“I guess,” Jason said. “What do you think? This will work.”
The only difference between her analogy and their predicament was that her association with Jason would not help him. Their friends and acquaintances would question it until they figured out the truth. “You think that if you act crazy in love with me—”
He winced. “Let’s go with infatuation.” He shook his head once he said the word out loud. “Uh...in lust?”
Her pulse skipped a beat as she imagined what life would be like if Jason Strong was overcome with lust for her. “And if you are in lust with me, how does that help my reinvention?”
“I can make you the center of attention. I will get the right people to talk about you and make the gossip catch like wildfire. Everyone will wonder how you have me under your spell.”
“You can get people to notice me just by showing me some attention?”
He dipped his head and hunched his shoulders. Even in the shadows she could see the ruddy color staining his face. “I didn’t mean that.”
She knew he was uncomfortable with how conceited it sounded, but it was true. “Let’s call you the influencer. When you recommend something or use a product, it influences your wide circle of friends to do so the same.”
Jason dragged his hands down his face. “Here you go again with your social media terminology.”
“You shouldn’t be embarrassed about your influence. You don’t realize how much power you have because you’ve always been the leader of the pack.”
“I didn’t ask for the role. It was given to me. It doesn’t make sense,” he said in a grumble. “You’ve accomplished so much by yourself and no one sees it. They won’t notice you unless I notice you. Where’s the logic in that?”
“It’s okay, Jason.” She reached out and placed her hand on his arm. “I haven’t made a point of promoting myself so people aren’t going to notice me without the help of an influencer.”
“It’s still unfair.”
She had learned early that life wasn’t meant to be fair. After growing up with sisters who never struggled at school, it was disheartening how much she had studied and didn’t get the same results. They could do math in their heads, ace a test without cracking a book and received grades she could only dream about.
“So, what do you think about my idea?” Jason asked.
What did she think about Jason Strong wooing her? Seducing her? Her heart fluttered against her chest. She would be living out her fantasy. For a whole week! Claire tried to keep a thoughtful expression as excitement pulsed inside her. Who cared if it was pretend?
She couldn’t appear too eager as she accepted his idea. There had to be a problem with this plan but for once she wasn’t going to weigh the pros and cons. She was willing to take the risk. She wanted to know what it was like to be with Jason.
Claire understood that if he truly was in lust with her it wouldn’t last. She wasn’t the kind of woman who could keep his attention. In fact, no woman was. But this way she could enjoy the experience and there wouldn’t be any long-term awkwardness once their “fling” fizzled out.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked cautiously. “Won’t it hurt your status? When two brands that don’t match up get together, it’s always a disaster and then both brands are doing damage control.”
“It’s the easiest and quickest way to change your image,” he decided.
“What about your professional reputation?” she asked. “People might look at you differently if you act like a sofa-jumping man in love.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “No, it won’t affect it at all.” He paused. “Any other excuses you can come up with?”
“They aren’t excuses!”
He dipped his head and captured her gaze with his. She couldn’t glance away.
“Yes or no, Claire?” There was no twinkle in his eyes. It was rare to see him this serious. “I should warn you, there are some rules.”
She clenched her jaw. “You tell me this now?” She didn’t like having surprises sprung on her and Jason knew that.
“First, you have to follow my lead.”
Her shoulders slumped. “I should have known there was going to be a catch.”
He had a determined look that she found mesmerizing.
“When I do something to support this crazy scheme, don’t question it and don’t fight it. Just trust me.”