Page 20 of Strictly Business

She nods, her chin tilted just enough to meet my gaze. “Yes. I’ll do it. I’ll be your…”

“Fiancée,” I finish for her, my lips curving into a smirk.

The pink in her skin darkens, but she nods again. “Right. Fiancée.”

“You’re sure?” I ask, leaning in just slightly, unable to resist. “Completely sure?”

“It’s a lot of money,” she admits, lifting her chin with an almost defiant edge, meeting my stare.

A smirk pulls at my lips. At least she’s not pretending to have some noble reason. She owns her decision. I like that.

“And you’re prepared for everything that comes with it?” I press, watching her brow furrow. “People will be all over you. They’ll scrutinize your every move. Dig into your past. Make assumptions.” My gaze drifts down to the fluffy cardigan wrapped around her shoulders, her white blouse, the buttons straining slightly across her chest, and the pleated skirt she loves to wear, hugging her figure a little more than usual. “Some of them will say you slept your way to the top.”

Her eyes widen—so damn green—and I watch as my words hit her. “I hadn’t really thought of that,” she admits, shaking her head, the reality of it sinking in.

“You should. You’ll get the money, the job, the promotion, but there will be consequences. I’ll protect you, Amara,” I assure her. “I’ll bury the rumors, pay to keep your life out of the press… but even my name has limits.”

She hesitates, her hands twisting together. “How long will this last?” she asks.

I rub my chin, thinking it through. “If everything goes as planned? About three months.”

Three months. Less than that, really.

It might seem like a long time, but I know it’ll pass in the blink of an eye. And when it’s over, we’ll both have exactly what we want.

She nods slowly, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

The tension in my body eases, but I keep my expression neutral.

“Great,” I say, rounding my desk. “I’ll have my lawyer draw up the contract.”

She turns to leave, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor, her fiery ginger hair catching the light as it spills over her dark blue sweater.

“Amara,” I call, stopping her in the doorway.

She glances back over her shoulder, waiting, her eyes locked onto mine.

I can’t let her leave without saying something, because if it wasn’t for her, I’d be screwed. My entire future, everything I’ve worked for, would be up in smoke. “Thank you.”

She doesn’t speak, just gives a small nod before slipping out the door.

And just like that, she’s gone. The faint trace of her perfume fills the space, leaving an odd emptiness behind.

The deal is as good as sealed, my future within reach.

Now is not the time to lose my head over any woman.

Especially not my assistant.

Chapter nine

Amara

What the hell did I do?

This was a mistake. A massive, irreversible, life-altering mistake.

I sink into my chair, staring blankly at my computer screen, trying to convince myself I haven’t just torpedoed my entire life. But then my inbox pings, and there it is.

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