Page 18 of Baby Perfection

“I have a proposition to offer.”

She stilled, an odd expression crossing her face, almost as though she were bracing herself. “A business proposition?”

“In a sense.” He poured himself a drink, as well, then gestured her toward the sitting area of his office. He could onlyhope that this discussion wouldn’t end the same way it had with Ella. “Let’s discuss it.”

Angie gripped the wineglass so tightly it was a wonder it didn’t shatter. She knew what was coming and could only pray her expression didn’t give her away. Guilt threatened to overwhelm her. Ever since she and Jett had concocted their plan and “accidentally” slipped her profile into Pretorius’s ongoing search parameters—with a few vital adjustments—she’d second- and third- and fourth-guessed herself.

Lucius needed a wife. A real wife. One who knew all about babies and running a home and entertaining clients. She didn’t qualify at all for the first two of those, and barely scraped by on the third. Angie closed her eyes. But there was one thing the computer couldn’t program, that Lucius hadn’t thought to add to his precious parameters.

It couldn’t program love. Whomever the Pretorius Program chose as Lucius’s perfect mate, she wouldn’t love him. Nor would she love Mikey, even if she excelled in all those other areas. How could she love a man and a baby she’d never met before? Oh, knowing Lucius, he’d find a capable woman. Tears pricked her eyes. As capable as his PA. But he wouldn’t find what he didn’t even realize he needed.

Love.

Aware that a tense silence had fallen, Angie opened her eyes to find Lucius staring at her through narrowed black eyes. “I told you I wasn’t planning on firing you.”

“But…” she prompted softly.

“But I’d like to offer you a different position.”

“Within Diablo, Inc.?”

“Not exactly.”

She refused to act coy. Not about this. “Is this a position along the lines of what you were offering to Ella?”

She’d caught him by surprise and he took a moment before inclining his head. “You’re a smart woman, Angie. One of the many qualities I’ve always admired about you.”

Maybe too smart for her own good. “Tell me what you’re offering. And tell me why I’d want to give up the job I currently have—and love—for one that won’t advance my career.”

“First, the position I’m offering is…” To her surprise a hint of color carved a path across his impressive cheekbones. If circumstances had been different she’d have been amused by it. “Well, I suppose you could call it ‘temporary fiancée.’”

“A fiancée,” she repeated, tensing. Not what she’d expected. Not at all what she’d expected. “Atemporaryfiancée.” What happened to his wanting a wife?

He hesitated. “With so much at stake, I thought it reasonable to employ caution. A trial run makes certain both parties are satisfied with the arrangement. If you’ll recall, there was a trial period when I hired you as my PA. It’s even more crucial to have one for this position.” He blew out a sigh. “God, that sounds so cold and calculated. Sterile.”

“Is that what you want?” she dared asked. “Cold, calculated and sterile?”

His eyes fired. “No, of course not. But whatIwant to get out of this arrangement isn’t what’s important. This is about Mikey.”

“Believe it or not, I understand that. I’m not a fool, Lucius. I didn’t think you were proposing a real engagement.” She fought to remain calm, to ignore that flame building in his gaze. Toignore the nerves clawing at her composure. “What happens if we’re both satisfied with the probationary period of our engagement? What then?”

“Then we marry.”

It was her turn to hesitate. “Again, other than the honor of becoming your wife and a mother to Mikey—”

“Ouch.”

She didn’t back down or curb the hint of sarcasm she’d allowed to drift into her comment. Didn’t dare. If he ever suspected what she and Jett had done, The Devil Devlin would make her life a living hell. And then he’d get really mean. “Seriously, Lucius. Why would I agree to such an insane arrangement? Why would any intelligent woman?”

“First, I’ll pay you far more than what you’re currently receiving as my PA.”

“Okay, ouch right back at you.”

He waved that aside with an impatient air. “Look, I know that money doesn’t drive you. But it’s a start. Let’s discuss what the job entails and then you tell me what you want in the way of compensation.”

“Fair enough. What would my duties include?”

“First and foremost, as you’ve already guessed, I require a mother for Mikey. I’m sure you’re aware the Ridgeways are talking about suing for custody. So far, I’ve convinced them to hold off, but one of their arguments is that I don’t have a stable home life. I’m dependent on outsiders for Mikey’s care. Having a wife whose primary duty is to raise the baby would go a long way toward appeasing them. You have an excellent rapport with Mikey already and you’ve been very good with the Ridgeways,something they’ve both noticed and commented on. And it’s obvious that your maternal instincts and your kindness are a genuine part of who you are as a person.”

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