Take a Chance on Me (3 page)

He took a deep breath while stretching out his
leg. Maybe all he’d have to do would be to drop his pants so she’d see his ugly
leg,
and that would cool things for her.
 
It had certainly put a damper on his
fiancée’s enthusiasm to walk down the aisle. Hell, this woman might even run a
mile to get away from him.

It had rained last night and for some reason the
sudden rise in humidity and heat had made the ugly scar stand out, highlighting
both its redness and jagged edges. Even doctors couldn’t figure out why it
always happened. Maybe after he had the next operation and skin graft it
wouldn’t be such an issue.

Perhaps Ryan had thought if he hooked up with a
woman he didn’t know, hadn’t tried to ask out on a date, he wouldn’t be so
inhibited. He could bare his body, have a good fuck and not have to worry about
seeing her ever again.
 
Maybe, Ryan was
smarter than he’d given him credit for.

However, Mitchell didn’t need sex that bad. He
could wait until his leg looked better and then he’d find the right girl. Ms.
Right would come along one of these days. In his heart he knew that was true.
Their mother always told them there was someone special for everyone on earth
and he’d never doubted it.

The overnight bag slid onto Mitchell’s thigh as
the limo driver turned into the entrance of the hotel. Something shiny, like
silver glitter, fell onto his head and face. A few seconds later another load
fell onto his crotch. He swiped it away.

What the
hell?

Mitchell studied the roof of the limo but
couldn’t see anything. He did his best to try and brush the crap off him. Just
what would people think of him getting out of the limo with glitter all over
him?

 
The
vehicle stopped. Mitchell looked out. He whistled, suddenly forgetting about
his appearance.
Pretty nice place, by the look of the
outside.
Blue tiles lined the entrance and fountains and trees were at
either side of the driveway. Wow, not a small hotel by any means. Mitchell
glanced up.
At least forty floors.
Just how much had
this cost Ryan? And how had he managed it on his teacher’s salary? Mitchell
hoped he hadn’t gotten himself into debt spoiling his big brother.

The driver had gotten out of the vehicle and
opened the door before Mitchell had a chance to even slide over on the seat to
exit.

“Thank you for the ride,” said Mitchell,
exiting.

He lifted his hand ready to salute the driver,
but suddenly remembered he was out of the Army now and this was the beginning
of his new life. He froze on the spot, wondering what that life entailed, and
what lay ahead for him.

“Sir, do you have any other luggage?”

He looked over his shoulder as the limo pulled
away. In front of him stood a bellboy, wearing black pants and a maroon jacket
bearing the initials PP. Mitchell hadn’t seen him approaching. How long had he
been standing there daydreaming?

“No, just this bag.
I’m only here for one night.”

“If you’d like to come with me I can carry it
and show you to the check-in area.”

“That would be great.”

Mitchell followed behind, feeling the humid air
on his skin. He usually didn’t like its stickiness, but after being in the dry
air of the Middle East, it actually felt pretty good.

The doors swooshed open and the bellboy
indicated for him to step toward the reception area that was as fancy as the
outside. Marble columns everywhere, an indoor fountain that sat in the middle
of the area and what looked like real granite countertops.

“Can I help you, sir?” asked a woman standing
behind the desk.

“Yes, my name’s Mitchell
Farraday
and I have reservations for one night.”

She began tapping at the keyboard.

“Yes, you’re with the Perfect Pairing service.”

Mitchell glanced around, hoping no other guest
thought he was meeting a hooker. However, strangely enough there were no other
people.

“Here we are. Suite 452, and by the way Mr.
Farraday
, Ms. Moore hasn’t checked into your room yet.
Thought you might like to know, just in case you want to freshen up
before she arrives.”

Wait a
minute. Did this mean they’d be sharing his room?
Mitchell was about to dig through his bag to find his cell phone. He needed to
tell Ryan there was no way he could go through with this. However, when he
glanced to his left, the bellboy headed toward the elevator with the bag over
his shoulder, and the receptionist handed him a room pass.

“Have a wonderful stay with us. And please don’t
hesitate to let us know if there’s anything you require that’s not already in
your suite.”

Mitchell felt like the space in the elevator was
closing in on him as he stood behind the bellboy and rode up to the
thirty-fifth floor.
 

Sharing a suite with a complete stranger.

He’d shared rooms and tents with other guys in
the Army but this would be with a woman he’d never met. Would there be
somewhere in the room he could hide away and not show any signs of pain if his
leg started acting up? He shook his head. What a nightmare. Ryan had a lot to
answer for when he got his hands on him.

The elevator doors slid open and now all
Mitchell could do was follow the boy along the hallway, which was as lavish as
the rest of the hotel: gold chandelier, spongy off-white carpet. He knew he’d
appreciate it a lot more if his stomach wasn’t doing flips right now.

The bellboy took Mitchell’s pass, slid it
through the scanner and opened the door.

 
“Here you
are, Mr.
Farraday
.”
 
He stepped aside and let Mitchell into the suite.

He whistled as soon as he saw the place. He’d
never stayed somewhere this fancy in his life. Mitchell went farther into the
room. Full kitchen, mini bar, pool table…you name it. It also had windows that
went from top to bottom, with quite the view of the city.

“If there’s anything else we can do for you, we’re
just a phone call away,” said the boy.

Mitchell pulled out some money and handed it to
him. He nodded and then left. All alone, Mitchell walked to the window and then
over to the side of the room where a fully stocked bar sat, next to a
whirlpool.
 
Mitchell opened a door and
saw a king-sized bed with a mirror above it. Was that his or hers or were they
both supposed to sleep in it, or have sex in it?

Mitchell took a deep breath. Ms. Moore still
hadn’t arrived, and with any luck she’d gotten cold feet. He’d have the place
all to himself. He’d soak in the tub, have a few cold beers, and then watch a
couple of movies.

He spotted a bottle of champagne cooling in a
silver bucket and some chocolates sitting on a plate. Next to those was an
envelope with his name handwritten on it. Mitchell picked it up and slid his
thumb along the top to open it up. He pulled out a sheet of paper, impressed by
its quality and the beautiful penmanship. The initials PP were embossed at the
top.

Mitchell,

Welcome to
Perfect Pairing. Your brother tells me you’ve returned from a tour of duty in
the armed forces, and let me say how wonderful it is to help someone who has
served their country. Your chosen partner is Ms. Moore. Sometimes figuring out
whom to pair a client with is a difficult task for me, but not with you. You
have been one of my easiest partnerships. I hope that you’ll agree that Ms.
Moore is nothing less than perfect for you.

Have a wonderful time.

Sadie
Sutton-CEO

“Perfect for me?
Well, if she doesn’t want sex and prefers to sit and have a good
game of Scrabble or cards then she will be.”

Now, where was Ms. Moore?

Chapter Four

Rachel looked out of the window. Luckily the
limo was still in her driveway. Her last patient had been twenty minutes late
and she’d driven home well over the speed limit. The driver had been waiting
twenty minutes now, so she quickly threw some items into her rolling suitcase.
As usual her mother had given her a book on sexual positions and also some
orgasm enhancing gel for her, should things progress…and she had every
confidence they would. She pushed them to the bottom of the bag, knowing she’d
use neither item. At least she wouldn’t be lying when she looked her mother in
the eye and told her, yes, she’d taken them along.

Last item she needed was a blouse to put over
her t-shirt. She rummaged through her closet for the white one she’d bought on
sale the week before. She slipped it on and headed down the stairs two at a
time. Rachel locked the front door and then ran toward the limo, where the
driver got out and held the door for her.

“So sorry I’m late.”

“No problem, Ms. Moore. Now you sit in there and
relax and I’ll get you to the hotel in no time.”

Rachel slid to the middle of the seat and rested
her head back, glad for the dimness and quietness of its interior. It had been
a hectic afternoon from the minute she’d stepped into the clinic. She hadn’t
even had time for lunch. Not that she’d felt like eating. Her stomach was in
knots thinking about meeting this stranger. How would she break the news to him
that she really wasn’t interested in a relationship? What if he was angry? Not
that she could blame him. After all, he’d paid money for the evening with her.
Maybe if she explained that it was her mother and not her who had set the whole
thing up, he’d be sympathetic.

The driver turned the corner sharply and out of
nowhere a flurry of glitter fell over her head and shoulders and then another
batch fell onto her crotch. She looked up, but there was nothing to be seen
other than the roof of the limo. Rachel tried to brush it off her skirt but
couldn’t seem to get rid of it. Strangest thing she’d ever seen. She lifted her
skirt and shook it, but still the glitter clung to the material. She swiped her
hair with her hand and saw her fingers glistening. Maybe it had been up there
all the time and she hadn’t noticed it.

The driver made another sharp turn. He’d had
been right when he’d told her he’d have her at the hotel in no time. Rachel
peered out of the window. Wow, the whole place looked ritzy to say the least.
What she wouldn’t give to stay here all by herself for some R and R.

The driver opened the door and she slid out.
Before she’d had time to say anything, a bellboy had gotten hold of her arm and
was whisking her toward the reception area.

“I’m Rachel Moore with the Perfect Pairing
service.”

Had she blushed when she’d told the woman behind
the desk that?
 
“Welcome. Mr.
Farraday
arrived about forty-five minutes ago.”

Rachel guessed he was the guy in question.

“Ms. Sutton told us to make sure you received
this.”

The clerk handed her an envelope with her name
handwritten on it. Rachel turned it over, seeing PP printed on the back. She
lifted up the flap and pulled out a sheet of paper.

Rachel.

A warm welcome to you, and a happy birthday.
I hope it will be one that
you won’t ever forget. I know you will find Mr.
Farraday
a most suitable partner. I couldn’t resist pairing you as you are like souls
and I hope after this evening that you’ll both agree.

Have a wonderful time,

Sadie
Sutton-CEO.

Like souls. How many times had her mother said
she wished Rachel could find her soul mate?

“If you’re ready, Ms. Moore, I can show you up
to your room. I’m sure Mr.
Farraday
is anxious to
meet you,” said the bellboy.

Rachel got on the elevator with him and pressed
her butt against the back wall. She wondered if Perfect Pairing used this hotel
exclusively. The bellboy turned around at that very minute and smiled at her.
Rachel smiled too, wondering if he could read her mind.

Like
souls.
Some people, like her mother for example,
were just hopeless romantics
.

Rachel hoped that Mr.
Farraday
wouldn’t be disappointed because she was going to pass on anything that leaned
toward the two of them becoming romantically involved. However, if he just
wanted a companion for some good conversation over a nice glass of wine, she
would be it.

The dinging sound signaling the elevator had
reached the thirty-fifth floor jarred her out of her present thought. She
followed the bellboy along the hallway, only wishing she could get her tiny
townhouse to look as lavish as the hallway with its antiques and plush carpet.

 
“Here we
are, Ms. Moore: your suite, and Mr.
Farraday
is in
the adjoining section, so just knock on the door and once you’ve introduced
yourselves you can slide it open to make it one big suite for the evening.”