Jason spread his arms out, ignoring the people walking past him on the sidewalk. “Then what was all this for?”
“This was my chance to prove, once and for all, that I was just as good as my peers. I’d managed to catch Max’s attention and I had to make the most out of it. I wanted to work with the best. Sure, he tried to build himself up by tearing me down, but I’ve dealt with that before. Guys like him always make fun of the quiet and shy ones. They think we’re easy targets.”
She had been so afraid to show herself until Jason had helped her. She had shown her true self to Jason. But it hadn’t been good enough for him. It wasn’t good enough for anyone. She would always be lacking something.
Claire rolled her shoulders back. “But instead of walking away at the conference and hiding in my hotel room, I stood my ground. I showed him what I knew about my field. I was determined to dazzle him with my expertise. I put myself out there and I didn’t care how many tests he gave me. I was going to pass every one of them.”
Jason thrust his hands in his hair and gave a growl of frustration. “He knew it, too. He was going to use that determination so you would work for his approval. And I’m familiar with his type—he would have seduced you into his bed.”
“I have no interest in sleeping with Max. I only want you. Why did you have a fling with me?” she asked. He didn’t think she was hot or sexy. What was in it for him? “Why did you make it real?”
“Because I wanted to.”
“Really?” She crossed her arms and leaned against the car. “It’s not because you were feeling restless and you decided to change things up. Go against type. Because as you told Max, I’m not a hot and sexy woman.”
He jerked his head up and their gazes clashed. Jason’s eyes widened with alarm. He hadn’t realized that she had overheard that part. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Apparently, everything we shared was fake,” she said with a brittle smile. “Maybe you should be the one crafting images and brand messages. I would fall for it every time.”
“I only said that because I didn’t want Max to go after you,” Jason insisted. “I didn’t want him to know that you are the woman of my dreams.”
She wished she had been the star of his fantasies but deep down she’d always feared his interest wouldn’t last. “I felt desirable and special when I was with you. I forgot that you were pretending. I was daring and sensual because I felt safe with you.” Her breath caught in her throat. “But that was another false image.”
He crossed his arms. “No, it’s not.”
“You’ve already lost interest, haven’t you? You didn’t want to extend the fling and were ready call it off. Isn’t that what you told Max? What else did you say to him?”
“I was trying to warn him off, to protect you. Usually if I have competition for a girl I walk away, but not this time. Yeah, I played dirty and I’m not proud of it.”
“No, Jason.” She took a deep breath as the anxiety built up inside her. She felt as though she was going to crumple from the weight of it. “What other secrets did you tell him about me?”
“What other—” His light blue eyes glittered with fury as his expression turned grim. “What are you suggesting?”
“I opened up to you because I trusted you. I never dreamed you would tell Max about the fake reputation. And there you were comparing notes about me. I thought we were partners.”
“We are. I wouldn’t betray your secrets or your—” he wildly motioned with his hands as he tried to come up with the words “—privacy.”