Chapter 2
”I”m serious, Gabriel,” Mother said the moment we stepped inside the air conditioned, marbled cocoon of the building. ”You need to get yourself a wife. If you don”t find one, I have several to choose from. In fact, perhaps I should plan the wedding and tell you where to turn up and when.”
She turned that look on me. The one she used when she wanted to convey that she intended to do just that. Her eyes were narrowed, her mouth turned down in displeasure.
I knew that look all too well. She generally tended to get her way when she turned that on anyone. Anyone but me. Specifically, in regards to this topic.
”You will not choose a wife for me,” I said firmly. ”My life is not a reality TV show.”
She looked horrified. ”I should think not. The Ellison family is not a circus.”
My eyebrow twitched, but I didn”t bother to correct her.
We might not be a circus, but we”d been the subject of tabloid speculation often enough that it felt like we lived in a fish bowl. For some reason, when you had money, people seemed to think they were entitled to every detail about your life. Where you go, what you eat, who you fuck.
I did what I could to avoid attention, but it found us anyway. Of course, my mother”s highly public charity work contributed to that. How awful it would be if her generosity went unnoticed.
Yes, I am often sarcastic in my thoughts. Especially where she was concerned.
Her expression softened slightly. As much as her Botox would allow for. That”s off the record. She”d deny using the stuff until the proverbial cows came home, but no one was fooled.
”Gabe.” She spoke in her softer, cajoling tone now. ”All I want is your happiness. You can”t blame me for that. I know I haven”t always been the most affectionate mother, but I want what”s best for you.”
She wasn”t the most present mother either. If I had to, I doubted I could name all the people who raised me for her and my father.
”You want grandchildren,” I told her. Personally, I couldn”t see the attraction. Babies were messy, loud and demanding. Why would anyone introduce one to their otherwise quiet existence?
She smiled. Her shoes clicked as she walked across the marble floors toward the bank of elevators. ”Of course I do. You were such a sweet baby. Who wouldn”t want several little Gabes running around?”
”I”m allergic to babies,” I said.
She laughed. ”You haven”t met the right woman yet. When you do, you”ll want nothing more than to spend your life with her, giving me beautiful grandchildren.”
”I think you”re confusing me with Tom.” My brother Thomas turned his back on the billionaire lifestyle in his late teens. He picked up a guitar, joined a rock band and never looked back.
Last time I checked, he was on his way to making his own billions. Unlike me, he was living his best, carefree life. If I got a tattoo, our mother would have a heart attack.
Tom lost count after his thirtieth. Tattoo, that is, not birthday. He hadn”t reached that milestone yet. I”d bet anything no one would expect him to suddenly become an adult the moment he left his twenties.
Mother snorted. ”Thomas has to grow up before he can become a parent.”
”That”s not how biology works,” I said dryly.
She rolled her eyes at me, which was totally fair. ”I didn”t mean it literally, I meant I wouldn”t inflict his lifestyle on an innocent child. Speaking of lifestyles.”
And just like that, the conversation turned back around to me. Goody.
”I expect you to bring a date to the party on Saturday night,” she said. ”If you can”t find one for yourself?—”
”I can,” I said quickly. The mental image of Mother choosing a date for me wasn”t a pleasant one. Her idea of the perfect woman for me was someone who wore a lot of make-up, had perfectly styled hair and clothes and laughed like someone shoved a finger up their ass. The last thing I needed was someone who was only interested in me because they wanted access to my bank account. I”d rather be a crazy cat guy than be tied to someone like that.
Shame I”m allergic to cats, too.
”Make sure you do.” She kissed my cheek and stepped into the elevator when it opened. ”Oh, and Gabe, don”t be late.”
”Of course not,” I said as the doors slid closed. I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes for a few moments, listening to the whir of the elevator as it rose. I loved her, I promise, but she”s a handful at the best of times. You know what they say about the road to hell being paved with good intentions. She had those in abundance.
I shook my head to myself and turned away.
The man at the reception desk gave me a funny look before quickly glancing down and pretending to look busy. I watched him through narrowed eyes for a moment before heading back through the doors and outside to the waiting limo.
”Everything okay?” the driver asked. She stood beside the vehicle, wearing neat black trousers and white shirt with the company logo on the breast. She wore no make-up, as far as I could tell, and her dark hair was in a messy bun.
I didn”t miss the way her trousers hugged her hips, or the hint of lace that peeked through her shirt. She was still gorgeous without even trying.
”Everything is fine, Lucy,” I said.
”Lexie,” she corrected.
”Right.” I knew exactly what her name was. I remembered the first time I laid eyes on her, maybe a decade ago. It was at one of my parents’ parties. She was there with her mother and father, wearing a red bikini that still made my balls tighten. She had curves in all the right places, a husky laugh and a way about her that was contagiously carefree. I could have run off with her there and then, but she barely gave me a glance. Why would she? A woman like that deserved someone who could give her everything, especially time.
”If you don”t mind me saying, it doesn”t seem like everything is fine.” She leaned back against the vehicle and cocked her head at me. After a moment she stepped away from the car and hurried to open the door. ”Sorry. This is why I don”t usually do the driving. I”m not good at blending into the background.”
Of course she wasn”t, she deserved better than the background.
I regarded her for a moment. ”What are you doing on Saturday night?”
Shit. The words were out before I could stop myself, but once they were out, I didn”t want to take them back.
She looked at me in surprise.
”I”m sure you have plans,” I said, stepping towards the car. ”You must be very busy with… Life.” I had no idea if she was single, or married, or had half a dozen children.
”I don”t have any plans,” she said quickly.
”Great,” I said. ”I need a date for a party at my brother”s label. He”s releasing a new album and I”m expected to be there. With a date. With… Someone. Otherwise my mother will…”
Fuck, I”m smooth. Not.
”It”s not a date, I just need someone to go with me.”
”You need a fake date to get your mother off your back,” Lexie guessed.
”Exactly,” I let out a breath of relief. Yes, I knew I was holding it, thank you very much.
”I can be your fake date,” Lexie said. ”On one condition.”
I should have seen that coming. There”s always a condition. I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose again. ”What is it?”
”You renew the contract with Pearson”s Limousines,” she said. ”It”s coming up on its expiration date and, frankly, we need the business.”
I opened my eyes and looked at her around my fingers. ”That”s all?”
She shrugged. ”That”s all I can think of, unless you want me to keep thinking.”
I dropped my hand to my side. ”No, that won”t be necessary. You have a deal.” I was considering purchasing a limousine and hiring a full-time driver, but I”d waited a decade for a date with this beautiful woman. I”d agree to her deal, even if it was fake.
For one night, I could pretend it was real.