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My chuckle tugs an answering one from Alex before he dives right in.
“So first, for as long as we’re in this, neither of us can see anyone else. Okay?”
I nod my agreement, finding zero fault in that rule. Dating is not my gig.
“That includes casual sex, Alex.” I quirk a brow.
His lip twitches. “Only sex with my fake girlfriend. Okay, got it!”
I reach across the seat between us to shove his shoulder. His laugh is thoroughly infectious. “You are—”
“Incorrigible, Sunshine. I know!”
He wriggles his eyebrows, the very picture of hilarity, and I can’t even keep a straight face. “The only sex in your future is with your hand. That’s the first rule right there, pretty boy.”
Despite the laughter in his eyes, he nods solemnly and crosses his heart before moving on to the next rule. “Second, you will need to live in the same building as me. Preferably on the same floor –ideallyin my penthouse. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but wemayneed to cohabitate for a period of time…”
He trails off hesitantly, and I rush to speak, wanting to ease his concerns. “You are clearly a public figure, going on what you’ve told me, so I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you’re not a serial killer.”
He flashes his teeth. “Only a serial screw-up, if that’s not a deal breaker.”
My lips twitch. “I’m good with that, roomie. What else?”
“Well, there will be a number of high-profile events we’ll need to attend as a couple. You’d need to be okay with the attention. Onbothof us. We’ll need to play the role perfectly in these instances, in particular.”
My face freezes, and Alex rushes on. “There will be security in place for you, of course. And an Amex in your nameshouldbe waiting at the penthouse, so money won’t be an issue.”
He takes my hands in his, holding them as lightly as his gaze is firm. “For my third request, all I ask is that you have my back because I’ll always have yours.”
The car glides to a halt, and Damien exits the vehicle quietly.
I bite down on my bottom lip, simultaneously overwhelmed by everything he’s just laid on me, and dumbstruck, unsure of what to say in response.
The door opens beside Alex, flooding the car with daylight. He gives me one final look before slipping from his place beside me, then he reaches his hand back inside to assist me.
When I exit the vehicle, I instantly note that we’re on the Upper East Side, and everything surrounding us screams money.
“Thank you, Damien.”
Alex reaches for my hand instinctively, pulling me along beside him as I nod to our driver in silent thanks. “What about my bags?”
“Damien will see they are sent up, Rey.”
I can’t stop the giggle that pops out of my mouth as we cross the threshold of a clearly uber-swanky residence. This feels so surreal, and I’m entirely sure that reality hasn’t sunk in just yet.
The elevator pings open before we reach it, and a tall, blonde woman steps out, her eyes instantly landing on Alex.
“Alex!” His name is practically purred from her pouty, glossed lips, and his grip on my hand tightens noticeably.
“Krista, you’re back in Manhattan. How was Ralph’s seventieth birthday trip? Is he back too?”
I chance a look at him, finding his face pained. His eyes are darting around, clearly looking for an escape route.
“Pffft, he’s somewhere nearby.” She winks broadly. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you took me for a drink tonight. He loves knowing I’m being taken care of, you know. Swing by my place around seven.”
My mouth almost hits the floor at her audacity. Alex goes to speak, but I beat him to it.
“Alex is busy tonight, and every other night,Krista.” It’s my turn to wink exaggeratedly when I hold up our clasped hands. “We’ll be spending the foreseeable future christening every surface ofourpenthouse.”
