Page 29 of After-Party Consequences

But then another problem occurred to her.

‘Wait a minute. Are you expecting me to move in with you?’ she asked, appalled.

Having to act as his loving girlfriend in public would be tough enough, but she was still stupidly attracted to Cade—probably for the simple reason he was the only man who had ever givenher an orgasm. While she did not plan to beat herself up too much about the arousal pulsing insistently between her thighs, as she watched him eat in the sunset, she also did not want to tempt fate any more than was absolutely necessary.

He lowered his fork, but the instant denial she had been hoping for didn’t come. Instead, his lips curved in the sensual smile which always made her blood pressure rise.

‘I don’t have a problem with exploring our chemistry some more. It’s just sex after all. A basic physical urge which we happen to be very good at. You said yourself it was the best sex of your life.’

‘Right,’ she muttered, the telltale blush—which only he had ever been able to trigger—firing into her cheeks.

Why on earth had she blurtedthatout? Talk about giving the man ammunition.

‘I’m not going to deny, it was damn good for me too,’ he continued, not helping to diminish the blush one bit. ‘But it wouldn’t be part of the deal, no. You can live wherever you want—and I’ll fund all your living expenses, just as long as you’re close enough that I can call on you to accompany me to any and all events I choose to attend, some of which may be at short notice.’

‘Okay, well, thanks for clarifying that,’ she murmured grumpily.

So basically, she would be totally at his beck and call then.

Terrific.

He chuckled, which made her feel even more exposed, and transparent. And wary.

It’s just sex.

That’s what he’d said. And he was right. So why couldn’t she stop her heart beating too fast at the prospect of fake dating him?

He tore off a chunk of bread and used it to wipe the olive oil off his plate. ‘Eat your supper and think about it,’ he said far too easily. ‘We can figure out all the details tomorrow before we fly out.’

She tensed at the definitive statement.

‘I haven’t said I’ll go with you yet,’ she protested, even though she wasn’t sure she had much of a choice.

No doubt he was more than ruthless enough to follow through on his threat to sue. And in some ways, she couldn’t blame him. Shehadcreated a media storm, however unintentionally. And while she was still super aggrieved at the thought of that stupid bet, this negotiation had at least established one thing.

Theirs was not and had never been an emotional connection.

Plus, if she was being entirely practical, the chance to have him pay for everything for a whole five weeks would be great for her business. She could work on the commissions and get the revenue from them into the bank to invest with her fifty thousand pounds when she returned to the UK. And dating him would give her loads more free publicity, because she intended to wear her own designs at every event he suggested.

Perhaps there was a way to turn this disaster into a professional opportunity?

‘I’m also not that hungry,’ she admitted.

His eyes narrowed, studying her with an intensity she found unsettling. ‘You look washed out, Charlotte. Are you unwell?’

It was the last thing she had expected him to say. But even so, the silly flicker of emotion at the gruff concern in his voice shocked her.

‘I’m fine...’ she said, although she didn’t feel fine. Not only was she exhausted and still feeling sick, her emotions were all over the place—especially where Cade Landry was concerned. Which could not be good. ‘It’s just...it’s been a long three weeks. And I’d like to go to bed now—in the very expensive luxurysuite you paid for so sneakily,’ she added, unable to miss the opportunity for a final dig. ‘To consider your proposal.’

He nodded, not reacting to the jab. But when she stood up, he stood, too.

He walked around the table and snagged her hand before she could make the speedy exit she’d planned. Rough calluses rasped against her palm and had a predictable effect on the pulsing in her sex. But before she could find the energy to tug her hand free, he had lifted her fingers to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles.

The gesture was chivalrous, and strangely compelling, but not nearly as compelling as his husky tone when he added, ‘I intend to make this work, Charlotte, for both of us. Get some sleep.’ His lips curved in that tempting smile she remembered far too well. ‘And enjoy the suite, which you’ll be glad to hear cost me a fortune. We leave at ten tomorrow morning. We can discuss everything you need and make all the necessary arrangements on the flight to the US.’

She could have said no and argued with him some more—but the arrogant assumption that she had capitulated already was tempered by his concerned expression. And the warmth of his touch.

She hadn’t signed the lease yet for her new workspace in Shoreditch. She’d have to juggle a lot of stuff, but she could set things in motion on the plane tomorrow with his help. And she definitely planned to take full advantage of his financial support while posing as his stunt girlfriend. Not to mention tonight’s suite. Knowing his sneakiness had cost him a fortune would be some consolation at least.

---