The VIP Room(150)

"I own fifty-one percent of Sterling Tech. The company is valued between twenty and thirty billion dollars."

Oxygen. It's a silly thing. I take a deep breath, but it does nothing to calm me down. "Oh."

"If we were madly in love, I would take care of you."

"Right."

"So, while we're together, you will have everything you want."

"I'm not using your credit card."

"Then I'll take you shopping personally. You'll need to look a certain way for these events or people won't believe we're together."

"So everyone thinks you’re shallow, basically," I say.

He doesn't blink. "There are expectations."

"Spare me. I understand. You would shower your girlfriend with expensive clothes and she would know her place enough to be young, pretty, and well groomed."

His eyes find mine. That same intense expression. "That's a cynical interpretation."

"It's a realistic interpretation."

He brushes his fingers over the hem of my dress like he's brushing off my comment. "I'm never going to love you, Kat. But while we're together, I'll make sure you don't want for anything."

"What about... it's not like I can have a secret boyfriend on the side," I say. "Not that I want to. I mean... you're very handsome. More handsome than any other guys I know."

"You want to f*ck me." It's a statement, not a question.

"Yes." I barely manage to get it out. "Not necessarily today. But eventually."

"This part is real." He leans a little closer. His hands slide over the sides of my chest. Over my shoulders.

His eyes are fixed on mine. It's so intense I have to look away. He pulls the strap of my dress aside slowly, like he's asking for permission. I lean into him, and his lips press against my neck.

Heat rushes through my body. It's been so long since I've been kissed, touched, anything. I dated guys in high school, but I never... I don't have any experience.

I close my eyes and surrender to the sensation. Blake pulls my dress off my shoulders. He cups my breast, over my bra. Kisses a trail from my lips to my collarbone.

"What does this mean?" I ask. "We haven't agreed to anything."

He shifts so we're eye to eye. "Is there anything else you want?"

"How long will this be? Is it indefinite?"

"Until I don't need the ruse anymore."

"And how long will that be? I want to fall in love one day. To get married and maybe even have a family. I can't be the billionaire's fake girlfriend forever."

Dread creeps onto Blake's face. "Six months. A year at most."

I study his expression. It's something that hurts him, but he's not about to let me in. "Is there an out?"

"I'll only accept a full commitment."

Some of that dread passes through me. So much could go wrong. Blake could turn out to be an abusive *. I could meet Prince Charming and fall madly in love tomorrow.

But agreeing would mean an end to that awful mortgage, an education for my sister, and at least six months of living without pinching pennies.

Whatever the risk there is of losing myself in Blake's role, it's worth it. "Okay." I offer my hand to shake.

He takes it. "I'll have my lawyer draft a contract. We'll sign tomorrow."

"Okay."

He stares deeply into my eyes. "This will move fast. We need to clean you up this week."

I bite my tongue. It's a role. I need to look a certain way. Nothing personal. "I work nights and weekends."

"You'll switch to lunches. No Saturdays."

"I'll never keep my job."

"I'll have a word with your manager," he says.

Just like that, he'll snap his fingers and everything will fall into his lap. Must be nice to have that kind of power.

"No, I'll convince her," I say. She does owe me one.

"I'll pick you up at 9 A.M. Saturday."

Jesus, that's early for someone who works mostly nights. "As long as you bring coffee."

He brushes my hair from my shoulder. "When you're with me, Kat, I'll take care of everything."

"Coffee?"

He nods.

"Food?"

He nods.

"What else?"

He runs his hands over my bra. "Clothing."

"Oh, that stands for clothing, does it?"

He nods.

His lips close over mine. It's magic. Like one of those scenes in a movie where fireworks explode over a pretty pink castle. Blake's lips are soft and sweet, but there's something so commanding about his kiss.

I run my hands through his hair. It's short, brown, and some perfect mix of billionaire CEO and low-key programmer. Soft. His lips and hair are so soft but everything else about him is so hard.

He slips his fingertips into my bra and brushes them lightly over my nipples.

My body shakes with pleasure. It's been so long since anyone has given my breasts any attention, and he moves with a perfect finesse.

I sigh into his mouth, unwrapping my legs so I can slide into his lap. The details of this deal fade into the back of my mind. They seem so much less important than my body against his.