Page 14 of Fake it for Keeps

I leaned back in my chair. “Would it really be so bad to fake it with me? You did it last night with John. This is just longer term.”

“With significantly higher stakes.” She finally sat down but perched on the edge of the chair, back stiff. “What exactly would I have to do? Six months is a long time.”

“There’d be public appearances. Charity events. Maybe some functions with my investors. You’d be on my arm for everything leading up to the wedding.” I ticked off the requirements on my fingers. “We’d need to sell it, obviously. Make people believe we’re madly in love.”

“That’s going to be difficult considering I can barely stand to be in the same room as you.”

I laughed, the sound genuine. “See, that’s what I like about you, Hallie. You don’t pull your punches.”

“Someone needs to tell you the truth.”

“Most people are too intimidated.”

“I’m not most people.”

“No,” I agreed, my gaze drifting over her face. “You’re definitely not.”

She pursed her lips. “Plus you just proposed to me. If I can’t be honest with you, who can?”

“You still haven’t said yes yet.”

The sexual tension in the room ratcheted up several notches. I could feel it crackling between us, electric and dangerous. Hallie felt it too. I could tell by the way her breathing quickened and the way she shifted in her seat.

She hated me. That much was clear. But she definitely wanted me too. Something made her pupils dilate when I looked at her. Something made her breath catch when I moved closer. That was the reaction I was used to getting from women. But with Hallie, it was different.

She felt like a challenge. It was intoxicating.

“There’s one more thing,” I said, breaking the silence. “You’d have to quit your job.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

“No wife of mine is clocking in for a nine-to-five when I’m a billionaire. It would look ridiculous.”

“That’s the most sexist thing I’ve ever heard.”

“I can think of way more sexist things. But whatever, it’s practical.” I shrugged. “Part of selling this is making it look like you’re living my lifestyle. That means no job. At least not until July. What do you do anyway?”

She glared at me. “Clearly, it doesn’t matter.”

“Good point.”

“So I’m just supposed to sit around and look pretty?”

“You’ll be busy,” I assured her. “Trust me, there are enough events on the calendar to keep you occupied. And you’ll be compensated well for your time.”

“Not well enough to put up with your bullshit.”

God, I wanted to kiss that smart mouth of hers. See if I could make her forget how much she hated me, at least for a few minutes.

But I held back. Barely.

“Name your price then,” I said instead.

She blinked. “What?”

“You said two hundred and fifty thousand isn’t enough. Fine. Name your price.”

I watched her think it over, saw the moment she made her decision.