Chapter 1
Bryce Edward stormed into the Alex Anderson’s office. After slamming the door shut, he slumped into the plush leather chair, facing his friend.
“Bad day?” Alex asked, laughter hinting in his tone. Bryce ran his hands through what would normally be perfectly combed hair. His brown locks falling over his eyes.
“Finally got word about Pop’s will.” Alex leaned forward, resting his chin on templed fingers. “I have to get married by thirty, to keep the company. Otherwise, the board can put it up for sale.” He jumped from his seat, standing at the large window behind the desk. He looked out over the Seattle skyline.
“Um, you turn thirty in two weeks.”
“Yep.” He turned to Alex, frustration shining in his eyes. “Apparently, he forgot to change it. And now he’s gone. Even in death, he’s trying to control my life. Don’t live in the city, you need a family home. You can’t have that sports car, you need a family vehicle. Damn, since turning twenty, it’s like he planned out my whole future. I’m surprised he hadn’t picked out the wife, too.”
Bryce’s father had created Masters Inc. They were the leading marketing firm in Seattle. The Anderson’s were their top client, but Bryce and Alex had been friends since they met at a young age. Since settling down with Jessica, they hadn’t seen much of each other outside of work. A month before, Jonas Edward, had lost his long battle with cancer. They all knew it was coming, but apparently his father hadn’t planned too far in advance, not updating his will.
“Two weeks!” Bryce shouted, waving his arms in the air. “The lawyers say that there is no way out of it. They drafted up a new one, but Pop never got there to sign it. They can’t change anything and have to use the original.”
“That sucks man, I’m sorry. There’s got to be something you can do. Have you thought of, I don’t know, maybe someone to pretend? Or maybe, sell the company? You always said you wanted to travel more. It’s not like you need the money, right?” Alex leaned back in his chair. Bryce stopped pacing the office floor. Wide eyed, he slowly turned to Alex, a grin breaking across his face. That broken sentence, sparked something inside of Bryce. A fake wife.
“Alex,” he shouted, pulling out of his depressive mood. “You sweet, smart, asshole.” He plopped down on the edge of the chair, elbows on his knees, bouncing nervously.
“No, no, don’t blame me. And don’t look at me like that. You’re scaring me.” Bryce laughed and had to admit to himself, he certainly sounded, crazy.
“Uh-uh, Alex. You just gave me the best idea. A fake wife. Someone who could probably use some money to better their life. Maybe, someone who I could pay to marry me. Then when the company is signed over, we divorce. It’s as simple as that. She signs up pre-nup, I don’t have to worry about anything, you know, happening or a court battle. It’s as easy as that.”
“Bryce, man, yo-“
“It’s perfect, thanks man,” he jumped up from his seat and headed towards the door.
“Bryce,” Alex called out. Ignoring his friend, Bryce rushed out of the office, before Alex could talk him out of it. But, this would work. Bryce would find a woman, who could use some money, maybe a hundred grand. That was nothing to him, but that much money could change someone else’s life. As the elevator went down, he tried to think of where he could meet someone like that. She obviously had to be somewhat smart. This woman would at least be around his family for a few months while things were handled. Sure, he would like someone attractive, but, he wasn’t shallow. Since it wasn’t real, it really didn’t matter. He didn’t want anyone cruel, or conniving. Hell, could he really do this? Anyone he brings into his life, fake or not, was going to get to know his family. What if she was nuts, or tried to blackmail them?
Leaving Anderson’s company, he slid into his waiting black Range Rover. His thoughts were far from the road though, as he wound his way towards home. His mind thought of every female in his life, were they single, could use the money, and would they be suitable for his needs. There was no way he could let his mother or sister know about this. They would have to think it was real. Bryce parked his vehicle at home, coming in through the garage. His large home was too big for just him, but his father had always preached about having the life he wanted, now, so he was ready. Some woman was about to make his a family home, at least for a few months. Hopefully after the divorce, he could finally be rid of it, and move into the city like he had always wanted. Living in the suburbs had been his father’s wish, not his. Not paying attention, Bryce slammed into someone as he walked into his kitchen. He moved backwards slightly, but the poor small woman he ran into, went flying to the floor.
“I’m so sorry,” he reached out a hand. “I-who are you? Why are you in my house?” He began to get angry, before realizing her shirt said Merry Maid. The blue polo meant she worked for his cleaning company that came in every other day to clean his home. The young woman began to cry, but all he could see was her long brown ponytail and the top of her head. She covered her face as she stood. Reaching out, he grabbed her arms. It must have scared her, because she shook.
“I thought I told you to go?” Maria, the owner of Merry Maids, came into the kitchen. “Mr. Edward, I’m so sorry. Sophie here was just leaving.” Her tone was harsh, but the girl quietly sobbed, dropping her hands from her face, and her shoulders slumped in his grasp.
“What’s going on here Maria?” He moved Sophie, behind him.
“Nothing of your concern, sir, I promise we will be out of your way soon. Sophie no longer works for us, so she is leaving now.”
“Did something happen?” Of course he wondered if she had been caught stealing from him, as that was about the only thing one of these maids could do, to be fired. It was such a simple job. Hell, even breaking something wouldn’t warrant firing.
“No, sir, she lied on her forms. Her background search just came back. I came here to finish the job, and she needs to go.” Maria placed her hands on plump hips. The large older woman almost intimidated him.
“What was wrong with the check? Is she a criminal?”
“No, but apparently, she’s using a fake name.” Bryce turned to the woman behind him, finally taking a good look. Her dark black hair, gave her tan skin a golden hue. Big brown eyes glistened with more tears, and her heart shaped mouth remained closed tight. She frowned, looking at her hands clasped before her.
“Thank you Maria. Why don’t you head out, and finish Saturday.”
“Sir, I can’t lea-“
“Thank you, Maria,” he said more sternly. He ignored the woman, but could hear her stomping away, slamming his front door. Maybe it’s time to find a new service, he thought, but his gaze never left Sophie.
Once they were alone, he backed up, since she shook with what he thought was fear. Leaning a hip on the island counter, he placed a palm on the cool marble, trying to seem relaxed.
“Are you ok? From that spill, I mean? Did I hurt you?” He watched her rub a hand over her elbow, as if not even thinking about it. Her face still turned down, looking at the floor.
“I’m fine,” she said softly, finally speaking for the first time. Her voice was sweet, though he felt like an ogre, for having yelled at her.
“Would you like to tell me what’s going on? Maybe I can help?” She just shook her head. He sighed, turning to the fridge. Opening the large side by side, he scanned the shelves, finding a few beers left in there from his last guys’ night. He pulled two out, handing her one. “You are old enough to drink, aren’t you?” He asked her while pulling the bottle back from her grasp. She giggled quietly, finally looking up. She was truly pretty, in a sad, injured baby animal way. His manhood twitched, hardening in the dress pants he wore. As she took the beer from him, he shoved two fingers into the collar of his button down, tugging at it. His throat felt tight, much like his crotch. With those fingers, he quickly undid the top button, opening himself up to make more room. The cap of his beer came off easily, and he took a large sip. The cold liquid slid down his throat, as he continued staring at her.
“It’s ok,” she fumbled with the beer. “I didn’t mean anyone harm. I just needed a job, and needed the money. The hotel I’m living at, was going to kick me out if I didn’t pay. And I have no ID or anything. I’ll be out of your way.” Finally she got the cap off, and he watched her drink the beer quickly. She packed the whole thing away in almost one gulp, her throat working to swallow the material. His pants became tighter and tighter. It was almost unbearable, the pain and pressure he felt. She moved past him, putting the empty bottle into the recycling bin, under his sink. It was obvious she had cleaned here more than once, and knew where things were. Then it hit him. He set his beer down, the glass clinking on the marble. She jumped, as if it scared her. As she turned to move past him, he touched her arm again.
“How about a different job, one that wouldn’t matter about your ID and would get you out of that motel?” She froze, looking at where his hand touched her arm. He pulled it back instantly; worried that he was making it worse. But to be honest, he was more excited than worried. She sounded like the perfect person to help him. “Look, I’m going to make some dinner. Stay, eat with me, and listen to what I have to say. If you don’t like what you hear, I’ll give you a month’s cleaning salary and you can be on your way.”
“I’m not a whore,” she said, standing up straight finally.
“I never said you were,” he chuckled. Of course, he sounded like that rich prick, trying to bed a maid. Although, technically, what he was going to ask her, wasn’t far off from that. “Look, you can’t lose. You get a meal, and money, even if you leave after. If you stay, my offer could change your life.”
“This isn’t one of those kinky Fifty Shades weird ass contract thing, is it?” As her face turned to him, contorted in something between disbelief and disdain, eyes narrowed at him, he knew, if she said yes, it was going to be so worth it. This woman had sass, and would make it somewhat enjoyable at least. Silently, she moved to the other side of the island and jumped up onto the stool, her chin planted on fists, elbows on the counter, watching him. He laughed.
“No, but I do need a wife, now.”