Yet, all I could wonder was why on earth would this well-known business owner want to see me?
Slowly I accepted his hand and looked down. Instead of shaking mine as I’d expected, his grasp lingered. The warmth of his touch was in stark contrast to the cooled air within the penthouse suite. When I lifted my gaze, his deep-set blue eyes devoured me, as his grin broadened. My insides twisted again as the fine hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention. Unabashed by my obvious trepidation, he leaned back and scanned me up and down.
My discomfort grew with each passing second. With my hand still in his, I turned for help, looking for Lisa. Perhaps she’d show me some sign of support or reassurance. However, as I turned, all that I saw was the door as it closed, leaving me completely alone with this man I didn’t know. Summoning any strength I could find, I worked to articulate without fainting. “Mr. Harrington, I’m afraid I don’t know why I’m here.”
His mouth twitched as he cocked one brow. “Miss Conway, is it usual for you to frequent unknown places for unknown reasons?”
Was he amused by my discomfort?
Freeing my hand, I gripped my purse and squared my shoulders. “No, Mr. Harrington, it is not. As a matter of fact, I’m a bit uncomfortable. Please tell me what this is about or I will leave.”
“I believe you should hear me out.” He gestured toward me. “I mean, look at how beautiful you look. You’re all dressed up.”
Blood rushed to my cheeks.
He stepped back and casually leaned against his desk. “Let’s start with you calling me Stewart. Formalities seem unnecessary.”
Unconsciously, I closed my eyes and sucked in my lower lip. My body trembled with uneasiness as I tried to understand what was happening. Before I could speak, Stewart cupped my chin and lifted my eyes towards his.
His ease with touching me made me even more uncomfortable. I stepped back and replied, “Stewart, I don’t know—”
His tenor dropped. “Victoria, your parents and I have discussed an agreement to resolve a situation they seem to have gotten themselves into. I find it interesting that they apparently didn’t feel it was necessary to fill you in on your role.”
I did my best to remain stoic, mistakenly believing that I could no longer be surprised by my parents’ actions.
He continued, “They have arranged for you to settle their debt for them.”
Settle their debt? “I don’t know what you mean… I don’t have money…”
My words trailed away as he once again secured my hand and led me to a sofa: one that I’d not even noticed until that moment. Once we were seated, he said, “Victoria, we are to wed.”
“What?!” I pulled my hand away. “I’m not marrying anyone. I haven’t even graduated from high school.” Stewart was almost as old as my parents. There was no way in hell I was marrying him or doing anything else with him.
Smirking, he went on, “I realize that wasn’t exactly a romantic proposal. I’ll be honest: I’m not looking for romance. You may or may not know that your family is a bit dysfunctional.”
Dysfunctional? He had no fucking idea.
Though my nerves were stretched to the point of fraying, I tried to quiet the hysteria in my mind, as I comprehended the idea that I could never have possibly foreseen this, or that once again, I underestimated my parents’ ability to ruin my life. Fighting my flight response, I gave Stewart Harrington my full attention and calmest voice. It was a trick I’d taught myself as a child, a way to appear calm to others when in reality all hell was breaking loose on the inside.
“Stewart, I’m eighteen. I don’t have to do anything my parents say. I make my own decisions.”
“Yes, you do. You won’t be forced to accept this arrangement, but before you decide, I recommend you hear the entire story.”
Fine, I’d hear him out. Years of private education and finishing school taught me manners. I’d hear him out, and then politely tell him to fuck off.
“Your stepfather has an affinity for gambling. He has made a few bad choices.”
Yes, like thinking that I’d ever be willing to sell myself to save his ass. The scenario was too obscene to comprehend. “I don’t really care what Randall has—”
“Victoria, don’t interrupt until the facts are out there.”
Taking a deep breath, I nodded.
“As I was saying, Randall likes to play the horses and dogs and well, anywhere he can place a bet, he does. Your mother has a secret, too. She may have kicked the alcohol, but her new drug of choice can be as equally destructive. It’s shopping. She’s been known to spend a hundred thousand in an afternoon. The two fuel each other. She needs his winnings to support her addiction. That all works well, as long as Randall wins. When his streak first ended, he thought he could gamble his way out. That’s what happens with the addiction. Every next bet has the potential to save both him and his reputation. However, as you can imagine, since we’re sitting here, it hasn’t worked. Each bet dug him deeper and deeper into debt—”
“Randall is a doctor. He makes good money.”
Stewart’s gaze darkened at my interruption.
I didn’t care if he approved of my speaking or not. This was my life and my future we were discussing casually, like a movie or book. I needed clarification. “I still don’t understand…”
“Perhaps you should try listening?” he said, somewhat condescendingly.