Page 15 of Heartless Pucker in Love

“I’m serious. I have business meetings, photoshoots, a shitload of things to do before I head back home for training. Everyone would feel better if I had someone like you near me.” He batted his eyelashes and he didn’t even look ridiculous, damn him. “A sweet, caring, and capable nurse to keep an eye on me after my horrific accident that not only left physical wounds but psychological ones too.”

“Easy on the drama there, Grayson.”

He immediately dropped the act. “Fine. I already checked your credentials. Not only are you a certified emergency room nurse, but you’re also a travel nurse. You do one-off jobs with the agency we hired you through. You’re the perfect choice.”

“I’m also the perfect choice because I hate you?”

“You’re catching on.”

I huffed.

“Just, think about it. I leave in two days.”

“I have a job at the hospital, genius. I can’t just leave to galavant with you all over...wherever.”

Julian’s eyes narrowed. “Alright, let’s really talk business. What do you get working in the ER? Like forty bucks an hour? I’ll give you two thousand a day to accompany me, even on your day off. If we happen to leave the country, I’ll double that.” He smirked. “If we manage not to throttle each other, maybe I’ll triple it.”

My jaw wanted to drop, but I kept it tightly hinged as I did the math. That amount of money for just babysitting a spoiled rich man could save the nursing home. Hell, that money along with my fundraising efforts...I smelled a possible building expansion.

“What? Is that not enough?” he asked. “Name your price, Bennet.”

“I’m not for sale you prick.”

He heaved a sigh. “I didn’t mean it that way and you know it.”

Yeah, I knew it. The offer was tempting. I could take a lengthy vacation from work. After a while, it would be an unpaid leave but with the money Julian was offering…so what? “You should make it three thousand a day for the mere fact that I can’t stand you. I’ll need compensation for potential emotional distress. ”

“Done.”

“What? That was a joke.”

“Three thousand a day. Double for international duty.” He lifted a brow. “Don’t look so shocked, April. I’m a man of my words. We leave in two days.”

“I didn’t say yes.”

“Do you get this offer regularly?”

I gritted my teeth, considered the offer, and came to a decision. Sighing, I murmured, “How long do you need me to galavant and to where?”

His satisfied smile disgusted me. The lengths I was willing to go to for charity were insane.

8

JULIAN

The plane’s cabin was quiet. April sat across from me, cross-legged, gazing out the window. She was dressed in comfortable slacks and flats. Her eye-catching yellow top was scattered with kitten faces. My lips twitched. Only April could manage to look hot in a kitten print blouse. It was just so...her. I subtly admired her face. There was no denying that she hit the gene pool jackpot with her oval face, high cheekbones, exotic eyes, luxurious hair, and killer curves. Her sisters were just as gorgeous too. The Bennet sisters, five of Oakland's most eligible bachelorettes. Well, it was down to four now. Lucy was all in with the chief. I knew since Nic invited me to their wedding.

The Bennet girls have always been admired by many since childhood but none of us drooling, horny guys had ever been given the time of day. What was up with that anyway? April had been particularly nasty to guys…okay, mostly to me. Admittedly, I was partly to blame. That was what drove my long-time opinion that she thought she was better than me. Hell, maybe she was. A woman like April deserved a man who had long-term in mind. My last relationship went to hell in just two months.

“Stop looking at me, Julian. It’s creeping me out.”

“Ah, she speaks. Maybe I was staring to get you to say something.” Conversation between us had been a no-go since we boarded the flight. The only thing I’d gotten was: “A private jet for a three-hour flight? A bit much, isn’t it Grayson?” There was just no winning with April. She really did despise me, and I couldn’t blame her.

“It isn’t like we have anything to talk about.”

“We have plenty to talk about. I haven’t seen you for years. We can catch up.” Maybe we could get a friendly conversation going, and I could ease in an apology. I’d been dying to say something about prom night but have been afraid to bring it up. The timing just never seemed right. This could be the right time. She seemed fairly relaxed.

“No, thank you. I don’t care what you’ve been up to, and I can’t imagine why you’d care about what I’ve been up to.”

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