He reached for her hand. “At least I enjoy working with you.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Oh stop. That’s how we got in trouble in the first place.”
“I don’t see what’s so terrible about us going on a date, hugging along the water. It was romantic. What kind of man would I be if it had been any different?”
She remembered how easy she had made it for him to kiss her and he forbore. “Thank you for pausing. This could have been so much worse.”
“Are you discussing how I did not kiss your soft lips in the way they should be?”
She felt her face heat. “Thad, yes. Ugh. We don’t need to talk about it, just thanks.”
He laughed. “Why not discuss it? Of all the topics this is the one I find most interesting.”
She opened her mouth in dismay, not sure what to say, but he waved a hand. “I’m teasing. And you’re welcome. Though I will say, you are difficult to resist.” His eyes spoke his sincerity and she felt the heat rise between them.
She moved to sit on the sofa, putting some space between them. “So, what are your thoughts? I need some clarity.”
“I say we start slow.”
“What?”
“Zachary cannot dictate who we marry. Really, or who we date, but since I am not opposed at all to getting to know you better as a date, I’m willing to give the press a little fun.”
She studied him, not sure how to respond.
“Oh, come on, you know we were bound to date anyway.” His smile was large and contagious.
She loved his confidence, his no-nonsense way of discussing things. “Ok, so we date, and what? Give the press a show?”
“This, my dear, is where I have the most experience. Yes, we decide what is the story we are telling them, and then only show them that much. There are ways to keep certain aspects of our relationship private and others public.” He paused, a frown forming around his eyes. “But I would like to bring in some extra security for you, if you don’t mind. Your life changes when you suddenly become a figure head. I can’t avoid it, but consider if you really want this. Is your job as CEO worth giving up your privacy?”
She didn’t know. One more thing to consider. “And what if Zachary pushes the marriage?”
He stared out the window before responding. “I think we don’t give him all the information.”
“I’m listening.”
He stood. “I need my whiteboard.”
She laughed and followed him around a corner into his own conference room. “I love this. Only a true CEO would have a conference room in his penthouse.”
“I had it built before I moved in.” He uncapped a marker and began writing on the board. “The way I see it, we have three months of great marketing out of this, us, before we either have to change things up, or we fizzle away into all the other people the press has forgotten.” He stopped and bit on the end of his marker. “But we could stretch it out longer if we spread out our shocking or noteworthy moments, dangling the audience along.”
“You really are an expert at this.”
He nodded, still writing. “I’m the Prince over Press in Torren. I’ve been dealing with these people for years.” He held up his marker. “In fact, if we bring a few of the brothers out when the numbers start to fall, they can boost us right back up. Bring in an ex, same thing. A little conflict and scandal always boosts sales.” He held up his marker. “And if we are crafty, we may not need a marriage at all.”
She couldn’t believe he could be so casual about it all. “But you do know this is our life, right?”
He put the marker down and came to stand right in front of her. “I do know that. In Torren we guard the private parts of our lives as our most important asset. Don’t worry, we won’t let them see or hear what’s only ours to share. We will concoct a story and feed them the juicy details bit by bit.”
She sat down. “I like the sound of this, so like a romance novel?”
“Exactly!” He drew a story arc on the board. “So, let’s write a sizzling romance.”
“How did we meet?”
“We already have that. It’s part of the hook to get people interested in our story. Two CEOs, asked to share the same position, caught making out down by the pier.”
“Missed opportunity.”
He turned to her. “You can be sure I won’t make that same mistake again.”
The promise sent shivers up her core. She swallowed but before she could respond, he was back at the board.
“We need to figure out our big fight.”
“We have to have a fight?”
“Well sure, all good romance novels have something huge that pulls them apart and you can’t imagine how they would ever get together again.”
“Should I wonder why you are so versed in romance novels?”
“I’ve read a few. My sister, Dahlia, likes them.”
“You have a sister?”
“She’s away at school most of the year. We try to keep her out of the press as much as possible, let her grow up normal. But she’ll be home at Christmas….now, our conflict. He wrote some more on the board.
“I don’t know. I’m not very good with fights, pretend or not.” She had spent most of her
career, smoothing over differences and helping people get along.”
“Not to worry. I’ll help us think of a doozy.”
They continued mapping out their story, discussing what to tell Zachary, and laughing. Sage hadn’t laughed that much in ten years or more. When they finished, and headed back to the elevator, Thad reached for her hand. “I had more fun planning out our fake relationship than I’ve ever had with a woman. Imagine what magic we can make in the real and hidden side of all this.”
“Real?”
He stepped closer. “We did agree that we were bound to date anyway?” His statement was partially a question.
She paused and then nodded.
“Some of this is all in fun.” He waved toward the conference room. “But in our quiet moments, let’s just be us. I’m interested in you, Sage. You’re at once powerful and capable and gorgeous and vulnerable.” He pulled her arm so that it circled around his back. “You do things to me. And I don’t want this farce to ruin what could be.”
Sage’s heart hammered in her chest. She desperately tried to find her cool, to think of something witty or flirty, but all she could think of was his nearness, the rise and fall of his chest, and his eyes, looking into hers. “What sorts of things?” She closed the distance between them. “Do I do?”
His eyes darkened and he wrapped his hands around her back. She nestled comfortably up against his chest and felt the hammering, racing machine shout out his upheaval. Then he kissed her forehead.
She lifted her chin.
He kissed her nose, her cheek, her neck, right in the curve. Goosebumps trailed over her skin and everything tightened. His thumb brushed across her bottom lip. “Just things. When we are in public, acting out our story, I want you to remember there is a private part of us and I will always be sincere when we are alone.”
She nodded, dying. Never had she wanted a man to kiss her more. But she wouldn’t go begging again, not like she had before. “I’ll remember.”
He tugged on her hand, and they entered the elevator. They were quiet on the way back to work. Their next task, to convince Zachary that a fake relationship was just as good as a fake marriage.
Chapter 8
Thad questioned everything about this new plan on their ride back in the taxi. What was he thinking? Everyone in Torren would have a heyday. It might even require him to return for a press conference. And starting a real relationship with Sage? Was he certain such a thing was wise? They would be working together. He hadn’t gotten close to a woman in years. A part of him panicked.
“Your palm is getting sweaty.” She rubbed her thumb around on his damp palm. “Are you having second thoughts?”
Her eyes filled with worry and part amusement. He liked this woman. Way t
o call him out.
“I’m terrified, if you must know the truth.”
She burst into laughter. “But you sounded so self-assured. Had me totally taken in.” She toyed with his fingers. “Should we go through with this? Now that I know you aren’t one hundred percent sure this is a good idea either?” She shook her head. “Typical.”
“Typical. You hardly have a handle on my typical.”
She only raised an eyebrow, waiting.
“Okay, Yes. I do think we should go through with it. The best thing is to take it one step at a time. We start slow and see where this goes.”
Their cab pulled in front of the office building.
“Ok. Let’s go tell the boss, boss.” Sage’s face made him smile, the mask of determination settled, but her mouth quirked up in a fun little smirk.
“Oh no, we are partners in this. And Zachary isn’t our boss. He’s more of an advisor. We have to remember that.”
“I’ll try.”
But they both knew he held quite a bit of sway on the board and could vote them out of a job.
After a short meeting, Zachary seemed reasonably pleased with the idea. They billed it as a slow burn kind of romance and that they would see where it went. They promised to keep the press engaged. With the understanding that it might not lead to marriage.
Once that meeting was over, they both breathed more freely. As long as they kept their true designs a secret from everyone but themselves, their new plan could be a huge success and fascinating fun besides.
Thad looked forward to their first date, only nudged by concern when thinking of Lucan, his brother in charge of Torren security. They all called him the Spy. And Thad often suspected he was a legitimate spy. He would disappear for weeks on end without explanation, and the things he knew were always unexplained and uncanny to Thad. So, would he know what was up in Thad’s CEO fake relationship?
If Lucan didn’t know, Thad’s mother certainly would.
But how much of this new act would be fake? Sage was something special. He danced a careful walk with her. For the first time in a long while he had come across a woman with potential. He hoped their farce wouldn’t cost him his chance to see where things could go with her.
He shrugged to himself. She would be difficult on all counts, as attached as she was to New York and her career. But he was impressed with her, loved her drive and intelligence. And she rocked the business suit. MMM. They’d have to go running. He bet she rocked running shorts even more.
Sage cleared her throat. “I have no idea what you’re thinking over there, but we have to get to work…with the actual running of the company. I’ll be in my office.” She rested a hand on his shoulder as she walked by and the feeling lingered long after she was gone.
His phone dinged the arrival of a text. Lucan. “What are you even thinking, brother? Are you insane?”
He refused to answer. No sense being irritated Lucan knew things before they happened. But he still was.
“Call tonight on the secure line.”
No response from Thad. Lucan would reach him if he needed.
Thad closed his office door. He was working on a business plan idea he had for the company and the more he thought about it the more excited he became. The company’s numbers could be better. With his suggested tweaks, he bet their return on investment could hit the roof. He hoped so. Because this sort of thing is why he came to New York in the first place. He wanted to work in business, make use of his MBA, try to turn a profit.
His secretary paged him. “Someone named Monique on line 2.”
He groaned, then clicked on the line. “Monique?”
“Thad honey, how are you doing?” Her milky voice made him cringe.
“I’m doing great! How are you? Nice to hear from a fellow citizen of Torren.”
“Couldn’t be better. Look, I’m in town with a couple of the Baldeez brothers, we heard about some great clubs. You in tonight?”
Thad and Sage had plans for their first public appearance after all the relationship press. “No, I’ve got plans.”
“Oh.” He could hear her pout. “Well, what about lunch? I’m downtown this afternoon.”
He paused, checked his watch. He could go for some lunch. “Ok, meet me at the corner of Broadway and Ninth.”
“I’ll be there.”
He hung up, looking forward to it. He needed a taste of home, even if it came in the form of Monique. She had caused a whole lot of trouble for Nico and Jo when they were dating, and even during their engagement. But she had disappeared since then. He wouldn’t be surprised if Nico had requested she be barred from all their events. But no harm could come in lunch.
He worked hard, answered phone calls, and focused on some assignments from Sage until lunch. Then he slipped his wallet in his pants pocket and headed for the elevator.
Sage met him there. “Lunch?” She was all smiles and he immediately regretted Monique.
“I’ve got plans, but I’m looking forward to tonight.” He wiggled his eyebrows for emphasis.
“Okay. We have a meeting with the production team at 2:00.”
“I’ll be here boss.”
“Co-boss.”
They rode the elevator down, jabbing at each other until when the doors opened at the bottom they were laughing large belly laughs. Cameras flashed in their faces, and they blinked four times before Thad could see through the spots.
A group of people watched them, clicks of cameras continuing. Thad just waved and so Sage followed suit. “This is going to be different.” She said under her breath.
“They read lips. Say everything with a closed mouth, through a fake smile.” He demonstrated and she laughed again. “Wow, you’re good at this.”
“Zachary hired me for a reason.” He shrugged. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”
He hurried to find a cab.
Monique stood on the curb as he pulled up. As soon as he approached, she was in his arms and placed a kiss on his mouth. “Hello darling.”
“Monique, lay off. Those tricks don’t work on me.”
She giggled and he ground his teeth.
“Just looking for a little publicity darling.” She waved at something over his shoulder. When he turned several camera lenses clicked. He placed a hand on Monique’s back and led her into the deli.
As soon as they found a quiet booth, he paid the waiter and said, “Tell the manager we don’t want to be disturbed.” He indicated the group with cameras who now stood waiting to be seated. The waiter leafed through the bills. “Yes, sir.”
“You are surprisingly private, given your new campaign.” Monique’s eyes narrowed. “Perhaps it’s just me you don’t want to be seen with? Embarrassed of our country?”
“Look Monique. We don’t need to do this. I can catch lunch somewhere else without you involved. You feeling friendly? Wanna talk old times? Or are we finished here?”
She sighed and picked up the menu. “Understood.” After scanning it for about ten seconds she said, “Can we get the gang all together?”
“I’d like that. Keep me in the loop, will you? When I have a free night, I’ll join you.”
They talked of old times, ate some delicious NY deli. Thad’s sandwich had to be six inches high. He snapped a picture of it for his phone and sent it to the brother group message. “You coming to visit?”
That would get them.
He checked his watch. “Gotta run. Thanks Monique.”
She wasn’t finished yet, but he threw some bills down and headed out the door.
The cameras were gone. He hailed a taxi and headed back to work. His excitement grew. Returning to work had never been so enticing. He had to admit, this job was better than what he’d ever dreamed of. CEO of a large company. They were paying him to spend time with a beautiful woman. He didn’t think it got much better.
Chapter 9
Sage ignored the twinge inside that wanted to gripe about Thad having lunch plans. Of course he could have his own plans.
She refused to become that girl from her early days of high school, worried about what her boyfriend was doing when not with her. Familiar feelings of betrayal clenched her heart. Must she still actually have any emotion at all related to that memory? The boy who totally cheated on her, in a very public way and made her look like a complete idiot, had a low life job in a small town somewhere. She wasn’t even sure he married.
She took in a deep breath. Honestly she did not wish him unhappiness.
And Thad and her situation was complicated. She didn’t have any sort of commitment to him or from him.
They just acted like they did, and she enjoyed every minute.
Somehow she’d have to guard her heart or else she’d fall in love with the fake Thad and live their made up romance for real. Pathetic. She hadn’t ever seemed this pathetic before. Until Thad showed up, she was completely in charge of her feelings, her life. Most men hoped for a bit of attention from her, wondering if she would be willing to spend an evening together. She kept herself apart on purpose.
She carried her deli salad and extra-large Coke outside, heading back to the building. Delis. Her favorite part about New York. She had piled as much food as she wanted in a container, weighed it, and paid at the counter. Not wanting her office to smell like salad dressing, she chose a room with large windows and bright sunlight, sat down, pulled out her headphones and listened to show tunes.
She was a sucker for Broadway, another reason this city was perfect for her. Several shows were high on her list when she and Thad planned out all their fake dates. She smirked.
Zachary seemed pleased with their plan, too pleased in Sage’s opinion. He directed they meet with marketing next to start coordinating the announcement of new products with specific dates and events in their planned relationship.
And just like that, as far as New York was concerned, she was now in a growing romantic relationship with the hottest guy to enter their town in five years, a Prince of Torren no less. Her mother was going to flip. And her girlfriends back home. She was happy there was some major attraction going on and that she really did want to know him better. She would hate to lie to her friends and family.
The American (Billionaire Royals Book 6) Page 4
