Page 7 of My Fake Lover

After dinner, I accompanied her outside to her taxi and said goodbye politely but reservedly. Not for the first time, I had received advances from women that I wouldn’t accept in connection with a business relationship. Even if Cora Jenkins didn’t seem to be that kind of woman.

The taxi drove off, and I nodded to her through the windows one last time before turning away and calling my driver. It felt good to wait a few minutes in the fresh air. New York’s summer was hot and stuffy during the day, and even though the temperatures were held by the building facades and asphalt ground, it was much more pleasant than during the day.

The limousine pulled up to the curb, and I got in the back. »Good evening, Mr. Holmes, where would you like to go?« Bellford asked.

»Could you drive around the block a few times? I’m waiting for someone.« My plan had matured, and now Ivy had to at least hear it out.

8

Ivy

Completely exhausted, I stepped through the staff entrance with Pete and out into a narrow alley onto the main street.

»Do you really not want to join us at Roxy’s? Some of our colleagues are there, and I can promise you, they’re not as awful as they seem at work.« We stopped because we had to go in two different directions.

»Thanks, that’s sweet, but I think I’d rather go home tonight.«

My gaze fell on a black limousine parked by the side of the road, and my heart started racing again. Pete turned around because of my surprised facial expression and started grinning.

»Oh, so that’s what it looks like.« Pete snorted amusedly. The door of the limousine opened, and Max stepped onto the sidewalk. Even the way he got out and quickly licked his lower lip looked sexy. »Well, have fun, Hazel,« Pete teased me with a nickname he’d given me because of my brown hair and eyes, squeezed my shoulder, and walked past me, grinning.

»Thanks,« I whispered, but I was sure Pete hadn’t heard it. My gaze was glued to Max, who for the first time looked a bit unsure. Could that be? But the expression disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Back to the unyielding mask of arrogance of a man who had always gotten what he wanted. I just had no idea what that was this time.

I walked toward him. »Did your date not want to go home with you?« I teased him, trying not to show how much I had actually thought about this situation.

»She wasn’t a date,« he claimed again, and I grinned meaningfully. »Get in,« he said and held the back door open.

»No please? I’m surprised; you’re usually so charming.«

»Get in, please,« came as a soft growl from his lips. I liked it when I could provoke him like this. At least a small emotional reaction, showing me that the mighty Max Holmes was just a human too.

»I’m not allowed to accept candy from strangers or get in their cars.«

He sighed. »You’re the most frustrating person I know.«

»True, because you only know people who dance to your tune.«

»Why are you making this situation so unnecessarily complicated?« His breathing was heavy and fast, as if this sentence alone took all his effort.

I shrugged. »Because it’s fun?«

»I have a different idea of fun,« he replied darkly and took a step toward me. He was so close that I could smell the faint scent of his fragrance and feel his warm breath on my skin. This time, I genuinely had no retort. He had literally taken the wind out of my inflated sails.

»We’re not strangers. I know how you taste, and I will certainly not forget it,« he whispered, and the sudden change in mood made my knees tremble. I moistened my dry lips with my tongue, and his gaze immediately flew there. I felt the burning heat between us as strongly as that night in my truck. His breaths grew rougher as his eyes met mine again.

»Please get in, Ivy,« he replied softly, and this time I could no longer resist him. The game was over, and I had lost. I swallowed hard and looked away to gather the tiny remnants of my brain cells. Then I walked past him and slid onto the leather back seat. It was quite spacious inside. The interior was made of soft cream-colored leather, with a bar in one corner and two facing benches. Max took a seat on the other side and told the driver to start driving. His proximity in the confined space was so overwhelming that it felt like déjà vu.

»So, you just wanted to make sure I got home safely?« I asked, as curiosity ate away at me.

He leaned forward to the bar and took out two small water bottles before handing one to me. I accepted it and raised an eyebrow. »No champagne?«

»I want to stay clear-headed,« he replied, taking a sip from the bottle while still fixing his gaze on me. God, this man was sparking, and I was sure he was well aware of it. I took a drink as well.

»For what?« I asked afterward, and my voice sounded rough.

»You need money,« he stated, and I gasped.

»Oh wow, what is this? I’m not some...«

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