Chapter 5
COLT
Ilounged in the back room of the Faux dating agency, trying to look like I hadn’t spent the entire night staring at my ceiling, willing sleep to come.
It hadn’t worked.
The dream was back. The one I’d managed to avoid for months.
It was the same one that left me sweating and gasping for air in the dark.
Last night, it had hit me full force. Worse than it had been in a long time.
I’d woken up at four with my heart trying to punch through my ribcage.
No matter what I did, I hadn’t been able to fall back asleep.
I blamed the empty bed. I had gone home alone and I always slept more soundly after I worked out all my energy making a woman come undone over and over.
Plus, if there had been a hot little thing in my bed, when I woke up from a nightmare, I would have just buried myself in her to banish the old demons. It was the best medicine.
So here I was, exhausted and on edge, waiting for Hallie to walk through that door so I could pitch her the most insane idea I’d ever had.
The door to the conference room opened, and a young woman—early twenties, blonde, too much makeup—poked her head in with a bright smile. “Mr. Jesson? Can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea? Water?”
I forced myself to sit up straighter and turn on the charm. “Coffee would be great, sweetheart. Two sugars. The real stuff.”
She giggled and I turned it up a notch.
“You know,” I said, letting my gaze drift over her in a way that made her cheeks flush. “You have the most incredible eyes. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“Oh my gosh, thank you.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, practically melting. “I’ll get that coffee for you right away.”
“Take your time,” I said, flashing her a grin. “I’m not going anywhere.”
She disappeared, and I slumped back in my chair, the exhaustion crashing over me again. The charm was automatic at this point. It was a reflex I couldn’t turn off even when I was running on fumes. It was easier to flirt than to think about the nightmare still clinging to the edges of my mind.
The door opened again, and I straightened, expecting the blonde with my coffee.
Instead, Della walked in. The woman was a character. When I first met her, I really thought she was playing a role. It didn’t take long to figure out she was really that eccentric. Like old school mob wife with a dash of streetwalker, a la Pretty Woman.
She was one of a kind.
But Della’s appearance wasn’t what made my breath catch. Because right behind her was Hallie.
She looked different in the daylight. Less polished, more real.
She wore jeans that hugged her curves in a way that should’ve been illegal, and an oversized sweatshirt that somehow made her look even sexier than she had in that gown.
Her long black hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and her face was bare of makeup, revealing a smattering of freckles across her nose.
How the hell did she look this good in casual wear? I knew some women were prettier without makeup, but Hallie was enchanting.
I stood up, moving toward her on instinct, reaching for her hand. But something in her eyes made me pause. A flicker of what? Panic? Anger? Recognition?
No, that couldn’t be right. We’d never met before the gala. I would remember someone like her. Those curves were unforgettable.
“Mr. Jesson,” Della said smoothly. “May I introduce Hallie Bellrose? This is who you’ve requested as a faux date.”
“Faux fiancée,” I corrected, my eyes still locked on Hallie.
Hallie’s face went pale. Then red. Then she started backing toward the door.
“Fiancée?” Hallie repeated. “I don’t know about all that.”
I looked at Della. “I didn’t have a chance to give her the details,” she said. “Although I did say it was long term.”
“Absolutely not,” Hallie said, her voice tight. “No. No way. I’m leaving.”
“Wait.” Della stepped between Hallie and the door, holding up her hands in a placating gesture. “Just hear him out, Hallie. The terms are very generous.”
“I don’t care how much he’s offering,” Hallie shot back. “I’m not doing this.”
“It’s over a hundred thousand, actually,” I said, crossing my arms. “Just to be clear.”
Hallie turned to stare at me. I could practically see the wheels turning in her head.
Della jumped in before Hallie could bolt again.
“Here’s the deal. You would agree to play the part of Colt’s fiancée until Valentine’s Day.
There would be a wedding ceremony—a large one, with all the appropriate fanfare—but no legal paperwork would be signed.
After the ceremony, you’d remain ‘married’ until July.
Six months total. Then the contract ends, and you’re free to go your separate ways. ”
“A fake wedding,” Hallie said slowly, like she was trying to wrap her head around the concept. “You want me to fake marry him.”
“He wants you to fake marry him, but yes,” Della confirmed.
Hallie glared at me. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Hallie,” Della said. “We try not to judge here.”
“Do you have any idea how insane that sounds?” Hallie’s voice rose slightly, her composure cracking. “I’d be known forever as Colt Jesson’s ex-wife. That’s not exactly a selling point for my future dating life.”
“Being my actual wife would be worse,” I said, unable to resist. “At least this way, you get to walk away with a small fortune and some fun stories.”
Her eyes flashed. “I’d rather throw myself in the Hudson in the middle of January.”
“That seems a bit dramatic,” I said, fighting back a grin. “The Hudson is freezing this time of year. Hypothermia sets in within minutes.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
Della shot me a look that clearly said shut up and let me handle this. I leaned back against the conference table, content to watch Hallie squirm.
“Let’s talk numbers,” Della said, her tone shifting to pure business. “You would make more on this one job than you would on the dating side of things.”
“Then let’s sweeten the deal,” I said. “I’ll pay you seventy-five thousand dollars up front. Another seventy-five after the wedding. And a final payment of a hundred thousand in July when the contract expires. That’s two hundred and fifty grand total.”
“A quarter million dollars? How desperate are you?” Hallie’s jaw tightened. I could see her trying to maintain her resolve, but that much money was hard to ignore. I knew because I’d spent half the night calculating exactly how much it would take to make this worth her while.
“That’s a lot of money, Hallie,” I said, dropping my voice a little. It was like baiting a fish. She was so close. I didn’t want to scare her away. “What would you do with it?”
“That’s none of your business.”
No one said anything for several long seconds.
The tension in the room was thick. I didn’t totally understand her reaction.
I knew pretending to marry me was a big deal, but I wasn’t an ogre.
Most women would jump at the offer without needing the fat paycheck.
They’d be scheming to convince me to marry them for real.
And Hallie wrinkled her nose at me like I was a dirty diaper on the sidewalk.
“I’ll give you two some privacy,” Della said, slipping out of the room before either of us could question the logic of that decision.
The door clicked shut, and suddenly the conference room felt much smaller.
Hallie crossed her arms over her chest. I tried not to notice the way the gesture pushed her breasts up slightly. Focus, Colt.
“This is insane,” she said. “You know that, right?”
“Probably.” I moved around the table, putting some distance between us before I did something stupid like reach for her. “But it solves both our problems.”
“What problems could you possibly have?” she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re a billionaire. You have everything.”
“Except a decent reputation.” I sat down, gesturing for her to do the same. She didn’t. “My investors are losing faith in me. My customers think I’m a joke. How can I sell engagement rings when the world sees me as a man who can’t commit?”
“Maybe stop sleeping with everything that moves.” She shrugged. “I just saved you a quarter million dollars.”
“Tried that. Didn’t take.” I grinned at her outraged expression. “Look, I need to clean up my image before Valentine’s Day. Our busiest season. You obviously need money. I’m not judging, but if you’re willing to suffer through a date with John, I’m guessing you need money.”
“Still none of your business,” she muttered.
I leaned back in my chair. “Would it really be so bad to fake it with me? You did it last night with John. This is just longer term.”
“With significantly higher stakes.” She finally sat down but perched on the edge of the chair, back stiff. “What exactly would I have to do? Six months is a long time.”
“There’d be public appearances. Charity events. Maybe some functions with my investors. You’d be on my arm for everything leading up to the wedding.” I ticked off the requirements on my fingers. “We’d need to sell it, obviously. Make people believe we’re madly in love.”
“That’s going to be difficult considering I can barely stand to be in the same room as you.”
I laughed, the sound genuine. “See, that’s what I like about you, Hallie. You don’t pull your punches.”
“Someone needs to tell you the truth.”
“Most people are too intimidated.”
“I’m not most people.”
“No,” I agreed, my gaze drifting over her face. “You’re definitely not.”
She pursed her lips. “Plus you just proposed to me. If I can’t be honest with you, who can?”
“You still haven’t said yes yet.”
The sexual tension in the room ratcheted up several notches. I could feel it crackling between us, electric and dangerous. Hallie felt it too. I could tell by the way her breathing quickened and the way she shifted in her seat.
She hated me. That much was clear. But she definitely wanted me too. Something made her pupils dilate when I looked at her. Something made her breath catch when I moved closer. That was the reaction I was used to getting from women. But with Hallie, it was different.
She felt like a challenge. It was intoxicating.
“There’s one more thing,” I said, breaking the silence. “You’d have to quit your job.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
“No wife of mine is clocking in for a nine-to-five when I’m a billionaire. It would look ridiculous.”
“That’s the most sexist thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I can think of way more sexist things. But whatever, it’s practical.” I shrugged. “Part of selling this is making it look like you’re living my lifestyle. That means no job. At least not until July. What do you do anyway?”
She glared at me. “Clearly, it doesn’t matter.”
“Good point.”
“So I’m just supposed to sit around and look pretty?”
“You’ll be busy,” I assured her. “Trust me, there are enough events on the calendar to keep you occupied. And you’ll be compensated well for your time.”
“Not well enough to put up with your bullshit.”
God, I wanted to kiss that smart mouth of hers. See if I could make her forget how much she hated me, at least for a few minutes.
But I held back. Barely.
“Name your price then,” I said instead.
She blinked. “What?”
“You said two hundred and fifty thousand isn’t enough. Fine. Name your price.”
I watched her think it over, saw the moment she made her decision.
“Double it,” she said, her chin lifting defiantly. “Five hundred thousand. If I’m going to fake marry you and quit my job and pretend to be in love with you for six months, I need a big payday. Two fifty can’t even buy a house anymore.”
Five hundred thousand dollars.
It was a lot of money. More than I had planned to spend. But as I looked at Hallie, at the fire in her eyes, the stubborn set of her jaw, the way she refused to back down, I knew she was worth it.
“Done,” I said.
Her eyes widened. “Seriously? Just like that?”
“Just like that.” I pulled out my phone and texted Della to bring in the paperwork. “One hundred and fifty thousand up front. Another one-fifty after the wedding. And the final two hundred in July.”
“You’re certifiably insane.” She shook her head in disbelief.
“Probably.” I stood up and moved around the table, extending my hand. “Will you marry me, Hallie?”
She stared at my hand like it might bite her. Then, slowly, she reached out and took it.
Her palm was soft against mine, her grip firm. The contact sent a jolt through me, but I hid my shock behind my neutral expression.
“We have a deal,” she said quietly.
Della returned with a stack of papers. Hallie really thought her big, fat number was going to get me to change my mind. It almost did, but it wasn’t like I didn’t have the money. I could burn half my fortune and never feel it. And I was going to look at it as an investment into my future.
If we pulled this off, I would make the money back tenfold.