He smiled and winked, and the reporters laughed.
"I love smart, strong women," Carter continued, "I don't want some simpering little girl; I want a partner. I would say, actually, that I want an equal, but Allie is so far above me I might as well be a quivering worm under her expensive shoe." He kissed her, and the cameras flashed.
"What on earth," she exclaimed once they were safely in the car on the way back to her apartment.
"What? We're dating now. Besides, I can't let your reputation get ruined."
Her face went slack. Oops.
Carter, what the hell.
"Liz told you to do this!" she cried.
"No," he said. "Actually Grant did."
That was probably the wrong answer because her eyes widened in shock.
"I don't see what the problem is," Carter exploded. "I meant what I said to the reporters. You're too good for me, and I know that, but I still want you. Stop pushing me away!"
"I don't want you to feel obligated," she said in a small voice.
Carter wanted to kick himself. He grabbed her hands and caressed her fingers.
"Believe me, Allie," he said. "That is the last thing on my mind."
59
Allie
True to his word, Carter only gave her a rather chaste kiss outside of her apartment then left. She hadn't really wanted him to go, especially not when she received a cryptic text message from Bryce.
I like that dress you wore tonight
Too bad that Holbrook didn't appreciate it
Oh well
His days are numbered
She would have felt better if Carter were in the apartment with her, she thought. She had a gun, but Bryce was a trained marine, and he could probably easily overpower her with planning and simple raw strength.
Carter remained sweet to her the next few days as well. She was getting antsy. Their relationship had never been that, for all that she yearned for the handsome boyfriend, the nice dinners, and the expensive flowers.
Her small apartment was overflowing with the large bouquets he brought her every evening before he took her to a nice restaurant or upscale bar.
It all contributed to her general feeling of unease when they drove to the Holbrook estate the next weekend for Harris's birthday.
"You seem jittery," Carter remarked.
"Just going to meet your parents."
"You’ve met my parents."
"Yes, but that was more on a professional level. This is like a family gathering."
Carter gave her an odd look. "You were at Thanksgiving."
"That didn't count," Allie countered. "I was your fake fiancée."
