‘Apparently so,’ he said, as if he found it impossible to believe that anyone would dare.
‘Astounding.’
‘Quite.’
‘Don’t you think faking an engagement to facilitate a business deal falls somewhat short of the integrity you’re keen on showing him you have?’
His jaw tightened and his expression hardened. ‘Once the papers are signed it won’t matter.’
Did he really mean that? He must. After all, she had direct experience how single-minded and immovable he could be when he wanted something, didn’t she? ‘How long do you think it’s going to take?’
‘As long as is necessary.’
‘What if the deal never comes off?’
‘That’s not going to happen.’
Hmm. ‘Yes, well, while your confidence is impressive,’ she said, managing to inject a pleasing note of disdain into her voice, ‘I’d be happier if we put a time limit on things.’
He arched one dark eyebrow. ‘Conditions, Kate?’
‘It’s a fair one, you have to admit.’
‘You’re in no position to negotiate.’
Damn. He had her there. ‘So that’s a no?’
‘That’s very much a no.’
Then she’d better put her back into this ridiculous farce so that Daniel Bridgeman sold Theo his company asap and she could get on with her life. ‘I have another one,’ she said coolly. ‘One that’s not as easy to dismiss.’
‘Oh?’
‘I might have agreed to this little charade, fake engagement, whatever, but I do not consent to kissing or inappropriate touching or anything else like it.’
For a moment Theo didn’t respond. Instead, his gaze dropped to her mouth and for some reason the temperature inside the car rocketed. Her head spun and her mouth went dry and an unforgivable punch of lust hit her in the gut.
‘I wasn’t aware I’d asked you to,’ he said, sounding so in control, so uninterested, she envied him.
‘Just making sure.’
‘I’ll keep it in mind.’
And she ought to keep in mind the reason she was here—the blackmail. ‘So my job is to enhance your personality and show Mr Bridgeman your softer side?’ she said, pulling herself together and focusing.
‘Yes.’
‘A Herculean task when you don’t have one.’
‘I have no doubt you are up to the challenge.’
‘Aren’t you concerned I might muck it up?’
‘Why would you do that?’
‘I’ve never had a boy
friend, let alone a fiancé.’