Chapter Thirteen

Harper

He wants me. Reed Matheson wants me.

I suppressed a shiver that snaked up my spine, but I couldn’t stop it from hardening my aching nipples into tight nubs yearning to know the touch of his lips. The gravelly, rough notes in his voice gave it all away. I wasn’t just a job for him. He wanted me, which thrilled me beyond belief. Something I’d never thought would happen had actually come to fruition. For plain Jane, nerdy, glasses wearing, Harper Payne.

Wetness flooded my lacy thong just from his hand on my exposed knee and the evening had barely started. The thought of him in my bed floated across my mind like some far away, unreal fantasy that I’d only wished for in my dreams. And by the end of the night, it would all be a reality. I might wake up tomorrow with a Reed Matheson regret hangover, but for tonight, I intended to stop and smell the roses during my deflowering.

For a few minutes, we just stared at each other. I gazed past the lines and tiny scars on his face from his years in the game and saw the handsome young man I’d known practically all my life. He was still blazing hot, scars and all. Imperfections were sexy on a man. All the years in between faded away, and in these precious moments, I had my best friend back again. I could once again feel safe and happy, lost in the luscious amber-green of his eyes.

Oh, Reed, if you only knew how I’d felt about you, you’d have run screaming in the opposite direction. But you didn’t know, and you ran even faster. Headlong into the arms of Olivia Woodward and her pack of mean girls. Then to the despicable and heartless Robin Delaney. But it’s alright. You can come home again. To me.

I’ll be your shelter.

We pulled up at the host hotel for the fundraiser and the entrance bespoke all the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood red carpet. Reed seemed a little nervous, but he’d been in the spotlight enough in his hockey career that he took it all in stride. I’d had Julie call the organizers to let them know that Miss Laurie Arnold would be attending in Dr. Payne’s stead, so there wouldn’t be any questions asked at the check-in. The indispensable Julie hadn’t asked any either.

I also wasn’t worried about being recognized at the event, as I was very much a behind the scenes kind of gal. The name Harper Payne wouldn’t be mentioned on anything, and I rarely attended these types of functions, preferring to send staff instead.

We walked up the path and stood under the lighted marquee to the registry desk to sign in. As we were shown to our table, Reed glanced in awe around the decorated ballroom.

“This looks like awards night for the NHL,” he said with a broad smile.

Then he noticed the title slide showing on a big screen at the front of the room. I smiled as understanding crept across his face.

“The Children’s Leukemia Foundation Charity Gala welcomes our Generous Supporters,” he read aloud. He turned to look at me with suspiciously watery eyes. “Are you one of the generous supporters?”

I smiled and nodded. I hoped those potential tears were of happiness and gratitude; that he wouldn’t think I was trying to salt his already painful wounds. “And you’re going to present the check on behalf of MediGo.”

His jaw worked a bit but seemed unable to speak. “Thank you. It will be my honor,” he finally said, his burly voice cracking a little.

“Come, let’s sit down and enjoy dinner. I know the caterer, and it’s sure to be fabulous.” We reached our table and Reed pulled my chair out for me. A server appeared almost instantly to pour wine for us.

“Cheers,” he said and lifted his glass to mine. I tilted my head in agreement and let our crystal rims connect with a joyful ping. We both took a sip, and he seemed incredulous at the scenario unfolding around us. “Do you attend these things often? I visited your site and it seems like there’s an awful lot of charities that would want your donation. How do you say yes to some and no to others?”

“Well, there are some organizations close to my heart, like the Women’s Cancer Society. The viciousness of cancer took my mom. For others important to me, I have my PA create a rotating schedule so that we can support most of the charities at least every other year. And of course, children’s causes are always at the top of my list. And animals. I’m a huge dog lover. How is your daughter doing, by the way?”

Reed exhaled and set his glass down. I’d hit a nerve, and I almost regretted asking, but the tender woman in me hadn’t been able to resist. I could tell it was painful for him to talk about it.

“She’s holding her own. We’re scheduled to return to the Mayo next week to start the first round of treatment.”

“That’s great,” I said, happy that he had access to the best care and brightest medical minds in the country. “It’s expensive though, isn’t it?”

“You got that right,” he admitted with a frown. “Hey, would you like to see her picture?”

He dug into the breast pocket of his jacket for his wallet, clearly wanting to change the subject. He looked absolutely divine in the tailored and designer tux he wore, his sandy brown hair trimmed and spiky. Reed Matheson was the hottest thing on two legs, and I felt a jealous tug on my heart at the thought of all the ladies in the room who’d be laying eyes on him tonight and then lighting me with their judgmental stares to find me lacking. That was something I’d never gotten used to.

“Yes, please,” I said, eager to see his daughter.

He handed me his phone with the lock screen set to a candid photo of a beautiful and precious little girl, and I melted inside. She was so tiny and so full of life despite the sallow cast to her skin and the darkened eyelids. It was so unfair that children were claimed by such sinister diseases. Her long brunette hair was tied into two pigtails with pink ribbons. I swallowed a hockey puck sized lump in my throat as I gazed at her picture.

“Oh, what a sweetheart. She’s a doll, Reed. You must be so proud.”

“Thanks, I think so, but then I’m biased. Best thing I’ve ever done, hands down.”

I handed back the photo. “You’re allowed to be biased.”

Our table started to fill with other guests, and we engaged in polite introductions. A few of them recognized Reed from the sports world and appeared delighted to meet him and talk hockey, especially their very own hometown boys, the Rochester Riot. I felt gratified that his very public misfortunes had not dimmed his star appeal. There had to be a way to capitalize on that. Surely being a highly paid escort wouldn’t be the limit of his earning potential.

He had the face and personality for broadcasting. Why on earth wasn’t he a color man for the NHL? I knew some people. When I got back to my office, I’d make some phone calls on his behalf. After seeing the charming visage of Jessica Matheson, I had to do something to help her while still keeping Reed’s ego and pride intact.

I breathed a sigh of relief that no one at our table had recognized or cornered me as the CEO of MediGo. I didn’t know if or when I had to break the news of my true identity to Reed, but certainly, tonight was not the time. Let the fairytale evening play out just as it was. The time for revelations and regret could come later.

After the meal, the evening’s program began with a few speeches and moved on to the donor presentations. Reed reached for my hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. Our eyes locked, and I couldn’t wait for the damn event to be over and have him all to myself. Ever since I’d laid eyes on him in his tux, I’d pictured his hands and mouth all over me. But more than my physical desire, I was impressed at how he handled the entire evening with such easy grace, the perfect gentleman companion for the event. As if I wasn’t already hooked on him, I’d definitely swallowed the line and sinker as well tonight.

As he focused his attention on the speaker at the lectern, I scanned the crowd for any potential whistle-blowers to my Laurie Arnold persona. I took another sip of wine, partially hiding my face behind the rim of my glass. The fine Chardonnay turned sour in my mouth as my eyes landed on someone a few tables away.

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

Twice in as many weeks, I’d been imprisoned in the same room with Olivia Woodward-Sheridan. She didn’t look quite as drunk as the last time but was likely well on her way. Dammit, she looked stunning in her black and silver gown, and her raven locks poised on top of her head, iced with glittering jeweled hair clips. I tried to comprehend her presence here at this fundraiser when I noticed the middle-aged husband by her side. A lawyer. He probably had lots of dough to shell out to selected charities, ones where he could troll for new prospects under the guise of philanthropy.

So deep in my murky thoughts, I forgot that I was staring. I flicked my eyes aside not quite in time to avoid the laser beam glare from Olivia. Shit. She didn’t recognize me before, but with a second semi-sober look at me, that might have changed. I could always deny it and say that she’d mistaken me for someone else if she tried to call me out.

I immediately diverted my gaze to the first thing in front of me which was the printed program for the gala. I picked it up and glanced through it in a vain attempt to calm my galloping pulse. The old Harper would worry about the outcome before it even happened. Laurie would just enjoy the journey. An exhale heaved my chest as I read through the list of donor names, and sure enough, the law offices of Sheridan and Sloane were among them. Below it, I saw my own listing on the page.

MediGo Inc. – $50,000.00 – Dr. H. B. Payne, President and CEO

Surely Olivia wouldn’t connect me to that listing. Or anyone else for that matter.

Besides, Harper wasn’t on the guest list, Laurie Arnold was. And Reed Matheson would be making the presentation, so I could safely cower in the shadows for the duration. I stealthily gathered the programs that were within reach and slid them under the table, making certain that none of the offensive pieces of parchment were within grasping distance of Reed’s hands, just in case.

One by one, the donors were called to the stage to present their contribution, in order of value. The small players went first, working up to the big guns. Troy Sheridan strode forward at the one-thousand-dollar level.

Cheap bastard. Probably makes over a million dollars a year on the backs of accident victim’s pain and suffering.

“Hey,” Reed said as he turned to me with a look of concern on his face. “Are you okay?”

I lowered my voice. “That’s the husband of… oh crap… this is terrible…”

He looked over in the direction of Troy and the lectern, and his eyes widened in shock. I kept my face toward Reed but used my peripheral vision to confirm his observations. Olivia sat there, giving him the Queen’s wave. “Ignore her,” he whispered. “Just a coincidence. I promise. Remind me to tell you something later.”

I nodded and kept my eyes plastered on the presenters. My knuckles turned snow white as I clasped my hands in my lap. With painful clarity, I noticed all the photographers in the room that I had been unaware of up until now as I remained wrapped in my Reed Matheson cocoon of lust. I was afraid I was about to break free of my confines but not as a butterfly, as a pariah. Before I wanted it to happen, before I was close to ready, it was MediGo’s turn. Reed straightened his tie and looked to me for approval.

“You look great. The couriers will bring the proxy check to you. You’ll be getting your picture taken for the paper, hope you don’t mind,” I whispered.

“No sweat,” he responded with a grin. “Been there done that.”

Then I heard our announcement, but I could barely make it out above the buzzing in my ears from my throbbing temples as I contemplated my date with disaster.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have the privilege of this next donor’s support for a third consecutive year at the Platinum Level, MediGo, Inc. Unfortunately, Dr. Payne, MediGo’s President and CEO, is unable to be with us tonight. But to present their generous contribution of $50,000, we welcome Mr. Reed Matheson on her behalf.”

I flinched a little at the mention of my name but didn’t see any immediate reaction. Reed stood and threw me a bug-eyed look. Fifty thousand? he mouthed silently. I nodded and waved him forward. He gave a shrug and approached the stage to thunderous applause, holding the giant cardboard check. I joined in and watched with pride as he smiled and posed with the big dummy donation while the cameras snapped amid thunderous applause. The normal feeling of elation I enjoyed over being able to do so much good in the community became overcome with panic at my personal downfall.

“Harper?”

My fluttering hands froze in midair as I turned slowly toward the voice that had just outed me. To my horror, Charles Hamelin, one of the directors of the board for the foundation, and a former colleague stood just behind me. I’d been made for certain now, and panic coiled up my spine like a venomous serpent.

“Charles,” I whispered, my voice lost in the cacophony. “It’s great to see you.”

“What’s going on? The emcee just said you weren’t able to be here tonight, but unless you’re some gorgeous apparition, you’re right in front of me. What’s this all about?” Charles demanded, reaching for my hand, and pulling me from my chair.

“Oh, well… plans changed last minute… as always,” I said with a weak and unconvincing laugh. “You know how it goes when you’re running a business.”

Charles looked up to the front of the house and waved to the emcee.

“I’ll tell him you’re here,” he said, craning his neck. “With everything you do for multiple charities, you deserve all the credit for your generous donation. Not some has-been ice monkey.”

“No! No, Charles, please. It’s a long story. I just wanted to enjoy the dinner. You know I hate being in the spotlight. I’ve never enjoyed it.”

My frantic gaze danced left and right, hoping no one else heard our exchange. I did a double take as I saw Olivia again, her haughty gaze raking me up and down before she spun a one-eighty and walked away, leaving Troy alone at their table.

“You’re Harper Payne, aren’t you?” said one of my table-mates. “I thought you looked familiar.” The older gentleman looked befuddled but smiled at me all the same. “My hearing’s not what it used to be. Thought you said your name was Laurie.”

I let out a goofy giggle, and I felt like every eye in the room had trained on me, dripping with confusion and censure. I was not among strangers now, and bolting from the room like I did at the theater was not an option. The reputation of my business was more important than my ego.

Reed returned from the stage, his pace slowing as he saw the ring of people around me. I turned to Charles.

“Good to see you, but if you’ll excuse me, my date is here.”

Charles nodded politely in spite of his obvious confusion and mercifully retreated to his own table. I sighed in relief as Reed arrived at our table and touched me on the elbow.

“Who’s that?” he asked with narrowed eyes, looking annoyed. Like he didn’t want me talking to another handsome man. If panic hadn’t still been ripping through my body, I would have enjoyed it more.

“Just a business acquaintance,” I said, waving off the question. “You did great up there. Thank you so much.”

“Thank you,” he said, flashing his big beautiful smile that I loved. God, I could look at him for hours and never get tired of it. We both sat down again just as dessert was being served. My body went limp as my tension released. Dodged a bullet there. No—a freaking howitzer shell. “Allow me to show my gratitude?”

“Like how?” I asked, intrigued.

His smile relaxed into a sexy grin as he fixed me with his hot, green gaze and leaned in closer. Goosebumps raised on my skin as his face drew near, his lips hovering within an inch of mine. I’d wanted this for so long, but now that it had arrived, I wondered if I could live through the turbulent emotions this man evoked in me. A kiss would only be the beginning. I’d only crave his lips and hands even more than I had over the past twenty years. Then, I’d fall. And Harper Payne always kept her feet planted firmly on solid ground.

My lips parted slightly, anticipating the moist warmth of Reed’s mouth on mine when I sensed someone at my side.

“Madame?” the server prompted. Startled and cheated out of the fruition of my long-held fantasy, I whirled to face the waiter. “I have your special order.”

My what?

He set a plate in front of me.

A plate piled high with crispy, sizzling bacon.