Chapter 4
Zach
Tilting my head back, I belt out a laugh at what I’m sure the pretty lady figures is and intends to be offensive.
Am I crazy?
“I just might be,” I say with a soft chuckle and her pleasing facial features harden; she isn’t amused.
“Great. So you’re asking me to get in bed.” She raises a finger and continues, “Figuratively, with a crazy person? I’m not so sure about this.”
Dipping my chin to my chest to hide how entertaining I find her, my eyes fall on her sexy peep-toe heels.
Wholly invested, my gaze rakes her five-six frame, maybe another inch or two with the heels, and her hip-hugging outfit does nothing to hide legs a mile long, the sultry dip of her slender waist, or the swell of her fine chest.
I track the sweeping neckline of her dress, where I’m greeted with smooth golden skin and the long, sensuous curve of her neck. I linger on her plump lips for a few beats before the heat of her stare forces eye contact.
“What do I have to do to convince you?” I’m deliberately flirty.
It isn’t clear why propositioning Paige popped into my head and it isn’t a done deal.
It still could backfire. She could run straight to her do-good brother and he’d chew me out and I’d be compelled to do the minimum.
Then, one of my over-priced lawyers would send me an exorbitant bill for the dime-a-dozen cease and desist letter and we’d all go home no more satisfied than we are today.
“I’m not sure you can.” She cocks a hip and smirks.
And there it is again. The glint in her eyes, the very one that grabbed my attention when I first walked into my office.
In my line of work, I’m quick to gauge a person’s character, and I’m more often than not right about my assessment.
Paige’s spark was enough to get me thinking about a different approach to my trust fund problem.
I’d tried and failed with the fake relationship angle by getting into bed—both metaphorically and literally—with someone I knew. Maybe the best approach to this kind of arrangement is to have no existing relationship with the other party.
She’s a stranger and she certainly piqued my interest when I caught her snooping. She tried to be polite and demure about the whole thing, but her spunk was undeniable. My guess is, she likes to take risks and is comfortable with coloring outside the lines.
Who could ask for a better business partner than that with whom to enter an unconventional arrangement?
Or maybe my quick decision to proposition her had everything to do with how she seductively sank her teeth into her bottom lip.
It wasn’t calculated—I’m not sure she even realized the effect she had on me.
But either way, things definitely perked up.
Instantly, my mind entertained all kinds of naughty things I’d like to do with that pretty pink mouth of hers.
“Well, you have to let me at least try.” I wink and a light blush creeps up the curve of her neck.
Charade or not, the arrangement needs to be believable. This is doable. I can see myself with a woman like Paige Hayes, even if she isn’t my usual type. The question is, could my grandmother?
Nan Rothwell is nothing if not sharp. She’ll be the first to call bullshit if I pick up some random woman and pawn her off as my girlfriend.
“Let’s go over this again so that I’m clear. What are the parameters of the deal?”
The words engagement and marriage rest on the tip of my tongue because that’s what’s ultimately warranted, but something tells me Paige would leave, laughing in my face, if I said so at this juncture.
And maybe marriage isn’t needed if Nan thinks our relationship is headed in that direction. Either way, Paige may be a risk-taker but she needs to be eased into the idea. Baby steps. I’ll focus on the basics for now and leave the finer details to another time.
“You pretend to be my significant other, starting with a dinner Friday, and in return, I’ll sic my best lawyer on your landlord.”
She brushes a long strand of chocolate-colored hair behind her ear and nods. “And would this mean we’re exclusive? Real or not?”
“Of course.” My shoulders rise, finding her point of clarification unsettling. Is there a man in her life? Or someone she’s interested in? If so, she’s going to have to end it or this won’t work. “For the purpose of our deal, we’re monogamous and committed to one another.”
“I’m close with my family, I couldn’t keep you a secret…” She pauses, nibbling on her bottom lip again and her warm, charming gaze clouds with doubt. “Shit, I’d be lying to my family.”
Rubbing at her forehead, she looks away and for a beat or two, I consider finding someone else, calling it off because of the turmoil on her face.
But I’m not stupid or sentimental. Time is of the essence and Paige is willing—it’s clear in her body language.
She wouldn’t have stayed this long and asked all these questions if otherwise.
“Yes, you would.”
I’m not wild about lying to Nan but she’s given me no choice. As if planned and on cue, my grandmother walks into my office.
“Zachary, Karen’s at lunch and I wanted to—” She stops abruptly, realizing I’m not alone. “Oh dear, how rude of me. My apologies.”
“Nan, it’s okay. It’s actually great timing.”
Taking her hand, I guide her toward Paige and for the briefest of moments and completely out of character, I hesitate.
What I’m about to do is a dick move. I’m forcing Paige’s hand.
She could deny everything but she’s more than eighty percent on board with my proposition—this is just a little nudge.
“Oh, really?” Nan looks to me and then Paige.
“I want you to meet someone.” Standing between the women, my hand hovers at Paige’s lower back and she stiffens. “Paige Hayes, this is my grandmother, Nanette Rothwell.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Rothwell.” She bestows a warm smile upon Nan. Sharp. I’ll give her that. Without any conversation, Paige is following my lead well.
“Nice to meet you, too. Please call me Nan.” My grandmother smiles but hers is like the royal wave, all form and function, no heart. “And how do you know my grandson?”
Nan’s gaze drifts to me, and I glance down at her. “Sadly, you’re at a disadvantage thanks to me. I’ve told Paige so much about you and I haven’t told you anything about her.”
Sliding my arm around the younger woman’s slender waist, I pull her into my side. “We’ve been seeing each other for some time now and I’ll be escorting her to Friday’s dinner.”
“Oh.” My grandmother is now more than interested in the pretty brunette at my side. “How did you two meet? Your name is Hayes?”
Paige subtly trembles, glancing up at me with wide eyes, but there’s a glint of ire to them.
She may feel as though I’ve thrown her to the wolves, but Nan isn’t like that.
Paige may not have the pedigree or stature of the families we do business and dine with, but Nan doesn’t care about that.
Her father was a penniless immigrant when he first set foot on Canadian soil.
She doesn’t believe wealth and power make the person and she won’t judge Paige on what she doesn’t have.
“Easy, Nan, you’re going to scare her away before I even have a chance to show her off.” I chuckle and my fake girlfriend playfully hits my chest.
Oh, our arrangement is going to work just fine. It’s too early to tell but we may be a match made in heaven. She already reads me well, or at least the cues I give her.
“We met because of a legal matter. He was kind enough to offer his help and here we are.” Almost every word out of her mouth is true. Smart. Although, I’m sure she wouldn’t call me kind if we weren’t talking to the matriarch of my family.
“Really? I hope he helped you with your problem. Is there anything I can do?” Nan rests her hand on Paige’s forearm and squeezes.
“That’s very kind of you, but Zach and I have it under control.” She pats Nan’s hand and peers up at me. “Honey, I’ve got to go. Mrs., um…Nan, I’m sorry to do this but I was just on my way out. I have to get to work, but it was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Oh, of course, dear. Don’t let me stop you. My grandson is so secretive, I’m glad I caught you with him. It was wonderful to meet you, too.”
We watch Paige smooth down the front of her cream dress and I’m drawn to the silky fabric hugging her curves.
“You said you had to get to work—what do you do?”
“I have my own business. It’s small but mine. I’m a design project manager.”
“Oh, a businesswoman, I like it. It sounds interesting—what exactly is involved?”
“When someone’s renovating or building their home, I will project manage the interior design.”
“Hmm, sounds fascinating.” Nan clasps her hands in front of her.
“It can be, or it can be challenging because builders and reno crews tend to over promise and blow past their deadlines.” She laughs.
“Very true.” Nan nods. “We have a lot of experience with that in our business, don’t we, Zachary?”
“Yes, we do.” I take Paige’s hand in mine and she opens her mouth, looking down to where we are joined, before shutting it again. “Nan, Paige really does have to go.”
“Oh, yes. We’ll talk more at the dinner.”
Once at the door, she stops, glancing back at my grandmother. “I look forward to seeing you Friday night.”
“You, too, dear.” Nan beams.
We walk to the elevator and surprisingly, she says nothing, almost as if lost in her own thoughts. “Thank you,” I say, breaking the silence.
“Pardon?”
“Thank you for not calling me out back there. You could have.”
“Yeah, I could’ve and where would that have gotten me? I’d still be no closer to solving my landlord situation.” She pushes the elevator button. “But don’t do it again. Talking with your grandmother made me realize we need to get our story straight.”
“Yes, we need to.”
“And I never said yes to Friday. What if I had plans on Friday night?” The elevator dings, signaling its arrival, and she slips into the metal car.
My hand keeps the door open as I take in the full length of her petite curvy body. “You’d have to cancel them.”
“That’s not how this is going to go. I won’t be at your beck and call.” She juts out her chin, staring unwaveringly at me. “Anyway, what should I wear?”
“I’ll take care of it. It’s a formal dinner.” It’s the least I can do with less than a week to spare. “Send me your measurements.”
She inhales shakily, her dark pupils flaring. “What? Now I know you’re crazy. Not going to happen.”
A buzzing starts, indicating the elevator doors have been open too long, and I step back, laughing. “I’ll arrange for us to get together before Friday so we can get our history straight.” The doors start to inch closed, and she nods.
“Goodbye, Paige. I’ll take care of the dress. I bet you’re a knockout in most things.” A wicked grin blooms on my lips. “Or nothing at all.”