Page 14 of Never Fake Date the Financier
She holds my gaze. I have to admit the shift in Ella’s demeanor, demanding and assertive, is sexy. I like a woman who doesn’t back down without a fight.
“I need more time.” I check my watch. It’s just past noon, so less than twelve hours to go. It’s not impossible, but it doesn’t leave much breathing room, especially when I have multiple essential meetings today.
She stands up, and my heart leaps into my throat.
“Then I suggest you start now,” she says, turning on her heel.
I watch as her hips sway with each step. So. Fucking. Sexy. Before she has the chance to leave my office, I’m on the phone with Melvin.
“Good afternoon, Mr.—”
“My office. Now.”
I hang up my phone and rise just before Ella opens the door to my office. “Pack your bags, Ella. We’re leaving tomorrow.”
* * *
My phone ringsas Melvin closes the door to my office. I let it go to voicemail as I finish crafting my email to Ella, attaching all of the requisite documents for my proposal. My entire day had to be rescheduled in order to focus on Ella’s demands.
I let out a deep breath as I click send and then lean back in my chair and stare at my inbox. My end of the bargain is done, and now I just have to wait for Ella to sign on the dotted line.
During the few breaks I’ve had since Ella left, I’d been stalking her online. Unfortunately, I only found crumbs. All of her social media profiles are private, and every profile picture is grainy. The only background information I could find on her was a sparse bio on her IMDB.
She’s from the midwest. Acted in a few short films and commercials. She’s a fan of Harry Potter. Even though it’s not much, I devour every bit of information I can find about her like a fiend. An addict.
I want more, and if I don’t see an email from her by midnight tonight, I’ll drive myself over to the address on her résumé and make her sign on the dotted line. I only sent the email a few moments ago, but every second that passes without a response from her is an eternity.
I sigh, minimizing my inbox and gaze at my desktop. There she is. It’s the only picture I could find of her on the internet that wasn’t grainy. She’s wearing a billowy white romper at some beach, her perfect ass facing the camera as she smolders over her shoulder.
Those.Damn. Lips.
I pound the table as the urge rises inside me again. The urge I’ve felt from the moment Ella crashed into my life. Throbbing. Needy. And requiring my attention. I palm my cock through my pants as I stare at those lips. That face. Those curves. She’s so damn?—
I kick my desk and glide backward in my chair. This lack of control is unnerving, no woman—no one—has ever had this much power over me. It’s unreal.
I stand up and move toward the wall of windows to my right. It’s almost midnight, but it looks like the city’s just woken up. Lights. Cars. People. Energy. But even with a view like this, all I can think of is Ella.
And then I hear it. My email chimes. There’s my girl. I stride back to my desk and find a response from her. The tension in my body fades the moment I realize she’s accepted. Everything is right. Everything is perfect. I scan the email and then hone in on the itemized list of all the rules she has for our fake relationship. I read it over a few times, and can’t help but laugh at the first rule—the only one bolded and in red:
RULE #1: NO SLEEPING TOGETHER
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Everything is negotiable.
6
ELLA
“A little light,don’t you think?” Olivia says, collapsing onto my bed. I turn away from the mirror, my lips stained dark red, and glance at my suitcase. She’s not wrong. For an international trip that includes a wedding, my packing job would make the most fanatic minimalist proud. A few outfits, a couple of books, snacks, and toiletries. It looks like I’m preparing for a weekend trip.
“Adrian told me to pack light.” I shrug and then affect a deep, masculine voice as I finish up my makeup. “Everything is taken care of.”
Olivia giggles. “I bet it’sall-inclusive.”
I sigh, shaking my head as Olivia waggles her eyebrows.
“Thatis not going to happen. I made sure of it. It’s all written down in black and white. No funny business whatsoever. It’s a pure business transaction and nothing else.”
That jawline though…No!
