Bridesmaid for Hire Read online

  They eat most of their breakfast in relative silence. It’s awkward now and all the energy and tenderness that was there first thing in the morning is gone. Everything feels very bleak and empty between them, to say the least.

  Then Jane speaks up.

  “Well, if you must know,” Jane says firmly, “I no longer want to be your sex kitten.”

  She pulls out the red thong and tosses it on Brad’s plate. A few people look at them, then look away when Brad stares at them.

  “Jane, I think we need to talk about this privately, okay?” he says.

  “Why, so you can tell me that it’s all over and our deal is off? I get it, Brad. That’s fine, but at least I’ll have my dignity,” she says.

  “No, because I want you to stay, no matter what. No more games or instructions if you don’t want. This should be as much fun for you as it is for me,” he says, reaching out his hand and wanting to make a connection.

  Jane looks back, a bit stunned that he’s responding this way in front of everyone. She looks around the room. Others are watching to see how she will react.

  She reaches her hand back, a bit limp and hesitant. He holds it gently and warmly connects to her. “I mean it, okay? I told you at the beginning, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. This is fun for me, but it needs to be for you, too, okay? I never want you to feel uncomfortable.”

  He looks deeply into her eyes and she can feel his sincerity. Her shield is melting.

  “And honestly, I’m proud of you for taking a stand for yourself, for not letting yourself just go along and do what I tell you. That makes you a strong and true woman, Jane. It makes me want to be around you more, you know.”

  A strong and true woman, Jane repeats to herself, taking in Brad’s perspective of her. I’m a strong and true woman.

  She feels she can trust him again, that he really does see her for who she is, and he is willing to have her there with him no matter what she does.

  Jane reaches over and takes the thong back and puts it in her pocket.

  “Honestly, I kinda like how it feels when I wear it,” she says, smirking.

  “Well, that’s good. I like the thought of you wearing it,” he replies, reaching for her hand. “Wanna go down to the beach?”

  “Yeah, but let me put this back on first,” she says.

  Chapter 29

  They stroll together along the beach and begin to share more about who they are. Brad holds onto Jane’s sandals so she isn’t burdened by them.

  “So, tell me more about you, Jane,” he asks, pressing his hand against her back. She can feel the warmth from his hand go up her spine and she feels like she could lean back on him forever.

  “Well, what do you want to know? I’ve told you how I got into ballet. I’m not sure what else there is to share,” she replies.

  Nobody has ever really asked much about her before.

  “What’s your favorite color. Wait, let me guess. Pink,” he says.

  “Oh, cause all ballerinas wear pink, right?” she says.

  “Well, yeah,” Brad jokes.

  “Wrong. Purple. My favorite color is purple. I even painted my room purple, and got my first tutu in purple.”

  “Wow, I’m glad I asked,” he said. “I would hate to buy you something in pink. Purple it is!” he notes.

  “Let me ask you something. Do you always buy your friends,” Jane asks seriously. “I mean, is there anything more than money for you?”

  Brad has to really think about this. All his life, people have been around him and he would either foot the bill or buy something so they would stay friends. He can’t really say he has ever had a friend who didn’t expect this of him. He just sees money as part of life, and everyone knows he has a lot of it. None of his friends are really down and out, either.

  “Well, honestly, money just comes easy to me. Most of the people I know expect me to buy them something. It is kind of how I keep friends, I guess,” he says, analyzing this for the first time. “And most of the people I know make a lot of money, anyway.”

  “So you have friends who are kind of like business transactions then,” points out Jane.

  “Yeah, I guess you could put it that way.” Brad looks a bit disturbed. “Just like how my parents treated me,” Brad adds.

  “I’m sorry, that was out of line. It just seems a bit sad, that’s all,” she says.

  “No, you’re right, that’s exactly how it is,” says Brad. “As they say, it’s lonely at the top.”

  Jane could feel this deep truth about Brad’s life. He really hasn’t had friends. Just people around him who like him for what he can offer them, not much more.

  “Well, if it makes you feel better, I don’t have friends either. Most people who know me expect something of me, to be something for them that they want. I’m kinda sick of it now, to be honest,” Jane says openly.

  “You know what, Brad. I’m going to give you a challenge. When you have an urge to give something to me, I want you to do something for me, no money involved. Just something that comes from inside of you, like writing a note, picking flowers, or… rubbing my feet,” she says in a cheeky way.

  She side swipes him to show him she’s joking.

  “Wow, you know, I think that might actually be hard for me, but I’m in,” Brad accepts, feeling like he’s moving into new territory with the relationship.

  “Great. I want you to know there’s more to me than money,” assures Jane. “I actually like being around people who are decent and caring, you know? Not just rich.”

  “Well, that will feel a bit foreign to me, Jane, I have to say,” he says. “But I like that about you. It’s refreshing.”

  “Thanks. Can’t take the Utah outta the gal, you know,” she says, feeling more like herself now.

  “So, tell me, Brad, what’s your favorite color? Wait, let me guess—black!”

  “Ha-ha,” he says sarcastically. “No, actually, my favorite color is silver.”

  “Silver? I don’t think I’ve met anyone who has silver as their favorite color,” she remarks. “Cause it’s like money?”

  “Oh, you’re full of jokes today, aren’t you? No, because it’s meaningful, a metal that lasts a long time, and it’s shiny, like no other color in the spectrum.”

  “So you always have to be different than the pack, eh?” she says.

  “Wow, you really know how to psychoanalyze someone, don’t you? Underneath that sweet façade is a street savvy woman. Where did you learn how to read people?” he inquires.

  “Well, because I’m a bit of an introvert, I’ve spent most of my time watching people. At school, I could see who the mean girls were, spot the cool geeks, and figure out the things that mattered to people. It’s my super-power, I guess. Thing is, no one took that much time to care about what mattered to me,” she reflected.

  “I think we’re a lot alike, Jane,” Brad says, putting his arm around her. “Is it okay I do this?” he asks.

  “Sure. It’s nice,” Jane says, snuggling into him a little closer.

  They walk the length of the beach, then return to the hotel. Brad gives Jane her sandals as they step into the hotel lobby, only to be met by the manager. They step into the hotel lobby and the manager comes up to Brad.

  “Sir, there is an urgent call for you. Your investment banker needs to contact you immediately,” the manager says.

  Can you excuse me, Jane. This seems urgent and honestly, it may take a while. Can I meet you later for lunch? I’ll have my driver pick you up here at the front entrance and bring you to meet me,” he says.

  “Yes, that’s fine. Good luck,” she says encouragingly.

  Brad feels her softness penetrate into him. He finds her gentleness so touching.

  “Thanks.”

  He walks away and Jane goes to her room, laying on her bed with flutters in her heart.

  As the fan spins over top of her, she feels the cool breeze coming through the curtains. Life feels good, easy, and light all o
f a sudden. She falls asleep and takes a nap for an hour, finding respite in simply trusting herself for the first time.

  Chapter 30

  Jane gets up and changes into the white bikini. She wants to relax in the hot tub before heading into town for lunch. She feels so free and beautiful. Is it possible that Brad is unlocking something inside of her, a part of her truth and her heart that has been hidden all these years?

  She grabs a large towel from the bathroom and wraps it around herself. Putting her hair up, she recognizes a light in her eyes that hasn’t been present for ages.

  Jane leaves her room and heads down to the hotel lobby to ask where the pool is. She isn’t even self-conscious about people seeing her in a bikini. In fact, she kind of likes being noticed for once. Brad has given her the gift of freedom to be herself, and she feels so much more confidence.

  “Excuse me,” she asks the gentleman at the desk. “Where is the hot tub?”

  “Yes, ma’am. It’s through the doors over there and down the stairs. Would you like someone to escort you there?”

  “Oh no, that’s okay, but thank you. Have a good day.”

  “And you, as well,” responds the clerk.

  The hotel staff has noticed how she’s changed already. She’s not walking in a shy way with her head held low, nor is she just waiting for Brad to tell her what to do or where to be. They usually see him bring women in who don’t have a backbone, who just fawn over him while he bosses them around, only to cheat on them with escorts.

  Quite honestly, the hotel staff doesn’t like Brad that much, but they pretend they do. He’s demanding and expects everyone to be there for him no matter what. The hotel can’t afford to lose the huge amount he pays, so they meet his every request. Plus, he is generous with tips.

  For them, it is quite refreshing to see Jane here. She’s like a whole other type of woman than his usual guests. They wonder how he even met her. She looks so normal, kind, down-to-earth, and has some values and morals to her. At first, they thought maybe she was his niece, but seeing how they were at breakfast caused them to reconsider.

  Jane walks through the door to head for the hot tub. Her flip flops making a loud noise down the hall, reminding her of how unsophisticated she feels.

  As she walks over, she notices she is not the only one there. There are two bathrobes hanging on the hook, one blue and the other white, and the slippers are on the ground.

  Jane opens the first set of doors and through the other glass door she sees Brad sitting in the hot tub. Jane is a bit confused because she thought he’d been called away for important business. His arms are back and he is laying there looking relaxed.

  Jane imagines going up to him from behind and covering his eyes with her hands, then kissing him on his neck until he gets goosebumps. She’d want him to grab her and pull her into his arms in the hot tub and kiss her under her chin, on her neck, down to her cleavage, then put his hands all over her tits until they are hard and dying to be sucked. He’d reach down into her bikini and stroke her with his palm until she gets all turned on.

  Jane daydreams all this, wondering if she has the courage to actually do it. She knows Brad would want to do it, too.

  Jane starts to open the other door, ready to surprise him, but she sees a woman in her thirties with blonde hair sitting in a lounge chair. It looks like she is talking to Brad from behind. He’s not saying much, it seems.

  Then the woman gets up out of the chair. Her body is firm, she has large tits, and she is fully tanned. She walks over to Brad and steps into the hot tub. Brad lifts his head and moves over for her to sit.

  She seems to get closer to him. Too close. It looks like she is rubbing his leg and trying to lean in to kiss him. Brad doesn’t move her hand away, but he doesn’t let her kiss him. She looks rejected and moves away, sitting in the hot tub.

  Brad waves his hand to show he’s not interested in whatever she is saying. The woman gets out of the hot tub and goes to get her things. She comes toward the door to leave.

  Jane steps back and moves away, not wanting to be seen. She walks quickly down the hall and back to the front desk area with tears in her eyes. She doesn’t know how to contain them.

  One of the clerks says to Jane, “Done so fast?”

  “It was too cold,” Jane says, her head hanging down so no one will see she is crying.

  “Oh, that is so strange. I checked the temperature myself. I’ll be sure to get someone to check it out,” says the clerk.

  “Don’t bother. I’m sure it’s fine,” Jane replies, not wanting her lie to be discovered.

  Jane walks over to the beach and finds a hammock to fall into. She starts sobbing quietly, curled up and without anyone there to comfort her. She feels sorry for herself but then realizes Brad didn’t take the bait. It actually looked like he wasn’t interested and didn’t respond to her advance. But why? She is so beautiful, closer to his age, looks like she has it together, and she’s confident. Why wouldn’t he want to be with her? She seems like she would be exactly his type.

  Chapter 31

  Brad takes the phone call from his investment banker. “Yes… uh huh… no. What? That can’t be. What kind of nut bar would do something like that? Okay, keep me posted.” He hangs up the phone and then immediately calls his lawyer.

  “John, It’s Brad here. Big time stuff going on. Some chick is trying to sue me. You gotta get me out of this mess,” says Brad. “No, I don’t know her. I don’t think I do. You know me, it could be anyone, really. I’ve never been married, damn it.”

  Brad begins to sweat, feeling panicked. He hasn’t felt this way since a potential takeover fiasco that happened when Brad was 19 and messed things up for his dad. He was so angry then and deeply disappointed in himself. He felt like someone took advantage of him because he was young and naïve.

  Now he has to deal with this woman who is trying to make a court claim that he’s been skipping out on child support for the past 10 years, and falsely identifying herself as an ex-wife. What the hell? He apparently can’t go back to the States because he will be arrested upon arrival. This is pure insanity.

  Brad paces back and forth while on the phone waiting for John to get back on.

  “Yes, I’m here. What’s the news?” Brad demands. “Okay. So just stay here on the island? You’ll sort it out? Okay, I’ll have to trust you on this one, John.”

  Brad hangs up the phone.

  Shit. What the hell am I going to tell Jane? And what if this drags on for months? She’ll think I’m a lunatic and that I’ve lied to her.

  Brad goes back and forth with different scenarios. He doesn’t know what to do so he goes over to the bar and orders a scotch on the rocks. He throws it back and it calms his nerves. He can’t think of anything else but this.

  He decides to go to the hot tub to settle down before lunch. He doesn’t want Jane to see him this way. He goes to get his swimming shorts and bathrobe, then heads to the hot tub.

  He doesn’t see Jane anywhere and, in a way, he is relieved.

  He takes his robe and sandals off, goes over to the tub, and sinks down to rest in it. He falls back and closes his eyes, wanting this mess to go away. He can hear the lapping of the sea in the background, and he remembers he is safe. He will be fine.

  John has never let him down before. Even that time when someone was trying to frame him for the murder of a prostitute. He has had to deal with shit like this from crazy people before. He can’t let this get him down, he just has to be patient and let his attorney get it resolved. He lays there in the hot tub and feels his muscles relax.

  He hears the door open and he glances up. There is a gorgeous, blonde woman walking his way. She had huge tits and a firm body, clothed only in a red bikini. She bends over, deliberately showing off her ass in front of Brad while she takes off her sandals.

  Brad lies back, playing it cool and trying not to look at her. She lies on a lawn chair behind him. Normally, before Jane, Brad would have been all over her. He wo
uld have locked eyes with her when she walked in and started a conversation by now, inviting her in to join him.

  Brad knows how all of this would have gone down, because he knows how to get women to take their clothes off for him. It’s kind of like his best magic trick. This time, though, it’s her trying to start the conversation.

  “Hey, I haven’t seen you here before,” she says. “What’s your name?”

  “Brad. I haven’t seen you here before either,” he replies. “What’s your name?”

  “Ella,” she says in a smooth way.

  “Are you on your own here, Brad?” she asks, “Cause I am. Would you mind some company?”

  “Well, actually I’m staying here with someone,” Brad tries to explain, feeling a bit uneasy and guilty.

  “Oh well, I’m sure she won’t mind if you and I become friends,” she says, as she steps unabashedly into the hot tub.

  Her abs are tight, her thighs even tighter. In the past, he would have gone right up to her and bit her bikini bottoms off, pulling them down with his teeth so he could get right down to business.

  This time, he’s not feeling it. He just wishes it was Jane’s body in front of him. He wants her small, perky tits, and her thin, sweet and tender body.

  Ella sits next to him and starts stroking his leg. Brad moves her hand away. She tries to kiss and suck his neck. But he pulls away.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I thought you were wanting something more,” she says. “My mistake.”

  Ella gets up out of the hot tub and grabs her things. Brad sits there in the tub and throws his head back again.

  Jesus Christ, Brad. What the fuck is wrong with you? You did it again, he tells himself.

  He looks up and sees Jane at the door for a split second before she turns and rushes away. He wonders how long she was there and how much she saw.

  “Ah, shit,” Brad mutters. He falls back into the hot tub and soaks it all in. “This has to be one of the worst days ever.”

  Chapter 32

  Jane stays in the hammock at the beach for quite a while, her mind spinning madly. Who was that woman, and why was Brad in the hot tub in the first place. The woman was clearly more suited for him. She starts doubting herself again, feeling like nothing but an ugly waif. She doesn’t know what to think or feel about all of this, but does realize it was the woman hitting on him, not the other way around, and he didn’t seem to respond or encourage the advances. Jane is spinning with confusion.