Apparently, this wasn't an actual request. She kept going without waiting for my answer. "What exactly does making Nora happy mean? What would you require of me? And what's our story for why we're suddenly engaged out of the blue?"
Another good question. Also, should I appreciate or be annoyed that she's treating this like a team effort, something the two of us are in together?
Whatever. Shaking off the confusion, I squared my shoulders. "We'll say we had a whirlwind romance, dating back to when we met"—I put air quotes around the wordmet—"when I picked my grandmother up from the Benton Girls holiday party. In real life, that was when Nora first told me I had to marry you. Something about you breaking up with a long-term boyfriend and this being my only chance."
"Really?" Sunny touched a hand to her chest, and her gaze softened even further. "I can't believe Nora thinks that highly of me."
Seven weeks ago, I would have agreed with that disbelief. But now, I found myself once again having to remind myself that this woman wasn't some innocent. She was a thief who wouldn't even explain herself.Personal matter, my ass.
A potential snag in my new plan interrupted my irritated thoughts. "You're still broken up with this guy, right? You haven't replaced him yet?"
She let out a wry chuff. "Like I've had time to date anyone. Right now, I'm working three jobs."
"Good." I didn't realize a green cloud had risen inside my head until it receded after she told me she wasn't seeing anyone.
What the hell is the matter with me?
"Then we'll use our engagement as the reason for your sudden resignation from the Benton Girls Revue. Effective today."
"Today?" Sunny's voice cracked with sadness.
So, not only was she genuinely upset over Nora's supposed demise, but she also didn't want to give up her job. I was aware that as the very last showgirl revue left in Vegas, being a Benton Girl had reached a cult-like status. I wondered if she'd beg to keep her job. Make that a condition of playing along with my new plan.
But the shadow of sadness passed, and she nodded, her expression becoming resolute. "Yes, I'll resign. It's not the sixties anymore, like when your grandparents got together. I guess it wouldn't look good for the Benton CEO to be dating some showgirl."
For some reason, I felt it necessary to correct her. "It wouldn't look good foranyCEO to become intimate withanyemployee. It wouldn't matter if you were a showgirl or another executive."
Sunny nodded, accepting my explanation. "Okay, and it's just pretend, anyway. We're not really going to date or be intimate. We're just saying that we are for Nora's sake. Right?"
She let out a little laugh, then smiled up at me, waiting for me to agree.
That smile.How is she so fucking pretty?I was beginning to suspect Nora had been right about me being too focused on the AudioNation deal. Otherwise, how could I have failed to notice this beauty standing right beside her in a jeweled bikini?
"Right?" she asked again. Her smile wobbled.
And I let the silence drift on for much longer than I knew was suitable, even in business, even during business negotiations. I was aware this question was the deal-closer, a softball clencher to put her mind at ease about going along with my unorthodox proposal.
I should give her the answer she was clearly expecting.
But I didn’t.
I surreptitiously let my gaze roam down her body. Her dance leggings and neon-red Benton Girls top combo, while not the jewel-covered bikini she was required to wear for the revue, somehow made her curves even more appealing. My hands itched with the image of me reaching under that off-the-should fleece to find out what she was hiding beneath her bulky top.
Christ.Maybe I needed to get laid more often. If the way my body was buzzing at just the thought of touching Sunny was any indication, I had gone way too long between my prearranged trysts.
Yes, I was sex deprived.
That was the only way to explain my sudden change of plans.
And what I said next.
"This arrangement can be whatever you want it to be." I leaned forward and steepled my hands. "Do you want to be intimate, Sunny?"
CHAPTER5
Sunny
"Doyou want to be intimate, Sunny?"
