"Get ready Miss Reynolds. Or you're fired"

Lost for words I snatch the dress out of his hands and slam the door in his face. How dare he! Blackmailing me! GAH!

I dress quickly not really caring what I look like. I tie my chocolate unruly ringlets into a messy bun. I put on a little mascara and lipstick. I give myself the once over in the mirror. The dress is actually gorgeous. The deep red colour is beautiful and the dress itself hangs off my shoulders, falls to the floor and clings to all the right places. I slip on a pair red six inch pumps so I'm not my normal short self and go back to the door.

I open the door to find Mr Cunningham still standing there but his attention is on his phone. He furiously swipes his fingers along the screen and I can only assume he is texting. I clear my throat and he looks up from his phone. His eyes run along every inch of my body and I feel myself blush under his stare.

"Miss Reynolds you look amazing"

"Let's just get this over with" I say pushing passed him to the stairs.

"Your building has no lift"

"Well spotted Sherlock"

"This really isn't the best area"

"Are you done judging me? This is all my brother and I can afford. Sorry it doesn't meet your standards but I don't really give a shit what you think. You blackmailed me and now I'm going to your stupid ball so do me a favour and shut the hell up" Great now he probably will fire me.

He looks genuinely shocked but composes himself quickly and leads me out of the building. A driver opens the door to the limo and he indicates for me to get in. He slides in behind me and sits close so our thighs are touching. My breath hitches when I feel the heat from his body and I pray he doesn't notice.

"I apologise for my behaviour Miss Reynolds" Mr Cunningham says quietly.

"And yet we are still on the way to this ball" I snap.

He smirks slightly, "Well it is for charity" I feel my lips tug up slightly but quickly suppress the smile. "Are you from Boston originally?"

"Mr Cunningham, I get the feeling you already know that"

"Ok I'll change my question. What made you leave San Francisco?"

"Bas. He got into Harvard so I came with him"

"And no one minded you leaving?"

"Well my dad disappeared the day Bas and I were born, my boyfriend of two years cheated on me and my mum died. So no, no one in San Fransisco is missing me" as soon as I have snapped my answer at him I regret it. That was harsh.

Mr Cunningham looks down at his hands I notice his fingers interlocked. Is he nervous?

"I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that." I say quietly.

"I shouldn't have pried" he says shrugging his shoulders, "but for what it is worth your boyfriend is an idiot, he doesn't deserve you and I'm very sorry about your mum"

"Thank you" I tap my hand on top of his as a sign of thanks and he turns his hand over grasping mine in his. My hand tingles from his touch.

"We are here" he says keeping his hand round mine. The driver open the door and he steps out of the limo pulling me with him. The flashing of camera is intense as we step onto the red carpet out the front of the hotel. I look up the hotel and the name catches my attention, 'Cunningham Grand'.

"This is one of yours" I state but am looking for clarification.

"Yes it is. This is why I had to attend tonight" still holding my hand he leads me inside.

We walk through the lobby and into a grand ball room. The room itself is beautifully decorated but looking passed the flower arrangements and fairy lights I see the Greek inspired architraves and impressive crown mouldings. I gasp at the architectural beauty.

"Like it?" Mr Cunningham's voice whispers in my ear and I can feel his body heat leaving my skin tingly.

"It is amazing"

"This is my pride and joy"

"What do you mean?"

"Before I took over from my father, before he died I was where you are. This was my first design." I look at the man standing next to me and I really look. On occasion I get a glimpse of a kind, caring, amazing gentleman. I wonder who the real Cameron Cunningham is?

Mr Cunningham and I eat, talk, drink and dance. I make sure to maintain a professional and appropriate distance between us. I can't deny that I feel attracted to him but I won't act upon my feelings. I need a break from men. Todd made it hard for to trust any guy. The only truthful man in my life is Bas.

Mr Cunningham walks me to my door when the night is over. Out of my clutch I pull my phone and keys. I check my phone quickly and notice a message from Bas.

I laugh and Mr Cunningham looks at me curiously.

"Bas got lucky on his date. He isn't coming home tonight."

"So you'll be alone?"

"Yeah I guess"

"Will you be ok?"

"Yes Mr Cunningham. I'll be fine. Thank you for a pleasant evening"

"Goodnight Miss Reynolds"

I shut the door and head straight for bed. I strip down to my panties and pull back on one of Bas's t-shirts. I hop into my bed pulling the blankets up around my neck. My phone buzzes on the bedside table and I grab it to check.

I reply.

I feel confident texting Mr Cunningham instead of looking at him. I think it is his eyes that distract me. And that body!