Three months, and things were still better than they'd ever been. The dates, the gifts, the sex- it was all fantastic. Not to mention that she really did find Mr. Hayes' company enjoyable. She found herself actually looking forward to their quiet evenings together over a shared meal. She'd think of their discussions and actively looked for things that she knew would interest him to talk about.
She did feel slightly guilty about “using” Mr. Hayes. She enjoyed him for more than just his money, but he had fallen hard for her, but she wasn't nearly as in love with him as he was with her. With his good looks and earnest desire to please Tracy in every way, it was hard not to have feelings for him. But, it wasn't love. At least not yet.
Life, for the first time in a very, very long time, was good.
But nothing this good lasts forever…
Chapter 9
"No, sir. I don't think you should bring her," James said, pinching the bridge of his nose as if he had a headache. "We've got a couple of your biggest investors who would make perfect dates for you."
"Is there a single one of them who’s less than twenty years older than me?,” Paul Hayes asked. "No. Is there a single one of them good looking enough to make a good tabloid picture? No."
He held his arm out as the tailor measured him. He’d had his measurements taken many times before, but when ordering a custom suit, there was no reason not to be thorough. If a suit made the man, then it was important for a billionaire to have the perfect suit.
"Look, sir, I'm thrilled that you’re finally pursuing a relationship with a single woman. I'm even happy with your choice of woman,” Jame replied. Tracy wasn't convinced of his sincerity. “However, this event requires that you bring a woman of high standing, and Ms. Collins simply doesn't fill that role. No offense, ma'am."
Oh, Tracy thought, so he can see me over here in the boss' chair. At this point, Tracy was used to being talked about like this in front of her. It still didn't make her feel any better, though. Just because she was a former waitress didn't mean she wasn't just as good as anyone else.
"I don't think having me around is going to hurt Mr. Hayes' image too much. We've had our pictures taken together before, and I'm by far not the lowest class woman he's ever been seen with," she said, remembering all the bimbos who had walked into the restaurant with him.
"Again, no offense, ma'am, but this isn't just any night out on the town. This is the Ronald Hayes Cancer Research Charity Ball, and there's more at stake here than just Mr. Hayes' personal image." James took a look up and down Tracy's legs before focusing again. "Believe me, I would love nothing more than to see you dressed up and on Mr. Hayes' arm, but this is about more than our personal wants. This is about the company.”
Tracy snorted. In her dreams, she had seen exactly how James wanted to see her dressed, and it wasn't in formal wear. It wasn't very empowering, either. Sometimes, the power was a curse, she thought.
Mr. Hayes turned to look at James, and the tailor dutifully turned with him, silently and obediently measuring away. "I don't care what you or anyone else thinks about Tracy. I seriously don't care. I will not be going to a charity ball in honor of my father with some sixty-five-year-old heiress who smells like old money."
James continued, undeterred. "I have another option, then. The company's biggest investor, John Tice, will be there. Escorting his daughter around would be a great move for both the company and for your own image."
Tracy would have to be blind not to notice the way Mr. Hayes perked up. "Jenna?"
"Yes, Jenna.” James stopped rubbing the bridge of his nose and actually smiled. “She's recently graduated college with a degree in business and is looking for employment. Rumor has it she's not interested in working for her father's company at all. She could be an asset. Her family and yours working together are quite powerful.”
What was this? Tracy thought. This sounded like the Dark Ages, like the king of Spain should marry the princess of France to secure a treaty. This didn't sound like something that should happen at all.
Mr. Hayes shook his head again, as if shaking the thought of Jenna from his head. "I'll keep it in mind, James. In the meantime, I'd like you to schedule Ms. Collins some time for a dress fitting. We'll need her looking her best for the gala," Mr. Hayes said, looking over at her.
Tracy liked the way Mr. Hayes looked at her. His eyes seemed to glow with passion whenever he glanced her way. She liked how he looked too. For his fitting, he had stripped down to his briefs and undershirt. Tracy could clearly see the way how muscular his legs were, and she thought, with lust, of how those muscles ran into a v-shape at his loins...
"Do you want that dress fitting done tonight?" James asked. He was back to rubbing at his forehead again.
"No," Mr. Hayes said, a devilish grin crossing his face as he looked at Tracy staring at him. "I have other plans for today. Make it a couple days from now."
"Yes, sir," James said, and left the room. Soon afterward, the tailor finished as well. Mr. Hayes watched as he left the room, then strode over to Tracy and kissed her. She smiled and returned the kiss.
"I have a business meeting in seventeen minutes,” Mr. Hayes informed her. “You're more important than the meeting, but I should call ahead if I'm going to be late."
"And why, Mr. Hayes, would you be late?" Tracy asked teasingly between kisses. The man was an excellent kisser.
"Well, I wanted to show you exactly who I'd like to go to the dance with," he replied. His eyes were dark with desire.
Tracy looked thoughtful. "Gee, I'm not sure if Jenna Tice can make it here in seventeen minutes." Hayes looked hurt for a moment, so Tracy went on. "I, on the other hand, will be more than happy to let you apologize for wanting to see her."
Hayes gave her a smile, but it was strained. "Don't let it turn into this. John Tice is an old friend of mine. This company would not exist, and I literally would not be the man I am today, if not for him. It would be my privilege to escort his daughter around at the company charity fundraiser. She doesn't hold a candle to you. You're more of a woman than she'll ever be. You're the one that I want to please."
Tracy couldn't help but smile. She knew the words were true, but it was always nice to hear them. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Then please me."
Hayes grabbed his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed a number. "James? I'm going to run a little over with some damage control. Hand out the packets and let everyone know to have the details on page six memorized by the time I get there." He hung up without waiting for a response and threw his cell phone back in his pocket.