Bought (His For A Week)

“Try him again.”

“What’s your hurry?”

Ben wanted to finish his business with Jake sooner rather than later. He didn’t want to spend the whole week with the guy.

“My dad called asking for an update.”

“Fine,” Jake grumbled before pulling out his cell to make the call.

Ben only overheard the beginning of the conversation because he saw her at the top of the stairs. She was wearing his shirt and sweatpants and looking damn sexy in them. The sweatpants had drawstrings, and she had rolled up the bottoms, otherwise they would have been too long on her. Her full curls, no longer half straightened, were swept back in a hair tie, and she had removed her makeup. Their gazes met, and he was struck by how bright her eyes were.

Holding her half-eaten sandwich, she glanced over at Claire several times as she descended the stairs. He met her at the bottom. The bruise on her cheek had darkened in color, but the swelling had gone down.

“Thank you for the nap,” she said.

“Glad you got some rest,” he replied.

She stared at him with enough intensity, he almost shifted his weight. She was sizing him up again.

“Should I call you Ben or Master?” she asked.

“Ben for now. I’ll let you know when things change.”

She stiffened but gave a curt nod. She looked over at Claire.

“Do you mind if I talk to her?”

“Go ahead.”

He was ready to change out of his suit but decided against leaving the two women alone with Jake. He watched Montana approach Claire and put a hand on her shoulder.

“You doing okay?” she asked Claire.

Claire nodded.

“You want a turkey sandwich?”

“Hey!” Jake snapped to Ben. “Your slut’s not allowed to talk to mine unless I say it’s okay.”

Ben put his hands on his hips. “She’s just giving her a sandwich.”

Jake glared at Montana. “Fine. I was going to let her eat anyway.”

“So what did Tyrell say?”

“China’s not his first choice, obviously, but he’s willing to hear some numbers.”

“Two and a half million for a two-year deal. One-point-one million if it’s going to be one year.”

“You can do better than that. Marbury made two mill on one year.”

“Marbury is a beloved celebrity in Beijing. Nobody’s heard of Tyrell.”

“Make it one-point-three million.”

Ben thought it over. “Set up an in-person meeting, and I’ll consider it.”

“What, you don’t trust me to deliver the message?”