wayne said and smiled at his wife.

Richard gulped down his beer at the love shining between them. He couldn’t do this. He wanted that kind of affection for him and Scarlet. All he could think of was that damned contract. Late at night, when they were both sleeping, he’d wrap his arms around her and bring her close to his body. In those moments when her barriers were down he witnessed the wonderful woman she was. Always a smile and time for him.

“You cook?” Scarlet asked.

“Yes. Every meal time. Apart from when he needs to dine to impress.” Richard could tell Lily really liked her. What would Scarlet say if he banished the contract? Tore it up and made this thing between them real?

“Wow, Scarlet Hughes? I thought I saw you here.” He felt and saw Scarlet tense as an older woman approached. He saw the man behind her and recognised him from earlier.

“Hello, Mrs. Buttons,” Scarlet muttered. The cup she placed back on the saucer rattled.

“It’s been too long.” The woman held out her hand. Scarlet took it, but everything about her reaction seemed off. “And you remember my husband, of course.”

The husband placed a hand on her shoulder, and Scarlet’s hands went to the edge of the table. Her knuckles whitened from the grip she had on the damn thing. There was exposed flesh on her shoulder, and Richard noted the man’s fingers caressing her flesh.

“We haven’t seen or heard a lot from you, but your folks still live in the same—”

“That’s good. Really good. Sorry to be a pain, but do you mind? We’re about to eat dinner, and it’s a special time,” Scarlet stopped the woman and stared forward. Lily looked concerned, and Wayne clearly had already made his judgment on the man. Richard didn’t like it one bit.

“Oh. Okay, sorry to bother you.”

They left, but an uncomfortable silence descended round the group.

“You know, I don’t feel hungry at all. I’m going to go to my room.” Scarlet bounded up, and in the process knocked over her drink into her lap of her pants.

“We need to eat,” Richard said.

“Then eat. I really can’t stomach anything, and I need to call my son.” She batted away a waiter and charged for the elevator. Richard quickly made his excuses to his friends and joined her before the doors closed.

She wouldn’t talk to him, and she stood as far away from him as the lift allowed. A few minutes later they entered the penthouse suite.

“Who was that guy, Scarlet?” he asked as soon as they got into their room. She ignored him and went to the phone.

Richard knew she was calling Harry. Everywhere they went she called her son. He admired her for the devotion, but right now he wanted answers. “Don’t call him.”

She stared up at him with tears in her eyes and put the phone down. “Fine, what do you want to know?”

“Who was he?”

“No one?” Scarlet stared at him, and he saw the tears in her eyes. She was so close to losing it, her emotions ready to burst.

“He didn’t look like no one to me.”

Her hands crossed over her chest, and she touched her shoulder where the man downstairs had laid a hand on her. She screamed an ear piercing squeal. Richard jumped and watched her go into a frenzy.

“Why did you force me to wear these fucking clothes? Is this to highlight my whore status to you? To let everyone know you’re buying me for a week?” Each scream brought about a tug and a rip of the clothes he’d bought her.

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