Chapter 6
“Wake up sleepy head.”
Megan opened her eyes, a dull ache in the back of her head. Sitting up from the couch, she looked around. Jensen stood next to her already dressed in his perfect trousers and pressed shirt. She wondered if he ever looked bad.
“How are you feeling?”
“My head hurts.” Her mouth was dry like cotton.
Jensen handed her a glass of water and two small pills. “I figured after the four glasses of wine, you might need these.”
“That’s all I had, and I feel like this?” She took the water and popped the pills into her mouth, washing them down with half the glass.
“You’re not used to drinking and you don’t eat like you should.”
“Spare me the lecture.”
“I’m going to London for a few days. I’d like for you to come with me.”
Megan looked at him and smiled. “You do?”
“I have some business to attend to and will be staying at the penthouse. I’d like to introduce you to the place and let you know what your duties will be.”
“Oh, yes of course.”
“You have the weekend for yourself, of course. We will be staying until Monday evening so you can work Monday.”
“I’ll go and get ready.”
“What would you like for breakfast?”
“I’m not hungry right now.”
Jensen didn’t move from where he stood and he didn’t take his eyes off her. “That is not what I asked.”
Megan wasn’t going to win this one. “A grapefruit and some granola would be fine. Thank you.”
He nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer, and disappeared into the kitchen.
After her shower, she gathered her things for the next few days and met Jensen in the kitchen. On the table, where she sat was a grapefruit, sectioned, a bowl of granola, a bowl of strawberries, a glass of milk and a small bowl of oatmeal. She didn’t want all of it but she would rather pick at what he gave her than try to send it back.
“I will be leaving within the hour so try to be ready. Everything you need for work will be there.”
“Then, I’m ready to go.” She stood up from the table.
“No you’re not. Sit down and eat.” He stood there for a few moments before disappearing to let her know he meant business.
When she walked out to his car, he was already standing there waiting for her. He took her bag and put it in the back. When she got in, he handed her two books. She looked at them and blushed. They were the next in the series she had already started. “Just in case you want to read.” He walked around and got into the driver’s seat, starting the engine and speeding out of the driveway toward his penthouse.
It wasn’t long before they were pulling into the driveway. He pulled into a small carport underneath the building and hit a button from inside his car.
“Why do you own two places so close together?” she asked, watching the sunlight disappear from behind them.
“I actually have four places here in London, as well as three others in Oxford and one in Brussels. Real estate is good here. I like to diversify my investments.”
“Wow.” She climbed out of the car and looked around. The whole back of the carport closed down and locked into place. He led her to the side and opened a glass door. They walked onto a lift and within moments were standing in the middle of a very beautiful living room. It was nothing like his mansion. Very structured with windows covering just about every wall in the place.
Small lights illuminated the rooms, reflecting off the glass just right, causing a very romantic feel. The furniture and décor was very modern. “This is very beautiful.”
“Thank you. Let me show you around.”
He took her from room to room, showing her the different aspects of the modernized home.
“This button,” he pointed to a panel on the wall in the living room, “pulls out the remote for the entire room.” He pressed the button and a section of the wall eased out. A series of buttons allowed for remote access to dim the lights, regulate the surround sound, operate the television embedded into the other wall, operate the curtains and even summons emergency personnel if needed. “There is also a hand held on the table over there that operates the same way.”
“This place is just amazing.”
“You’ll be staying in this room when we are here.” He allowed her to enter before him.
She gasped. The entire back wall was a window overlooking the city. A very large bed took up the center of the room with a flat screen television at the foot of it. Behind the television was a large porcelain bath tub illuminated in lights from above. The back wall beside the tub consisted of rope lights inside the glass and encased a shelf with beauty supplies. The ceiling twinkled with small white lights and the carpeting was black.
“Will this do?”
Megan turned toward him and stared with her mouth open. She merely nodded and walked in further. She was captivated by her new world of beauty and sophistication. The places she slept, the beauty around her, the way Jensen took care of her, the way he looked at her, she wanted to be a part of it all. She wanted to let down her barriers but she didn’t know how. She was always the one who served the rich while being slammed down by the ones she needed to trust. She never dreamed she could be a part of something good. Even though she was working for Jensen Dean, she felt more a part of his life than she had ever felt with anyone else.
She turned back toward him and smiled. “It’s amazing what you can have with the right bank account.”
“Money isn’t everything.”
“I wouldn’t know.”
He looked at her until she had to turn away.
“I’ll be in meetings all afternoon so you’ll be on your own. You can take my car into the city if you’d like.”
“You’re working on Saturday?”
“I usually do, to a degree.” He turned and walked out of her room. “If you decide to go into the city, just let me know.”
She watched the landscape go by as Mr. Black drove, keeping him in her peripheral vision. She thought she was going alone. She was not looking forward to spending her day with Jensen’s head security. She was still uneasy about what happened the day before, swearing he tried to grab her. But, all of that aside, he never talked and he acted so straight-laced, she was sure he didn’t know what fun was. She wanted to ditch him as soon as they got parked.
“I think I am going to do some window shopping when we get there.”
He didn’t say a word, keeping his head straight as he drove.
“What are your plans?” She waited for a response, and still nothing. She looked out the window.
He found a parking lot and pulled in. Megan quickly got out and walked toward Soho. “What time do you want to meet back here?” she asked quickly.
“I’ve been instructed to escort you around the city.”
“You don’t have to do that. I know my way around.”
He locked the doors and walked up to her, waiting for to pick her direction.
“I won’t tell if you don’t,” she joked.
He didn’t move.
“Ugh.” She threw her hands up and started walking. “Your choice.” She got down the street and looked behind her. Mr. Black was about fifteen feet behind her and kept up as he needed to.
After a few shops and some small purchases with her first paycheck, she figured he would be bored of her. “Are you sure you don’t have something you want to do? You don’t have to babysit me.” She looked at him feeling frustrated that he wouldn’t respond to her. She shook her head and went into a coffee shop. “Would you like anything?”
Mr. Black shook his head and stood behind her as she ordered a small mocha Frappuccino, a small black coffee and a crepe with blueberries. She sat close to the front window to feel the sun and gave the coffee to him.
“I don’t drink coffee.”
“Sit down, please? I’m not going to sit here while you hover over me like some sort of body guard.” She watched him for what seemed like a long time until he sat down across from her. She was shocked when he did. She slid the coffee to him. “Just hold it like you want it.”
They sat there in awkward silence until she finally couldn’t take it any longer. “Tell me about working for Jensen.”
He kept his eyes focused outside for a few moments before turning his head slowly toward her. It gave her the creeps but she was determined to at least try to talk to him.
“There is nothing to tell. I keep things secure and he pays me well.”
“What do you do outside of work?”
“It is personal, none of your business.”
She was getting nowhere. She turned toward the window and sipped on her coffee.
“I wanted to apologize to you for scaring the shit out of you yesterday.”
Megan looked back at him, shocked that he actually spoke of something on his own. “It’s…it’s okay. “
“I wasn’t briefed on who you were.”
“It’s fine,” she smiled. “You’re just lucky I didn’t know karate or something.” She attempted a laugh. He didn’t respond, leaving her feeling more awkward than she did before he said anything. “I’m getting pretty tired. I’d like to go back to Jensen’s if that’s okay.”
As if she remotely controlled him, Mr. Black got up and walked out of the coffee shop, standing outside the door until she joined him.
She was glad to get back to the penthouse. She looked forward to seeing Jensen and having some real conversation. They pulled into the driveway and parked. As she got out of the car she heard a woman screaming profanity. She quickly looked at Mr. Black who was already running toward the carport.
She ran after him and went inside. He had a blond haired woman in a very quickly maneuvered arm lock, escorting her off the premises. The woman was struggling to get away from him and cursing at him.
“Why can’t I get upstairs? Let me go! I will have your job you low life son-of-a-bitch! Where is Jensen? Get your disgusting hands off me!”
Megan stood there staring after the woman, wondering who she was and how she knew Jensen.
Mr. Black returned and unlocked the lift controls. He pressed a button and it lowered to the ground level. “If you need anything,” he handed her a business card and quickly walked away.
“Thank you,” she called out. She watched him until he disappeared and was left intrigued by the man.
She went up into the penthouse and looked around. Jensen wasn’t there. She saw the books he gave her sitting on the table and she settled on the couch with one of them. The words went by quickly as she got into the steamy romance.
His breath was hot against her neck, his lips grazing her ear. “I want you naked and in my bed.” His voice growling from deep within him. She shivered knowing she could not deny him.
Megan turned the pages quickly, feeling her body react to the scene as the characters made love. Soon after those same words began to blur and her eyelids grew heavy. She closed her eyes only for a moment.
“What do you mean she was here?” Jensen spat. Mr. Black met him in the driveway when he pulled in from his meeting.
“When we arrived back from London she was in the carport. She was furious she couldn’t access the lift. I had to physically escort her off the premises.”
Jensen rubbed his face with his hands. “I had a feeling it was too easy when I kicked her out and she left without any problems.”
“Should I call in additional security?”
“No. Not yet.” He looked up toward the windows. “Where is Megan?”
“Inside.”
“Did Kristina see her or talk to her?”
“No. She was just getting inside as the bitch was kicking the hell out of my shins.”
Jensen wanted to keep Kristina’s existence from Megan, but he didn’t have to tell Mr. Black this. The man was the best security Jensen has ever seen, including keeping his mouth shut.
“What did she do today?”
“Megan?”
Jensen nodded, staring at Mr. Black like he was waiting for the answer to a million-dollar question.
“She did a little shopping, had coffee at Starbucks on Great Marlborough Street then wanted to come back here.”
“Just coffee?”
“A crepe with blueberries also. She ate about half.”
“What did she buy?”
Mr. Black looked at Jensen curiously. “Small bags, nothing too expensive I’m sure. She used her own money.”
“Thank you, Mr. Black.” Jensen nodded and Mr. Black turned and walked around the penthouse.
Jensen went in through the carport and up to the penthouse. As soon as the lift cleared the floor, he saw Megan sleeping on the couch. He quietly set his keys on the coffee table and sat in the chair next to her. He watched her sleep, taking in each curve of her face, each curve of her body, her chest rising and falling so calmly with each breath. Her delicate fingers laying on her arm, her hair flowing across her shoulder. He could fall so easily for someone like her.
She jerked awake as if from a dream and froze for a moment. She quickly looked up at him and then looked around.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“Since I’ve been back. It’s almost five.”
She sat up and rubbed her face. The book fell from the couch and landed onto the floor. She looked at it then at Jensen, horrified.
He smiled, amused at the way she got embarrassed so easily. He bent down and picked it up, leaving it open the way it landed.
“Do you have a bookmark?”
“Um…no. I wasn’t really…no.”
He reached into his pocket and fished out a fifty-pound note. He placed it in between the pages and closed the book. Megan’s eyes were glued to the book; Jensen’s were glued to Megan.
“Hungry for some Chinese? I thought I’d send Mr. Black up to Bayee Village. They have the best in the area.”
She nodded, still looking at the note.
Jensen walked toward his room as he was removing his suit coat.
“So, there was someone here today,” Megan said.
Jensen disappeared into his room.
“Mr. Black had to literally drag her out of here,” she hesitated. “Do you know who she was?” There was a long silence until he reappeared with a different shirt on. He was buttoning it, his chest exposed. Megan couldn’t help but to like what she saw. She looked away. “She seemed to know you.”
“Could have been anyone. In my line of work, I tend to have to deal with disgruntled employees on one end and fans who think they need to get closer to me on the other.” He shrugged. “Mr. Black is good at what he does. I let him deal with it.”
He knew exactly who she was, and what she was capable of. He didn’t need his psycho ex-girlfriend causing a scene with Megan, especially since she seemed to think she was still a part of his life.
He disappeared back into his room again, grabbing his cell.
“Black.”
“I’d like for you to run down to Bayee Village and pick up dinner for us. Would you mind?”
“Okay.”
“Thanks, man. I don’t want to take Megan out right now, til I’m sure Kristina is gone. I don’t trust her. I’ll call in the order.”
He hit a few buttons on his phone and went back to the living room. Megan was standing up stretching and Jensen leaned up against his doorway watching her.
“Bayee, can I help you?” The woman’s voice was heavy with a Chinese accent.
“Nǐ hǎo. Two lobster with ginger, a side of the spring onion in wine sauce, a stir fried asparagus with spicy olive Leaf and two vegetarian spring rolls.”
“Ná qǐ huò jiāofù?”
“Pick up. Jensen Dean.”
“Twenty minute?”
“Thank you. Xièxiè.”
He walked back toward her and sat back down. She took her seat back on the couch and clasped her hands in her lap. He couldn’t stop looking at her, his grin growing as he did.
“How was your trip into the city?”
“It was…fine. Mr. Black really knows how to whoop it up. Tired me right out. Too fun,” she said, her voice trailing off.
Jensen laughed at her attempt at sarcastic humor. “He means well; he is just a very private person. I had a hard time getting two words out of him the whole first year he worked for me.”
“Really?” she asked surprised. “Then why did you keep him on?”
“He is the best.”
“Will he be joining us for dinner?”
“He has opted out. I will thank him generously for running to get it and then give him tomorrow off. I thought we could go into the city together. I promise to be less…fun,” he grinned. He nodded toward the book on the table. “What do you think of the book? Do you like it?”
She nodded. “It’s definitely stimulating.”
He could see her cheeks turn a light shade of pink and it warmed him. He loved her innocence. He wanted to ask her about specific scenes in the book. He wanted to stimulate her further, but he knew he would only fluster her. He wanted her to trust him and with her past, it was going to take a while to get there.
The buzzer sounded, alerting him there was someone on the premises. He disappeared into a side room and returned moments later.
“Dinner has arrived.”
He ran through Hyde Park following the familiar path around the two-and-a-half-mile perimeter. It wasn’t his favorite place to run but he liked the feeling it gave him. He wanted to get at least two laps in, one a casual jog and one at a full speed run and with Hyde Park being so close to his penthouse it was the perfect place to do so.
The park was unseasonably cooler on that early Sunday morning and there were not many people around. He left the penthouse about six am, hoping to get back before Megan awoke. He listened to his music as he felt his feet hit the path below him, his mind consumed by her. Why was he so intrigued by her? Why did she creep into his dreams at night? He wanted to be more than just her employer. She was nothing like the women he dated in the past.
He stopped and looked around as a feeling came over him like he was being watched. A woman sat on a bench near the water. She threw seeds to the birds as they flocked around her. A couple ran the same path he was on. They were quite a few feet ahead of him and running in the same direction. He turned around and noticed a few others on other paths doing their own thing but no one raised a question in his mind. He turned back around and picked up his pace once more, looking behind him a few more times to be sure, it was his own paranoia and not a reason he needed to be on alert.
He finished his run and made it back to the penthouse within the hour. As he took the lift up into the house, he checked his pulse. The house was quiet with only his heavy breathing for noise. He walked to Megan’s door and listened. He cracked it open, peeking inside. When he saw her sleeping in her bed he smiled, feeling a bit more relieved. He closed the door gently and headed to the shower.
Megan heard a soft knock on her bedroom door. She opened her eyes to Jensen’s face peeking in at her through the crack in the door.
“Good morning. Coffee?”
She smiled a sleepy smile and he thought about how nice it would be to see that every morning.
“Give me five minutes.”
He closed her door and went to the kitchen. A few minutes later, she shuffled to the kitchen and inhaled deeply. “There’s a familiar smell I miss.” She sat down at the small counter. “This is a first. Why don’t you drink coffee more often?”
“I don’t drink it at all. I just figured you might like it so I picked some up.”
“It’s very nice of you. Thank you.”
“I won’t ask you if you are hungry, but I am planning on stopping at a small breakfast nook on the way into the city. Will you be ready to go in an hour?”
“You want me to go?”
“I’m taking you shopping.”
“I did that yesterday. Thank you though.”
“A few small trinkets is not shopping. You need some new clothes, some things for your room, a personalized touch.”
“I will when I get some money saved up. What’s the matter with the clothes I have?”
“Nothing if you are living day to day. You need something to go out in, something besides basic jeans and casual tops.”
“Jensen.”
“I won’t take no for an answer. Now finish your coffee and get ready. I’ll expect you at the car no later than nine.”
She sighed and sipped her coffee.
When she met him out front, she was surprised to see a black sports car that looked more expensive than anything she had ever seen.
“Wow, nice car! What is this?”
He opened her door and she got down into the bucket seat. “It’s a Bugatti Chiron.”
“It’s gorgeous,” she cooed.
The car slipped around corners like it was glued to the road. Megan loved the ride.
Jensen pulled his into a parking spot on the street and helped her out.
“You are definitely more fun than Mr. Black already,” she said smiling. She caught herself borderline flirting with him and she kind of liked it.
“This way, Miss Jenkins.” He led her toward a very large and very lavish building that appeared to take up an entire city block.
“Harrod’s? What is this place?”
“It’s just a little department shop I like to go to occasionally. We are going to buy you some new clothes.”
“I really wished you wouldn’t.”
“Trust me. This will be fun. What is your favorite color?”
“Purple?”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her across the street and into the building. They got in the door and Megan let him pull her along as she marveled at the interior.
“Little department shop?” Megan exclaimed.
He led her through one room, through another room, up an escalator and through another room. He knew exactly where he was going.
“Are you sure this is a shop and not some cathedral or basilica?”
“I assure you, it is exactly what you need.” He let her hand go and raised his to gain the attention of a woman standing behind a counter. “Cara.” He smiled as the woman scurried from around the back.
“Jensen.” She leaned in kissing each cheek. “It is so nice to see you. How have you been?””
“Very good, thank you. You are looking ravishing these days.”
“You are too kind.”
“This,” he stepped aside and looked at Megan, “is a friend of mine. Megan, this is Cara. She will be taking care of you.”
“Taking care of me?” Megan was under the assumption they were going to shop on their own and select a few items on from a rack to try on and purchase. “
“What are we looking for today?” The woman was way too sweet but Megan played along.
“My friend here is in need of a few complete outfits, shoes, jewelry, the whole works.”
Megan just looked at him, her irritation setting in. So much for just a few select items.
“We can definitely do that.”
“Something elegant for evenings, something business casual and something just for her.”
“Would you like a cup of tea or perhaps some champagne?”
Megan’s eyes bugged out. “Champagne?” She reached over at the nearest jacket and looked at the price tag. She saw £495 on the ticket and dropped it immediately. “Jensen.”
“Stop it.” He took her hand and stepped closer to her, keeping her hand in his. “She will take a glass of champagne.”
“Shall we make it two glasses?” Cara looked at Jensen.
“None for me thanks.”
Cara looked at a fellow employee and performed a bit of sign language. She looked at them and smiled. “Follow me please?”
Jensen followed Cara into a deeper part of the room, pulling a very reluctant Megan along with him. Cara held her hand out to a plush roll arm bench for Megan to sit at, her champagne being handed to her by Cara’s co-worker.
“Thank you,” she said without a smile. She didn’t like all of the attention and she was sure to let Jensen know when they were in private.
Jensen leaned toward Cara and whispered something in her ear. Cara nodded, pleased with whatever he said and looked at Megan with a smile. “We will take good care of her.”
“I will see you in an hour.” Jensen said looking at Megan. “If you need me….”
“Where are you going?” Megan asked.
“I have a bit of shopping to do as well. Besides, this isn’t really my thing.” He winked at Cara and strolled away.
Megan was furious. Cara sat next to her and patted her leg. “So I believe you are a size six?” She looked at Megan’s feet. “Shoe size…a seven?”
“How did you know?” She was astonished.
“It is my job to know these things, dear.” Cara had the demeanor of the mother Megan wished she had. She couldn’t help but to like her.
For the next half hour, Megan experienced her own personal fashion show. Several attendants flaunted outfit after outfit in front of her, with Cara waiting for a yay or a nay. After several no’s, Megan had a few outfits to try on.
She tried to choose the less looking expensive ones, but there was no way for her to tell by looking at them. She came out of the dressing room wearing her favorite of all of them, a dark blue Vintage Herve Leger Couture dress. Her face was radiant as she turned several times in the three-way mirror.
“How does it feel on you, dear?”
“Beautiful,” she cooed. “It feels like it was made for me.” Her hand ran up and down the fabric. She saw Cara nod at one of the attendants. Another attendant placed several pairs of shoes in front of Megan. She looked down and smiled. Her foot slid into each shoe with ease and fit as if they were made just for her. They felt comfortable, and exquisite. Megan got swept up in her fashion show and didn’t realize how quickly the hour flew by. She went into the dressing room to remove the last Oscar de la Renta dress she wore and she heard a light knock on the door.
“I have a few more items for you, dear.”
Megan opened the door, excited to try on more. She had already decided on the blue dress, an adorable shorts outfit and a black Paul Smith business suit with a white blouse. When Cara handed her four hangers Megan just looked at them, her excitement fleeting quickly.
“What are these?”
“Lingerie, dear.”
Megan closed the door without taking them and quickly took the dress off she was currently wearing. She put her own clothes back on and opened the door. Jensen stood there with his hands in his pockets. He knew something was wrong. Cara stood off to the side, no longer trying to help.
“Is there a problem?” Jensen didn’t look happy and his tone was direct.
“No problem,” she said with an attitude. “I don’t like anything here.” She tried to walk away when Jensen grabbed her arm. He put his head down, trying to find the right words to say without sounding like an asshole.
The attendants cleared away, leaving them alone.
“Talk to me, please.”
“There is nothing to talk about. I just don’t care for the styles here. When I’m ready I’ll do my own shopping.”
“It’s the lingerie isn’t it?”
Megan didn’t say anything.
“I just thought it would be nice for you to have something…just for you…something to help you feel sexy and confident. No ulterior motives, I promise." He seemed to be fidgeting. Was Jensen Dean fidgeting?
“I let myself get swept up in all of this.” She flicked her finger on the hem of the Oscar de la Renta dress, picking up the tag and closing her eyes when she saw it cost £2,100. “You keep making me forget where I came from.”
“It’s okay to forget, Megan.” He stepped closer to her. Her stomach flipped and she turned away from him.
“This isn’t me. I can’t do this.”
“You’ve already chosen a few things. Let’s purchase them and talk about the rest later.”
“No, Jensen. I don’t want any of it.”
“Will you stop being so damned stubborn?"
“Stop trying to turn me into something I’m not.” She turned away from him and walked toward the counters.
“Do me one favor, at least.”
She stopped without turning around.
“Choose one outfit. I spend a lot of money in here. I don’t want to damper my relationship with them. Please?”
“The blue dress,” she said quietly. She walked past the counter where Cara and the others stood.
Jensen waited for them to wrap the dress and the other items separately. He decided to hold the other outfits until he could get through to her and break her barriers.
“Deliver these to my penthouse, please. I’ll take the dress with me.” The awkwardness between him and Cara was trivial but existent. “I apologize; she isn’t used to this sort of atmosphere. But I assure you, we will be back.” He smiled reassuringly and carried the bag out of the shop. He took the escalator back down to the ground floor.
Megan stood by a bronze statue of a couple dancing with a bird in their hands. Jensen stopped a few feet behind her, watching her as her eyes cascaded up the sculpture to their faces.
“Innocent Victims,” he said. She closed her eyes trying to calm herself. She reopened them and stayed straight looking at the statues’ faces. “It is Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed before they died.” He stepped closer to her. “It just goes to show that no matter what walk of life you are from, nothing is ever certain. You must live life to its fullest potential, taking advantage of every opportunity you are given.”
She put her head down, hearing his words but not wanting to let go of her walls. He walked away from her and didn’t look back. She followed him to a restaurant inside the building. They ate fish and oysters with green beans with not a lot of conversation between them until he spoke first.
“I took the liberty of getting a few things for your room.”
“Why do you keep doing this?” she asked quietly.
“Doing what?”
“The things you know I hate. Stop buying stuff for me.”
“If you aren’t going to do it, someone has to. You need to learn to accept things in life.”
“I don’t have to learn anything of the sort.” She folded her arms and pushed her chair back.
“Finish your lunch.”
“I did.”
The ride back to the penthouse was quiet between them. When they got inside, she politely and quietly thanked him for the dress and went to bed.