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“Consider it done. I have several bedrooms for you to choose from. It won’t be difficult giving you your space either, because I enjoy a lot of it.”
“There he is again.”
“Who?”
“The arrogant jerk who considers he’s God’s gift to mankind. A little humility would serve you well in life so that not everyone who meets you will consider you an arrogant pain in the rear end.”
“Rear end.” He laughs out loud, and I feel my eyes flashing as I bark. “Are you making fun of my grammar now? You’re insufferable.”
“I never said I wasn’t.” He shrugs. “So, what’s our story? This will be interesting.”
Thinking on my feet, I say with a shrug, “If anyone asks, I’m a friend who has come to stay.”
“A friend.” He shakes his head and laughs.
“Firstly, nobody would believe I had a friend and secondly, the fact you have been seen in my store working would raise a few eyebrows.”
“So, what’s your big plan, then?”
I fold my arms and he leans forward and stares right into my eyes and says huskily, “You’re my lover.”
“Absolutely not.” I feel my skin prickle at the thought and fleetingly wonder why it’s not an unpleasant sensation.
“Why not?” He shrugs. “We met in the lift one night after work and got talking and discovered a genuine connection. I took you to dinner and one thing led to another, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Think about it, it’s more believable than the friend’s idea.”
I hate that he’s right. I detest the fact something like that could really happen and my skin crawls at the definite looks I’ll get when people judge me for being a loose woman. They will call me a gold digger and say I always had him in my sights and picturing their knowing smirks and judgemental attitude is making me sweat. However, I can’t escape the fact I’m undercover and sometimes it requires placing myself in situations that are uncomfortable, so I sigh heavily and nod. “Ok. Have it your way, but just so you know, I’m only doing this because it’s my job and no other reason. So we both understand, I am not attracted to you in the slightest. I don’t like you; you are everything I detest in a man, and I am not looking for any attachment. Once we find out who the postman is, I’m moving on and you will never see or hear from me again. Have I made myself clear?”
“Perfectly.” I don’t miss the smirk on his lips and say roughly, “There will be rules, of course.”
“Of course.” He leans back and grins.
“Fire away.”
“Firstly, there will be no touching. I require my personal space and you must respect my privacy. My bedroom door must have a lock on it, and I would remind you that I am trained to defend myself if you get any ideas about the role we’re playing.”
“Go on. Anything else?”
“We will work diligently to resolve this unfortunate event and you must cooperate in every way. I will need full access to your life, and that includes details about past and present relationships and acquaintances.”
He nods again and says firmly, “Then we have an agreement, Miss Taylor, or may I call you Jessica?”
“You may, Robert.”
His name tastes unfamiliar on my tongue and yet not unpleasant and as I stare at the person who has become a twenty-four-hour job, I hate the shiver that passes through me as I study a man who probably never has to try. The dark hair that lies a little longer on top, framing velvet brown eyes that smoulder when he looks at me. The strong jaw shadowed by dark stubble creates a raw masculinity that should be illegal on a businessman. His well-cut suit that is slightly open at the neck, his tie lying loose after a hard day at the office and the well-manicured nails that reveal he doesn’t get his hands dirty to enjoy the fruits of his labour.
There is something rather appealing about the man I must shadow and the arrogant glint in his eye tells me he knows the effect he is having on me, so I glower at him with hooded eyes and say through gritted teeth.
“Then it begins tonight. We’ll head to my apartment, and I’ll pack a few things. After that, we will stop for dinner before heading to your home. Any questions?”
I stare him straight in the eye and he nods, straightening up and flicking his computer off.
“Sounds good to me. After you.”
He stands and waves his hand towards the door and with a sigh, I head off, knowing without a doubt that he is checking out my rear end as we go.
CHAPTER10
ROBERT
