“It’s okay,” I rush to defend JP, a man I’ve only just met, at the same time he says, “My sincere apologies, Mr.Rothwell and Ms.Hayes.It won’t happen again.”
He lays the dress on the bed directly above cute sandals on the floor before skirting around me on his way to the door.Pausing, he clasps his gloved hands.“Clothes and shoes are in the closet, sleepwear and undergarments in the drawers, and the dress...”—all eyes land on the lovely ocean blue dress on the bed—”is for your consideration.Today’s going to be a hot one.And should you wish to wear something else, I’d be happy to let you know where everything is.Breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes.”
JP vanishes, leaving me alone with Zach.In a towel.My cheeks flame and it isn’t because I’m not dressed but because of this weird thing we have going on.We’re business partners, if we can even call it that, and nothing more.He’s pretty much fulfilled his part of the deal with my landlord no longer an issue—God, I hope he’s no longer an issue—and my part of the deal is to be his fake girlfriend.Why, exactly, I’m not sure.I still can’t figure out the logic of it all.
Yet we’ve got chemistry.
But our worlds and lives are very different.
Oh, and let’s not forget, this isn’t real.I’m a temporary guest in his home and he went above and beyond what was expected of him.I feel like I’m getting the better part of this deal.
“How’d you sleep?”He keeps his eyes above my neck.
“Okay, thanks.”I finger the soft fabric of the dress.“Whose clothes are these?”
“Yours.”He walks into the closet as if inspecting JP’s work.“We’ll get your clothes from your place today or tomorrow.Tamara’s working on it and in the meantime, my personal shopper got you a few things.”
Shaking my head, I sit on the edge of my bed, ensuring my towel is secure.“I don’t even know where to start with all of that.”
“Pardon?What didn’t you understand?”
“Who’s Tamara?You have a personal shopper?And how does one get clothes in the middle of the night?”
His chuckle is deep and sexy.“Tamara is my lawyer and she’s taking care of Hummel.He’s in jail and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure it stays that way.And as for the clothes, don’t worry about it—just enjoy them.”
“Zach, this is too much.I have my own clothes.”Something heavy and uncomfortable sinks into the pit of my stomach at the thought of where all my belongings are.“I already owe you for last night.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”He leans against the door, relaxed.“Well, other than your part of the deal.”
He tosses me one of his sexy winks and my core clenches.It should be illegal or come with a warning—just a wink and your panties will incinerate—but lucky for me, I’m not wearing any.
“And Paige.”Our gazes lock and dare I say his eyes are smoldering.“Wear the dress.”
With that he’s gone.Before putting on the dress I want to wear, I check out the room.Drawer after drawer is laden with expensive clothes, as is the closet.All of it stunning, way out of my budget, and some too fancy for what I usually wear.
Why would he buy me all this?I’m only here for the night and I have my own clothes.I won’t keep any of this and while awesome—no one has ever done something like this for me—it’s overboard.
Breakfast is bountiful and while I gorge on a stack of pancakes, the creamiest yogurt I’ve ever tasted, and the freshest fruit, I wonder if JP fixes a feast like this every day.
Zach sits across from me at the large breakfast table, drinking coffee and reading the paper.Yes, a newspaper where your hands get all black and grimy.How old is he?
“You don’t want breakfast?”I pop the last raspberry in my mouth.
“I already ate a while ago when I got home.”
“You were already out this morning?”
He folds the paper.“Yes, I play tennis Sunday mornings and have breakfast at the club.”
“The club?”
“The Rock Club.Walker, whom you met last night, and I rock climb on Saturdays and play tennis on Sundays.”
I snap my gaping mouth shut.Of course he’s a member of the Rock Club, an elite members-only recreation and social club in the city.I don’t know why I’m surprised.He runs in those circles and has access to the best of anything and everything the world has to offer.
“Oh, I see.”
Seeing I’m finished with my meal, Zach leads me onto the terrace before I can help JP clean up, and my eyes bulge at the expansive outdoor living space.I’m on the penthouse balcony of one of the most prestigious residences in Toronto, backing onto a large, lush ravine.
