Page 38 of Catch Me
“No. I came to see you.” What’s the point of lying? “Let’s finish our hike so I can take you to breakfast.”
“Actually, Mya and I had plans to go to a vintage clothing shop after the hike.”
My grin widens. “Did you just invite me to take you shopping?”
Her eyes widen and she holds up her hands. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant?—”
“Invitation accepted,” I say. “Let’s finish this hike.”
CHAPTER 11
Ivy
An hour later, I’m sitting in the passenger seat of Andreas’ Jaguar SUV headed toward the new vintage clothing store on the other side of town.
“You know, you could just drop me off at home and I can drive to the store on my own. I’m sure you have something else you could be doing today.”
My belly does a flipflop when he turns to me, a smirk playing on those pink lips of his. His green eyes are covered by a pair of gold-rimmed sunglasses, which only enhances his sexiness.
All of a sudden it’s hot in this damn car although he has the air conditioner on.
“There’s nothing else I need to do today,” he says, looking directly at me as if he expects me to challenge him.
I force myself to look away, out of the window, but I still manage to tell him, “It’s probably not a good thing for us to be seen together.”
“What would make you believe that?”
My eyes bulge. “Oh, I don’t know because you’re you and I am not Amber Jones. You know, the woman most people would expect to be on your arm.”
“Look at me.”
The underlying steel in his voice has my heart rate increasing. My head turns as if following his command.
“I don’t give a damn what other people expect of me. Not when it comes to my private life. I’ve already dispelled my manager’s mistaken opinion that I need to fake a relationship for the public. Do I need to remind you as well?”
I shake my head.
“What you do in your private life is your business,” I tell him. “But you are a public figure, and that means that any woman you’re seen out with could lead to rumors that you’re dating.”
“Is that why you all of a sudden chose to order our breakfast as takeout instead of sitting in the café?”
Clearing my throat, I avert my gaze. Andreas had asked where Mya and I typically eat breakfast after our hike. Since he insisted that I needed to eat after the hike, I told him but said I would make the order.
I did it for take out instead of reserving a table for the two of us. And yes, not wanting to be seen in public was the exact reason.
“Yes,” I admit.
“What’s the matter? Afraid to be seen with me?” he asks, the half grin giving away that he’s joking.
“Of course not.” I smooth the sides of my ponytail with my hand. Today I’ve opted to let my hair breathe instead of wearing the wigs I’ve worn throughout the week to work.
“There’s no need for the extra complication for either one of us,” I tell him, stopping short of explaining that not only is my boss opposed to any interaction between Andreas and me, but being in the public spotlight is the last thing I need.
“That’s all I am to you? A complication?” he repeats in a high-pitched voice with an offended hand pressed to his chest.
Despite myself, that makes me laugh. Without thinking, I swat at his arm, but he catches my hand and intertwines his fingers with mine.
My body instantly buzzes with an energy that wasn’t present just a moment ago.
