AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know a lot of things,” I conceded. “I’d rather hear it from you, though.”
Wide set and framed by thick, dark lashes, his vibrant turquoise eyes creased at the corners as he continued to glare at me. It was a damn shame that eyes so beautiful held such anger and hostility.
“Nathan,” he bit out through gritted teeth.
Well, it was a start. “We both know why we’re here. So, what do you say we cut the bullshit and get straight to the point?”
He didn’t say anything, but after a small hesitation, he dipped his head.
“Before we appear in public together, I want to set some clear boundaries.” For the ruse to work, we would have to sell it to the public, but making him uncomfortable wasn’t the point. “Physical contact, for instance. It would be strange if we never touch, but a hand on the back or arm will be sufficient. Are you comfortable with that?”
One shoulder jerked toward his ear. “Whatever.”
Christ, trying to have a conversation with the kid was like rolling a boulder uphill in the rain. I wasn’t asking for anything deep or meaningful. Hell, at that point, I would take any answer longer than four words.
“I was surprised when your mother requested a man.” Not a question, and ultimately, not important. Still, I was curious.
“She wants the LGBTQ+ vote.”
Five words. I considered it progress.
“Do you even like men?”
In terms of the job, it didn’t matter to me one way or the other, but again, I was curious. Especially since I had only seen photographs of him in the company of women.
Another shrug. “Sure.”
And we were back to monosyllabic responses. “Do you have any questions for me?”
“How old are you?” he asked without preamble.
“Thirty-four.” A twelve-year age gap wasn’t insignificant. I wondered if it would be a problem for him. “Why do you ask?”
He shrugged again but didn’t answer.
“Anything else?” I prompted.
“What do you do for a living?”
“I’m in real estate.”
Sort of. I had amassed a substantial nest egg as a luxury real estate agent in my twenties. Slowly, I had switched over to investment, and now, I owned several rental properties outside the city and a couple of small office buildings downtown.
“And you’ve worked with a lot of public figures?” he asked without prompting.
“A few,” I allowed. Typically, my cases lasted for several months, so I rarely took on more than three clients in a year.
“So, won’t people recognize you?”
Ah, now I understood. It was a surprisingly smart question, and not one I’d been asked before. Maybe there was hope for the kid after all.
“I doubt that will happen.” While high-profile, most of the people I worked with didn’t exactly encounter paparazzi hiding in the bushes. “If that’s something you’re concerned about—”
I stopped abruptly when the door of the conference room swung open again, and a woman who looked to be about my age strode through the door. She wore her dark hair twisted into a tight bun that made her hawkish features all the more prominent. When her stormy gaze landed on Nathan, her mouth tightened into a severe line, and she jerked on the hem of her navy blazer before marching across the room on four-inch heels.
She continued to glare as she assumed the seat next to him and placed a leather attaché case on the table. When she turned to focus on me, however, it was all big eyes and bright smiles.
“Julianna Preston,” she chirped, extending a slender hand with elegant, manicured nails across the table. “You must be Mr. Ramsey.”
