Книга - Pregnant By The Ceo

Pregnant By The Ceo
HelenKay Dimon


Derrick Jameson dedicated his life to the family business, and all he needs to close the deal is the perfect fiancée.When the sister of his nemesis shows up, desperate to make amends, it’s perfect…until a surprise pregnancy comes to light!







His pretend bride-to-be is pregnant!

How to keep control of the family business, bring his estranged siblings together and save his sullied reputation? Step one for billionaire businessman Derrick Jameson involves pretending to be engaged to his enemy’s sister. He just has to keep his heart—and his secrets—to himself.

Out of work and protective of her brother, Ellie Gold reluctantly agrees to a job as Derrick’s fake fiancée. But when their no-romance, no-touching agreement ends with her in love and expecting his baby, will what they have become the real thing?


“Was that to make the engagement seem more real?” Ellie asked.

The question came out as a whisper. She regretted it a second later, sure that he would use it as an excuse to switch back to the cool, in-control Derrick she’d met that first night.

He smiled down at her. “Do you think there are cameras in here?”

“I meant were you trying to get me accustomed to kissing you.”

“I kissed you because I wanted to kiss you.” He skimmed his thumb over her lower lip. “For the record, fake engagement or not, I don’t want you to kiss me unless you want to.”

“We seem to be stepping into dangerous territory.”

“Agreed.” He cupped her cheek and his fingers slipped into her hair. The simple touch, so light, felt so good...and so scary.

This was fake. This was about saving her brother and restoring Derrick’s reputation.

That was all it could be.

* * *

Pregnant by the CEO

is part of The Jameson Heirs series—

They’ll do anything to save the

family business—even fall in love!


Pregnant by the CEO

HelenKay Dimon






www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)


HELENKAY DIMON is a divorce lawyer turned full-time author. Her bestselling and award-winning books have been showcased in numerous publications, including the Washington Post and Cosmopolitan. She is an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award winner and has been a finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® Award multiple times. This is her first Mills & Boon Desire novel.


Contents

Cover (#uefd2a00b-0d40-5d40-81ab-f273a55b56e9)

Back Cover Text (#ubd4a0aba-e35d-5e6d-b309-510c50adf174)

Introduction (#u4a61d195-ca98-5f06-84aa-2346619ec7c9)

Title Page (#u9520f20e-c9c6-52e0-bb21-38f0e5f4948d)

About the Author (#u0a046db0-50e2-594a-85fe-595f8efd9c75)

One (#ufeeba6d8-1889-5412-a834-24a887ef669f)

Two (#u83e72d10-c2c1-52f3-8ee1-4dad8e01b3eb)

Three (#u27d39591-5da1-5811-aa53-845c5f16ad02)

Four (#u2360e235-ae87-58cb-96a7-a804c92d3757)

Five (#uda803ad9-e9be-59ff-b670-e3d11ead2079)

Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)


One (#ub83309bd-9fdb-52af-9afa-7d1ad442fa6e)

The DC Insider: Rumor has it Washington, DC’s most eligible and notoriously difficult bachelor—the man named the Insider’s Hottest Ticket in Town for three years running—might finally be off the market. All that talk about bad security and bad management? Could be a disgruntled baby brother getting even with his sister’s new beau. When asked about a supposed secret girlfriend and her meddlesome brother, hotshot businessman Derrick Jameson would only say, “Ellie Gold is lovely.” Sounds like an admission to us. Stay tuned.

Ellie Gold had never punched anyone before, but she vowed to end that lifelong streak right now.

Wearing the only cocktail dress she owned, simple and black, with a matching black lace overlay, and spiky heels that made her arches ache, she stepped into the private dining room on the top floor of the historic Hay-Adams Hotel named, interestingly enough, the Top of the Hay.

For a second the anger choking her brain cleared. Her breath hitched as her gaze wandered around the sparkling space with the fancy chandeliers and cream-colored walls. Only the business people milling around with death grips on their drinks, all looking awkward and out of place in their navy suits, threatened to ruin the fairy-tale moment.

French doors lined the outer walls and vaulted skylights soared above her. She stretched up on tiptoe to peek around more than one set of shoulders to the stunning view of the White House below.

Her balance faltered and she might have landed headfirst in a nearby tray of champagne glasses but fingers wrapped around her elbow and steadied her. She glanced up to say thank-you and saw a face...his face.

Derrick Jameson, the oldest son of a vast empire that included everything from commercial real estate in Washington, DC, to a prize-winning horse farm in the Virginia countryside. The guy who excelled at making her life miserable.

Just seeing him made her forget how to spell. She wasn’t all that sure she could recite the alphabet if pressed, either. She wanted to blame the fury flowing through her, but even she had to admit that might not be the real reason for her hottie-induced speech lapse.

She’d researched Derrick before tonight, reading online in stories that droned on about his money and dating life. But seeing him up close? No one had prepared her for that.

The black hair and striking light brown eyes. She’d read about his family background and picked up on the subtle hint of Japanese heritage passed on from his maternal grandmother. The firm chin. Those shoulders.

The features combined into a potent package of tall, dark and delicious. He gave off a confident vibe. In control and assessing. But his unspoken determination to destroy her reputation and rip her family apart marred her appreciation of his pretty face.

“Ms. Gold.” He nodded and threw in a little smile for a group of people walking past him. “I didn’t expect to see you at a business function.”

Her voice came back to her in a rush. So did the rage swirling in her gut. “Interesting tactic.”

“Excuse me?”

“That charming thing you’re doing?” She leaned in closer and dropped her voice to a whisper, ignoring how good he smelled. “I’m not buying it.”

He continued to hold her arm. Not in a tight grip. No, his thumb brushed back and forth over her bare skin in a gentle caress, as if trying to soothe her. The guy seemed oblivious to the fact that he was the one causing her stress. Well, him and everyone and everything else in her life.

He might not know it but she hovered right on the edge and his decisions kept shoving her closer to the abyss. Her baby brother, Noah, was in a strange emotional downward spiral, all thanks to Derrick and his claims about Noah stealing from him.

She’d practically raised Noah after their parents died in a car crash. He wasn’t easy, but he wasn’t a thief. Her brother had been argumentative and frustrated back then, much more so than other kids. She’d dragged him to a specialist, who diagnosed him with oppositional defiant disorder, something she’d never even heard of before that moment.

She’d scraped together the money for the therapies not covered by insurance. But even now, at times of stress or when he felt cornered, the flashes of anger would come back and he’d buck authority. Something about Derrick had Noah’s negative behavior kicking to the surface again.

The worst part was that Noah didn’t even see it. She did. She’d watched him make bad choices as a kid, tried to help him to the point where she’d sacrificed her personal life to spend all of her extra time with him. The idea that his issues were resurging now, at twenty, deflated her.

She’d deal with that later. Right now she needed to handle Derrick.

“This is serious.” Serious enough for her to track him down through a series of calls to his office.

“Is it?” Amusement filled his voice as he handed her his glass of champagne.

She couldn’t think of anything more annoying than that welcoming lilt to his voice. The whole fake-charming scene threw her off. She didn’t realize he had shifted and moved them toward the elevators until she looked around the room and saw the space between them and the rest of the party.

She didn’t know if this was a rich guy’s way of escorting her out of the building or something else. Either way, she was not ready to be dismissed. There was too much at stake for her to give up now. “Mr. Jameson, I—”

“Derrick.”

She’d investigated Derrick’s business when her baby brother got a job there seven months ago. At first, Noah had talked about Derrick in a nonstop cycle of hero worship. His enthusiasm had rubbed off on her. She’d clicked on every photo of him. Let her mind wander, tried to imagine what it might be like to see that shockingly handsome face close up.

Now she knew.

She worked in human resources up until six weeks ago. She hadn’t reached management level yet. The Jameson family was the equivalent of DC royalty. She didn’t move in their world. She also possessed a general distrust of people who rolled around in that kind of money. But Noah had been impressed. And, up until that point in his life, almost nothing had impressed her brilliant but moody brother.

In theory, Derrick was more mature and reasonable than her brother. But thanks to this gossip site silliness she wasn’t totally convinced that was true.

“The DC Insider posted a note about us.” The comment rolled out of her mouth as if it made any sense. She still couldn’t believe she had to confront him about this.

For a second Derrick stared at her, not saying a word, then he nodded. “I know.”

Words backed up in her brain until she finally pushed them out. “What kind of response is that?”

“My name is in the social column because I allowed it to be there.”

Good grief. “Are you kidding?”

He frowned at her. “No.”

“I’m thinking people have let you get away with nonsense for far too long.” When he started to pipe in, she talked right over him. “I mean, really. Do you know how condescending you sound?”

This time he studied her. She could feel him assessing and reordering his strategy as they talked.

“I called you lovely in that Insider quote, if that helps,” he said.

It took a second for her brain to catch up again. She silently blamed all the people in suits standing around, staring at them and whispering, but she worried his smooth tone might be the real issue with her concentration. “It doesn’t, and that’s not the point.”

“Should I have used a different word?”

His focus on vocabulary made her head pound. She shifted until she put her back to most of the room. Maybe not seeing the gawkers would help. “Stop talking.”

He made a sound that came close to a growl. “People don’t usually speak to me that way.”

“Which is probably part of the problem here.” She’d never worked in a classroom but her mother had. Ellie called up that disappointed-fifth-grade-teacher tone without even trying. “Okay, so you’re admitting you planted the article?”

“Of course.”

The champagne sloshed over the side of her glass. “The one about me?”

Because that was the point. She came there to pry the truth out of him about the planted story, maybe put him on the defensive. He ruined her plans by admitting to spreading the gossip, like it was no big deal.

He slipped the flute out of her fingers and put it on the small table behind him. “Technically, the story is about me.”

She inhaled, trying to bring some air into her lungs and refresh her brain cells. She refused to get lost in his words or have a “him” versus “them” fight because she had the very clear sense confusing wordplay was one of the ways he won arguments. “Okay, why do it?”

“To change the public conversation from your brother’s false allegations while I figure out what he did with the money that is now missing from my business accounts.” Derrick answered without blinking, following their conversation with ease as it bounced around.

She decided to ignore the money part for now. “But you named me as your...well, I guess as the woman you’re dating?”

“That’s right.”

She had no idea what to think about that nonchalant response. “We don’t even know each other. Why would you think that’s okay?”

“My business is the most important thing to me.”

She didn’t try to hide her wince at his sudden stern tone. “My brother is the most important thing to me.”

“Wrong answer, Ellie.”

Was he really making a tsking sound? “What is wrong with you?”

“I have two brothers, both adults,” Derrick explained with all the emotion of someone reading a recipe. “They take care of themselves. I take care of me and the business.”

“That’s cold...bloodless.”

He actually smiled. “Is it possible you’re the one with the confused priorities?”

She swallowed a gasp, along with a bit of her anger and possibly some of her dignity. The whole conversation was ridiculous but she could not tear herself away from him...not yet.

“Let me get this straight. A perpetual bachelor and notorious ladies’ man who is being trolled on the internet by my little brother in his antibusiness videos is giving me advice on interpersonal relationships?” She wanted to sigh, throw things. “Listen, Mr. Jameson.”

“It’s still Derrick.”

The way he stayed calm made her temper spike even more. The heat rose inside her and flooded her cheeks with every controlled word he uttered. She refused to believe the sudden need for a fan had anything to do with his perfect face or that sexy smile. Not that she found either all that appealing. “Do not mention my name to anyone ever again.”

“Now, Ellie.” His eyes narrowed. “You don’t think that’s maybe—just a little—extreme.”

Apparently she was not the only one familiar with the teacher tone. He threw it out there and nailed her with it. As if she needed another reason to dislike him. “Leave my brother alone.”

“When your brother comes clean and then backs off those videos, I will.”

“You’re a grown-up.”

“So is he.” Derrick leaned in close enough for his warm breath to brush her cheek. “My suggestion to you is that you start treating him like one.”

“I’m not kidding around.”

His eyes traveled over her face, lingering on her mouth. “I can see that.”

She fought off the tremor moving through her. “Leave me out of your games.”

Before he could say anything else or touch her again, she slipped around him and through the crowd of people heading toward them. Kept going until she got on the elevator and watched the doors close on his smiling face. Getting her breathing to return to normal and the image of his face to disappear from her mind took longer.

* * *

An hour later Ellie poured a glass of red wine as she kicked off her stupid heels. Thanks to a bout of storming and muttering, she’d wasted most of her energy and hadn’t made it to her apartment. She needed to vent and that meant taking the Metro to her best friend’s condo instead.

Vanessa McAllister’s one-bedroom place was small but cozy. Light bounced off the bright yellow walls. During the day, the sun beamed in from the large window at the far end of the living room.

A steady beat of background conversation came from the television. Ellie had no idea what show was on and didn’t care. Vanessa didn’t appear to, either.

Of course, very little ruffled her. Between her navy career father and her French mother, Vanessa had been all over the world. She spoke a ridiculous number of languages that served her well in her job at the museum.

Ellie trusted Vanessa with any secret. They’d met in college and had been best friends ever since. They supported and cheered for each other. And right now, Vanessa was frowning.

She sat on the stool at her kitchen’s breakfast bar. She sipped from her almost-empty glass of red wine as she scowled at the laptop screen in front of her. “Tell me again what happened at that fancy cocktail party.”

The somewhat distant tone. That wasn’t good.

Ellie was almost afraid to answer. She did, anyway. “I met Derrick Jameson and told him to back off.”

The explanation sounded good. So strong. Just what Ellie wanted to be. After years of racing around, trying to keep every ball in the air and failing most of the time, Ellie wanted to be in control of her life and not running behind it, trying to catch up.

Vanessa tapped on the keyboard. “Uh-huh.”

Yeah, not good. “What does that response mean?”

“Did you happen to see a photographer while you were there?” Vanessa sat straighter and waved her hand in the air. “Forget it. I’ll just go ahead and read it to you before you explode.”

Ellie dropped the paper napkin she was twisting in her fingers. “Wait, read what?”

“The latest from that Insider site.”

“No.” Ellie’s stomach fell. She could have sworn it hit the floor.

“‘Derrick Jameson and Ellie Gold made an official appearance together at the swanky Hay-Adams Hotel tonight. No word on whether they got a room, but they did leave the business party one right after the other, making more than one partygoer wonder if Derrick sprang for the presidential suite...’”

Silence screamed through the room. Ellie could feel it hammering in her head as it rumbled through her.

“Okay.” Vanessa cleared her throat. “So, that happened.”

“It did not happen.” Ellie reached over and turned the laptop to face her. “We argued. We fought.”

She started tapping random keys. Anything to make that now familiar Insider website disappear.

“Wait, go back. There’s a photo.” Vanessa swatted Ellie’s hand away then leaned in and pointed at the screen. “Why does it look like you’re hanging on his arm?”

As if Ellie could deny it. The evidence, even though it didn’t show the whole story, was right there. Her pressing against him, looking up at him. Anyone seeing this would believe they were having an intimate chat.

“That’s not... I was just...” The words clogged her throat in the rush to get them out. “I’m going to kill him.”

Vanessa winced. “You can’t think that he—”

“Of course he planted this. I’m his PR plan.” And he wasn’t even trying to hide it. He’d been very clear. She just hadn’t realized he’d turned it on full-time.

Vanessa made a humming sound. “He really is cute.”

“Don’t.”

“But clearly a gigantic ass.” Vanessa’s voice sounded harsher that time.

“Better.” But still not good enough. Ellie wanted to forget all about his smug face.

“Hating him doesn’t fix the Noah situation,” Vanessa said, being far too reasonable for the moment.

“Or help with my income issue or get my life under control. Yeah, I know.”

Vanessa’s shoulders fell as she sighed. “I can give you money, or move in here with me and don’t pay rent for a few months. Give yourself a financial break.”

“I can’t.”

“You can.” Vanessa made a grumbling sound as she said something under her breath that wasn’t quite clear. “I’m thinking about stuffing twenties into your purse while you’re not looking.”

With that, Ellie felt some of the Derrick-related anger drain away. She reached over and gave her friend’s arm a quick squeeze. “You’re awesome and I love you, but this is bigger than a short-term money problem. It’s like everything is spinning and I can’t make it stop.” Even now her life choices ran through her head as she questioned each one. “I still can’t believe I got fired for something that wasn’t my fault.”

“So, take it back.” Vanessa grabbed the bottle and refilled her glass. “Control, I mean. Start with one thing. You take a small piece, conquer that and then move on.”

The advice rolled around in Ellie’s head until it took hold. She knew exactly which battle to wage first. “Right. Derrick Jameson.”

“Um, no. I was thinking more like you could get a temp job and rebuild.” Vanessa topped off Ellie’s glass. “A guy like Jameson is not easily managed. Forget him. Handle what you need first.”

The suggestion made sense but Ellie couldn’t survive that way. She’d spent so much of her life fixing things. First, for her father, who had one pipe dream after another, and her mother, who had fought to keep them together as a family. Then for her brother. She didn’t have the energy left to tackle straightening out her life, but she would. Later. Once she’d dealt with Derrick and Noah was back on track. “I have to handle these other pieces first.”

Vanessa shook her head. “Ellie, you can’t fix everything.”

“I can fix this. If Derrick Jameson wants a battle, he’s going to get one.”


Two (#ub83309bd-9fdb-52af-9afa-7d1ad442fa6e)

The DC Insider: The hottest romance in town just got more interesting. Ever wonder what happens when the lady in question calls our office to insist there is no romance? Well, we call the gentlemen for his comment. And Derrick Jameson did not disappoint. The usually demanding businessman chuckled and said, “You should listen to Ellie. I enjoy acquiescing to her.” These two are never dull.

She’d been summoned.

The call came at a little after nine the next morning. Ellie debated ignoring it. She wasn’t exactly the type to jump when a man ordered, but then Derrick was no ordinary man. He seemed to enjoy ticking her off.

Yet there she was, two hours later, walking along a long hallway on the fifteenth floor of the Jameson Industries’ office building. Pristine white walls surrounded her as her heels clicked against the polished hardwood floors. People moved in and out and around cubicle walls. They carried stacks of papers and shuffled with a sense of urgency.

She missed the energy of a busy office. Insurance underwriting wasn’t the most exciting topic but she’d worked in human resources, slowly taking on more responsibility. She loved coming into a pile of files waiting on her desk each morning and solving problems.

Everything went fine until the big boss took an overactive interest in her. She’d done everything she’d been trained to do. Documented his behavior. She’d known how hard it was to report that sort of thing up the chain of command without becoming the subject of gossip. Before her boss made his move she’d set up a system to handle the concerns. Then she got fired before she could implement it.

The attorney she contacted about the firing but could barely afford said she had a good case. But her former boss had the resources to drag the thing out and exhaust her.

She tried not to think about that as two men headed straight for her. She slipped to the side, banging into the wall and knocking the corner of a painting. One that likely cost more than her car. After that, one more turn and she moved into a quieter part of the floor. No one scurried here.

Sleek furniture made of unblemished leather with shiny chrome accents filled the open reception area. That, and a desk covered with piles of files, was all that stood between her and a set of closed double doors. Those and the guy next to her. She couldn’t remember her escort’s name, wasn’t even sure he’d offered it.

Before she could ask, he reached out and knocked on the door to the right in front of them. One brisk thwack then he opened it. Even gestured for her to step inside in front of him.

No, thank you.

Her legs refused to move, anyway. The threshold seemed innocent enough, but the man on the other side was not. Every inch of this place screamed money. Something she’d never had enough of and worked liked crazy to stockpile in case her life hit a bump...just as it had. More like a Himalayan mountain, but still.

She couldn’t see Derrick at the moment, but she did have an unrestricted view of his desk. The thing had to be eight feet long. Formidable, like the man who sat at it.

She refused to go one step further. Decided to call out instead. “What do you want?”

“Come inside,” the faceless voice said from some hidden corner of the office.

She noted the deep and commanding tone. Yeah, this was going to be a quick meeting.

“I’m fine here,” she said.

The security guy put his hand over his mouth to cover what sounded like a fake cough. He hesitated a second before saying anything. “You really should obey him.”

Apparently she’d gotten off the elevator and stepped back a century. “Did you use the word obey?”

“Don’t fight with Jackson. It’s me you want,” Derrick said, still without making an appearance.

She glanced at the man looming next to her. He stood well over six feet with brown hair and a lean athletic build. Attractive in a liked-to-run-along-the-Potomac sort of way, he looked far too amused by what was happening. “Is Jackson your first name or last?”

Before he could answer, Derrick stepped out of the room off to the side of his office and into the doorway. Hovered right in front of her. He nodded as a small smile played on the corner of his mouth. “Ellie, it’s good to see you again.”

The warmth in his eyes. That tone. A strange dizziness slammed into her when he got close. No way was she being reeled in by that charm thing he seemed to have flicked on. Nope, she knew better.

She managed a nod. “Mr. Jameson.”

“Come inside. Despite our argument last night, we have a lot to discuss.” He swept a hand toward the inside of his oversize corner office.

The very real sense she was out of her league slammed into her. “What would you do if I said no?”

He frowned. “Why would you?”

“You have this guy following me around the hallways...no offense.” She winced as she glanced at Jackson before looking at Derrick again. “Then there’s the part where you ordered me to come here. Today. Right now.”

“Ten minutes ago.”

“What?”

“I asked you to meet with me ten minutes ago. I assumed you being late was some sort of power play. Unless you have a problem with tardiness. If so, we’ll need to work on that.”

She glanced at Jackson again. “Is he serious?”

Jackson nodded. “Almost always.”

“Ellie.” That’s it. Derrick just said her name then turned and walked across the room, stopping next to his desk.

“Your manners need some work.” She didn’t bother mumbling as she followed him. If he wasn’t going to be subtle, neither was she.

“So I’ve been told.”

“Then there’s the very real sense you’re setting me up.” Not so much a sense as a fact. If he planted one rumor, he could plant many. And that seemed to be his intent.

“How so?” He had the nerve to look confused.

She refused to believe he was that clueless.

“I complain about a story on the internet about us and suddenly there’s a photo of us up there, complete with a new quote from you.” An annoying quote. One that didn’t say anything yet managed to say a lot. “I called them and denied that we were together and you...actually, I don’t know what you were doing when you talked to the Insider.”

“I was being a gentleman.”

She took a few steps. Hovering there in his office gave her confidence. “You mean the I-don’t-kiss-and-tell thing? Oh, please. You were toying with them because it amused you.”

“Admittedly, I’m not often at a loss for words, but I’m not sure what to say to that comment.”

“You could admit you set me up to be featured on the Insider. Again.” The sound of a cough and rustling had her turning around.

Jackson stood there with his attention focused on Derrick. “Do you need anything from me, sir?”

“No, but it would be wise to stay close by in the hall in case Ms. Gold brought a weapon.”

She had forgotten poor Jackson was still there. Hearing the door click behind her as he left, she tried not to fidget. Now it was the two of them temporarily trapped in a room bigger than her entire apartment.

Rather than retreat, she stepped forward. Followed Derrick’s trail until she stood on the opposite side of his desk and watched him slip into his chair. “As if I could have gotten anything through the two rounds of security.”

He leaned back. “I find myself a bit more careful these days.”

“These days?”

“Since your brother stole from me then turned around a few days later and tried to throw the scent off him by taking public shots at me.” Derrick motioned toward the chair next to her.

“So, that’s it. The rumors, the photos, the fake social news suggesting we’re together.” She dumped her purse on the seat but remained on her feet. “You’re coming after me to get even. This is some sort of weird revenge.”

Derrick nodded. “A fascinating theory.”

That really was the only explanation. Even though money had always been tight, Noah wasn’t the type to steal.

“I see the dramatic streak runs in the family.” Derrick’s exhale filled the room. “Lucky me.”

Right. I’m the dramatic one. “Says the guy who has a private butler and an office set off from everyone else.”

“Security.”

Everything inside her froze. “Excuse me?”

“Jackson is my head of security.”

She relaxed but not much. Something told her she needed to be on her toes with this guy. He might talk smooth and look like he stepped out of her hottest fantasy, but that didn’t change the facts. He was a ruthless jackass. “Do that many people want to kill you?”

“My family has significant business interests. That sort of thing tends to attract trouble.”

She’d never been called that before. “Are you referring to me as the trouble?”

He shrugged. “Let’s hope not.”

She’d taken about all of the put-her-on-the-defensive moves that she could stand. It was time to get to the point so she could run out of there. “Mr. Jame—”

“I believe I asked you to call me Derrick.”

That’s what she called him in her head... “Do you think that’s wise?”

“I’m afraid you’ve lost me.”

“You and my brother are locked in some sort of public pissing match. You’re threatening him with lawyers. He’s making you look bad on the internet, which has bled over to traditional media.” She put her palms on his desk and leaned in. “What I’m saying is that fake rumors or not, we’re on opposite sides of this battle.”

His gaze skimmed over her. “We don’t have to be.”

He hadn’t moved but the heated words swept over her in a caress that had her shaking her head and standing straight again. She not only needed to be careful with Derrick, she needed body armor.

She blocked out every other thought and concentrated on the guy she’d come to think of as cold-blooded. “Has anyone ever pointed out your cryptic way of speaking?”

“Then let me be clear.” Derrick balanced his elbows on the edge of his desk and leaned in toward her. “Your brother took money out of my business accounts and is going to go to jail unless I step in and save him.”

“No, that’s not—”

Derrick held up a finger. “There’s nothing to debate. That’s a fact.” He let his hand fall again. “But I am willing to help him.”

She could almost feel a trap closing over her head. The need to bolt overtook her but she forced her legs to stay still. “Why?”

“Most people would ask how.”

She refused to be taken off guard by double-talk. “I’m not like everyone else.”

“I’m starting to see that.” Derrick watched her for a second. His gaze moved over her face in the silence. After a visible inhale, he began again, his voice louder and more firm. “I will help your brother but he has to do something for me.”

“You don’t like that he’s making you look like a complete jerk, maybe even a bit incompetent.” She got that.

Derrick fired Noah eight weeks ago, exactly two weeks before she lost her job. Noah’s videos started out as a way to let off steam. Then he gained followers. A lot of them. He even managed to make money off his internet work, but she had no idea how.

He’d become a symbol for the “little man” fighting against the corporate machine. As his following grew, so did his stories about Derrick and the company.

Blame it on Noah’s baby face or his sarcasm, but media and online sites had picked up the battle. Then Derrick’s lawyers had made contact...and so had the prosecutor’s office about the missing funds.

And now Derrick had the Insider and its gossip network working for him.

“I have shareholders and business associates,” Derrick said.

“So, this is about money.”

Derrick’s frown deepened. “Isn’t everything?”

Not an unexpected answer, but still... “It worries me that you don’t know how scary that question is.”

“I’m proposing a quid pro quo. I make your brother’s legal issues disappear. He shuts down his site and I assist him in finding other more profitable and appropriate ways to channel his technology experience.”

That sounded somewhat reasonable, which scared her. “That’s the entire deal you’re offering?”

“No.”

She beat back a wave of disappointment. She’d taken care of her brilliant brother for so long. Tried to keep him occupied and out of trouble. The idea of having someone else handle that job sounded really good to her at the moment. With her life in shambles and the need to find a new job nipping at her, she loved the idea of having one less stress to deal with.

“I haven’t told you what I get out of this,” Derrick said.

Her heart sank. She held in a groan before it could escape her lips. “You did. He stops running the site.”

It might sound easy but it wasn’t. Noah didn’t have anything else right now except for his anger at Derrick and the attention from his videos. It was the “thing” that kept Noah going. It also provided him with more attention and praise than he’d ever gotten.

“The damage is done. He’s lied and caused me what could be irreparable damage,” Derrick said.

His words pounded her but she kept her shoulders up and her back straight. “That sounds like a legal term.”

“Because it is.”

That meant more fighting. More lawyer fees on top of the ones for her employment attorney. “I thought you were worried about the lost money.”

“There are bigger issues here.”

She couldn’t imagine money being a side concern. “Noah is a kid.”

“Noah is twenty and a genius.” When she opened her mouth to respond, Derrick talked right over her. “You are twenty-nine, which means you’re old enough to know he’s looking at criminal charges and civil repercussions for the money, which I’m willing to overlook right now.”

“I’m going to pretend I know what that means and jump ahead. What is your part of the quid pro quo? Because you don’t strike me as a guy who does things to be nice.” That wasn’t quite true. He’d hired Noah and ignored his lack of a degree and questionable people skills. But he’d also had security escort Noah out of the building months later. Now that she knew how that felt, she had even more sympathy for her brother. “What do you want?”

“You.”

A weird, high-pitched ringing filled her ears. She shook her head but it refused to die down. “What?”

“The carefully placed stories about us have been aimed at diffusing some of your brother’s damage.”

“In other words, you’re using me to somehow make yourself look better.”

He shrugged. “That’s not the way I’d put it.”

“Of course not, since you’re clearly clueless about women.”

That had him sitting straighter. “Excuse me?”

Bull’s-eye. The idea that she’d found the one thing sure to grab his attention—questioning his success with women—filled her with relief. “You’re letting people believe we’re together and—”

“Dating. People are starting to believe we’re dating and that your brother doesn’t like it and is trying to break us up by launching false charges against me.” Derrick looked far too pleased with himself. “Which was exactly my plan.”

“That’s ridiculous.” She could think of a lot of other words to describe it but kept the conversation G-rated.

“I thought so, too, when the PR team suggested it, but I guess the public does like a good love story.”

A scream rattled around inside her. “Did you ever think to ask me first?”

“No.”

The quick response had her sputtering. “That’s really your answer?”

“I called you lovely in my interview with the Insider, which I think we can agree was a bit of a stretch since you looked ready to punch me the first time we met in person.”

“Oh, you picked up on that?” Good to know.

“Let’s get down to it.” He leaned in again. Didn’t break eye contact. “We’re talking about a business arrangement.”

“Who is?”

“You will pose as my girlfriend for an appropriate length of time, short though because the timing is important here. Long enough for us to sell that we’ve been dating. Then you’ll act as my fiancée and—”

“Wait.” That ringing in her ears turned into a loud clanging sound.

He stared at her. “I haven’t finished explaining the plan.”

When his PR team said he’d needed to create a diversion, it made sense in an abstract sort of way. But they could not have meant her. He—they—didn’t even know her. And no way did they mean an engagement.

She suspected they’d talked about him finding a life outside the office. She tried to direct him there. “I’m sure there are women in town who would want to date you. It’s tough out there and my brother isn’t exactly highlighting your good side. But you have money and you’re...you know...”

He studied her now, like how he might study something on the bottom of his shoe. “I have no idea what you’re trying to say.”

“Well, your face is...fine.” As in perfect and compelling. Way too kissable.

His eyes widened. “Fine?”

Because space seemed like a good idea she stepped away from the desk. Tried to draw enough air into her lungs and head to be able to breathe again. “Don’t rich people travel in packs? I’m sure you can hang out at your country club or polo club, or wherever it is you go for fun, and find a nice woman who—”

“I am not hard up for a date.” He sounded stunned at the idea.

“Well, there.” She almost clapped but decided that was too much. “Good for you.”

“I am, however, on the wrong side of your brother’s ill-advised rant.” He made a face that suggested he thought she should be picking up on his point a bit faster. “I explained this to you at the hotel.”

“You said you needed good news to balance out the bad.” That made sense, which only made her wariness tick up even higher. “So, hire someone to pretend date you if you don’t want an actual girlfriend.”

“It needs to be you. You provide a reason for your brother’s specific attack.” When she tried to stop him, he kept right on talking. Rolled right over her. “We put on a very public show. We get people to see us as a couple, get engaged—not for real, of course—and we neutralize some of the damage your brother has done.”

“A fake fiancée.” She said the words nice and slow, thinking he’d stop her because he had to be kidding.

Never mind that she could barely stand him. Sure, she’d spun wild daydreams about him. Even imagined what he might look like without that serious suit and the fancy office, but come on.

“Exactly.” The phone on his desk rang. He hit a button and the sound cut off. “You’ve spent a significant part of your life protecting your baby brother and I suspect you will continue to do so now, even though it’s misguided.”

That hit a bit too close to the comments Vanessa had made last night. “Misguided? I’m confused. Are you arguing for this fake engagement thing or not?”

“People will see us together, which will telegraph the message that I am not the man your brother says I am. You wouldn’t date me otherwise. It will be a business arrangement that will benefit you greatly, and it will keep me from going after him for the money.” He shrugged. “And, since time is a factor, I went ahead and started the rumors. As you know.”

“Because that made sense to you?”

“Because your brother is in serious legal trouble and I can help him. I can also provide some guidance for the future and take the pressure off you. In many ways.”

For the first time she noticed his hands. Those long fingers. The strength. The way he rubbed his palms together as if that in-control voice didn’t quite match whatever was happening inside him.

But none of that calmed her wariness. Not when every word he uttered carried a note of a threat. “What does that mean?”

“You were recently fired.”

Her stomach dropped, and not in a good way. Forget his deep, soothing voice and the sexy confidence that thrummed off him. If he made one wrong comment about her losing her job she would lunge across the desk and strangle him with that blue tie. “Laid off.”

“We both know that’s not true.” Derrick didn’t stop talking long enough to let her break in. “It would appear I’m not the only one who has an image to salvage. While you’re doing that, I will pay your bills.”

That sounded like...well, not good. “No.”

“Consider this an acting role of sorts. One for which you should be paid.” He picked up the folder in front of him and slid it toward her. “Here.”

“What’s that?”

“A contract.”

The guy was prepared. She had to give him that. “You think I’m going to say yes then sign something?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“Love, honor, decency.” She probably should have thrown in a few more words but her brain refused to reboot. It had been misfiring ever since he’d smiled that first time.

“I’m not sure what any of those have to do with this arrangement.” He nodded at the folder. “Take a look. Everyone benefits.”

“Mostly you.”

“I don’t deny I get something out of this, but so do you. More important, so does Noah.”

That sounded good but she doubted Derrick would deal fairly with Noah at this point. She couldn’t believe the charges against her brother. But the idea that Derrick would waste time going after Noah if he was innocent didn’t make much sense, either.

As soon as the doubts crept into her head about her brother, she tried to push them out again. Be loyal. “Noah denies the charges.”

“He’s lying.” Derrick didn’t even flinch as he talked. Never broke eye contact. Didn’t give away any sign that he doubted what he said.

Something about his coolness made her insides shake. “Why should I believe you over my brother?”

“Deep down, you know I’m right.”

“I don’t think—”

“Yes, it would be better if you didn’t, but I’m betting you will study this proposal from every angle.” Derrick put his hand on the folder. “You can have until tomorrow morning.”

She had to grab on to the chair next to her for balance. The room had started spinning and with each word he said rocked her harder. “For what?”

“To give me your response. As I said, time is of the essence. I am currently holding off the prosecutor but he needs an answer about your brother.”

“And he’ll do what you say?”

“We went to college together.”

“Of course you did.” From her experience with the job search she knew powerful people stuck together. But the caress of Derrick’s voice, the concern in his tone—it all had her taking another step back. “This bargain or offer or whatever it is...it’s ridiculous. You know that, right? I need to know you know that.”

But even as she said the words her mind starting working. He could help Noah. She could get her life in order. Derrick offered breathing room and support, and that tempted her even though she knew she couldn’t trust him one inch.

“Your brother’s actions leave me with little option, and he shows no signs of stopping even if he is arrested. Shareholder discontent is an issue. I also have a reputation in the community.”

“One that would suffer if people found out you made an offer for a fake fiancée.”

He hadn’t been moving but still his body froze. “Is that a threat, Ellie?”

“I’m trying to understand why a man with your money and power would make this offer.”

“That’s my problem, not yours.”

“If I’m going to be your fiancée then—”

He held up a hand. “In name only.”

“No sex then?” Where had that come from?

His eyebrow lifted. “I am willing to negotiate that point. Very willing.”

She could almost feel his fingertips brush over her. “Forget it.”

“You have until tomorrow at ten to give me an answer.” He broke eye contact and hit a button on his phone. “Not ten after, Ellie. Ten exactly.”

It was a dismissal. She heard it, felt it and ignored it. “I wouldn’t clear your calendar if I were you.”

He didn’t look up. “Ten.”


Three (#ub83309bd-9fdb-52af-9afa-7d1ad442fa6e)

Derrick leaned back in his oversize desk chair and blew out a long, haggard breath as the door closed behind Ellie and she left his office. He’d expected anger and a hint of distrust. He would have worried if she’d said yes to his fake engagement offer and jumped in. Eagerness was not a bonus in this type of situation.

No, he’d been prepared for all that. The sucker punch of need that slammed in to his gut the second he saw her again? That one had been a surprise.

She’d walked in with her long brown hair tied up behind her head with those strands hanging down, all sexy and loose. She’d worn a thin black skirt and white shirt and all he could think about was stripping both off her. The tight body. Those legs. The way fire lit her hazel eyes as she argued.

It all worked for him.

His attraction to her had sparked the minute she’d opened her mouth. She was tough and smart, and not easy to throw off or to scare. She met every one of his verbal shots with one of her own.

The woman was hot, no question.

She didn’t fit his usual type.

He thought about the women he’d dated over the past few years. All cool, reserved business types. He preferred competent over sparks and heat. Maybe that’s why the last three were now some of this favorite business associates. Friends, even.

He didn’t believe in the idea of grand love. That struck him as nonsense. He’d grown up in a family that yelled. His father pitted him and his two brothers against each other. At his urging, they’d been racing and competing since the cradle. Every mistake had been dissected and fed back to them in an endless loop by their unforgiving father and then by the press that followed the Jameson boys’ every move.

Never mind that Derrick’s grandfather was a disgraced congressman or that their father, Eldrick Jameson, a self-made man with three former wives and a new much-younger one, had made his initial millions, before he lost them, by not always playing fair. Derrick and his brothers were magazine and news favorites, and few in the press gave them favorable coverage no matter what they did.

No, Derrick didn’t believe much in emotions. But he did believe in this company. He’d rebuilt it from the dust left over from his father’s fires and while the old man ran through woman after woman. Derrick labored over every contract and every deal. Gave his life to it. And now he was getting screwed by the old man—again.

His father handed down his requirements for turning the business over, the main one being that Derrick clean up his reputation and resolve “the Noah problem” within ninety days. That meant dealing with Ellie since his PR team thought trying to deal with Noah directly could result in another video.

From the photos he’d seen of her before they met at the party, he’d expected pretty in a girl-next-door kind of way. Quiet. Not someone likely to light his fire. From what he knew about her job situation, he’d expected desperation and a willingness to deal.

He got none of that.

Jackson Richards opened the door and slid inside the office. He wore a stupid grin as he walked across the office and stopped in front of Derrick. “She’s not what I expected.”

Now there was an understatement. “Me, either. And did you call me sir earlier?” That was new and Derrick didn’t like it.

Jackson shrugged. “I thought it fit with the mood you were trying to create.”

“You can skip the overly deferential act. I have enough people around here who do that.”

“Are you engaged yet?” Jackson sounded amused at the idea.

Derrick was happy someone thought the nightmare situation was funny. “She’s difficult.”

“She sounds perfect for you.”

Jackson was one of the few people who could get away with the comment. They’d known each other for years and were about the same age, both in their midthirties. Eldrick had brought Jackson into the company, but Derrick liked him despite that. They’d been friends from the start. With Jackson, Derrick let the firm line between boss and employee blur.

But right now his mind was on the hot brunette with the impressive ass who’d just left his office. “She seems to think I should be able to find a real date.”

“Did you tell her about your father’s conditions for signing the business over to you and how you have something of an impossible deadline in which to meet them?”

The damn agreement. Leave it to Eldrick to make everything difficult. “You mean selling it to me? For a lot of money he can then spend on my new stepmother? Of course not.”

Jackson winced. “It might help your case.”

“I doubt Ellie would be sympathetic.”

“Not if you keep placing false rumors with the Insider.” Jackson shook his head. “I warned you that could backfire. Women hate stuff like that, and with good reason.”

“Speaking of which, is the photographer waiting outside?” That’s why her tardiness mattered. Much later and she would have blown his plans.

“When Ellie figures out you staged this meeting to get a photo of her coming out of your office she’s—”

“Going to yell.” Derrick knew it. He even felt a twinge of guilt over it—one he could easily ignore. “But we know this is about more than a PR job. This is about saving the company and there’s no way I’m letting her know I need her help for something that big. I’m not giving her that power over me.”

“Very romantic.”

“This is business. According to my father’s stipulations, I have to get my brothers in line and in this office, clean up my image and stop Noah Gold’s public hit job, all while single-handedly running a commercial real estate company.”

After a lifetime of aiming his sons at each other, Derrick’s father wanted them to be one big happy family, all working in the office and getting along. And if they didn’t, Derrick would lose the business that meant everything to him. His father already had a buyer outside the family interested. A rich old friend with liquidity and the ability to move fast on the sale.

Just thinking about the requirements of his father’s stupid business proposal touched off a new wave of fury in Derrick’s gut. He literally could forfeit everything because of his father’s stupid whims.

Derrick was about to launch into an angry rant about Eldrick when his office door pushed open. Ellie stepped inside again, looking a little flushed and not a bit worried or afraid of him.

He liked her attitude but the security lapse was a concern. Then he thought about the photographer and wondered if the guy had moved too soon. “How did you get in here?”

“I walked.”

He guessed he should have expected that answer from her. “You shouldn’t be able to wander around the building without an escort.”

She waved the concern away as she approached the desk and held out her hand. “You can worry about your over-the-top paranoid protocol later. Give me the agreement.”

“What?”

She continued to hold out her hand. “If I’m going to consider this—”

“Are you?” That surprised him when almost nothing did.

“—I want to make sure you didn’t add anything weird in here.”

Whatever he planned to say left his head. He suddenly wanted to know what her definition of “weird” might be. “Like what?”

“With you?” She snorted. “Who knows? I don’t trust you.”

Jackson nodded as he grabbed the folder and gave it to her. “A very solid beginning for a relationship.”

Her eyes narrowed as her gaze moved from Jackson to Derrick. “Your guy knows about this nonsense fake dating and engagement offer of yours?”

“Yes, and that document in your hand is nonnegotiable.” Derrick knew from their combined thirty minutes together so far that she’d be whipping out the red pen and revising if he didn’t put a stop to it now.

She shrugged at him as she opened the file and took a peek inside. “Whatever.”

He fought back a sigh. “I’m serious, Ellie.”

Her head shot up and she glared at him. “You’re not going to win every argument.”

“I think I am.” He rarely lost and had no intention of starting now. “I’ll see you at ten tomorrow.”

She turned and headed for the door. “You’ll get my answer when you get it.”

She was gone before Derrick could respond.

Damn, he liked her. The fire and self-assurance were so sexy. She wasn’t yet thirty but she’d grown up fast when she’d lost her parents. He understood what it was like to take on responsibility early. It was one of the reasons he thought they’d be able to handle this arrangement. She would get what she needed and he’d get his obstinate father off his back.

Jackson cleared his throat. “You’re smiling.”

Derrick refused to play this game. “She’s...interesting.”

“This engagement thing is fake, right?”

“Of course.”

“Right.” Jackson exhaled. “That explains the stupid look on your face whenever you see her.”


Four (#ub83309bd-9fdb-52af-9afa-7d1ad442fa6e)

The DC Insider: Visits to the prestigious Hay-Adams. Visits to his office. It appears Ms. Ellie Gold has not only snagged our Hottest Ticket in Town’s attention but also has him spinning in circles. Well done, Ellie!

He had to be kidding. That thought kept running through Ellie’s mind as she paged through Derrick’s ten—no, fourteen-page agreement while sitting on her couch the next morning.

The thing had tiny print, and rules, and footnotes to new rules and references to yet more rules. The list of restrictions seemed endless. She couldn’t date anyone else. He had final approval over the people she saw on a friendly basis during the “term of their arrangement” and over any work plans she intended to pursue.

She had to act loving, whatever that meant. He hadn’t used the word obey but it was implied in almost every line. And that wasn’t even the most ridiculous part. He thought they’d live together. Actually live together.

She glanced around her small apartment, from one stack of empty boxes to another. She had savings but that would run out if she didn’t find a new job and a cheaper place to live soon. That would be easier if her jackass of an ex-boss hadn’t launched an offensive strike when she filed her internal complaint and fired her first, insisting she came on to him. As if that would ever happen.

The man’s wife had left town to watch over a sick aunt and he’d had his hands all over her by the next day. Kicking him in the crotch had felt great, but being escorted out of the building hadn’t.

His claims were nonsense. He had resources and family money...and a nasty reputation that people spoke about only in whispers and refused to confirm in public. She had documentation of the emails she’d sent after the incident and her complaint. No witnesses to what happened, unfortunately, but she guessed they’d be able to find a pattern of other women once they started digging.

Her lawyer was positive about her chances but cases cost money. She got that but employers weren’t exactly lining up to hire a supposed human resources expert who had been fired for making a play for her boss. She could not let this go. Not when it was likely he would do this to someone else.

Thinking about Joe touched off that familiar spiraling sensation in her stomach. That mix of panic and worry. She liked to eat and have electricity. Which led her to the convoluted mess of an agreement on her lap.

Derrick’s plan struck her as so odd. She had no idea if wealthy people usually did stuff like this, but she didn’t.

She picked up her mug of now-cool tea and prepared to read through the agreement one more time. The doorbell stopped her in the middle of what looked like a never-ending sentence of legalese gobbledygook.

Grumbling, she put down the mug and stood. Slipping her feet into her fluffy pink slippers, she shuffled across the floor. That took about ten seconds since she lived in a studio.

When the doorbell rang again, she skipped her usual check in the mirror by the door. Anyone this impatient deserved to be greeted with the full hair-sliding-out-of-the-ponytail style she had going on.

She peeked through the peephole and froze. Oh, no, no, no.

He was here. Now. At her house.

“Open up, Ellie.” Derrick’s deep voice floated through the door.

She tried not to make a sound.

He sighed loud enough to shake the building. “I can see your shadow under the door.”

“Fine.” She performed the perfect eye roll as she undid the lock. “What?”

He started talking before she fully opened the door. “It’s eleven.”

“I own a clock.” Though she guessed she looked as if she didn’t own a brush. She could practically feel the tangles in her hair without touching it. Add in the shorts and oversize sweater that functioned as her pajamas and she was positive she made quite the picture.

“Are you sure?” His gaze wandered over her and stopped on her slippers. “Those are an unexpected choice.”

“Imagine me kicking you with them.” She stepped to the side and let him in. Why fight it? He was not exactly the type to scamper off.

He slipped past her, smelling all fresh and clean. Today’s suit was navy blue and fit him, slid over every inch of him, perfectly.

He walked to the center of the room then turned around to face her. “You were supposed to be in my office at ten.”

No doubt about it, he was much hotter when he didn’t talk. “No, you commanded that I give you an answer to your absurd fake engagement suggestion by a stated time and I declined.”

“Interesting.”

Since that could refer to anything, she ignored it and focused on another annoying fact. “Hey, how did you know where I live?”

He shot her a look that suggested he found the question ridiculous. “Please.”

That was not even a little reassuring. “Did Jackson follow me?”

“Jackson is in the car.”

Okay... “Is that an answer?”

Derrick looked around the room, from the couch to the rows of bookcases lining the walls and holding her collection of romances and mysteries. He kept going, skipping over the kitchenette and falling on the unmade bed against the far wall.

He turned and stared at her again, his expression blank. “Yes or no, Ellie.”

She didn’t pretend to misunderstand. He was talking about the agreement. He needed a fake fiancée and, for whatever reason, thought she fit the description. “It’s not that simple.”

“It actually is.”

Of course he would think so. The entire agreement benefitted him. “We don’t know each other.”

He frowned. “You said that already. So?”

Such a guy. “Really? That’s your answer?”

“Again, for what feels like the tenth time, this is a business arrangement, not an actual romance.”

She joined him by the couch. “Now you sound ticked off.”

“I hate repetition.”

Poor baby. “Do you want a fiancée or not? Because I would be doing this for you, not me.”

“We both know that’s not true. You benefit. Your brother benefits.” Derrick shifted his weight and looked down. He stared at the magazines piled on her floor for a few seconds then pushed them to the side with his foot. “All you need to do is follow a few simple rules.”

She didn’t bother to debate his idea of a “few” because that could take them all day. From his scowl she guessed he wanted to add another provision to the agreement to forbid her slight tendency toward clutter.

“You say that but everyone I know needs to believe it’s real.” She scooped up the agreement and flipped through the pages then began pointing. “Here, look at this.”

He didn’t bother to glance down. “I’m familiar with the contract.”

“Then you know we’re supposed to live together.” Which sounded as absurd this time as when she’d read it earlier.

“My house is big.” His gaze wandered again. This time over to the boxes she’d gathered in case she needed to move in a hurry. “But I prefer you not live out of boxes. Haven’t you been in this apartment for seven months, like right before Noah started working for me?”

She snapped her fingers. “Derrick.”

“Don’t do that. Ever.” He put his hand over hers and lowered it. “What do you want to say?”

The touch, so simple and innocent, shot through her. She felt it vibrate through every cell.

She pulled her hand from his and forced her breathing to slow. “We’ve barely spent an hour together.”

“We’ll have separate bedrooms.”

As if that were the only problem. “But you expect me to act like a fiancée.”

“Whatever that means, yes.”

“It’s a direct quote from paragraph twenty of this thing.” She shook the agreement at him.

“I’ve never been engaged, but I figure we can work out the details as we go. You know, like do the usual things engaged people do.”

She suddenly couldn’t breathe. A big lump clogged her throat and she had no idea why. “Usual?”

“Shows of...affection.”

He may as well have said poison. “You should hear yourself.”

He exhaled as he stepped back. His hand swept through his hair and, for a brief moment, his thick wall of confidence slipped. He looked vulnerable and frustrated. She didn’t think any of it was aimed at her. Not directly. This was more about the circumstances they’d gotten stuck in.

“We both need things, Ellie. You want to help your brother. You have some work issues that I can resolve for you.”

“Are you going to give me a job?” She thought about her bills and her fears about losing her apartment. Growing up she never felt welcome or comfortable. Home hadn’t been a sanctuary, but now it was. The idea she could lose that security left her shaken.

“Yes, as my fiancée.”

With him that did sound like a full-time job. But pretending to have feelings might not be enough. They didn’t run in the same circles. She didn’t know anything about charity functions or season tickets to the Kennedy Center. “People aren’t going to buy this.”

He stepped closer again. This time his hands came up and his palms rubbed up and down her arms, gentle and warm. “We tell them we met while haggling about your brother. There was a spark and...boom.”

“Did you just say boom?”

Instead of backing away, he leaned in. “The legal fees stop. Your brother gets some direction and guidance. Your bills get paid and my shareholders stop whining.”

“You make it sound reasonable in a weird sort of way.” She was practical and everything about this plan, including the very real problem of lying to her brother, was anything but.

“It is.”

“My brother will go ballistic.” And she feared that was an understatement.

“Trust me. We can sell this.”

She didn’t miss the fact his words sounded like a plea. She doubted he begged for anything. He probably didn’t even ask others for help, but he was asking now.

The realization had her stomach tumbling. This close she could see the intensity in his gaze and feel the heat rolling off him.

“You can’t fake a spark.” Her voice sounded breathy even in her ears.

“Let’s see if we need to.”

He lowered his head as his hand slid into her hair. Fingers expertly massaged the back of her neck. His mouth lowered until it hovered over hers. For a second he hesitated, with his eyes searching her face, then his lips met hers. Mouth against mouth, he brushed over hers once. Twice. So enticing.

His scent wrapped around her and his fingers tightened on her. One second they stood a foot apart. The next he closed in. The caress turned to kissing, deep and alive with need. Energy arced between them. Every touch, every press of his lips, proved hot and inviting.

He pulled her tight against him and her common sense faltered. Heat burned through her as her arms slipped up to wrap around his neck. She’d just balanced against his body when he pulled back.

“Right.” He cleared his throat as his chest rose and fell on harsh breaths. “There we go.”

A haze covered her brain. “There we go?”

“Sure. That was fine.” He set her away from him. Increased the distance between them to a few feet.

The man was an idiot.

“Fine?” She could barely feel her legs.

“Yes. I’m confident we can fake it.” He started walking around the room, almost pacing. “We’ll start with dates. In public. Let people see us together.” He nodded as he continued the one-sided conversation. “I’d say in a week we move you into my place and announce the engagement.”

“That’s too fast.” She was impressed her brain even spit that sentence out. Right now she couldn’t think at all. The kiss had blown out every rational thought and had her wanting to slide that tie right off him.

“Well, it looks as if you’re ready to pack.”

“I need to sit.” She plunked down hard on the armrest of the couch and struggled not to run her fingertips over her lips.

“We’ll have a party—”

“No.” Good grief, he was already planning. That was enough to snap her out of it.

“Not a big, flashy Christmas party. Just the normal engagement party.”

It took a few seconds but her common sense came back. Doubt rushed in right behind it.

“First, it’s March. Second, I’m Jewish.” That seemed important to throw in there even in a fake engagement, so she did. “And third... I fear your idea of normal.”

“We invite the people who need to see us.”

People who would later wonder what happened and why it all ended, but he seemed to ignore that part. Fine. It was his problem and they were his friends, so he could figure it out. But she did have one issue she could not ignore. “And what do I tell my brother to keep him from killing you?”

“That we sparked. Tell him a one-night stand turned into something more.”

Derrick. Sex. She blocked the thoughts that rolled through her head. The kiss had been enough to unravel her. Anything more would be a huge mistake. “You want me to lie to him?”

“That’s the point. We lie to him and the public to diffuse Noah’s claims.”

She couldn’t blame Derrick for that requirement. Noah hadn’t exactly been subtle in his attack on Derrick to date. But something about his self-assurance about this agreement and all these details started an alarm bell ringing in her head. “You have this all figured out, don’t you?”

“I thought so.”

She swung her foot, letting the pink slipper flip through the air. “What does that mean?”

“You’re not what I expected.”

She stilled. “Right back at ya.”

“Lucky for us, I can adapt.”

Yeah, lucky her. “You don’t exactly strike me as a guy who enjoys surprises.”

Some of the tension drained from his face as he stared at her. That sexy little smile of his returned. “Maybe I can change.”

She hadn’t known that to work with any guy ever. “Oh, come on.”

He walked up to her and picked the agreement off her lap. “Sign.”

“You know you can’t date anyone else while we’re pretending to like each other, right?” For some reason it was suddenly very important to her that he know if she did this, they did it together. They’d both suffer.

He made a face. “Does it say that?”

“It will when we write in a bunch of notes in the margin and both initial them.” She tapped the agreement. “Basically, every ridiculous provision that applies to me will now apply to you.”

He didn’t hesitate. “Fine.”

That was almost too easy. “That means you’re stuck with me for... Wait, there’s no end time on this agreement.”

His eyebrow lifted. “I’m aware.”

For about the hundredth time since she’d met him yesterday she got the sense she was being outmaneuvered. She hated the sensation. “You get two months of fake fiancée time.”

“That might not be enough. Say at least three.”

She reached down and picked a pen up off her coffee table. She clicked the end and handed it to him. “I’m sure you can adapt to two.”

“It seems you think I’ll be adapting a lot over the next few weeks.” He sounded stunned by the idea.

“I’m happy you realize that. It will make our time together, limited though it may be, more tolerable.”

His smile widened. “We’ll see.”


Five (#ub83309bd-9fdb-52af-9afa-7d1ad442fa6e)

The DC Insider: We are hearing that our Hottest Ticket in Town wants to get serious with his new lady but the lady’s disgruntled baby brother is having none of it. He’s making some big claims, all of which Derrick Jameson denies with a shrug. But can this budding romance bloom with all these distractions?

Ellie was starting to think her headache would never go away. It thumped in her ears and over her eyes. Even the back of her neck ached.

She’d had two employment interviews today and nothing. Well, not nothing. In the second, the interviewer wanted to talk about Derrick. He didn’t specifically ask about her dating life but he bounced around the topic, honing in on her “influence” over Derrick and his decisions and questioning if that would be a conflict. Since she was trying for a generalist HR position—one unrelated to Derrick or his habit of buying up most of the property in the city—she couldn’t imagine what Derrick had to do with her possible paycheck.

Being a fake fiancée had sounded easy, two months of playtime while they went to dinner and she didn’t panic about the water bill, but it was starting to take over her life. In addition to thinking about him and that voice...and that face...she had other issues. She’d splurged on a muffin at the coffee place around the corner that morning and two people took her photo.

And then there was the Insider. Her teeth ground together at the idea of being in the Insider’s daily round-up section for two more months. Derrick needed to knock that off. She knew she should have insisted on a “no talking to gossip sites” clause in that stupid agreement. But she hadn’t, so now she nursed a glass of wine as she propped her feet on her coffee table and tried to pretend she was stuck in a bad dream.

She’d managed to kick her heels off and find her pink slippers. She had no idea where she’d thrown her suit jacket. Since she couldn’t afford new clothes or a big dry-cleaning bill right now, not when she was saving every penny just in case, that could be a problem. She’d just leaned her head against the couch cushion when she heard the rattling. She stared at the ceiling for a second, trying to place the sound.

Jingling. Keys.

The mix of sounds had her jackknifing and jumping to her feet. The wine went everywhere. Down her shirt. On her couch. A line ran over her hand as more dripped onto the carpet, destroying any chance of getting that security deposit she so desperately needed back.

The door opened and she spun around, ready to throw the glass. She stopped just in time.





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