Deep frown lines etch into Nate’s tanned skin. “C’mon, Harley. Stop being petty and just go with the flow, would ya?”
Standing up straight, I clear my throat and hold his gaze. “I was only stating a fact.”
He can’t control me.
This is my choice to marry him.
It’s a win-win situation.
Nate gets out of hot water, the company remains intact, and I finally get to take the lead on one of his brilliant designs. For once, Harley McQueen will appear in the credits of a video game. I’ve waited years to see that happen. And for years, my father had insisted my talents were better suited to the marketing team. Until now…
Danika lines us up in front of a tropical background, ignoring the photographer, who looks irritated. “Closer,” she says, tugging on our shoulders. “Act like you like each other.”
“We don’t,” I counter.
“Speak for yourself, Queen.” Nate cups my face with his big hand. “I like you just fine.”
I peel his fingers from my face. “Keep your hands to yourself, King.”
“You know you like it.” He winks.
Teeth gritted, I give him a look that could cut through steel. “Wait until we get out of here.”
“Ooh.” He leans into me with his hard body. “You going to punish me?” Nate wets his lips. “Because I’m really looking forward to it.”
“You’re such a child,” I shoot back.
“What I want to do to you is very adult,” he challenges.
“Seriously?” I stare up at him, hands balled into fists at my sides. “I can kick your ass. I’ve done it before.”
He chuckles. “That was one time, and you took me off guard.”
“Admit it.” I grin like an idiot. “My Judo lessons paid off. And I embarrassed you.”
“I was drunk on skunked cans of Bud Light. It wouldn’t have taken much.”
I roll my shoulders. “So. I still beat you.”
For years, I tried to wrestle with Nate but never won. So, I begged my dad to let me take Judo lessons. A year of training gave me an advantage, and as I grew stronger, I could overpower Nate. He would jokingly pin me down with his strong arms and cover my body with his. Nate made every effort to touch me, except then he pretended we were gladiators, fighting the Greek army. Now that I’m older, I realize he was flirting with me. But I was that girl, the tomboy who didn’t know how to act like a girl. It never even occurred to me until years later that Nate liked me in unfriendly ways.
“Like this,” Danika says as she turns us. “And stop fighting, please. You need to look like you’re in love, not lust.”
“This is my set,” the photographer reminds her, with his camera in hand.
“And they’re my clients,” she spits back with fire behind her words. “Their engagement announcement must make a statement. People need to fall in love with them.”
“My set.” The photographer, a middle-aged man who barely speaks English, shoos her away with his hand. “My rules. If you don’t like them, I will have you removed.”
No one tells Danika what to do, which makes me laugh. Even Nate follows suit. Our loud mouth publicist is used to dishing it out, but she’s not used to getting it back. She terrifies most people, even grown men. But she’s the best in the business. Without Danika to diffuse delicate situations, the Titan Tech deal would be dead in the water. And because of her genius plan, Queen Takes King still has a fighting chance.
Danika scowls at the photographer. They share a quick moment, the heat between them close to melting my damn skin. Danika tips her head without another complaint, and her hair falls in front of her eyes. She pushes it away from her face and then steps to the side. Her assistant ambushes her, leaning over to whisper into her ear. A second later, Danika is on her cell phone, no longer worrying about us.
“This isn’t working.” The photographer snaps his fingers at us. “I need to feel it. And if I don’t feel it, no one will. Act like you’re in love.”
Easier said than done.
While he doesn’t know we’re not together for real, it must show. Nate won’t stop copping cheap feels, and I keep swatting his hand away. It’s not easy going from sort of enemies to fake lovers overnight. We have to work into that phase of our relationship.
Nate slides his hand behind my back and digs his fingers into my side, pulling me closer. “If you can’t pretend for the cameras, how the hell will you get through the interviews?”
I nudge him in the ribs with my elbow and then stand up straight, with my eyes on the photographer. “Unlike you, I’m a professional.”
Chapter Eight
Harley
Too many things are happening at once. I have a new office, a new job… and a new fiancé. I’m still trying to wrap my head around my decision to marry Nate. It’s for the good of the company, but Nate is making this hard already.