Checking the names at the side of the building, he saw Wyatt’s name. Clicking the buzzer. He waited.
And waited.
Impatient, he kept on clicking it until she finally appeared.
“Wow, who is it?” Lauren asked, sounding a little breathless.
“It’s me.”
“Me?”
“Caleb.”
“How did you even know where I live?”
“I have my resources. Let me up, we need to talk.”
“Are you serious right now?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” His hands were open, a frown on his face as he snapped the question.
“Yeah, so?”
“Let me up or I’m going to do something completely crazy.”
“Go ahead it’s your reputation, not mine.” She huffed.
“Then how about this? If you don’t let me up, I’m going to phone every single press person I know and let them know that the love of my life is refusing to marry me, and she’s locked herself up in her little tower.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“I wouldn’t, would I?” He snorted. “You really don’t know what I would do to get what I want.”
“Ugh!”
The door buzzed and he smiled. “I’ll be right up.”
She had the cutest little growl. Climbing up the stairs, he hummed to himself, quite content in what he was doing.
The door was already open and she stood, once again, arms folded, looking really pissed off. “How did you know where I live?”
“It’s not like it’s a challenge to find out this kind of shit these days. Maybe you should look into who owns your company.” He winked at her. “Let’s talk in private.”
She shook her head but stepped back. “You know, this doesn’t make you very attractive.”
“It doesn’t?” Did she find him attractive on any other day? Was it just right now she didn’t? Her gaze stayed focused on him, but he’d certainly mentally undressed her a few times, even in the unflattering uniform she wore.
“No.”
“It’s a good thing I don’t need to look attractive to get you to do something for me.”
“I don’t like you.”
“Not a lot of people do while I’m negotiating. You’re like a bunch of people I know.”
She closed the door. “Do you want coffee?”
“Yes. Non—”
“Non-dairy milk, I know.”
“Another little tidbit you learned about me.”
“You’re a vegan, Caleb, it doesn’t take a genius to realize you don’t drink dairy.”
Her apartment was small but beautiful. He loved the scent of lavender.
Leaning against the kitchen doorway, he watched her. He paid careful attention to her also drinking the same kind of milk as he did. Strange.
“You’re here to convince me to lie to your parents and family.”
“You don’t have to see it as lying.”
“It is what it is. There’s no way I’m going to pretend to be your girlfriend.”
“Why not?” he asked, indignant.
“I would never, ever, you know, do anything with you.”
“You wouldn’t?”
“No.” Blunt. No hesitation.
“Why not?”
“You’re not my type.” She forced a laugh as if it was so obvious. To him, it wasn’t.
“You’ve got a type?”
“Even you do. Mostly they’re as rich as you are. I can’t even believe I’m still talking to you about this. It’s not going to happen. You’re talking about lying, and with your little trick down there of convincing the press to follow you, you make me realize it will be like that if I agree to this.”
“It wouldn’t.”
“Don’t lie. World-renowned asshole bachelor settles down and takes a girl home. Please, I can already see the front cover. Not to mention all the nasty things they’d say about me. I’m not blind.”
“I had no idea you talk this much when I hired you.”
“You didn’t. I was the only one you haven’t complained about.” She handed him a cup but rather than stand, she went into her sitting room and he watched her curl up in her chair, staring at him.
“I’m not going to make this easy for you. This is your pitch. Not mine.” She blew across her drink and he happened to notice how plump those lips were. He really shouldn’t be thinking about her lips or about anything like that.
“I want you to be my girlfriend.”
“No.”
“It would only be for a couple of weeks.”
“Tell me why you need a girlfriend.”
“Not going to happen.”
“Look, if this is in any way to impress your father or your position at your company, do you really think I’m so stupid to believe that once we’ve convinced your parents, it’ll all be over?”
“Yes.”
She burst out laughing. “I thought you were a smart man, Caleb.”
“I am.” He scowled, not happy with her humor at his expense.
“Do you really think if whatever you’re hoping to convince your parents of, they won’t instantly revoke or stop whatever it is you want as soon as they realize your loving girlfriend ceases to exist?”
“Oh,” he said.
“Yeah, oh. Finally. I think I got through to you. Took long enough.”
“It doesn’t have to be like that.”
“Yeah, it does.”
“Look, all I need is for you to play the loving girlfriend and it’s a start. I don’t put an end date on this, and I treat you like a queen.”