I guided her to a corner table, as far from prying eyes and listening ears as we could get. “What would you like?”
“I can get my own coffee,” she answered defensively.
“I’m sure you can. But I know you just lost your job, so perhaps you’ll allow me this small courtesy.”
Her full lips pressed together, but she surrendered. “Americano. Black.”
I nodded approvingly. I liked a woman who didn’t disguise the taste of coffee with syrups and cream. I ordered her an Americano and an espresso for myself, then joined her at the table where she’d set her purse on the empty chair beside her.
“You said you have a son,” I began once our drinks arrived.
She wrapped her slender fingers around the mug, as if channeling strength from its warmth. “Yeah. His name is Mason.”
“And his father?”
Her almond-shaped eyes flashed with defiance. “Not in the picture.”
“I see,” I said, taking a sip of my espresso while buying time to organize my thoughts. I hadn’t expected to make an offer today—hadn’t even formulated a full plan until I saw her crying in my elevator—but since the idea had taken root, I knew it was the right solution to my problem. “Ms. Campbell, what do you know about Garrick International?”
She blinked repeatedly, clearly thrown by the change in subject. “The technology corporation? If I’m not mistaken, they’re one of your biggest clients, right?”
“Potential clients,” I corrected her. “We’ve been courting them for the last few months. Their CEO, Ellis Garrick, is notoriously traditional.”
“Traditional?” she repeated slowly, her tone suggesting she didn’t understand the words I wasn’t saying.
“He believes in family values,” I clarified. “Specifically, he doesn’t trust bachelors in positions of power. In his view, a man without a wife to back him lacks stability.”
“That’s a little old-fashioned.”
I shrugged. “True, but it’s also fifty million dollars in annual contracts.”
Simora’s eyes widened slightly. I wasn’t surprised she was impressed by the number. What did surprise me was how attractive she was when she wasn’t sobbing. Beyond the standard prettiness I might’ve acknowledged in a passing female employee, something was compelling about her face—a natural elegance in her high cheekbones and full lips that even her obvious shitty day couldn’t diminish.
Her caramel skin with honey-brown undertones glowed under the ambient lighting of the café. I admired the way herspiral ringlets of hair cascaded down her cheeks, framing her heart-shaped face.
The simple blouse and pencil skirt she wore was professional enough for the office, but didn’t hide her natural, slim-thick figure. A delicate gold chain hung around her slim neck, a small heart-shaped pendant with the letter “M” in the center rested against her collarbone. Had she not told me she had a son named Mason, I would’ve assumed it was for her man which really would’ve put a stop to my plan.
I saw confusion flickering behind her almond-shaped eyes as her full lips curved into a frown. “What does any of this have to do with me?” she inquired, pulling me back to business.
I leaned forward slightly. “Garrick has made it clear, though not in so many words, that my bachelor status is the only thing holding us back from finalizing the deal. He’s coming to New York for a final series of meetings before signing. He’ll be here for seven days.”
She sipped her coffee, watching me over the rim of her mug with those perceptive amber eyes. “And?”
“And I need a fiancée for that week.”
She instantly choked on her coffee, coughing violently as some spilled from the corners of her mouth. I handed her a napkin, waiting as she recovered.
“Y-you want to pretend we’re engaged?” she finally managed to say, her voice hoarse.
“Yes.”
“You and me?”
I dipped my chin in response.
“But why? More importantly, why me? Why not hire an actress or ask one of your . . . I don’t know, rich socialite friends?”
I’d already considered both options, of course. “Actresses might overplay the part. As for my ‘rich socialite friends,’ as youcall them, they would want it to become real or use the position to their advantage. I need someone who understands this is strictly business. No strings or personal ties, just business.”
