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‘How did you two meet?’
‘How do you feel about The Chatsfield’s bid to take over The Harrington?’
Ben felt Olivia stiffen next to him, even though her smile didn’t slip. The woman was a professional. It had to be seriously annoying though, he thought, to be barraged by questions about her fake romance instead of her career—a career she clearly cared about and was working hard for. Back in the limo he’d felt a glimmer of understanding and even compassion for her, and he felt it even more now.
God knew he understood how much you could want something. And like him Olivia had ambition and dreams, and a desire to prove herself—just as he had.
And that twinge of sympathy made him slip his hand into hers and smile for the blasted cameras. ‘Olivia doesn’t want to talk about us tonight,’ he told the reporters, keeping his voice jokey and light so they wouldn’t feel the dismissal. ‘She wants to talk about the film...’ For a moment his brain went blank but then thankfully memory kicked in and he continued smoothly, ‘Blue Skies Forever. I can’t wait to see it myself.’
The reporters started with their questions again and sliding his arm around her waist, his fingers splayed against her hip, Ben began to walk towards the theatre.
‘Thank you,’ Olivia murmured when they’d passed the last reporter and made it to the lobby of the theatre.
‘All part of the service.’
She turned to him, smiling, but with her eyes narrowed. ‘Why are you being so nice again? Because I don’t think I’ve actually endeared myself to you.’
He let out a laugh, enjoying her candour. And the view. That little silver dress she wore? It was little. And it showcased her long, tanned, slim legs in a way that made Ben want to run his hand down them and back up again.
‘I’m a nice guy?’
‘Not sure I’m buying that one.’
He decided to come clean, not that he’d actually been hiding all that much. ‘As it happens, my brother would like this charade to continue as well.’
She frowned. ‘You mean Spencer? Why does he care?’
‘Because any bad publicity, especially with a Harrington, wouldn’t be good right about now.’
‘You mean because he’s still trying to buy The Harrington.’
She sighed, more in weariness than anger, and Ben asked curiously, ‘Do you care about it? I mean, do you want to keep it in the family?’ They’d both steered clear of family politics earlier, but they’d also both admitted to not having any interest in their respective family hotels.
Which wasn’t exactly true on his part. He didn’t know what he felt for The Chatsfield, family or hotel, but he knew his feelings were too complicated to be dismissed.
‘I don’t know.’ Olivia shrugged, her forehead puckering. ‘I’ve never been that interested in it, but it’s always been there.’ She hesitated, a shadow crossing her features as she shot him an uncertain look. ‘Sometimes I think we’d all be better off without it. The pressure Isabelle is under...and John...’ She bit her lip and shook her head. ‘But I shouldn’t be talking to you about this. Technically, you’re the enemy.’
‘Technically, I’m also supposed to be your boyfriend.’
‘Yeah, it’s kind of complicated, isn’t it?’ She let out a little laugh and shook her head. ‘What on earth was I thinking, blurting out that we were dating?’
‘I think you weren’t thinking, remember?’
‘Right.’ She shook her head again, and then gave him a playful smile that made his insides sizzle. His libido was clearly in hyperdrive after being on ice for a while. He’d been so focused on building his business and keeping his emotions under control...he’d indulged in the occasional fling or one-night stand, but not recently, and his body was reminding him of that now. Painfully.
‘So your willingness to agree yesterday,’ she said, wagging a finger at him, ‘was really just because your brother made you do it.’
Ben felt himself tense, the familiar anger rushing through him. Fingers into fists. Shoulders hunched. He took a deep breath, forced himself to relax. ‘My brother doesn’t make me do anything,’ he said, and his voice came out easy and light. ‘Like I said, it’s a favour.’
‘Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats in the theatre.’
Now Olivia was the one who was tensing, and without even thinking too much about what he was doing Ben took her hand. ‘Come on,’ he said as he tugged her along. ‘You want to be in the front row, don’t you?’
‘I don’t know,’ she muttered, her gaze darting to the people around her. An actress Ben vaguely recognised came up to her and kissed her on both cheeks.
