Page 25 of The Billionaire Player

“Really?” he asked and took the card back.

“I’m not going to be some whore on your arm.”

“Of course not. I don’t think of you like that. I could never think of you like that,” he said.

He looked offended that I even suggested it, or that I thought he would. I had meant to tease him about spending his money, but I hadn’t counted on him agreeing so easily or the feeling that it gave me when he did.

“I’m sorry. I never should have suggested clothes and jewelry. I was trying to get a rise out of you and instead insulted myself, however, it does show me that you’re serious about this,” I said.

“Yes. I’ve worked too hard; I’ve spent too much time and invested too much to let someone like Lizbeth Angelo get in the way.”

“Why me? You could ask any woman to be on your arm, to smile, look pretty. Why ask a reporter, especially when you have such an aversion to us?” I asked and sipped my drink.

“Any other woman I asked would want something. Would demand more of my time, and would expect this to go somewhere. If you and I do this, there’s no preconceived notions. We’re both getting something out of it.”

“A mutually beneficial relationship based on a lie?” I asked.

“You have a way of just getting to the heart of the matter, don’t you?”

“Isn’t that what it is? And yes, I am honest, I don’t believe in lying and I don’t like when anyone does it to me. If we’re going to do this, then we need to be upfront with each other about everything. Including what this is. You’re asking me to be your pretend girlfriend, in essence we are lying to your family, your friends, your staff, my family, friends, the world.”

“Are you not okay with that?”

“I didn’t say that. I just wanted to make sure we were clear with what this is and what we’re doing. If we are, what exactly do you want me to do?”

“The opening for the restaurant is in two days. I would like you to attend, as my date. Smile for the cameras, talk to reporters, look pretty. Sorry, that still sounds wrong, hopefully you know what I mean. You would be there to help deflect any rumors about me and Lizbeth. We would need to be seen around town for a little while longer. Before you ask how long, I don’t know, it will depend on when Lizbeth gets the hint. During that time, I would be available to you, to answer questions and give you a better picture of who I am.”

“You would give me complete access to you? To your family? To your friends? To your staff?”

“I have few friends and my family is on board with this, or they will be. Does that mean you will do it?”

“Can I think about it?” I replied.

“Do you really need to?” he countered.

He had me there. I had wanted to do this since he first suggested it. It was exactly what I needed to get the story I wanted and to get Georgia off my back. Him giving me such unrestricted access would make the story that much better. I didn’t answer him right away but slowly lifted my glass to my mouth and took a few drinks. He did the same, watching me watching him.

“No,” I said when I finished the drink.

“No, you won’t do it, or no you don’t need time to think about it?” he asked.

“I don’t need time to think about it. I’ll do it.”

He flashed me a big smile, his brown eyes bright and full of mischief causing my heart to skip a beat and my stomach to tighten with anticipation. I knew this was a good move for my career, but I was starting to wonder if it was a smart move for my heart.

Chapter 11

JD

“Are you ready for this?” I asked Alexandria as we stood in my office.

“I was, until you asked if I was,” she said with a nervous laugh.

She looked incredible in a pale green dress making her black hair look even darker and her blue eyes to shine. The dress hugged her body in just the right ways, giving her a vibe that she was not only sexy but unattainable, which was exactly what she was.

My attraction for her might have grown with each passing moment, but that didn’t mean I would do anything about it. She was helping me out, I was helping her out. There was no time nor room for us to let our feelings get involved.

Though as I looked at her, with her hair pulled halfway up and cascading down her back, her hands clenched at her side as if to keep her nerves at bay, I had never found her more attractive. I wanted nothing more than to take her into my arms and tell her that everything would be okay, and then do a few other things.

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