Fake Marriage Box Set

I stared at her for a long moment, watching as she fixed her challenging eyes on me and took a cool sip of her wine. Suddenly, I wondered who was judging whom here.

I shook my head, feeling almost shaken, and turned towards the papers she had brought. “What I'm really concerned about, if I'm being honest, are drone crashes and liabilities,” I told her.

“I figured as much,” Lexi said, nodding sagely. “We have reports on all of the issues that we've faced over the years. They should have been included in the documents that were sent over prior to this meeting.”

“They were,” I told her. “But what I really want is some sort of projection on what Orinoco can expect if we are to put your technology to use with our company.”

Lexi leaned back, studying me for a moment. “Well, that would depend on what exactly you were planning on using our technology for,” she said, a smile playing over her lips. “To be honest, you haven't really been clear on what you're hoping for. You know what we can do, but we have no idea what Orinoco's plan is for the next year or for the next five years.”

I frowned at her. “Obviously, we're hoping to incorporate drone deliveries into what we already do,” I said.

“Obviously,” Lexi said sardonically. “On all deliveries, though? On most deliveries? Until I know numbers, I'm afraid I can't really give you any sort of estimate on what you could expect this technology to cost your company.”

“So, what you're saying is that you're unprepared for this meeting,” I said, deliberately pushing her. It wasn't really a business tactic at this point. I just wanted to see what would happen when she snapped.

But instead of the rage that I was expecting, she just gave me a frosty look. “Perhaps if you hadn't waited until the last minute before changing everything to do with this meeting, I could have tailored it to better suit your needs,” she said. But that was the end of the cool confidence from her. In the next second, she was clapping a hand over her mouth and looking scared. “Sorry, I don't mean to be disrespectful. I'm just a bit nervous, that's all, and when I get nervous, I have a tendency to speak without thinking.”

I smiled at her. “Why don't you make it up to me?” I asked, giving her an obvious once-over that I'm sure did nothing to hide my intentions. “Let me take you out to dinner tomorrow night. There's this beautiful place that just opened on the top floor of the Columbia Tower. I can call in a favor or two and get us a table, even on short notice like this.” The truth was, I already had a reservation, since the last time I hadn't had a date on a Friday night must have been at least five years ago. But she didn't need to know that.

Her brow furrowed, and I thought for a moment that she was going to say no. But of course, she didn't. Instead, her protest was much more practical.

“Mr. Goldwright, you do realize I'm just an insurance analyst? If you're looking for some way to sweeten the deal for Orinoco, I'm not the person who you would need to wine and dine. I have no say in any of that. I'm just here to relay the facts to you.”

I laughed. “Oh, Lexi,” I purred, shaking my head. “Trust me when I say my thoughts are on anything other than business. From what I've seen, you're very beautiful and very intelligent. I like that in a woman. I admire that in a woman. I'm asking you to dinner purely for my own entertainment. And yours, I hope.”

She looked uncertain, and I wondered just how much of a prude she was. It had been a while since I’d had any woman prove to be a challenge. Usually, when they heard about my millions and saw my good looks, they were practically throwing themselves at my feet.

Lexi straightened a little, looking over my shoulder, and I could see that blush back on her cheeks. I wondered what it would take to cause it to darken. I wondered if she would blush when I laid her down in bed and stripped her bare.

“All right,” she finally agreed. “You can take me to dinner. But you're paying, Mr. Billionaire.”

“That's only fair,” I agreed, feeling a quick flash of disappointment at the fact that she had given in so easily. Maybe she was just the same as all the other women. I'd still take her to dinner, of course, because it would be rude to rescind the offer now. Anyway, I was still interested in her body, even if she proved to be dull in other respects. It was a shame, though. I really did want a challenge.

I suppressed a sigh and turned back to the papers in front of us, hurrying through her explanations so I could get her out of

my office and forget about how badly I needed something truly interesting in my life again.

Chapter Three

Lexi

I checked my reflection one last time and turned towards Misty, putting my hands on my hips. “You're sure you don't think it's too much?” I asked worriedly.

Misty snorted. “If anything, I think it's not enough,” she said. “You said he was taking you to that new place in Columbia Tower, didn't you? You realize that restaurant only seats about ten tables at a time? You have to know someone to get in there. And you have to have money to know someone. Plus, it's French. You're never going to look overdressed at a fancy French restaurant. That's the way I see it.”

I turned back towards the mirror. “Now you've got me worried that I'm underdressed,” I muttered.

“You look beautiful,” Misty said, catching my arms and pulling me back around, critically eyeing my simple black dress and turquoise jewelry. “God, I'd kill to have curves like yours!”

“You've got that cute petiteness to you, though,” I protested.

“And you've got boobs, a narrow waist, and a good ass,” Misty complained. “And a brain.”

I laughed. “You've got a brain,” I said.

“Sure, but nothing like yours, Ms. Statistician,” Misty said, rolling her eyes. A horn honked out front, and Misty turned me around, swatting my ass and sending me on my way. “I'll have my phone on,” she promised, before I could even ask. “Same as always. If anything goes bad, just shoot me a text, and I'll call with news of some disaster.”

I grinned at her. “You're the best,” I told her.