Love For Hire: The Helena's Grove Series Book 2 Read online

  When he got out, Annie went in and began fixing her hair. She curled it slightly and put on her makeup. Her large brown eyes seemed larger with mascara on. She remembered in school the boys used to tease, calling her names like Bambi and doe eyes. It bothered her then and even now there were days when those insecurities rose up in her mind. But for the most part, she had become comfortable with herself and her features. After finishing her hair and makeup Annie slipped into her favorite red cocktail dress. It was fitted but comfortable and showed off her slim figure. Her favorite earrings were the perfect finishing touch. She stood in front of the mirror and took a deep breath as she stared at the face looking back at her. Marcus wants me to pretend, I can pretend. I can do this. I can pull this off; I’m smokin’ hot in this little red dress! She gave herself the best sexy look she could muster and then shook her head and exhaled in defeat. Sweetheart, sexy just isn’t something you can pull off. She shook her head and laughed as she went into the bedroom.

  Marcus was ready and waiting for her. “Wow,” he said in a low voice.

  Annie looked at him. “What?” she asked as she put her flat red shoes on. Heels were never in her comfort zone. She could never get used to them and after a couple nearly disastrous encounters; she decided to give up on them for the most part.

  “You look amazing,” Marcus complimented.

  Annie smiled but didn’t fully believe his words. “Thank you,” she said politely and then stood to face him. “Ready?”

  He nodded and Annie looked him over. He wore a nice blue button up shirt that matched his eyes. His dark slacks were immaculate and his hair perfect.

  “I’m ready when you are,” he told her.

  Annie started toward the door but stopped abruptly and turned to him. “I forgot to ask, how did we meet?”

  Marcus looked at her for a moment and then smiled. “How did you and Marcus meet?”

  “Well naturally I’m asking about Marcus since I know exactly how you and I met,” Annie said sarcastically.

  “I like this spunky side of you, it’s cute,” Marcus said with a smile. Annie waited and he filled her in on the major details.

  “Jen is going to ask tonight so I thought we should be clear on the basics.”

  “Good thinking, but don’t worry. I’ll tell the story if you’d like. I’m really good at stories.”

  “Hmmm, so I’ve noticed,” Annie remarked, and the two of them made their way downstairs to the party that awaited them.

  Chapter 7

  At six o’ clock everyone was seated around the table. Aunt Gabby had forgone inviting any of Zack or Annie’s old school friends this time so it was just the six of them, and Annie couldn’t be happier. She sat next to Marcus who was all ease and comfort, and was again amazed at how easily he could converse as though he was having dinner with his own family, rather than one he’d never met before. She watched in silence as a conversation between Roger, Marcus and Zack ensued. Roger seemed to be a highly impassioned individual. Annie could see the resemblance between him and Jen, and even Aunt Gabby. All three had the same intense blue eyes and a ‘never back down’ attitude. Roger, more than the other two was all business and didn’t seem to enjoy small talk. Annie had only ever heard about him from Jen, who, after having a slight falling out with her father, had quit the firm where she had worked with him. They had since made up somewhat, even though Roger was open about the fact that he hated her living in Boston. He clearly felt she could do better as an attorney in New York, though Annie couldn’t fathom why.

  “If you think politicians are the most corrupt people in our society you’ve clearly never been entangled with a pharmaceutical company, or an oil company. They are all so damn crooked they can’t walk straight!” Roger was saying emphatically. “At least politicians have something to loose, like the love of the people. Those other companies don’t care about anyone or anything, and the worst part is, they’re open about it! They don’t care who knows, as long as they get theirs.”

  “Would you like some more ham?” Aunt Gabby asked him.

  “No thank you Gabby,” Roger said putting a hand up, “I’ve had my fill.”

  “Anyone else?” she asked.

  The rest of the table shook their heads except Zack who said with a shrug, “Don’t mind if I do.”

  Jen clearly wanted to change the subject and turned to Marcus. “So Marcus, Annie says you’ll tell me how you two met? I’ve been dying to hear it!”

  Marcus smiled. “She likes me to tell it for some reason.”

  “You do such a better job than I do,” Annie remarked and smiled nervously.

  “Ok, well,” Marcus began, “it all started at this little coffee shop that’s pretty popular with the students from Penn State. I go there all the time – it’s a great place. Anyway, I stopped by one morning to get my usual coffee, and got up to the counter to order. The girl was new – I had never seen her before. She took my order and when I went to pay for it she informed me that their card reader was down and they were only accepting cash. Now you can imagine my surprise, in this day and age when everyone has a card and hardly anyone carries cash, especially on a busy campus. I don’t usually carry cash. So I searched my pockets, searched my wallet and nothing.”

  Annie glanced at Jen, who was riveted to every word coming from Marcus’ mouth, her eyes dancing with the impending romance to come.

  Marcus continued, “I was about to just cancel my order and head straight to class when I heard this beautiful voice from behind me.”

  Jen smiled at Annie.

  “Annie was in line behind me and saw that I was in danger of not getting my morning coffee. So she stepped forward and told the lady we were together. She took Annie’s order and she paid for both our coffees.”

  “That sounds just like you!” Jen remarked.

  “That’s my sister, always the do-gooder,” Zack chimed in.

  “It does sound like me, doesn’t it…” Annie said quietly, marveling at how Marcus had made the story so convincing after knowing her for such a short time.

  “Anyway, so I thanked her and she told me it was no big deal and that she hoped I had a fantastic day. Then she walked out into the sunlight and I remember thinking…” He stopped and reached for Annie’s hand, looking deep into her eyes. “I remember thinking, if you don’t go after her, if you don’t take action right now, the moment will slip through your fingers and every day for the rest of your life, you’ll wonder, what if?”

  Jen and Aunt Gabby sighed collectively. “That’s so cute!” Jen said with a dreamy look in her eye and Annie couldn’t help but think that love had made her go soft. She was very different from the Jen she’d met at the beginning of the summer.

  “So I ran after her,” Marcus went on. “I caught up to her and thanked her again for buying my coffee. I’m sure she thought I was crazy.”

  Annie laughed a little; she was enjoying this story very much. She could picture the whole thing, as though it had actually happened.

  “I asked if I could return the favor and asked her out to dinner, and after a slight hesitation…” He looked at Annie and smiled. “She said yes.” He put his arm around her shoulders as he continued, “We went to dinner the next night, and I think it was lunch the day after that. She came to a party with me that weekend and we had dinner again on Sunday. We pretty much saw each other almost every day for two weeks. And at the end of those two weeks, I knew I didn’t want to see anyone else. But I kept that to myself for a little while longer,” he laughed. “I didn’t want her to feel like I was moving too fast. So we continued to see each other through October and then I couldn’t take it anymore.” He looked into Annie’s eyes. “She’s the nicest, most caring, truly genuine person I’ve ever met. I didn’t want to be with anyone but her. Luckily, she felt the same way.” He smiled and kissed her cheek. Annie resisted the urge to touch where his lips had brushed her face and blushed slightly as the tingly feeling lingered. Marcus went on with their story, “And the rest
is history.” He smiled and the rest of the table smiled and awed.

  “You do tell that very well,” Aunt Gabby complimented him.

  “I’ve had lots of practice.”

  “Well I’m glad, Annie, that you have found someone who loves you for you and all your wonderful qualities. That’s very important in a relationship; it helps you get through the hard times,” Jen told her.

  “What hard times?” Zack looked confused. “We haven’t had any hard times.”

  “It helps you get through everything,” Jen corrected herself, playfully nudging Zack. “It’s just nice to know they love you for what matters.”

  “Yeah, like your good looks and great career,” Zack teased.

  “Oh stop it!” Jen slapped him playfully.

  Everyone laughed and the conversation turned away from Annie and Marcus to Zack and Jen and their plans for Boston and the future. Annie tried to stay engaged but her main focus was on Marcus’ hand, which had come away from her shoulders to rest comfortably on her knee. Annie had put her hand over his instinctively but now she wasn’t sure how to pull away. Maybe she would just wait for him to make the first move. But he never did. It was only when Aunt Gabby passed him a cup of coffee that he removed his hand from her leg. Although Annie was much more comfortable with him keeping his hands to himself, the absence of his warmth was more acute that she thought it would be.

  The night wore on and they cleared some dishes to make room for dessert. Aunt Gabby passed around the pie and whipped cream. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely; even Roger had relaxed and was now chatting comfortably with Aunt Gabby at their end of the table. Soon Aunt Gabby announced it was time for presents. Everyone gathered in the living room around the glowing Christmas tree with presents neatly placed beneath it, and one by one they were retrieved and given. Oohs and awes filled the small living room as each person opened their gifts. Zack gave Jen a beautiful necklace and she gave him a new cowboy hat, along with a pair of custom scrubs with Zack’s initials on them. Roger gave everyone a gift card, claiming that sentimental gifts weren’t his thing. Aunt Gabby gave Annie and Jen each a beautifully crocheted blanket. She got Zack a new shot gun which caused Jen role her eyes and Roger to give a disapproving look; however, Zack seemed to be thrilled. Annie presented Marcus with a new scarf and gloves, and he gave her a new jacket that she actually quite loved. After all the presents were opened and distributed the group sat lazily on the couches when Aunt Gabby sat up.

  “I almost forgot pictures!” she announced and made her way out of the room. She returned quickly with a camera. “All right everyone, let’s get some good shots.” She took some random pictures of gifts and people around the room. Then she directed Jen and Zack to stand under the mistletoe which hung in the doorway. They did as they were told, first posing together, smiling at the camera, and then indulging in a sweet kiss as Aunt Gabby’s camera flashed a couple more times.

  Annie glanced nervously at Marcus who just smiled at her. Somehow that eased her anxiety, but only slightly.

  “Ok now you two,” Aunt Gabby gestured toward Annie and Marcus.

  “Oh Aunt Gabby,” Annie protested, “you don’t want…”

  “Don’t argue with me child. I want a picture now do as I say, come on.” She waved her hand toward herself as if trying to pull them toward her. Reluctantly, Annie stood and made her way to where the mistletoe hung; Marcus was right behind her. They wrapped their arms around each other and smiled brightly as Aunt Gabby took the pictures.

  “Ok now, a little kiss, go ahead.” Her eyes disappeared behind the lens as she waited.

  Annie looked up at Marcus, wondering if he could feel her heart beating. She laughed nervously as she stood on her tip toes and kissed him quickly. The light flashed and she took a step back.

  “That was terrible!” Aunt Gabby whined before Annie could return to her seat. “Annie, I know you’re shy but, I want a good picture. Come on; give him one with a little feeling.”

  Annie swallowed hard and returned to where Marcus was still standing. He looked down at her and his eyes darted briefly to her lips. Annie was sure he could hear her heart as his left hand wrapped around the base of her neck and his right around her waist. He leaned in and Annie closed her eyes. The kiss was soft, sweet and sent tingles all the way to Annie’s toes. She heard the click and a light flashed. Her eyes opened, looking directly into his; then the moment was gone. She took a step back and smiled at Aunt Gabby. “That one ok?”

  “That one was great.” Aunt Gabby told her and the three of them made their way back to the couches. Marcus didn’t touch Annie again for the rest of the night.

  Zack, Annie and Roger didn’t leave until almost two o’ clock in the morning. Finally, with everyone gone Annie and Marcus made their way up to their room. Aunt Gabby had long since gone to bed. They closed the door quietly and Annie quickly got into her pajamas, too tired to even wash her face. She brushed her teeth and made her way to the bed, sighing deeply as she lay on the soft white pillows, the fluffy down comforter warming her. She felt the bed move as Marcus lay down beside her. There was a silence as the two of them started to relax.

  “I like our story,” Annie said quietly. “When you said earlier that we met at a coffee shop I didn’t expect all the little details you would put into it.”

  “A story is only as good as its details,” Marcus said through a yawn.

  “Well I think everyone bought it…” She paused. “I almost believed it.”

  It was quiet for a moment. “You have a great family,” he said finally.

  “Thank you,” was all she could think to say.

  “I’m glad I was able to spend Christmas with them. It was one of the better Christmases I’ve had in a while.”

  His voice seemed sad and for some reason Annie’s heart ached at his sadness. “I’m glad too,” she admitted. “Merry Christmas Marcus.”

  “Merry Christmas Annie.”

  Chapter 8

  Annie awoke with a start. She quickly looked around, not sure of where she was or what had awakened her. She turned to look at the man sleeping soundly next to her and shook her head as memories of the last two days came back and the fog began to clear. She swung her feet over the edge of the bed and rubbed her face. The coolness of the floor made her shiver as she stood and stretched. Looking at the digital clock sitting on the dresser, she winced; almost seven a.m. Annie was as much an early riser as anyone but after going to bed so late the night before, she decided she deserved to sleep in. Silently, she crawled back into bed and lay on her side facing Marcus. She watched him sleep for a moment; his chest slowly rose and fell with each breath and his curly hair was unruly from the night of slumber. Annie unconsciously reached a hand to brush a piece of hair from his forehead. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake. He really was a very good looking man, and much better at his job than Annie could have ever dreamed. He had been the perfect boyfriend last night; sweet and caring, attentive but not controlling, interested in those around him while still being able to talk about himself without coming across as arrogant. He had even studied up on mechanical engineering since he had talked to Roger for almost half an hour about solar energy and the future of the sun for power. Annie smiled as she remembered his reading material when they had gotten on the plane. He clearly took his job very seriously, which made that kiss all the more confusing. She tried not to read into it, tried not to remember the way his hands had wrapped around her, and his lips pressed against hers. He was acting, this was his job, and she was paying him. She said these words over and over to herself. But she couldn’t help but wonder if he had felt the same spark she had when their lips touched.

  There was a knock at the front door. Annie instinctively looked up at the window but didn’t want to move. Another knock, Annie groaned and pulled a blanket up to her face. Just then, her phone began to ring. “You have got to be kidding me,” she whined as she got out of bed and looked at the phone. It was Zack. “Hello?” s
he said sleepily.

  “Annie, where the crap are you? I’ve been knocking for like ten minutes. Get downstairs and unlock the door, will ya? It’s cold out here!”

  Annie didn’t respond but hung up the phone as she grabbed her new jacket and put it on. It was chilly downstairs and she wrapped it tight as she unlocked the front door and opened it. The blast of cold air made her shiver and Zack and Jen quickly made their way into the house.

  “Hey sleepy head,” Zack teased her.

  “Zack, it’s only seven o’clock, why are you guys up so early?”

  “Check your clock again sleeping beauty; it’s nine in the morning.”

  “It is not, the clock upstairs says seven.”

  “Well it’s wrong.” He showed her his phone. “Nine o’ clock,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “Wow I can’t believe I slept that long,” Annie said, rubbing her eyes.

  “Must have had a long night.” Jen winked at her and Zack made a face.

  Annie opened her mouth to tell Jen she was mistaken but Zack cut her off, “We don’t care, we don’t wanna know. But we were thinking of taking Aunt Gabby out to breakfast and then maybe hitting a movie before the thing tonight.”

  “What’s the thing tonight?” Annie asked stifling a yawn.

  “The Christmas Farm!” Zack said excitedly. “Jeez Annie, what’s with you this morning, did you drink too much last night?”

  “No I’m fine, I just haven’t slept much the last few weeks because of finals. I guess it’s catching up with me.”

  Zack made a face. “We all know how that is. Anyway, run get dressed and wake up your boy.”

  Annie nodded and made her way up the stairs. She opened the door silently, Marcus was still sound asleep. She tiptoed to the side of the bed and reached out to wake him when a thought crossed her mind. She ran into the bathroom and sure enough, her makeup that she had been too lazy to wash off the night before was now smeared and smudged. She quickly washed her face and applied some moisturizer, brushed out her hair and brushed her teeth before creeping back to the bed to wake up Marcus.