"Brian, Amanda - Womb For Rent" - читать интересную книгу автора (Brian Amanda)

"If you would all be so kind as to flip over your place cards, you will see the reason for my announcement,"he continued.
Confused guests and family alike reached in perplexed unison for the engraved place markers. Attached securely to the porcelain base was a photograph. Not just any photograph though. This one showed the newly wedded bride, her red hair standing out like a halo, seated astride the thrusting hips of Derek's best man Gary. Gary wore nothing more than his birthday suit, whereas the bride was decked out in a white cowboy hat and boots, with silver sheriff badges gracing her ample breasts.
Upon seeing the photo, Lydia pressed a shaky hand to her lips, burst into tears and fled the ballroom. Her fifteen attendants trailed nervously in her wake.
Gary sunk back down on his chair and swallowed what was left of his champagne in a hearty gulp.
Derek watched the chaos erupt around him. Calmly stepping out from behind the bridal table, he motioned to a passing waiter.
The young man hurried his steps to Derek's side. Lifting three unopened bottles of Dom Perignon from the serving tray, Derek smiled at the nameless server. "Now, I plan on spending my wedding night getting rip-snorting drunk."


(BM) CHAPTER 1 - FIVE YEARS LATER

The early February sun shone brightly through the puffy white clouds as Talli Paxton watched the four frantic dogs bound across the frozen lawn, each eager to begin their morning exercises. Talli's long, auburn ponytail swung playfully with her movements as she jogged backward toward the pool house.
Getting this job was the best thing that had ever happened to her. She bent down and quickly retied her sneaker lace to prepare herself for the canine cavalcade rapidly approaching her
. They clamored for her attention--barks and bays, punctuated by short yips of glee. Her hand held out in front of her, she spoke softly, yet firmly to the dogs. "Sit."
In unison, all four of their furry butts plopped in a scraggly row on the frost covered grass. Tails wagging and tongues lolling, they looked to her for further instruction.
"Good dogs." She patted each one on the head in turn, taking a few seconds to scratch their favorite spots.
"Jack, what's new big guy?" The male Dalmatian sat preening, his sleek coat smooth in the morning sun. Moving on, she ran her hands over Mary, Jack's female counterpart.
"Mary, my girl, how are you?" Mary panted against Talli's cold hand, bringing warmth to her chilled fingers.
Next to the Dalmatians sat two wiggling Basset Hounds. Talli knelt down beside the pair, her hands caressed their soft muzzles as she pressed her cheek against theirs.
"George, Gracie, how are my wiggle worms?" The two hounds squirmed delightedly under her touch. Talli lowered herself slowly to the cold cement bench at the edge of the garden, surrounded by the four excited pooches. "Good dogs."
For roughly fifteen minutes, both Talli and the dogs enjoyed the morning breeze.
Talli looked around the massive grounds in appreciation. After working here only six months, Cameron Manor already felt like home.
Consummate business professional Derek Cameron had hired her to be his live-in, full-time dog sitter. She had her own room in the main house, plus a car for her use. She looked down at her four charges and smiled. Working with animals was something Talli had always wanted to do. Even as a young child, she was forever bringing home the sick puppy or orphaned kitten or, much to her mother's dismay, an injured wild critter. Throughout the years, Talli pursued her interest in animals at various veterinarian office's and obedience facilities. It was at Yuppy-Puppy Pet Care that she spotted Derek Cameron's advertisement for live-in pet care. She had jumped at the opportunity and was hired on the spot.
What more could a girl from the wrong side of the tracks ask for? This was a far cry from the one story wood frame home she had once shared with her mother.
Talli's green gaze sought out Derek's bedroom window in the elegant red brick mansion. Rarely did their paths cross for more than a few brief minutes per day. On the occasions when they did, Talli found herself openly staring at her employer. Derek Cameron always looked as though he had just stepped off the cover of a men's fashion magazine. His clothes radiated opulence and wealth, his looks were drop dead gorgeous. Jet black hair threaded through with strands of silver framed rugged handsomeness. His ebony eyes silently spoke his requests and Talli would have willingly done anything he asked if her gaze lingered too long on his.
She allowed her thoughts to wander. What did Derek Cameron wear to bed behind those windows? Black silk boxers to match his eyes? Or maybe nothing at all. Inwardly shivering, she rose from the bench. It wasn't like she knocked on his door all hours of the night, asking inane questions about the dogs, just to see what he was or wasn't wearing. Get a grip on yourself Talli, she mentally scolded. It's time to stop thinking about your employer and get on with your duties. Lately, she'd found herself lost in daydreams involving her boss. Unfortunately, that's all they were, just daydreams. Talli knew in her heart there was no way this side of heaven or hell, Derek Cameron would ever look upon her as anything more than an employee.
Even back in high school, Derek never paid her any attention, but then why would he? She was a nobody, a tall, skinny fourteen year old. Talli remembered one incident when their paths had crossed. During study hall in the library, her nose buried in a book, Talli didn't see the boy pull her chair away as she went to sit down. The book flew from her hands, as she fought to regain her balance. The resulting boom as she and the textbook hit the cement floor had caused the other students to snicker at her misfortune.
Like Sir Lancelot, Derek had appeared out of nowhere, helping her up, scowling darkly at the offending student. Mortified, Talli had tried to turn away, but his hand held her still.
"Are you all right?" he'd asked.
She looked up at him, dressed menacingly head to toe in black leather, a dangerous gleam in his eyes and a large purple bruise covering the right side of his cheek, worn proudly like a battle scar. Talli had heard the rumors, how his father drank too much and took his anger out on Derek and his mother.
"My knight in shining armor," she blurted out without thinking, then bit her lip wishing she could take back the childish words.
"Baby, this knight's tarnished." He smiled at her, his guard down for a brief second as tenderness replaced the fierce look he normally wore.
"Not to me," she whispered, ducking her head shyly.
"You're sweet kid, stay that way." He patted her on the top of her head and sauntered away.
Talli relived the moment as if it were yesterday. She could still feel the warmth of his hand against her arm, his touch atop her head. She doubted Derek even remembered the incident. His eyes showed no sign of recognition when she interviewed for the dog sitting position and she was loathe to bring it up. Part of her hoped he would remember her, but for what? She could never be a part of his world and travel in the same circles as he. No, instead she would be content to care for his dogs and enjoy all the opportunity had to offer.
The gangly adolescent was gone, replaced by a tall, auburn haired woman with flashing green eyes. Yet the puppy love she kept buried all those years remained, hidden under a cool facade. Though she would never have the opportunity to possess his heart, at least she was able to live in his house and know that she was near him. With a sigh Talli whistled for the dogs. Time to get down to business.


Derek Cameron brought his fingers up to rest lightly on his chin. "So Mr. Maxwell, tell me again why this is the deal of a lifetime?" Derek's long dark eyelashes hid the brooding look in his ebony eyes as he scanned the boardroom.
A short portly gentleman in a rumpled, striped seersucker suit nervously twisted an orange plaid tie, and rose from his seat at the end of the eight-foot-long teak conference table.
"Uh, you see Mr. Cameron, we at Wardell Industries feel a merger between Cameron Creations and Wardell would open up a whole new set of avenues for both companies. Cameron Creations is already a household name with Wardell following a close second." The man paused to draw a breath. "With a minimal investment on your part, say one million dollars, we can guarantee a fifty percent return on your money within one fiscal year."
Derek's piercing dark eyes revealed no emotion as he openly studied the group before him. He had done his research on Wardell Industries and now watched their top negotiator ply his trade.
Clayton Maxwell finished his presentation and sank back into the richly upholstered chair, his plump hand dotting nervously at his damp brow.
Derek looked around the table, taking in the anxious faces before him. He studied each one briefly before moving on to the next. Lowering his hands to the table's edge, he rose to his feet in a fluid motion. "Gentleman, I wish to thank you for giving me the first opportunity at such an offer." He crossed the floor and opened the ornately decorated door, emblazoned with the large black letters C and C. As he walked through it, he paused, staring at the men sitting frozen around the table.
Derek met the muddled gaze of Clayton Maxwell. "By the way, have your lawyers draw up the contracts. I'll sign them first thing in the morning."
Back in his own quiet office, Derek stared at the familiar Windsor skyline outside his window. From his vantage downtown Detroit location, he could see far and wide on both sides of the river. The glass and steel structures lining the water caught and held the afternoon light. His eyes focused on the Ambassador Bridge, as he watched the steady stream of traffic inching across the mammoth steel and concrete structure outlined against the setting sun in the spring sky. Surrounded by the opulent trappings he had created for himself, Derek suddenly felt very alone.
He let his body slide downward in the chair and sat staring out the window as the day lengthened. Shadows grew longer as dusk descended. A soft knock and a slim shaft of light broke into his reverie.
"Mr. Cameron, It's six-thirty. Is there anything else you require before I leave for the night?"
Derek swivelled to face the silhouette of his secretary in the doorway. "Thank you, but no, I'm fine. Have a pleasant evening, Margaret."
"You too, sir. Goodnight."
He watched her pull the door shut leaving him facing the dark portal. Behind him, the lights of the city twinkled. The city came alive after sunset. The Canadian shoreline speckled with a profusion of bright lights, neon signs and a multitude of sounds. Across the desk, his private fax machine beeped. Derek reached over the cabinet to snap on the desk lamp and picked up the transmission.