AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Scarlett grimaces. “But it’s nothing but lies.”
“Only to you, but only because you know the truth. They don’t know about you and me.” Holy shit, that would make a great song title. “The real you and me. I can see it—if we’re on each other’s side? We can convince the world ofanything.”
She takes a step back, and my hands fall away from her arms. I like touching her. When my hands are on her, I feel... connected to her. And now the connection is gone, just like that. “And what do I get out of this scenario, hmm? From my point of view, you’re the only one with all the benefits.”
“You finally become your own person. Not just that Lancaster girl or that heiress. You becometheScarlett Lancaster.”
“I already am Scarlett Lancaster.” She rolls her eyes, obviously frustrated with me.
“But how do people refer to you? Can your name stand on its own? Or is it always ‘the daughter of Fitzgerald Lancaster, Scarlett’? Wouldn’t you prefer everyone forgot ol’ Fitzy once and for all and focused only on his beautiful daughter instead?”
She’s quiet for a moment, staring at me, and I swear the city noise fades. Until I can’t hear anything but the sound of her breathing. The sweet lilt of her voice.
“You think I’m beautiful?” Her voice is barely a whisper, the doubt in her gaze...
Surprising.
I tilt my head, letting my gaze blatantly roam all over that beautifully etched face. The fine cheekbones and elegant nose and that damn sexy mouth. “Come on, Scar. Don’t you ever look in the mirror? You gotta know you’re stunning.”
She shrugs. Glances around as if what I said made her uncomfortable and she can’t meet my gaze. “I don’t know. I’ve been chasing after the same guy for years, and he never really notices me. Most of the time I feel like I’m invisible.”
That guy is a giant fuckup. And I’m going to take where he messed up with Scarlett and turn it into my opportunity.
“You’re definitely not invisible.” I take a step closer. “Forget him. Focus on me instead. Let him chase after you when he thinks you’re with me.”
“I doubt he’d even care.” She sinks her teeth into her lower lip, looking unsure.
I’d love to ask her why his opinion of her matters so much when he doesn’t seem that into her. She’s young and gorgeous and rich—there should be a ton of guys chasing after her.
But if I can convince everyone she’s mine...
Look, if she were actually taken, that guy—or girl, hey, you never know—would have been right by her side the entire time at her birthday party. I know if this girl were mine, I’d never let her out of my sight. She’s too damn beautiful to be ignored.
An idea hits me out of nowhere, and I decide to shoot my shot.
“Want to make that guy jealous?”
Her answer is immediate. “How could I do that?”
“Pretend you’re with someone else.” I grin. “Like me.”
She’s quiet for a moment, hopefully contemplating my idea. I shove my hands into my trouser pockets, waiting on her answer, hoping like hell she doesn’t turn me down.
“This could get messy,” she finally says.
My answer is immediate, my relief just on the horizon.
“Not if we get lawyers involved. My manager has a team of lawyers. They could have papers drawn up by tomorrow morning. You can add whatever clauses you want,” I suggest, feeling desperate.
Desperate for her to agree. Desperate for her to play pretend with me, just for a little while. Ineedthis record deal. I want it so fuckin’ bad I can practically taste it. And the only person who can help me get it is...
Her.
“There will be a nondisclosure included in the agreement, of course. Something that will protect us both. We wouldn’t want the truth to get out, that our relationship is fake,” I add, trying to reassure her.
“Right. Of course. That would be embarrassing.” She nods, her gaze finding mine yet again, hers troubled. “You really think people would believe we’re together?”
“They already think we’re together, Scar,” I say gently. “We’re all over the internet. I’m tagged in photos on social media all damn day and night. As a matter of fact...”
