The Fiancee Charade

She sucked in a deep breath.

‘I’ll pay you for your time.’

‘Of course you will,’ Kath piped up, stepping forward. ‘And I expect you’ll want her to incorporate herself into your day-to-day routine, so she can point out exactly what’s happening on a minute-by-minute basis?’

He blinked, and nodded. ‘Yes, that would be a good idea. I hadn’t thought about it. I just figure I need some guidance from one of your members when it comes to my attitude with women.’

Kath shot Jess a questioning look.

She swallowed hard. Kath had no idea what was going on—that she hadn’t vented it all on Calahan, that she’d fed him a false line. She looked at her friend. ‘I did my bit for Women Against Womanisers—seeing as he qualifies as a prize-winning jerk in the first degree. I told Calahan here as much, and exactly what I thought of him.’

Kath’s eyes widened, glinting. ‘Right.’ She swung to face Calahan. ‘And I’m sure your womanising activities extend far beyond dating and into every part of your life, Mr Calahan?’

He frowned. ‘No. Maybe. Possibly.’

‘So if my fellow member of our organisation here took time out of her valuable schedule to instruct you in the ways of the sensitive New Age man…?’

Jess stiffened, glaring at Kath, who’d cottoned onto the conversation far too quickly and was taking full advantage.

Calahan smiled at Kath, adjusting his tie and pulling back his shoulders. ‘Exactly what I’m after.’

What in heaven’s name was Kath getting her into? And why on earth would she want to follow Calahan around all day telling him what he was doing wrong?

She paused. It could be fun, screwing with his head. But, no—nothing could induce her. She had a business to run, clients to seduce away, and campaigns to wage against the Calahan empire. ‘Not a chance. You’re an arrogant son of a—’

Kath grabbed Calahan’s hand again and pumped it enthusiastically. ‘She’d be happy to help you out.’

Jess’s heart leapt to her throat. ‘Kath?’

‘You’re one of our most active members,’ she offered, widening her eyes at Jess. ‘So I’m sure you’ll sacrifice your time to help Mr Calahan back from the dark side. Goodness, Jess, you have to agree that the world can never have too many men trying to be more sensitive to a woman’s needs.’

Jess stared at Kath, her blood pounding in her veins. She was conscious of her mouth being open, of it drying, and of no words coming out.

‘You can’t tell me that you’d refuse to help a womaniser who’s addressing his problems?’ Kath took Jess to one side and rubbed her shoulder as though she could warm her to the idea. ‘Come on. You can sit in on his meetings,’ she said with a seductive lilt in her voice, ‘and follow him around as he talks with potential clients and stuff. Instruct him on where he’s getting it wrong. Won’t you?’

‘Will I?’ she said cautiously, then registered Kath’s words as they spun around her head, their significance seeping into every pore.

It made perfect sense. If they were ever going to have a chance of competing for business with this guy’s empire they had to know how the enemy ran his camp. And if, in the process, she happened to hear what companies were looking for representation, it wouldn’t be out of the question to use that information and offer them an alternative. Would it?

Jess bit her bottom lip to stop the smile threatening her cool expression. She was sure Calahan wouldn’t mind…It was business, and when it came to business with Calahan anything was fair. She turned to face him again.

‘I’d be awfully grateful,’ Calahan said smoothly, offering Jess a business card. ‘If you could get out of your usual job for a day and come to my office…say Wednesday…we’ll get on with it.’

Kath snatched the card from Calahan and nodded enthusiastically. ‘She’ll be there.’

Jess watched the most arrogant, irritating man in Sydney saunter back to his group, his head held high, his shoulders back, his irritating confidence oozing from every pore.

‘Oh-my-God.’ Jess forced herself to move, stalking to the front door of the fancy restaurant. ‘I can’t.’

Kath followed a step behind. ‘You can.’

She swung around to face her friend. ‘What did you do? Did you wake up this morning and decide that today you were going to destroy my life?’

‘You’re being melodramatic. This is going to save us.’ Kath linked her arm in hers, grinning. ‘Our prayers have been answered.’

Jess sighed. ‘I don’t think I can deliberately go and steal his clients…’ That would make her no better than him, and if there was one thing she never wanted, it was to be like Alexander Calahan.

‘What about you just get some dirt on the guy, then?’ Kath leant close. ‘You said yourself that the article had to be a lie. Get the proof.’

‘That would put a spanner in the works,’ she said slowly, mulling over the idea, feeling a weight lifting from her shoulders at the thought that she could do some good.

‘There’s no other way we can put one there.’

What could she say to that? Kath was right. This was a boon and a half. She just wished it didn’t involve her going anywhere near the man she loathed.

‘It’ll be fine. You’ll love it. You can point out all the guy’s faults and get paid for it too.’

Jess bit her lip, her body chilling. ‘But that would mean the article is genuine, wouldn’t it? If he really wants to change himself?’

‘Could be just another stunt?’

‘Yes.’ Kath was right. Cripes, it was what they’d come to expect from the guy—and if she was going to have to spend time with the handsome jerk she was going to make it count.

She’d spent long enough keeping score. It was time she took a shot herself.

Alexander Calahan wouldn’t know what hit him.

CHAPTER THREE

‘WHAT the hell is this?’ Lucas slapped the magazine down on the desk between them. ‘Have you gone mad? You’ve got everything. Why throw it all away by getting married?’

Alex shrugged. ‘You may be happy living the bachelor life indefinitely, but I, personally, am getting tired of it.’

His friend leant forward, leaning heavily on his desk. ‘How? You’re rich, you’re pretty good-looking, and you’ve got every woman in the city falling all over you. Why mess with perfection?’

Alex shrugged. ‘I need more. I’m bored.’ And his thirty-third birthday had been a turning point in his life—his father had been married by this age; it was time to step his life up another notch.

He swivelled the magazine around to face him. Declaring his new intentions to the women of the city would give him a head start. They’d know he was seriously thinking about settling down, so when he found one who touched him deeply she’d know he was serious.

And in the meantime he had Jess.

He leant back in the seat opposite Lucas, letting his gaze wander around the man’s office as his mind wandered over Jess again.

She was all woman—stubborn, but seriously sexy, with that long loose hair, as though she had no restrictions in her life. Her attempt at conservative clothing had taunted him with the passionate woman that pulsed underneath, just waiting for the right man.

What a challenge.

But not his. She was coming for one reason and for one reason only: to show him the art of a sincere seeker of love.

His blood warmed at the thought of seeing her again, his mind playing with him as he wondered what she’d be like. As forceful as last time? Or gentler, more understanding, as her realisation of his wanting to move to the next step in relationships sank in?

He tipped back on his chair. The woman had no business hating him—she didn’t even know him. Yet.

Alex folded his hands behind his neck. He would remedy that—and find out what in hell made the woman tick.

He couldn’t wait to see her—start bending her to his charms, softening her heart…

He shook himself. No. That wasn’t the idea.

He looked at his watch. Time was moving too slowly today. Hell, for the last five days. Why had he thought he could wait so long before his lessons began?

Logic ruled that the woman probably had a life to reschedule, but the waiting was killing him. It was hard to imagine he could be doing anything wrong—anything that would put a woman off falling head over heels in love with him—but for some reason it just wasn’t happening.

Lucas stood up and stalked across his office, stroking his goatee. ‘You’re delusional. The last thing you need in your life is a wife.’

‘You’re wrong, Lucas.’ Alex shook his head, kicking back in the chair and lifting his feet onto his friend’s desk. ‘I need a woman. A lover. A mate. I need to put the sort of time and commitment into a relationship that I have into building this business.’

‘No. You’ve had plenty of relationships and look at you. Still single.’ Lucas inclined his head. ‘And still smiling.’

Alex swung his feet down to the floor and stood up, smoothing down his trousers and buttoning his jacket. ‘I’m not smiling when I go home to an empty apartment.’

‘Get a dog.’

‘I have a dog. It’s time for me to marry.’ Alex strode to the door.

And it was time to show his father he could do better than him in his personal life—as he had in his business one. He would have the perfect life that his parents had failed at, and give his children the stability that he hadn’t had.

He gripped the door handle, glancing at his friend. He wouldn’t mind coming home to someone who was going to be interested in his day, his goals, and his dreams for the future.

‘No.’ Lucas pointed at the magazine still lying on the desk. ‘I can’t believe it. Tell me it’s a ruse.’

Alex shook his head. ‘I assure you that I’m hellbent on this. There’s no way on the planet that I want to continue with these shallow flings for the next few decades. They leave me with nothing but a bigger void to fill.’

‘Get a girlfriend, then. A proper one. One who isn’t looking for a good time and a large bank account.’

Alex threw up his arms. ‘That’s the idea. And if she works out then I’ll make her permanent.’

Lucas ran a hand through his short hair. ‘So I’m guessing you have a game plan for how to achieve this insane goal of yours, like you usually do?’

‘Absolutely.’ Alex strode down the hallway to his own office. ‘Like with everything else in my life, I’m the one in control—and I’ll have the future I make for myself by using all the resources available to me.’

Lucas followed him. ‘So what are you planning? I don’t like surprises.’

Alex had to like Lucas. He was his best friend, vice-president and his corporate lawyer, and always looking out for his best interests. ‘It’s all about actions reflecting goals. I know what I have to do.’

‘You have something up your sleeve?’ Lucas eyed Alex with narrowed eyes. ‘I can see you’re up to something already.’

Alex couldn’t help but smile. ‘I’m all over the problem.’

‘How?’

He slowed, slipping his hands into his trouser pockets. ‘You know I have a reputation as a womaniser?’

Lucas gnawed his bottom lip. ‘As evidenced by that woman on Friday night. What I would give for a woman like that to come up to me…minus the drink in the face, of course. And that outburst—that was harsh.’

‘She was perfect.’

‘She was crazy.’ Lucas stroked his goatee again, shaking his head. ‘Ignore her.’

‘Not a chance. She’s perfect,’ he said slowly, the memory of the fire in her eyes sliding through him like warm honey.

‘Well, she was certainly beautiful.’ Lucas nodded. ‘And feisty. And she’ll make wonderful babies with you…if only she didn’t hate you.’

He had to smile. ‘Not a problem since all I need from her is her wisdom and advice on ousting my womanising ways.’

‘You’re going to make her fall in love with you, aren’t you?’ Lucas leant against a wall. ‘Because if you can make her love you then you can make anyone?’

Alex frowned. ‘I hadn’t thought of that.’

‘Think about it.’ Lucas crossed his arms over his chest, a gleam shining in his eyes. ‘Then you could make a try at the big one.’

Alex closed his eyes. ‘Natasha Bradford-Jones,’ he said slowly, thinking about the woman who had evaded his charms and advances by being tantalisingly unavailable, with this fiancé or that one. Until now.

But somehow he couldn’t get enthused about Natasha with Jess filling his mind and senses.

Jess and him.

The thought of romancing Jess sang in his veins, but the thought of anything more—that he could get anyone, maybe even Natasha Bradford-Jones of the Double Bay Bradford-Joneses—was incongruous.

‘Natasha’s available,’ Lucas said softly.

‘Now you’re being crazy.’

Lucas threw up his hands. ‘But I’m right. Come on. I know you…how can you resist a challenge?’

Alex wasn’t going to argue with his friend. Lucas had listened, given his views, and now it was up to him and him alone to make a decision—no matter how flawed.

‘Here’s the first challenge now.’ Lucas stepped back so Alex could see her, standing in the foyer. ‘Hell, she’s a looker.’

Lucas was right. She was stunning. And passionate. And from the way she was glaring at him—her eyes narrowed and her mouth pulled thin—he’d have to do a lot of smooth talking to get her to like him, let alone fall for him.

He strode up to her. ‘Jess.’

‘Calahan.’

He ignored her cool tone. He hadn’t expected anything less. Had he? Had he hoped in some juvenile way that just meeting him again would change her mind about him? That somehow his suave ways and charms would thaw the brick of icy armour she had standing between them?

It didn’t matter. She’d come round eventually. They were going to spend a fair bit of close time together, that would give her a better perspective of him, show her what she was missing by hating men.

‘This is my good friend and colleague Lucas,’ Alex offered, straightening his tie.

She clasped Lucas’s hand. ‘Pleased to meet you.’

Lucas shook her hand, his smile widening and his chest filling out. ‘I hear you’re going to try to straighten out this lad and his debauched ways.’

She shrugged. ‘I’ll do what I can.’

Alex had to smile at her lack of enthusiasm. But he’d show her he was seriously committed to this, and then things would change.

Lucas slapped him on the back, his eyes on Jess, his face all smiles for the woman. ‘I’ll leave you to your lost cause.’

She nodded, watching Lucas leave as though she wanted him to stay.

A chill ran through Alex’s chest as he watched her gaze follow Lucas all the way back down the hall. Did she like Lucas? That would be a disappointment. For her. He was worse than Alex at finding love, and had no intention of changing his reputation or his ways with women at all.

Alex shrugged, turning his attention solely to the woman he’d hired to help him. She was simply dressed, making the point that she hadn’t gone to any extra effort for him—just cream trousers, a tunic and the same taupe jacket as last week.

She looked incredible.

‘Is that what you think I am?’ he asked, unable to resist probing her thoughts. ‘A lost cause?’

She lifted a finely arched eyebrow.

‘Do you think I’m just some arrogant playboy looking for a good excuse to tie up a beautiful woman by my side all day?’

She pursed her full lips. ‘I wouldn’t put it past you.’

‘At least you’re honest.’

‘Can I say the same about you?’

Alex crossed his arms over his chest. ‘You don’t really want to be here, do you?’

She shook her head. ‘No, but I’m hoping you’re going to make it worth my while.’

He nodded, but the familiar focus on money chafed at him. Why he was surprised he had no idea. It was what made the world go round, what women were always thinking of to fund their next shopping fix.

Alex slid a gold pen from his jacket pocket and scribbled a figure on a piece of paper. ‘What’s your day job?’

‘Much the same as this,’ she lied, her voice sweet and low. ‘But enough about me. Let’s talk about…you.’

He straightened and handed her the paper. Whoever had screwed her over had done it big-time. Her abhorrence for this job—and him—was obvious. And Lucas was right. He couldn’t help feel the thrill of the challenge ahead of him.

Would it take long to learn serious relationship etiquette? And would it take longer to teach her to like men again?

‘Is that enough to compensate you for putting up with me all day?’ he asked tightly.

She glanced at the paper. ‘Are you this big a bastard?’

He couldn’t help but smile. ‘You have to ask?’

She managed a smile too, meeting his gaze with fiery green eyes, jerking her chin up and her shoulders back. ‘Of course you are. Silly me. You’re the most arrogant ass in the city. I should wonder that there are any women left for you to screw over.’

He rubbed his chin. ‘There are a couple I’ve had my eye on…But they’re from good families with real marriage potential and I don’t want to mess it up this time.’

She bared her teeth in a forced smile. ‘I’ll do all I can to help you see the error of your ways.’

Alex clapped his hands, the buzz of anticipation sizzling through him. ‘Great.’

Step one accomplished. Agreement to the task at hand, and the sacrifice of spending time with him.

He had nothing to worry about.

He’d have no problem at all in running through the protocol for lasting relationships, mastering it, then pursuing and obtaining the woman of his dreams and having the perfect life.

Then he’d have everything. He’d be happy. And not even his father could take that away from him.

Jess followed Alexander Calahan’s more than sexy body to his office, pinching herself on the leg as she went. This couldn’t be happening. She was living her darkest nightmare.

She’d thought of standing the guy up—thought of leaving the country or just staying under the warm covers of her bed this morning. But she couldn’t have lived with disappointing Kath. Not when Kath believed in her crazy plan to take on Calahan and destroy him when no one else would.

Just the thought of spending time with Attila of the ad world made her blood drain to her toes. Actually being with him was surreal.

Seeing him standing in the foyer, in a killer tailored suit that hugged his wide shoulders and hunky body to perfection, with his smooth shave and sexy mouth, with his blue gaze on her like that, had made her nerves quiver.

She touched the piece of paper in her trouser pocket. At least she’d be reasonably compensated for putting up with him.

She could do this. It shouldn’t take long to weasel the truth out of Calahan about his latest publicity stunt and knock this silly bride idea on the head. As if he’d be serious. Did he really think she was going to swallow this act of his?

She shook her head, still following Calahan. Kath owed her big-time for this.

‘Mrs Samuels, this is Jess. She’ll be consulting with me today,’ Calahan stated smoothly to an older woman sitting at a desk in front of a set of double doors. ‘Jess, this is Mrs Samuels, my secretary. If you have any questions or problems, she’s the one to ask.’

Jess managed to nod to the woman.

‘She’s one of the natural wonders of the world,’ he offered, moving to the doors. ‘She’s the mother of five boys, grandmother to two girls, and still manages to run my office and organise my life for me.’

Jess darted a second look to the woman, then to Calahan. He sounded…as if he cared…as though he were nice.

Calahan flung open the double doors.

An office of conference room proportions lay before them. The impossibly large mahogany desk stood close to floor-to-ceiling windows that framed a magnificent vista of the city. A deep brown leather lounge sat to one side of Jess, pot plants, artworks and a bar to the other.

He strode into the room and swung around to face her, the smile on his face like a schoolboy’s. ‘You like?’

She bit her bottom lip, jerking her attention away from his too blue eyes, walking slowly into the room.

Only in her wildest dreams could she imagine working in an office this amazing—with glorious views, lavish furniture, and so much space.

She turned back to Calahan slowly, quelling the excitement rising in her belly, counting the stunts he had to have pulled, the clients he had to have stolen, the lives he’d wrecked to get this.

‘Over-compensating, are we?’ she blurted.

He blinked, touching his jaw as though she’d slapped him.

The doors closed behind her. Mrs Samuels?

‘Come on,’ she goaded, moving across to the windows, clamping down the response rising in her throat at the incredible view. ‘What are you saying with this? That you’ve got no talent, no personality, nothing to offer except a load of money?’

Calahan crossed his arms over his formidable chest. ‘I know you’re here to be honest, but—’

She lifted her chin, a bubble of excitement rising up in her chest because she’d hit home. ‘Are you feeling threatened?’ she lilted, narrowing her gaze.

He shook his head. ‘No, not at all,’ he said easily, spreading his arms wide. ‘This is for the clients—to show them how successful this company is and highlighting all the talent I employ. I personally wouldn’t mind working in a six-foot-square cubicle.’

Jess pursed her mouth tight. Sure. She was really meant to believe that? She stared out at Sydney, his formidable presence behind her giving her the impression she was hunting a tiger in his own jungle.

She shouldn’t be here.

She dragged in a deep breath and swung around. ‘So, how about we get started? Are you going to a meeting? Touring your workplace? What? I think it best if I just observe you.’

‘I thought we’d start right here.’ Calahan reduced the distance between them. ‘I figure I’ll run past you my modus operandi for getting the ladies, and you can tell me if I’m mucking it up.’

Jess took a step backwards, pressing her back against the cool glass, her heart leaping into her throat. ‘What?’

‘I figure my whole approach might be wrong for attracting a serious relationship.’ He shrugged, as though he didn’t quite believe it could be. ‘But let’s run through it, and you can tell me if there’s anything not quite right, okay?’

She opened her mouth, but the protests wouldn’t come. His stormy blue eyes were far too bright, his sexy kiss-me lips curving softly, his bearing far too confident. And he was getting far too close.

‘You have the most beautiful eyes,’ he murmured with all sincerity, and he moved even closer to her.

She watched the space between them disappear, her pulse skittering. Role-playing? She was meant to endure his pick-up lines and charm? First-hand?

Oh, gawd.

‘They called to me from across the room,’ he murmured softly, leaning down towards her.

She could smell the softly spiced scent of his cologne, could feel the heat of his body emanating from him, could feel his words brush her neck, making spirals of sensation sizzle down her spine. ‘I—’

He put an arm on the window above her and leant closer, staring into her eyes as though he wanted to drown in them, as though he could stay right where he was for ever.

Her breath snagged in her throat, her heart thundering in her chest. What in heaven’s name was he doing to her?

She hated men. Womanisers. Him.

His gaze drifted down to her lips. ‘Say the words I want to hear,’ he murmured, his breath against her ear.

Jess dragged in a breath, opening her mouth, willing her brain to work over the rush of heat through her veins. This guy was dangerous to every woman on the planet.

His gaze drifted again to her lips, something glittering deep in his eyes, dark and dangerous.

She moistened her lips instinctively, with only one thought spiralling through her mind.

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Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».