Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
He’s probably suspicious that I told the barista working up there to throw a dash of arsenic into whatever a man who matched his description—tall, dark, deliciously assed in the ass department, way too hunky in a black dress shirt and dress pants, probable mommy issues with a side of possible daddy issues too, and burning dark eyes—decided to walk in and order.
Obviously, I didn’t because I’m not into harming people and going to jail, and also, half this city could probably match that description.
I wouldn’t have gone into detail about how the rest of his muscled body looks positively divine in his clothes or how, right now, he looks wickedly broody enough to make all my lady bits swoon on the spot.
Too much information.
Also, why the hell can’t I stop ogling his ass?
Mont turns around, coffee in hand, and I snap my eyes back to the table. I don’t have to fake being worried and pissed because I’ve been in a natural state of that since I found out about his hostile takeover.
“Hello, Not Genevieve,” he says in a smooth, deep voice that sends a spicy shiver racing through me.
“Hello, Mr. Hostile Takeover, Grudge Holder, Take Things Way Too Far, And I’ll Buy A Company, But I Won’t Tell My Mother To Stop Ruling My Life.”
He drops into the chair with too much grace. He’s absolutely lethal as he sits there, and I can’t stop noticing. It’s a thing, and my vagina hasn’t gotten the memo that this is the enemy. We do not get fluttery about the enemy. Shivery, tingly, whatever…
She’s getting tingly. Who knew a vagina could also literally be an asshole?
“That? No, I did have a conversation about it. I said I was off the market because I had met someone. And it’s pretty much love at first sight. All the swooning, all the heart-stopping stoppage, and all the mushy and gushy and romantic things. I said that I think she’s the one.”
What the fuck-a-duck? He’s not still playing at this fake girlfriend bullshit, is he? If that’s what this is about, he’s not going to be successful in backing me into a blackmail corner.
I like to pretend I’m not heading straight for that corner. My back is not touching the wall. I’m perfectly casual, and I get my outraged mutter on. “Mmm. So you couldn’t just be honest?”
He’s so smooth that he doesn’t even crack a miniscule expression. “That’ll come later. After I get my heart stomped all over when it doesn’t work out with my current love interest and when I’m taken off the market for good because I need time to heal and get myself back together. I’ll throw myself into work—a legit excuse because I just bought a new company—and eventually, because I’m not looking and not being forced, I’ll meet a nice woman for real. A woman who would never dream of tearing my heart out. A woman who loves me for more than just my money. A lovely woman who has a great sense of humor and is unfailingly honest.”
“Oomph. Sounds boring. But then, having to fake losing one’s heart and then getting it broken is also pretty boring. Count me out. You can make up a woman for months and not have to worry about introducing her to your parents before delivering the bad news. They never even have to meet her.”
“The thing is, my mom is a little like a bloodhound, and I’ve already given her your name. She’s looked you up, so she knows where you live and where you work.”
Do not do the mouth drop. Do not. Do not gape at him. Do not give him the satisfaction.
“Then she’ll know it’s a conflict of interest.”
“She won’t mind that in the least. She’s so excited that we’ll be working together, or at least distantly together. This is a new chapter in my life. She can’t wait to meet the woman who got me excited about a new business venture and gave me a new lease on life.”
“In a week?”
“It’s technically been ten days.”
A whole bunch of head shaking. That’s me, sitting there like a broken doll with my neck lolling all over because I’ve somehow lost a heck of a lot of stuffing somewhere along the way, and I didn’t even notice. I came prepared to dictate the terms, and somehow, he’s turned this all around. He’s had too much time to think about it. A lot can happen in a week, I guess.
A lot has happened to me, too. Most of it has been anxiety and horror-based, and it’s all because of this too-handsome man with the overly smug expression. I’m not going to agree to this, but I need to get out my metaphorical shovel and start digging myself out of this ridiculous situation.
It’s time to lay it all out on the table. “I’ve decided that should you do anything to meddle with my job or future prospects at the company, or my prospects anywhere else in the world with any company, I will report you for harassment. If you’ve already told your mom about me, she’ll believe it. Or at least wonder if it could have happened. You might not lose credence with the rest of the world, but she’ll never think of you the same way again. You’ll disappoint her, and a mom’s disappointment is not cool.” His eyes flash. Ooh, I’ve poked the bear. But now that I’ve started, I can’t stop. “Don’t worry. It won’t be sexual. I would never lie about something like that. I think the truth would be worse. That you blackmailed me into being a fake girlfriend at the risk of losing my job. I’ll tell her how I faked being Gen so she could get out of a date she never wanted to go on in the first place and how you were so spiteful that you bought the company I worked at just to get me under your thumb. Yeah, that’s a pretty ugly truth, no? I think it would leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. Sure, I’m the jerk who faked being my bestie to take one for the team, but you’re the epic mega jerk who took it to a whole different level when he could have just left things alone, had a good laugh, and gone on his merry way.”