Page 17 of The Prince's Game
He didn’t reply right away. “You can’t afford to, Sarah.”
A simple, quiet statement that implied so much more. I told him I would lose my job if I wasn’t back in Chicago next week, and he had the power to keep me here until then, or longer. “You would force me to stay to spite me for saying no.” Not a question. His unrepentant stare told me I was right. “That does not make me want to help you. At all.”
“I’m not heartless, Sarah.” He brushed the back of his fingers down my cheek in quiet apology. “But I am desperate.”
Varying degrees of heat followed that touch, some inspired by his caress but most a result of the anger burning through my veins. I did not like being cornered. “So you’re willing to ruin my life to better yours?”
“I’m trying to better both of our lives here. I’m offering you your dream career for the price of my freedom. It’s a fair deal. I could keep you here anyway, knowing full well you would reject my proposal out of hatred at the end, and leave you with nothing. That’s not what I want to do. Iwantto help you, but I need help, too.”
“And if I go to the media with this little proposition?”
“Assuming they believe you, it’ll paint a black mark on both of our records. I’m guessing I’ll survive that better than you.” He shrugged. “But go for it.”
“This is not endearing me to you at all.”
“Endearment isn’t my goal. I want to come to a mutually beneficial agreement.”
“One that forces me to give up my life,” I reminded him.
“But you’ll go home to a new life where you take on the clientsyouwant and report to yourself as a boss. You have to see the allure in that.”
“Of course I do.” I wasn’t stupid. “But what guarantee do I have that you’ll hold up your end of the bargain? And what happens when the media finds out that the Mershano empire is backing my marketing firm after I conveniently dismissed your proposal?”
“That’s the beauty of a silent partnership. No one needs to know where the funds came from, not publicly anyway. A couple of years from now when the media hype has died down, the Mershano empire will hire your firm for a sizable annual sum that ensures you have enough funds to stay afloat. Done deal.”
“Okay, and my guarantee?”
“My attorney is already drawing up a confidential contract. It’ll have a nondisclosure agreement clause, of course, and the terms of our deal, including funding costs and the future partnership between your firm and my company, for the price of you staying on and refusing my proposal at the end. Two months of hell for a future of freedom.”
“You’re confident I’ll accept.” Why else would his attorney draft a contract before receiving my verbal commitment?
“Very.” His grin was all arrogance. “We both know it’s a good deal, Miss Summers. So what are your terms? What will it take to convince you to accept?”
9
Coming to Terms
It was a tempting offer. My position at Stern and Associates was a good job, but I had no intention of staying there in the long term. Evan had the means to make my dreams a reality, and all I had to do was stay on the dating show for two months and reject his proposal. It was more appealing than being forced to stay and reject him for nothing in the end.
“You do realize even if you make me stay, I could say yes in the end and make your life a living hell.” Not that I wanted to get married, but it would be worth it to make him suffer for being an ass.
He considered, those piercing eyes assessing. “A risk, certainly, but I suspect your need for independence will prosper in the end. From what I’ve observed, you’re driven—admirably so—and have your priorities in order. And most importantly, you’re not in the market for a marriage certificate. Am I right?”
That was a lot of detail to gather from a couple of conversations. His astute summarization implied he was skilled at assessing situations and reading people. There was a reason this man managed a hotel empire, and it wasn’t just his last name.Color me impressed. He could vote me in night after night, forcing me to stay against my will, but he was offering me my dreams instead. A ruse, albeit an intelligent one, to keep me agreeable and happy rather than scornful and rude. I would be a fool not to accept it. After a thorough review of the contract, of course.
I left the bed for the desk. His gaze was like a touch against my ass as I bent over to write down a few key numbers and a name. When I turned, his brown eyes went to my breasts, making me shiver. As far as business practice went, it was inappropriate. But we were negotiating my dating him for a fee, in the bedroom of a hotel. Couldn’t get more lewd than that.
Rejoining him on the bed, I handed him the paper. “I will agree under the following conditions: First, I want the contract delivered to Rachel Dawson for review. Second, you get me a phone so I can review it with her. Third, we add a clause that guarantees our contract remains intact should you decide to go with a different woman in the end.”
“Worried I might fall in love?”
“No, I’m worried I might piss you off.” My ex-boyfriends would all agree to that. I had a habit of being too independent. Men didn’t like that. “Oh, I also reserve the right to add anything else I think of between now and the time I sign the contract, and Rachel can add anything she deems necessary.”
“Rachel Dawson will need to sign a nondisclosure agreement. Do you trust her to keep it?”
“Unconditionally. She’s my best friend and the only person, besides you, me, and Abby, who knows why I’m really here. I trust her with my life.”
He read the contact details. “I’ll ask Will to deliver the papers to her tomorrow.”
