Page 14 of Ms. Fortune

“Ok, good.”

“Though that particular item is related….”

An eyebrow ticks up. And damn. Skeptical Normandy is hot. “Oh? How so?”

“According to my Vice President of Public Relations, I need to separate myself from my ex as much as possible. I’m proposing for you to act as my girlfriend until after the gala. Four dates maximum, including the gala, and then we can go our separate ways. I’m willing to pay you if you want, you can name your price, but I think the publicity from it might also benefit your company. It would put Mischief Motors on the map, for sure.”

She had been about to take a sip of wine but now holds her glass two inches from her mouth, which has now dropped open in shock. She still hasn’t moved. I had expected a reaction like this and am not surprised by it. But maybe I didn’t word it right? Or I wasn’t clear?

“I know it sounds crazy, but if you think about it, we can benefit each other from some positive publicity. Don’t you think?” I realize I hadn’t actually asked her a question until now. Maybe this will get a response from her.

She slowly lowers her wine glass to the table, never breaking eye contact with me. The skin on the back of my neck prickles. I think if looks could kill, I’d be laid out in this booth like a victim of an old-school mafia hit.

“Did you just offer me money… for a date?”

I’m not so sure about the laws in Vegas surrounding prostitution, but holy shit. The way she said it makes what I offered sound downright awful and possibly even illegal. I rake my hands down my face, trying to think of how to salvage this. I’ve really stuck my foot in it this time.

“When you say it like that, it sounds pretty bad….”

“Pretty bad?” Her tone is so cold; I feel frostbite starting on my skin. She throws her napkin on the table and slides out of the booth. “You may be able to buy whatever you want, but you can’t buy me. Let’s get that clear right now.” She points a finger at me, stopping me from saying anything. “You, Mr. God-damned Billionaire, couldn’t afford me. And even if you could? I still wouldn’t go out with you.”

Her words sting, but more than that, I need to correct her thinking I was trying to buy her somehow.

“Normandy, wait.” I jump up and maneuver around her, stopping her from leaving the private back area. If we’re going to get into it, it needs to be here, where no one else can see. And that’s for both of us, not just me. “Please. Hear me out. That came out completely wrong. I would never, ever, pay to date you.”

She crosses her arms, a stance I see too often from her. This is all going straight to shit.

I take a breath and try again. “I am very sorry, Normandy. More than you can possibly know at this moment. But before I dig this hole any deeper, can we please sit back down and talk this through?” I hold an arm out, indicating the booth.

I don’t blame her for her reaction. I fucked this whole thing up, and I’m usually so good with words. Being around Normandy takes all of that away. I’m reduced to a blubbering idiot whenever I’m around her, and I don’t get it. I shouldn’t feel anything for her. She’s been crystal clear; she wants nothing to do with me. I can’t stop myself, though. And I can’t seem to keep my cool around her.

She gives me the wariest look I’ve ever gotten from a woman and turns to sit down again.

“This is against my better judgment, by the way.”

“Duly noted.” I do appreciate that she’s giving me this time to fix everything. Now, I just need to figure out how to do that without pissing her off. “And, thank you.”

Chapter 10

VERTIGO

NORMANDY

I can’t believe I’m still here. I should have walked out as soon as he said, “name your price.” I don’t have a price. I cannot be bought. So why I’m sitting across from this jerk, expecting him to somehow convince me to stay, I have no idea. I pull my phone out of my purse, anticipating the need to call for a car should this get any worse.

“Mr. Carmichael, while I’m grateful for your purchases today, I don’t think that entitles you to….”

“Wait, what?” He seems shocked at my inference, as if he didn’t just offer me money for dates as some sort of quid pro quo. “I am not entitled to anything here. Trust me, I completely fucked up what I am trying to ask of you. This could not have gone any more wrong if I tried.” He chuckles to himself and rakes a hand through his hair, and the dimples make another appearance. Damn it, those dimples can’t save him every time.

I don’t like that I’m reacting to him this way or giving in like this when I know I should walk away. Shit, I should most likely run as far from him as I can. But he mentioned this might help our business too, and if that’s possible, I need to consider it. Even if it is with this asshole. However, I have to figure out a way to be in his presence and not get weak-kneed at the same time. That’s proving more difficult than I imagined.

“First and foremost, you should know that I have a strict policy of not dating clients or employees, and well, you’re a client.” I just made up the policy, but it’s my business; I can do that sort of thing.

“Well, these aren’t going to be real dates, right? So, it shouldn’t count against your policy. It’s strictly marketing.”

Damn him and his loopholes.

“So, what’s your plan?” I keep my tone professional. This is a business transaction, only not in the way he thinks. “But understand there will be no money exchanged. I don’t want your money.” That much needs to be clear. I can’t believe I have to be saying these things.

---