“In other words, you’re using me to somehow make yourself look better.”
He shrugged. “That’s not the way I’d put it.”
“Of course not, since you’re clearly clueless about women.”
That had him sitting straighter. “Excuse me?”
Bull’s-eye. The idea that she’d found the one thing sure to grab his attention—questioning his success with women—filled her with relief. “You’re letting people believe we’re together and—”
“Dating. People are starting to believe we’re dating and that your brother doesn’t like it and is trying to break us up by launching false charges against me.” Derrick looked far too pleased with himself. “Which was exactly my plan.”
“That’s ridiculous.” She could think of a lot of other words to describe it but kept the conversation G-rated.
“I thought so, too, when the PR team suggested it, but I guess the public does like a good love story.”
A scream rattled around inside her. “Did you ever think to ask me first?”
“No.”
The quick response had her sputtering. “That’s really your answer?”
“I called you lovely in my interview with the Insider, which I think we can agree was a bit of a stretch since you looked ready to punch me the first time we met in person.”
“Oh, you picked up on that?” Good to know.
“Let’s get down to it.” He leaned in again. Didn’t break eye contact. “We’re talking about a business arrangement.”
“Who is?”
“You will pose as my girlfriend for an appropriate length of time, short though because the timing is important here. Long enough for us to sell that we’ve been dating. Then you’ll act as my fiancée and—”
“Wait.” That ringing in her ears turned into a loud clanging sound.
He stared at her. “I haven’t finished explaining the plan.”
When his PR team said he’d needed to create a diversion, it made sense in an abstract sort of way. But they could not have meant her. He—they—didn’t even know her. And no way did they mean an engagement.
She suspected they’d talked about him finding a life outside the office. She tried to direct him there. “I’m sure there are women in town who would want to date you. It’s tough out there and my brother isn’t exactly highlighting your good side. But you have money and you’re…you know…”
He studied her now, like how he might study something on the bottom of his shoe. “I have no idea what you’re trying to say.”
“Well, your face is…fine.” As in perfect and compelling. Way too kissable.
His eyes widened. “Fine?”
Because space seemed like a good idea she stepped away from the desk. Tried to draw enough air into her lungs and head to be able to breathe again. “Don’t rich people travel in packs? I’m sure you can hang out at your country club or polo club, or wherever it is you go for fun, and find a nice woman who—”
“I am not hard up for a date.” He sounded stunned at the idea.
“Well, there.” She almost clapped but decided that was too much. “Good for you.”
“I am, however, on the wrong side of your brother’s ill-advised rant.” He made a face that suggested he thought she should be picking up on his point a bit faster. “I explained this to you at the hotel.”
“You said you needed good news to balance out the bad.” That made sense, which only made her wariness tick up even higher. “So, hire someone to pretend date you if you don’t want an actual girlfriend.”
“It needs to be you. You provide a reason for your brother’s specific attack.” When she tried to stop him, he kept right on talking. Rolled right over her. “We put on a very public show. We get people to see us as a couple, get engaged—not for real, of course—and we neutralize some of the damage your brother has done.”
“A fake fiancée.” She said the words nice and slow, thinking he’d stop her because he had to be kidding.
Never mind that she could barely stand him. Sure, she’d spun wild daydreams about him. Even imagined what he might look like without that serious suit and the fancy office, but come on.
“Exactly.” The phone on his desk rang. He hit a button and the sound cut off. “You’ve spent a significant part of your life protecting your baby brother and I suspect you will continue to do so now, even though it’s misguided.”
That hit a bit too close to the comments Vanessa had made last night. “Misguided? I’m confused. Are you arguing for this fake engagement thing or not?”