I Kissed A Playboy (11 page)

‘That top is better suited to a nightclub.’

‘Cheer up. It’s only two hours. Then you can go home to choose your own clothes. He’s a man, he did his best choosing those jeans and top.’

‘I know, I know.’

Departing was hard enough, rather than being dismal, Brian put a film on for the two to watch to make the flight pass. Faith thought a few beverages would alleviate the drudgery of the evening, but knew it wasn’t sensible. She scoffed to herself in amazement that it was now Brian, deciding what was best for the two of them to function on good form.

As they landed, they transferred to the helicopter, which delivered them to the hospital with quarter of an hour to spare. Given the five hour time difference, Brian had planned it precisely.

The two hours was difficult, but for the right reasons. Compensating for her absence on Wednesday, she took Brian on a tour of the equipment used to assist those with Muscular Dystrophy and introduced him to the researchers, now back in gainful employment thanks to the funds the auction raised.

Faith practically ran out of the building, the minute her watch hit 9pm. Marcus was waiting in a conservative Austin Martin.

‘Home for you and early to bed, I think,’ said Brian. ‘Got to finish the interview tomorrow. Maybe try not to dismiss me completely as a cash cow for the research.’

Faith dropped her head in shame as they sat in the car.

‘I’m playing. Relax, be yourself and speak to them as if you were speaking to me like when we were in Paris. Hang onto those thoughts and feelings for me and we’ll get through it. Raise the profile of the hospital’s requisites,’ he said cheerily.

‘And your profile. Don’t forget, you’ll win the public over with your generosity and interest in charitable events.’

Brian shrugged nonchalantly.

‘I’m not bothered. Living in the public eye with constant attention isn’t the be-all and end-all. I’d be content to have your private eyes on me.’

There was a flicker across Faith’s face Brian couldn’t quite make out. He didn’t ask and put it down to her tiredness. Walking her to the front door, the couple kissed like teenagers.

‘I should let you go,’ said Brian remorsefully.

‘You could come in,’ she offered coyly.

‘I hate to decline. But, I have to put you first. You’re a fusspot. It sounds a plausible, delectable persuasion now, but when you wake up tomorrow, exhausted by the excessive sex and multiple orgasms I’ve given you, you’ll get in a panic about work, which will carry over to the interview stirring up your nerves....’

‘You are such a big head.’

She pushed his solid chest as they laughed.

‘It’ll feel strange, not sleeping with you, which sounds absurd.’

Brian’s kiss cut her off.

‘I feel the same,’ he whispered, walking off reluctantly.

Chapter Thirteen

It was another first for Faith as she avoided her twin for the first time ever. She’d literally sneaked through the backdoor of the house and straight upstairs without even saying hello and goodnight. There was however no way she could avoid him the following morning—they did work together after all.

She ambled downstairs to join him for breakfast.

‘You might’ve at least told me when you got in. I waited up,’ he chastised coldly.

‘Sorry,’ she said sheepishly.

‘I had to ring Brian to make sure there hadn’t been an accident or delay or something.’

‘I’m really sorry. It didn’t cross my mind. I was a bit all over the place.’

‘Why? Was the trip too frantic? Were you worn out from the traveling? Was the jet lag bad?’

‘No, no, nothing like that.’

They ate in silence. Gabe waited for his twin to open up.

‘I didn’t know you had Brian’s number. How’d you get it? He’s not exactly in the directory.’

‘Faith, seriously, did you think I’d let some playboy billionaire whisk you away and not have all the contact details and a complete run down on the full itinerary first?’

‘He’s not a playboy,’ said Faith, raising her voice defensively.

‘Not around you.’

‘Meaning?’

Her tone was accusatory. Gabe sensed she was looking for an argument.

‘Meaning, I think he genuinely has feelings for you. Pipe down, Faith. I don’t know what’s bugging you, but I’ve not done anything wrong.’

‘Sorry. I do feel bad not saying hi and debriefing you. How’s Sasha?’

‘Fine. She’s blooming with pregnancy. It’s becoming real and exciting now.’

‘Hey,’ said Faith grabbing Gabe’s hand. ‘I know I went berserk to begin with but it is exciting and I’m pleased you have Sasha. I can’t wait to be an aunt.’

‘Love makes you see things through new eyes doesn’t it,’ he said wisely.

She clipped his ears as she poured a glass of orange juice from the fridge.

‘Did you love knock at your door in Paris?’ he inquired slyly.

‘You’re about to witness what level my fury can reach in a minute if you don’t let up.’

He chuckled, dissolving the tension.

‘You know, Faith, You have turned things round with Brian. I’ve had a few chats with him. I reckon you two will balance each other out. Might be the real deal.’

‘Time will tell,’ she said enigmatically, retreating upstairs.

Closing the door behind her to prevent the conversation floating downstairs to Gabriel’s razor sharp ears, she picked up her phone to dial Brian; it was early for him.

‘Morning, you.’

‘Hi.’

His voice sounded sleepy and sexy, while she was on a knife edge.

‘I’m in a spot of bother.’

‘I told you not to stress out. Be yourself in the interview.’

That he wasn’t awake and alert irritated Faith.

‘Brian this is serious. I need you to listen.’

‘I am listening.’

‘Properly,’ she hissed.

The emphasis on the word ‘properly’ had him blinking and shaking himself awake.

‘What’s the problem?’

‘We didn’t use protection in Paris. Should I go to the Doctor or chemist and get the morning after pill? I’ve got seventy-two hours from when it happened.’

‘Tell me what you’d like to do Faith,’ his voice was firm.

‘I’d like to hear what you want me to do.’

‘Will my opinion hold any relevance ultimately in what you choose to do?’

‘I feel like you’re being obtuse Brian.’

‘I don’t mean to be,’ he said, his voice softening with concern. ‘I want what’s best for you.’

‘I might be a carrier of Muscular Dystrophy. It’s why I’m not marriage material. Who wants to be with someone that can’t have children?’

‘Has any doctor formally assessed you and said you can’t have children?’

Brian was practical and to the point. The borderline hysterics Faith was dancing on subsided.

‘No. never. My mum had two kids. I’ve never heard of any problem in my family history of conceiving or carrying babies.’

‘You can actually have children then?’

‘Yes, but Gabe, it’s like Russian Roulette. If I’m a carrier and if I have a boy, odds are he’ll have Muscular Dystrophy.’

‘Not necessarily.’

‘What?’

‘You’ve taught me a lot this week. Even if you’re a carrier of the gene, if you conceive with someone who isn’t a carrier there’s every chance your children will be fine. There’s a lot of ‘ifs’ in your argument.’

Faith was starting to think a little information was a dangerous thing with Brian.

‘Yes, but there’s a chance I could have a child with Muscular Dystrophy.’

‘And a chance you’ll have a perfectly healthy baby,’ he countered.

‘Brian, I was asking whether I should take the morning after pill, not whether I should have children.’

‘Faith, it’s entirely up to you if you take the morning after pill or not. I don’t have a say.’

‘Yes, you do,’ she argued.

‘Why?’

‘Because if I were pregnant, it would be our baby. You’d be the father. But I know we’re young and...’

‘I want you to do what feels right for you. You’re struggling with what you’ve grown up with in your family, which I appreciate. What I would say is a week ago today I was asking my PR why exactly I had to go to a charity auction. I got drunk, turned up late and bid on the last auction item—you. I know it was the highest and most outrageous bid what seemed a demanding and deflating reward.

‘At the time I was furious because my entire world revolved around me trying to create the best party ever to convince myself that was what made me happy. I didn’t think a week later my world would revolve a completely new person, her family and her affirming values. Love makes you see things through different eyes.’

Faith rolled her eyes at the remark. Clearly Brian and Gabe must’ve gossiped like old women on the phone. Frustrated at how long he took to answer, Faith knew rushing him would only make him feel his words and thoughts were unimportant. He endured that from his family, she didn’t want to contribute to lowering his self-esteem.

‘What I’m trying to say is. However flippant, easy going, logic and rational I am, the only thing I can attribute our meeting to is fate. Fate brought us together and suddenly my life feels right. At this particular point let fate handle what happened in Paris. There’s nothing to even suggest we would’ve conceived.’

‘It’s a possibility.’

‘And if it happens, then it’ll be something we do as a couple. I have to say, your brother is a very cool guy. He doesn’t behave like life has robbed him of anything. If he can have that outlook, what makes you think we couldn’t instill that if we did have a child with that condition?’

‘I like you, Brian,’ started Faith.

He noted the absence of the word ‘love’ from their conversation.

‘But could you really deal with a child that requires constant attention and care? Is that really for you?’

‘It’s not like we don’t have the finances to…’

‘It’s a baby, Brian, not something you can throw money at and forget about if it comes out less than perfect.’

Anger was bubbling in Brian.

‘I wasn’t suggesting that. I was saying we have the finances to guarantee the child would get the best care required. I don’t know what you’re petrified of Faith, but don’t project it onto me. I’m committed to you, I’d be committed to any children we had. Paris wasn’t a dream Faith; it was real. Everything I said there I meant. Perhaps it’s you who’s unwilling to take a risk on a happily ever after.’

‘That’s not the case.’

‘Put it this way; it feels like you don’t want to a happily ever after with me.’

‘Brian, don’t be like that. That’s not how I feel or how I want you feeling.’

‘The way I’ve behaved with women maybe I deserve this. To see how it is with the shoe on the other foot. If any woman ever loved me and I was this brutal and uncaring of her feelings, I’m not sure how I would ever make things right. I’m not even sure I could. It was stupid on my part to believe I could be anything other than what the papers said I was. Point made Faith. I’ll see you later to finish at the hospital.’

An ocean of tears burst from Faith’s eyes as Brain terminated the call. She sobbed until Gabriel eventually had to take the tiny elevator up to check on her.

‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.

‘Do you think I’m a good person Gabe?’

‘Of course—the best I know!’

‘I’m not. I’m someone who thought the end would always justify the means, if the end was worthy and important. I’ve backed myself into a corner and jeopardized everything. I don’t know how I’m going to make it right.’