He gave a slow blink and licked the cream off a puff pastry. “Let’s say, I find it interesting for anyone to meet and marry in three days.When that’s combined with marrying one of the richest rock stars in the country, I find it concerning.”
“I don’t like your tone,” Forest growled, “or what you’re implying.”
“I’m not really sure about what you stand to gain from this situation,” Tuttle said to Forest.
Forest leaned forward, his hands fisting, but Skye hovered her hand over her brother’s, not touching but close enough to force him back into his seat.
Tuttle pulled out a stack of papers from his pocket. “Look, there’s no reason for this to get ugly. We’re prepared to make this easy on all involved.”
“We?”What the hell was he talking about?
“We’re prepared to offer a generous settlement.”
“Settlement?” She couldn’t believe her ears.
“Yes, provided you sign a nondisclosure agreement. Everyone walks away, as if this whole mess never happened. You go back to your job, and Blaze continues with his. A nice clean break.”
Forest ripped the papers from Tuttle’s hand. He scanned the ink. “A hundred thousand dollars? What the fuck? You want to buy her off? Does Blaze even know?”
Tuttle pushed away from the table and wiped crumbs from his chin. “That figure is more than fair compensation for a week of your time, Ms. Summers.”
Her eyes narrowed. “It’s Dr. Summers.”
“Well, I’m sure it will go a long way to paying off any student debt you might have acquired. Let me know, but this is a time-limited offer.”
“You didn’t answer Forest’s question,” she said. “Does Ash know about this?”
“Look, Dr. Summers, this isn’t the first time we’ve had to settle with some starstruck groupie who thought she’d get a piece of Blaze. This is his way of asking nicely.” He pointed to the documents. “Take the settlement, and walk away.”
“Or what?” She leaned back and crossed her arms, certain Ash would never have agreed to this but equally terrified he might have.
“The press isn’t kind. They have a knack for digging up things we all wish to keep buried.”
Forest pounded his fist on the table and rose to his feet, but Tuttle didn’t flinch under Forest’s intense stare. “You need to leave.”
“I’ve known Blaze a long time, and he can be impetuous, leaping before he thinks. He seldom stays with one woman for long. You’re little more than the flavor of the week.” He straightened to his full height, and the hardness of his gaze softened. “I don’t mean to be cruel when I say that, but I believe it’s best for all involved if I’m brutally honest. I’d hate to see you get hurt.” He pushed the papers closer. “Take the offer. You have a job, your life, and your reputation. Don’t throw that away on a fling.”
Forest shifted his gaze to the papers. He seemed to be giving Tuttle’s offer consideration. Either that, or he was warning her away. Sometimes, he was impossible to read. Her insides tumbled about, a seething mass of doubt and worry.
Tuttle was a bastard, but a vein of truth rang through his words. And the last thing she needed was a bunch of curious reporters digging into her past. Forest had concealed much of it, but secrets had a way of seeking the light.
“I want to speak with Ash about this.” She didn’t believe Tuttle, but she couldn’t help the doubt creeping into her mind. What Tuttle said could be true.
“There’s no need. He’s already signed.”
A chill settled in her chest, and the bottom dropped out of her world.
Ash hadn’t read what he’d signed. That was what had gotten the two of them into this mess to begin with, leaving the question hanging as to what Tuttle gained by breaking them apart.
There was irony in that. A random signature had joined them, and another would free her from that bond.
She pulled the papers close. “We’ll get back to you, Mr. Tuttle.”
“I’m sure you will, but the settlement is fixed. There’s no room for negotiation.” He excused himself, leaving her and Forest alone.
She grabbed the papers. “I want to go home, Beanpole.”
“You and me both, my summer Skye.” Forest’s gravelly voice wrapped her in comfort.
