CHAPTER 6

“This is Mrs. Herrington,” Elliot indicated the older woman with sharp blue eyes and weathered skin. “She will help you settle into your rooms.”

Mandy could hardly believe her eyes. Elliot Brand had taken her to Skyridge Estates, only the most exclusive condominiums in the city. From there he gave her the special access code to enter on the keypad of the elevator.

Once the code was entered, the elevator began its climb to the top of the skyscraper. Mr. Brand not only owned the penthouse suite, but he also owned the entire building and most of the buildings surrounding Skyridge Estates.

The top floor had been converted into a sixteen thousand square foot luxury condominium. Mandy was given the east wing which had a bedroom almost as large as the home she’d grown up in and a sitting area that included a large screen television. The couch looked to be made of the softest fabric, and large fluffy pillows in shades of blue rested along its length.

The bedroom had a space that looked to be recently cleaned out. It did nothing to take away from the large sleigh bed and Audubon carpets that covered the hardwood floors.

Robert, the butler, had arranged for her boxes to be brought up from the car. They lay tucked into the corner like rubbish and Mandy couldn’t help the surge of embarrassment that flooded her cheeks.

“Thank you, Mrs. Herrington,” her voice shook slightly.

The older woman raised a white brow, “Whatever are you thanking me for, child?”

Mandy swallowed, “For showing me my rooms.”

It came out as more of a question than an answer. Mrs. Herrington’s mouth flattened into a line. And Mandy felt her stomach sink.

This is a mistake, Mandy thought to herself.

“I have some supper on the stove when you have washed up,” Mrs. Herrington continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “Mr. Brand has work to do and won’t be joining you.”

Mandy raised her eyes to the older woman, “Thank you, Mrs. Herrington. But I’m not hungry.”

The older woman scoffed, “Come now, you’re no bigger than a minute, and you have a babe inside of you. Don’t be selfish, girl.”

Mandy nodded because she wasn’t sure what else she could do.

Silently, she walked into the en-suite bathroom and washed her hands. She tried not to notice the dark circles under her eyes or the baggy sweatshirt that she’d pulled on over her tank top and shorts.

Mandy glanced around at the white marble counters and the large clawfoot tub. It was gorgeous, far beyond anything she’d ever used before.

Mandy couldn’t help but feel that this wasn’t meant for her. A shiver of doubt crept up her spine. What if Mr. Brand learned that this baby was his?

As much as Mandy didn’t want to leave, she knew that this was a game where she stood far too much to lose. Straightening her shoulders, she walked out of the bathroom and out of her suite of rooms. She followed the path back to the main living area and glanced once at the kitchen before making a direct turn and walking over to Mr. Brand’s personal rooms.

Mandy knocked twice.

The door was flung open, and Elliot stood there with a small towel wrapped around his waist. Small droplets of water were still gathered on his pectoral muscles. Mandy followed one with her eyes as it made its way down his chiseled abs towards that small white towel.

“Ms. Johnson? Is everything all right?”

Mandy’s throat was dryer than the Sahara Desert, and she couldn’t seem to find her tongue.

Elliot felt the heat from her stare. She was by far the loveliest woman he had ever seen. And if he allowed her perusal to continue much longer, she would be very much aware of his interest in her.

“Amanda?” his voice was huskier this time, and she snapped her eyes to his.

The sweetest shade of pink tinged her perfect cheekbones.

“Mr. Brand,” she choked out, “I’m sorry. I can’t do this.”

Mandy motioned with her hands to the space around her.

Elliot felt his gut clench, “Has someone upset you?”

She shook her head, “No, it is only that this is too much. I shouldn’t be here.”

Her eyes closed just as he saw the look of fear and remorse in them. He tipped her chin up with his thumb, “Amanda, please open your eyes.”

She squeezed them tight for a second as if preparing herself. Her skin burned from his light touch and she remembered him touching her other places. A soft moan escaped her lips as her blue eyes blinked open.

Elliot’s cock hardened fully at the sound escaping her lips. It was almost familiar, and easily the sexiest thing he had ever heard.

“You cannot leave,” he ground out.

Mandy frowned.

“I need you,” he hurried to say, “And you made a promise to me.”

Mandy’s frown deepened.

“You said that you would give this a trial run,” he pressed, “Are you not going to honor your word?”

Her back snapped to attention, “I’m a woman of my word.”

“Good,” he caressed her skin softly before letting her chin go. “Give me a moment to change, and we will begin.”

Mandy nodded at the very same moment that her stomach made a loud groan of protest.

Elliot’s lips twitched, “We will have to do something about that, won’t we?”

Mandy’s blush deepened as he winked at her and walked into the room without closing the door. His muscled back and tight ass made him delectable coming and going. She really needed some water. Mandy was sure that he was trying to burn her up from the inside out.

“What are you doing here?” Mrs. Herrington’s tone of disapproval rang out across the space.

Mandy turned in horror, realizing that this had to look bad.

“I told you that Mr. Brand had work to do,” Mrs. Herrington scowled.

Elliot walked out of the closet at that moment in a pair of gray track pants and a black V-neck tee-shirt that fit him like a glove.

“Mrs. H, is there a problem?”

Mandy was shocked to see the instant change on the older woman’s face. She softened and looked almost motherly to Elliot.

“No, Sir,” Mrs. Herrington motioned to Mandy, “I had asked the girl not to disturb you. I’m sorry, Sir. It won’t happen again.”

Elliot placed a hand on the small of Mandy’s back.

“Amanda wasn’t disturbing me. She is my new personal assistant and will be working closely with me. You don’t need to question her or keep tabs on her whereabouts.”

The older woman looked clearly taken aback, “Sir?”

Elliot turned to Mandy, “Mrs. H has been with me for an exceptionally long time since my mother passed actually. I would like for you two to become friends.”

Mandy swallowed, “Yes, of course.”

Mrs. Herrington looked as if she’d been asked to swallow glass.

“Mrs. H, if I might have a moment of your time?”

Elliot’s eyes were hard, and the older woman immediately agreed. Taking her arm firmly, he walked into the pantry until they were out of earshot of Mandy.

“That girl has been living in a clapboard house in the worst part of town. Her mother looked like an addict and pulled a gun on me tonight. Amanda graduated college with honors on a scholarship and is overly qualified for the position I have created for her. She lost her last job because of sickness with her pregnancy. I will not have you making her feel uncomfortable. She already wants to leave, and I’m barely keeping her here as it is.”

Mrs. H put a hand to her throat, “I’m sorry. I thought you were taken in by a pretty face.”

And then as if she couldn’t help herself, she muttered, “Are you sure she isn’t a gold-digger?”

“Positive,” Elliot bit out. “I will need your word.”

Mrs. H blinked in surprise, “You have my word, Mr. Brand.”

He walked away from the older woman with clenched fists. Elliot had the strongest desire not to leave Mandy alone.

But when he walked back into the kitchen, the chair that Mandy had occupied was empty.

She was gone.