Okay, so I shouldn’t have called him a douche. But he dated three women at one time.
“Well, thanks—”
“Not finished.” I held up my hand. “But you’re going to have to be straight with me. I’m not going to be jerked around like some prize pony. I want to know exactly what we’re doing and exactly what we’re both getting out of it.”
He nodded slowly. “All right. Well, I’m going to need you to make off and on appearances with me for the next two weeks until we leave for the Caribbean. This town is swarming with paparazzi at every street corner—we’re going to have to commit if we want to sell it.” He paused for a moment, as if waiting for me to object, but when I stayed quiet, he rushed on. “In exchange, I give you the money. And cover all expenses.”
“Off and on appearances…” I glanced in the mirror and saw a wilted ballerina dressed like a twelve-year-old staring back. “…if you think it will help.”
“I do.”
“Then I’ll commit and help sell the girlfriend ploy for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Just remember. You can’t fix all your problems by writing a check.”
“I know that. And I’ll never do this again. I’m just so thankful you’re taking this job.”
“It’s an easy job. And I’m broke right now.” I downed the rest of the coffee, engine revving up as I recapped the game plan. “So you trick people into thinking you’re a half-decent human being, and I get a wad of cash. Sounds reasonable to me.” He shot me a comical look and I shrugged. “I watch a lot of television.”
“I’m a decent human being. Just because I date lots of women, and have been labeled a playboy, that shouldn’t make you think any less of me. I’m not ready to settle down. I don’t even want a girlfriend. I just want to have fun, be carefree, and run my business. I’m not ready to settle anytime soon. What’s so wrong with that?”
“It’s okay to enjoy a bachelor lifestyle,” I said. “But I would never date a man who was dating two other women right along with me. I just have more self-respect than that.”
“Well, you’re in luck. I have just settled down with you. You’ve swept me off my feet, and there’s only you in my life.”
“The world will think I’ve tamed you…until our Caribbean escapade is over.”
“It’s a wonderful business arrangement for both of us,” he said. “Once the papers are signed, we’ll casually break up in a big public spectacle.”
“And you’ll go back to your old lifestyle? Being a billionaire playboy who can’t handle his tequila. Flying off to Vegas and having wild sex.”
“You’ve Googled me, I see.”
“You had sex on an elevator with a showgirl.”
“She was my high school sweetheart. Funny how they leave that out. I went to Vegas to win her heart back.”
My gaze narrowed. “I take it you didn’t get the girl?”
“No, I didn’t. Money can’t buy everything.”
“I suppose it can’t,” I said softly.
“I could buy anything I wanted. But not her.”
“I’m seeing another side to you. I’m getting to know the man behind the wallet just a tiny bit more.”
Money. Women. A good time. They all came easily to Marcus. And maybe there was something deeper out there for him. I knew there was, but he just wasn’t ready for that leg of his journey. Maybe one day he’d grow up. But for now, it was my job to help him keep his client. Marcus told me his client believed strongly in monogamy, so much so that he didn’t want to be associated with Marcus and his crazy antics and outrageous newspaper headings. Marcus told me he had quit drinking and only drank socially now. I would tell his client that I had tamed him, that I had won his heart, and Marcus had given up his old lifestyle. If his rich client believed it, he might give his account back to Marcus.
I also thought Marcus was hurt from the old girlfriend that he tried to win back. Maybe when he couldn’t win her heart, he just went wild. Maybe he dated and drank too much to get his mind off the woman he loved, the woman who rejected him. Maybe he wanted to numb the grief. I knew I sometimes did that.
There was a momentary pause as Deevus hopped up onto the counter. He stared at Marcus, then rubbed up against him. Markus petted him, and it was adorable to see him love animals so much.
“This is a great opportunity for me,” I said. “I was practically getting kicked out of my apartment. So I can’t thank you enough. I’m a good actress, and I’m going to play the part well. I’ll give you an Oscar-worthy performance. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
“There’s more than just a paycheck. You’ll get to travel. Get to shop. Get your hair and makeup done by professionals.”