Fortune's Deception

Fortune’s Deception

Karen Erickson

“Miss Jones, it’s imperative that you actually listen to what I have to say.”

Brittney glanced up from her Blackberry, her fingers flying over the keys. “Ooh, let me send this last message and then I’ll give you my full attention, I promise.”

Charles Manning sighed, pushing his wire-rim glasses up the bridge of his nose with the tip of his index finger. Out of the three women who had hired him to be their financial advisor after winning a record-breaking, multistate lottery, Brittney Jones was by far the most aggravating.

Madeline Carpenter had called him first, informing him that she and her friends were in dire need of his services. She was beyond responsible, just like him. They got along great, he never had to explain himself and she trusted him implicitly. Lauren Tollson was so conservative, so afraid to spend or invest her money, he had to practically hold a gun to her head to convince her to sink some money in a house. He’d never seen someone so cautious.

Brittney, on the other hand, spent her money too freely for his taste. He understood the need to indulge after receiving such a windfall, but she worried him. He didn’t want to see her spending habits get out of control. It was his job to make sure she spent and invested her money wisely, and he wanted to make sure she did so.

If she would let him make sure, that is.

His eyes wandered over her, taking in the recently added extensions in her already long blonde hair. He knew she had extensions because he’d seen the invoice for it—a rather astronomical amount for what amounted to fake hair. He didn’t understand the appeal. She was certainly beautiful before the extensions.

A skimpy dress clung to her body and it cost more than the suit he wore—and his suits weren’t cheap. The fabric of the dress was thin, revealing the tops of her breasts, clinging to her curves and showcasing her form. Honeyed skin he couldn’t help but

appreciate, and he swore he could see the lacy cups of her bra. He tilted his head forward, trying to catch a better glimpse…

“Okay, sorry.” She shoved the Blackberry into her Gucci purse and watched him expectantly.

He tore his gaze from her cleavage and sat back in his chair, his mouth drawn tight, eyes firmly fixed on hers. Wanting to appear all serious, all business. Rather difficult for him to maintain considering the smile she flashed him shot straight to his groin, making his cock instantly hard.

Clients never made his cock hard. Even her beautiful friends did nothing for him, and they were definitely more his type.

Brittney was not his type at all, yet…

“Maddie said you complained about me.” She arched a thin, dark blonde brow his way, her expression questioning.

Charles cleared his throat. “I didn’t
complain
about you, I just asked if she could talk to you since you haven’t been in to see me for a while.”

Brittney watched him silently, her eyes wide, head tilted. When she gave no argument, he decided to continue.

“To be honest, I’m worried about your spending habits, Miss Jones, and there are a few things I’d like to discuss with you. Trust me that I say this out of concern for your finances and your future.”

“Of course, and please, Charlie, call me Brittney. Or Britt. Can I call you Charlie?” She crossed her legs, the skirt riding up to reveal the smooth tanned skin of her thighs.

His brain went blank and his mouth watered. The woman could probably seduce a dead man with just a flash of her legs.

“Call me whatever you want.” His words were harsher than he meant, but the woman frustrated him in more ways than one. He looked up from her legs and his eyes met hers. The sky blue depths sparkled, as if she knew exactly what he’d been doing and thinking.

“Funny you should mention your concern, but that’s exactly why I came in to see you. I’m ready to make some rather large decisions and I need advice—financial advice.

I’d like to look into some charities and make a sizeable donation. Maybe even volunteer some time, though that I can look into myself.”

“Well, that’s what I’m here for, financial advice. A sizeable donation to a charity is an excellent idea. Do you have any in mind?” He rested his elbows on the arms of his executive chair, steepled his fingers in front of him. At her words, a small rush of relief washed over him, thankful that she was ready to do the smart thing with her money.

Though he had to admit he was surprised she wanted to volunteer at a charity. He’d assumed the beautiful Miss Jones was only interested in her Blackberry and shopping. He had no idea she wanted to help out the needy in a hands-on manner, especially so soon after winning the money.

“Well, I want to give to the children. Troubled children, to be exact.” Brittney nodded, her tiny diamond hoops swaying on her ears.

“All right, great. Did you have any specific charities in mind? Did you want to do something on a local level, state, maybe even national? Or help unfortunate children in other countries? There are a ton of charities for you to choose from, I could draw up a list…”

Brittney shook her head, her lips tight. “I have something more specific in mind, though I’m not sure it exists. I want to give to children who are in need of temporary help, kids who’ve been put into situations they have no control over. Maybe their mom was arrested and they have nowhere to go, so they’re thrown into the foster care system when really it’s completely unnecessary, not to mention scary. Is there some sort of charity that helps children out in that type of situation or something similar?”

He furrowed his brows. “I’m not exactly sure what you’re referring to. Maybe we should do some research, figure out exactly what you’re looking for.”

She surprised him with every word that dropped from her lush mouth. Her voice was so earnest, her words backed with a strength of conviction he’d never noticed before. It piqued his curiosity, made him wonder exactly what made Brittney tick.

“Maybe I should start my own charity.” Brittney shrugged her shoulders, plucked her PDA from the depths of her giant purse and tapped on the keys for a moment. “I could

make some calls, look into it. I’m sure it wouldn’t be that hard, especially since I have the money to back it up.”

“Well, remember we all have limits, even if we are millionaires. Don’t go thinking too outside the box.” He smiled at her, tried to lighten the sudden somber mood that had just come over the usually sunny Miss Jones.

She dropped her Blackberry into her purse and glanced up, her eyes widening in surprise. “Wow. You should definitely do
that
more often.”

He immediately frowned. “I should do what more often?”

“Smile. You have a great smile, dimples and everything. Who knew?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He scowled even more. What was she talking about? And how had they veered off track so quickly?

“Every time I see you, you’re always so serious, Charlie. I think you need to lighten up, enjoy life a little more. Your world doesn’t have to revolve around crunching numbers you know. You have a girlfriend?”

He’d had one. Until six months ago when she’d dumped him out of nowhere, informed him that she was tired of waiting for him to make the move towards marriage. Not to mention the fact she’d always complained about how uptight he was.

Shit.

“No, no, I’m single.”

“Ah, well I bet that’s your problem. You should go to a bar, try to meet someone. Flash that smile of yours and you’ll have plenty of women surrounding you. Maybe even find someone to help, um, ease some of your troubles, so to speak. I’m sure that’ll solve your grumpy mood.”

“My grumpy mood? What the hell are you talking about?” Now they were discussing his sex life? And why did he keep repeating everything she said? Their conversation had spiraled completely out of control.

One minute she’d been serious, talking about charities and troubled children, and the next she was evaluating his love life. Basically telling him he needed to go out and get laid. Hell, she had a way of keeping him on his toes, that was for sure.

“I’ve noticed that when people are particularly cranky, it usually stems from a sexual problem or frustration. You’d be surprised at how happy and easygoing you’ll be once you start getting some again.” She smiled, so angelic while she spoke of
getting some
.

She really was odd, a bit of a puzzle, which he found intriguing. Not to mention he found her extremely attractive. What man wouldn’t, though? She’d revealed a little more depth behind that beauty too.

Brittney Jones was not who he thought she was. Not at all.

“I hope you take my advice. It’ll be well worth it, I’m sure,” she continued, nodding enthusiastically. “I bet you’ll be a lot more cheerful the next time I step foot in your office instead of worrying so much about my money and how I should or shouldn’t spend it.”

“Isn’t that my
job
? Why are we even talking about my sex life when we should be talking about your financial matters? Such as what organization you want to donate money to?” He needed to back out of this conversation and quick, before he blurted out something that would forever embarrass him.

Like the fact that he wanted to have sex with her. Forget going to a bar and picking up some random woman. He’d much prefer to ease his troubles with
her
.

Charlie immediately felt like a jackass. He needed to stop having the lusty thoughts for his client and treat her seriously, like she should be treated. Just because she was beautiful didn’t give him the excuse for thinking like a complete dog. He should get over it.

“I already told you what I want, Charlie. Now we just need to find out if something like that exists. I hope you can help me. And I’m dead serious when I say I’d be willing to start my own charity. Don’t discount that remark.”

“I don’t discount any of your remarks.” Except for the ones that had nothing to do with her money and everything to do with him. He chose to ignore those completely.

She waved a hand in front of her as if that settled the matter. “Oh, I’m sure. You’re all business. So tell me, Charlie, when was the last time you had sex?”

“I don’t see how any of that is your business.” He sounded stiff, but he couldn’t help it. He wanted to squirm in his chair he was so uncomfortable.

“I’m of the frame of mind that you help me, I help you. You’re helping me with my money, I want to help you learn how to relax.” Brittney contemplated him, her gaze scanning his face, then dipping down to his shoulders, his chest. “You work out, huh? You have a nice set of shoulders, a broad chest, what looks like muscular arms. Very sexy.”

Charles released the breath he’d been holding at her perusal. This was by far the most bizarre client meeting he’d ever had. “Well, yeah, I work out. I try to go to the gym at least three times a week.”

“Oooh, that’s great. You have nice thick hair too. And pretty eyes.” She sighed, settled back against her chair. “I’m a sucker for nice eyes. Get rid of those glasses and you might find me at your feet.”

He blinked, shocked at her words. She found him attractive? Sexy? She’d be at his feet if he got rid of his glasses?

Hah. He’d take her out once, and she’d realize they were nothing alike and that would be the end of that.

She smiled and stood. His gaze dropped to the pale gold stiletto sandals on her feet. The woman certainly knew how to dress to her full advantage. Everything she wore equaled a symphony of seduction.

“Charlie, this is important to me, and I want to make sure I do it right.” The smile faded from her face and he wondered why exactly this meant so much to her. “Can we meet next week and discuss it some more? I’ll look into charities as well. Maybe we both could come up with something.” She smiled down at him once again and he stood.

She was tall, especially in those heels, but he was taller. And he didn’t like having this woman look down on him. Why, he wasn’t sure.

“Of course. Tell Diane you want to set up an appointment and she’ll schedule you.”

He walked her to the door and she whirled around just before he opened it, so close her breasts brushed against his shirtfront.

Just like that, his cock hardened all over again. He hoped to God she didn’t notice.

“Thanks for all of the advice, Charlie. And trust me, I hear what you’re saying about spending too much money. I swear I’m over it. It was something I had to get out of my system.” She batted her eyelashes. He swore he felt the breeze they created, she was so near.

“Well, it is
your
money, Brittney. It’s my job to make sure you spend it wisely.” He could hardly breathe and every time he inhaled, he smelled her sweet floral scent. Her eyes widened and she pressed her lips together, braced her hand on his chest.

His heart went wild beneath her fingers. One touch and he was ready to grab her, push everything off his desk and fuck her senseless right then and there.

Hell, he’d never done anything like that before in his life. Had never even thought of doing something so wild, so out of control.

“You said my name,” she murmured, so low he had to tilt his head closer to hear her.

“What?”

“You said my name, my first name. You never say my name.” She smiled, removed her hand from his chest, and he felt bereft. Empty without her touch. “It sounded kind of nice. I’ll see you next week, Charlie.”