by Nikki Chase
“You’re crazy.” Aiden shakes his head again.
“Yeah, but you already know that, and yet you’re still my friend. Could it be that you like that I’m crazy?” I ask in mock surprise.
“Yeah, you’re my source of free entertainment. Dumb-ass.” Aiden’s expression turns serious and he asks, “Why does it have to be her?”
“That’s just the way it is.” I shrug. I’ve never thought about marrying anyone other than this girl.
“She almost got you killed.”
“Oh, it wasn’t so bad. Yeah, we were seeing each other when I was working for her dad, but he wasn’t going to actually kill me had he found out. Dads just say that to be scary, although I have to admit her dad was particularly intimidating.”
“Okay, I find it disturbing that you use the plural of ‘dads,’ as if multiple dads have given you actual death threats, which suggests that maybe something’s wrong with you. But that’s not new, and that’s not the important thing here.” Aiden pauses and stares right at me. “What about Trevor?”
“What about Trevor?” I parrot him.
“You know what people are saying. The leak came from a few possible sources. It’s possible she was one of them.”
“She’s not like that,” I say with confidence. “And even if she was the source of the leak, I’m sure she didn’t have any other choice.”
“You don’t know that. You haven’t seen her in seven years. So many things could’ve happened. A lot of things have happened, actually. In all likelihood, she’s a very different person than the one you remember.”
“That’s why you have to make the pre-nup airtight. That’s why I’m paying you so much money.”
“There is no such thing as an airtight pre-nup, Zeke. That’s only in the movies. I can’t fucking believe you’re actually going to do this.” Aiden breathes in deeply and sighs. “Fine, I’ll do my best. But promise me you’ll rethink this. At least, after you see her this morning, sleep on it and decide tomorrow.”
“No can do. You know as well as I do that there’s no time.” I lean forward in my chair.
“Can’t you convince Joanne some other way?” Aiden asks.
“You don’t think I’ve tried?”
“I know she’s like a sister to you, but damn, I can’t believe you’re willing to go this far for her.”
“It’s not completely altruistic. This girl, she’s special.”
“What’s her name again?” Aiden asks.
“Alejandra.”
It feels strange to say her name out loud. I realize that even though I repeat that name like a mantra in my head all the time, I don’t often actually say it. That’s because she hasn’t been around—but things are going to change now.
“Right. She thinks she’s coming here for a job?” Aiden asks.
“It’s technically a job.” I shrug.
“I guess. But I bet she doesn’t know the exact nature of the job.”
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to her.”
“How did she find you anyway?” Aiden asks.
“She didn’t find me. Someone found her, and referred her here to work for me.”
“That someone doesn’t know about the history between you two?”
“It’s not a big deal. We dated for, like, one week, seven years ago.”
“Still, it doesn’t seem very ethical or professional, to hire your ex,” Aiden says.
“I don’t care.”
“Wait, who’s this person who found her?” Aiden asks.
“Just one of the people who are still loyal to her family. They helped her get set up in the city. They even gave her a bag of her mom’s jewelry that they’d been keeping for her for years.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, her family used to command respect,” I say.
“I’ll bet. With the kind of things they used to do? Fuck, I’d respect the hell out of them, too.”
I laugh. “This is why we wouldn’t have met when we were younger.”
“What did you do for them, again?”
“I was part of the security team. And the clean-up crew, at the very beginning.”
Aiden scrunches up his nose in disgust. “Does that mean what I think it means?”
“If you think it means getting rid of dead bodies, you’d be right.”
“Jesus. You’re a sick motherfucker, Harris.”
“Hey, I never killed anybody,” I protest. “All I did was scoop up some pink goop and throw it away.”
“Okay, no need to give me all the details.”
“But don’t you want to hear more? It’s so interesting. Did you know that when someone dies drunk, he’d smell like booze inside, too?”
“No, and I didn’t need that information. I could’ve gone through my whole life without knowing that, and I would’ve been fine. Wouldn’t have missed a thing. ”
“Too bad,” I say with a wide grin.
I would’ve continued telling Aiden some disgusting stories from my past, if it weren’t for the ringing of the landline phone on my desk.
“Excuse me,” I say to Aiden as I pick up the receiver. I don’t like to take a call in the middle of a meeting, but I have a VIP guest today. “Yes, Dana?”
“Sir, I’m sorry to interrupt your meeting, but you told me to call you immediately once Miss Martin gets here.”
“Yes, Dana, I remember. She’s here?” I ask, adrenaline pumping into my blood. It has been years since the last time meeting a girl got me nervous.
But Ali’s different. My heart will always beat faster for her. I’ve always known that.
“Yes, sir. She’s in the waiting room right now,” Dana says.
Dana’s words immediately conjure up images of Alejandra’s shapely ass on my couch while she thumbs through one of my glossy magazines. Her body on my things—I’d like to see more of that.
“Bring her here,” I say, glancing at Aiden to let him know what’s happening. From his nod, I can tell he knows it’s time for him to leave.
“Yes, sir,” Dana says before she hangs up.
Aiden said she could be a completely different person than the one I remember in my head.
He makes sense, of course. But I doubt he’s right. I’m sure that beautiful girl from my memory is still around in the world somewhere.
Either way, I’ll find out for myself soon. I’m excited—I can’t deny it.
I’ve been telling Aiden I’m doing this for Joanne, but really, it’s for me as well.
After finding out she’s still alive, I became obsessed with the idea of owning her, keeping her safe from the world, and from the men who want to hurt her.
I can’t stand to just watch from the sidelines while she suffers. I’ve ignored her plight enough. It’s time for me to do something.
But the reason I’m inviting her to my office today is not completely altruistic.
“I know you’re still going to do it, you stubborn dumb-ass,” Aiden says as he gets up. “But do me a favor and make sure this is really what you want. There’s no going back.”
“I know.”
I know the risks, and I’m still going to do it.
Ali
Before I can enter Zeke’s office, a tall figure walks out through the door. My heart skips a beat as I wonder if he has come out to meet me. But when I finally see the man’s face, I realize it's not him.
This man wears a grim expression. He nods at me, but I feel some hostility coming from him.
Strange. As far as I can tell, this is the first time we’re seeing each other. There should be no reason for him to dislike me. I wonder if the meeting didn’t go well.
I nod back at him. Under different circumstances, I’d totally check him out. He has a buff body, a handsome face, and a strong presence—just the kind of guy I often go for.
But right now, I’m way too distracted to bother. I’m already overwhelmed by the anticipation of seeing Zeke again.
I don’t have time or energy to devote to figur
ing out why this guy is glaring at me like I’m the anti-Christ.
My legs feel like limp noodles, but somehow, they manage to carry me through the doorway.
Zeke’s big, dark desk faces the door, so the moment I step inside, our eyes lock.
My breath hitches in my throat.
I’d recognize that face anywhere.
Those dark, dangerous eyes that give him an irresistible bad-boy charm.
That high-bridged nose.
Those lips that burned my whole body with desire.
And don’t even get me started on what those lips do when they get anywhere close to my—.
I take a deep breath and push my filthy thoughts away. They’re only going to make me more nervous.
As it is, my heart is hammering so hard against my rib cage I’m afraid he can see me shaking.
I take a good look at him, noting the similarities and the differences between the real thing and the memories. This goes on for a few seconds, but it feels like forever.
The door clicks as it shuts behind me, jolting me back into reality. Zeke’s personal assistant must’ve pulled it closed while I’m frozen by the door like a statue.
“It’s been a long time, Ali,” Zeke says with a warm smile.
That smile. Oh god that smile. I’ve lain in bed in the dark so many nights, trying to conjure up that smile in my mind. Seven years, and he still smiles the same way.
I don’t know why I thought he’d change his perfect smile, but it feels funny to see such a familiar smile on a stranger.
It’s weird; I feel like I know him, but at the same time I have no idea what he’s like.
“Long time indeed,” I respond, trying to keep my cool as I finally manage to force my feet to step forward.
“Take a seat,” he says, gesturing at the two guest chairs across the desk from him.
He still speaks the same way, too—the things he could make me do with that voice.
He’s taller and more muscular. He probably still has his tattoos, but they’re hidden underneath his designer suit now.
“Thanks.” I drag the chair out, the leather soft and cool on my hand.
His piercing gaze follows me as I sit down. He has always been good at reading me. He probably knows I’m thinking about all those other times I did his bidding in bed, which is not too different from the way I’m following his order now.
“How have you been?” Zeke asks, leaning forward in his chair and clasping his hands on the chunky wooden desk.
“Well, I’m sure you’ve heard.” I thought he’d know enough rather than to ask me a question like that. Maybe the ideal Zeke only exists in my brain, after all.
He winces, as if he can read my mind. “I’m sorry, Ali. I wasn’t thinking.” Another smile spreads across his handsome face, his eyes soft and warm. “I just can’t believe you’re here.”
“I can’t believe I’m here either.” I return his smile.
Maybe I was too quick to judge. Maybe I should give us a chance to get over the awkwardness. It has been seven years. Many things have changed.
I cast my glance around this office. The wall behind Zeke gives me a bird’s eye view of the city. Another wall is taken up by a huge floor-to-ceiling, built-in bookshelves. A few framed black-and-white photographs hang on the other walls.
“You’ve done well for yourself.” I give him a smile.
“I’ve been lucky,” he says.
“Wow. You’ve changed.”
“How do you mean?” Zeke asks.
“The old you was a cocky son of a bitch. He would’ve taken all the credit for his success.”
Zeke laughs—Jesus, I miss that sound. He says, “You know me so well, Ali. It’s been so long, I forget how much you know me.”
“So, have you been itching to flaunt this success?” I ask as the corners of my lips tug upward.
“I said I’ve been lucky, and that’s true. I’ve caught a few lucky breaks to get here. But I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I weren’t also good at what I do.”
“Interesting. So technically you weren’t lying,” I comment teasingly.
“Not at all.” Zeke has twinkles in his eyes.
“Sneaky,” I say, and suddenly it feels like old times.
Over the years, my feelings for Zeke have vacillated wildly. I’ve hated Zeke, loved Zeke, and everything in between. But I’ve never been indifferent to him.
“I’m glad to have you here, Ali. I’ve missed you,” he says, startling me with his honesty.
I don’t know why I’m surprised. Zeke has always been honest to a fault, sometimes bordering on tactless. It can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the circumstances.
“I’ve missed you, too, Zeke,” I respond, knowing he can tell how I feel from my expression, even if I don’t put it into words. It feels good to get it out there.
Zeke takes a deep breath while he continues to gaze at me with tenderness in his eyes.
Yes, this morning I fantasized about having him between my legs. But right now, I want to pull him into my arms and shower him with affection. He used to like it when I stroked his thick, dark hair, and I’m dying to do that right now.
But that would be inappropriate. He’s my boss, I remind myself.
“So I hear you’re looking for work.” Once again, Zeke makes me feel like he has invaded my mind.
“And I hear you have a vacant position to fill.”
“You hear right,” he says with a smile.
“So what kind of work is it?” I ask. Nobody has given me details about the job, and I’m getting curious.
“Well, it’s not so much work as it is a proposal,” Zeke says.
“What kind of a proposal?” I narrow my eyes at him.
I’m not in any position to enter a business deal. I don’t have any money.
And because I haven’t been a member of civilized society for years, I have no marketable skills. I was hoping to get an entry-level position—admin, assistant, or something like that. It would be a good start.
“You could say that,” Zeke says cryptically. It’s unusual for him not to say what’s on his mind. Whatever he’s about to say, he doesn’t look forward to saying it.
Or maybe I’m wrong. I don’t know. I haven’t seen him in years, so I shouldn’t pretend I know him. It’s hard, though, when he feels so familiar.
“You’re going to have to give me the details,” I insist.
“I want you to marry me,” Zeke says with a serious expression.
I burst out laughing. That was the last thing I expected him to say! And that deadpan delivery—it was perfect.
“Nice prank, Zeke,” I say as my laughter dies down. “I hope you actually have a job for me and this isn’t just an elaborate set-up for the prank.”
“I’m serious, Ali.”
I stare at him, frowning in confusion as I study his face.
His eyes are too sincere for him to be lying, and he’s not even smiling. If this was a prank, he’d be rolling on the floor while clutching his stomach right now.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” I ask slowly, unsure of what to expect.
I hope I’m wrong and he doesn’t mean the proposal.
On the other hand, a part of me is hoping I’m right so we can pick up where we left off.
Of course that’s not possible, considering how much damage we’ve caused, but maybe we can at least try.
“Dead serious,” he says.
I pause as I grapple with this new information. Zeke wants me to marry him—that’s absurd. I ask, “Why?”
“It’s not going to be a real marriage,” Zeke says. “I need your help. I need you to pretend to be my wife.”
“You haven’t answered my question. Why?”
“Because I’ll give you more money than you need to support yourself for the rest of your life.”
For the rest of my life? That can’t be real, can it?
“That’s your reward for me. I want to know why you
’re doing this. It can’t be for an inheritance, because I know you grew up in the foster system.”
“You’re right. You still remember. You’ve always been sharp,” Zeke says. The compliment gets my heart beating faster.
Men have been quick to flatter my appearance, but that only turns me off. That tells me they don’t know me, or they’re not interested in getting to know me as a person.
Zeke, on the other hand, he… He likes my appearance—or he used to. But more importantly, he knows my mind.
“So tell me why,” I ask again. “Flattery won’t get you out of this one.”
“Let’s just say that I need a wife to keep some people happy,” he says.
“What, you need me to come with you to business dinners and such?”
I know my parents used to go out with other power couples. Together, they’d steer the conversation toward business and seal the deal before the meal was over. They were a good team, and I can see why that would be something Zeke might need.
“Yeah,” he says. “What do you say?”
“What are the terms?” I ask.
It sounds like a crazy plan to me, but I need to know what it’s about before I make a decision. It’s worth a listen. It sounds like a lot of money is involved.
But even as these thoughts buzz through my head, I know that I’d already be walking out the door if someone else had extended this offer—someone other than Zeke Harris.
“Ah, you’re really your father’s daughter. Always ready to negotiate.” Zeke gives me a smile. “You’re going to be my wife for one year. For doing that, I’ll give you one million dollars.”
“One million dollars? Are you serious?” I ask with disbelief.
“I thought your father taught you to always negotiate a better deal, Ali.” He shakes his head, more out of amusement than disapproval. “He’d be turning in his grave if he knew you’re eager to take the first deal that’s offered.”
“Don’t bring my father into this,” I say sternly.
“I’m sorry, Ali. I was just trying to make a joke. I should’ve known better,” Zeke says.
He has his flaws, but he has always been quick to apologize if he knows he has done anything to offend me.
“It’s okay. You didn’t know,” I say. “So. One million dollars, huh?”
