Page 42 of Contract Of Shame

Chapter Fourteen

“I was wondering if you could tell me where Scarlet Hughes is?” Richard asked the man behind the counter.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

He stood in a hotel reception in another city far away from where he lived. Richard couldn’t believe how easily she’d upped and moved from the area. It broke his heart to think he’d caused her to move so far away. He didn’t like to think of how he’d bribed this information out of John Barnes. Only because Richard had promised to bring her back home did John allow him to know she worked at this fucking hotel. He hated the look of the place on sight. His parents came to eat regularly here. “Look, I know you’re not used to men coming here, but I swear I only want to talk to her.”

“Scarlet Hughes requested for privacy. I can’t give any information about her. I suggest you go and eat a nice, cozy meal. John is a friend of mine.” The man glanced behind him.

Richard frowned at his choice of words. Giving up, he walked into the restaurant and decided to at least drown his sorrows in a whisky bottle.

The maitre d’ found him a seat overlooking the whole room. As he perused the menu the distinct scent of cinnamon overcame him, and he placed the menu down and gazed up at Scarlet.

“What can I get you, sir?” Her voice was still as addictive as ever.

She stopped and stared at him.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“You,” he replied.

“If you’re going to take the mickey then I suggest you leave.” She turned away and as much as he liked looking at that cute ass, he had stuff he wanted to say.

“Where’s Harry?” he asked.

She froze. “What do you care?”

“I care. I care a hell of a lot.” Richard stared out in the crowd and saw his mother and father staring at him. His dad looked impressed as he glanced at Scarlet, and his mother looked like she wanted to stab him.

“Go away,” she said. He caught her wrist and held her steady.

“I’m not letting you go this time.”

“Why?” she whispered.

“Because I love you.” She stopped and turned back. A few of the other couples had stopped what they were doing to stare at the commotion happening at the front of the restaurant.

“Don’t say stuff like that. You don’t need to be here.”

He got down on one knee, his heart open and bleeding for her to see what he was trying to say.

She yanked out of his hold, and Scarlet was walking away from him. Richard couldn’t allow it to happen. He loved her, damn it.

Without thinking he began to sing. Scarlet stopped and turned to stare at him. He was singing a tune she loved to listen to. He knew this. He’d listened to her humming and singing the song, admittedly off key, in the office. The song itself had no meaning whatsoever. But he noticed it grabbed her attention. Security had come around and were tapping him on the shoulder. He sang louder.

“Richard, what are you doing? Stop doing this,” she said walking back to him.

“I can’t. I need you, Scarlet.” He got to his feet and took her hands in his. “I know I was a bastard for what I did to you, and I’ll spend the rest of my life paying the price.” He got to his knee before her once more. “I want to marry you.”

****

Scarlet stared at Richard, on his knees in front of her. People were staring, but he didn’t seem to care. When he told her he loved her, she didn’t know how to respond. Part of her wanted to believe him, while another part was afraid in case she opened up and was disappointed once more.

“I can’t do this,” she whispered.

“And I can’t go another day without being with you. I know you’ve been through a lot, and I’m really sorry for my part in that. When I got you to sign that damn contract I did it because I wanted you. I wanted you so badly and didn’t know what to do to get you.”

His words enthralled her.

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