Fake Wife (Taming The Bad Boy Billionaire 8)

He nodded, then turned in his seat to face me. “When was the last time you sparred?”

“It’s been a while.”

His laughter filled the car and warmed me to my toes.

He leaned over the center console. “I never stopped. Think you got what it takes to beat me now?”

I smirked. “You brought me here for a duel?” Why was that idea so incredibly hot right now? Fencing with Charlie had always been fun and games, but for some reason this time it already felt different. A fight for dominance, for control, for him to prove to me that he was strong enough.

His blue eyes glittered and he moved even closer. “Afraid to take me on?”

Afraid to lose maybe was what I thought. “I’m a little rusty, but I never forgot the moves. It’s like riding a bike, right?”

“Well, still, I’ll let you take a refresher course first, just because I’m a nice guy like that. I don’t want to show you up too bad.”

“Whatever,” I said with a grin. “Let’s go.”

Inside, he walked right past the waving receptionist who had a phone to her ear and the most awful pink zebra-striped manicure I’d ever seen.

“Um, shouldn’t we check in or pay or something?” I asked, confused.

He just smiled at me and continued walking, till we reached a large room at the end of the hall for sparring.

“Hey, Boss. What’s up? Another newbie?” asked a man who walked up to us.

Wait. Boss? I thought, looking curiously at Charlie before I turned my attention back to the stranger. “Newbie? Absolutely not,” I said, planting my hands on my hips. “I’m just...a little out of practice.”

The man nodded. “We’ll definitely sharpen up those skills again.” He looked at Charlie. “What plan did she purchase?”

“Plan? We didn’t even stop by the desk.” I peered at Charlie and my mouth fell open before I quickly got over my shock. “Wait. Did he just call you boss?”

“This is my studio,” he answered, holding his arms out wide to encompass the room. “What do you think?”

“Huh? You own this place?” I asked in awe.

“Yeah. It cost me every penny I had, hence the reason I’m broke,” he added.

“You must’ve had a lot of money saved.”

“I cashed a 10,000-dollar check from my buddy’s grandmother. She paid me a consulting fee.”

“You do grandmothers now too?” I joked, playfully nudging him. “You gigolo, you.”

“Ha ha. No, it wasn’t like that. I swear to you it was strictly business.”

“You could’ve easily taken out a thousand bucks for the money you owe me.”

“Starting a business is major money-sucker, but I wanted to do something I love, so it’s perfect. We’re really just starting out, but people are coming from all the surrounding towns to sign up. We’re all booked up for six months.”

I smiled, prouder of him than I’d ever been and hated to admit it. “I’m impressed, but what’s going to happen when you leave in two years?”

“That’s a long time from now, a bridge to cross when we get there.”

“You bought this to keep yourself busy?”

“I have to make a living over the next two years. I don’t want to live off my inheritance like some lazy slob. I want to go to work like everyone else. And I know this is something that I will enjoy. I figure I can make this a success, and then sell it for more when I leave.”

“Do you have any idea where you want to go?”