The Billionaire's Temporary Bride (Scandal, Inc #3)(22)

"You think you know me," Jack said. "Trust me when I say you have no clue."

"A billionaire who likes to pretend he's normal just because he flies business class instead of using his daddy's private jet? Yeah, I think I know exactly who you are."

"What is it you want from me?" Jack asked, the muscles in his jaw straining as he gritted his teeth.

"Nothing at all," Greg said. As Charlotte drew closer, she could see Greg's cocky half grin. "I was just wondering what all these people here would think if they knew your little secret."


Charlotte felt like she had just fallen through the floor, and she wondered how it was possible for Greg to know about her arrangement with Jack.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jack said.

"You know what I'm talking about," Greg said. "I'd hate for that pretty girlfriend of yours to find out what manner of man you are. Where is she tonight anyway?"

Charlotte forced herself to step forward and tapped Jack on the arm. "You're needed in the other room," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Charlotte, this is Greg Lapierre. Greg, this is Charlotte."

Greg held out a big, meaty palm. "Pleasure to meet you. Call me Big Greg, sweetheart."

Charlotte shook his hand for as brief a moment as possible. Jack took her other hand and led her across the room.

"What was that?" Charlotte asked. She couldn't understand how Big Greg could possibly know about their arrangement.

"Nothing," Jack said. "He's just trying to get into my head, trying to force something. He plays like he's an affable guy, but he's a snake looking for some weakness so he can strike. Come on, let's blow the rest of the night off and head home."

"But does he know about us?"

"No," Jack said. "He doesn't know anything. Let's head out. I hear the company is better on the sidewalk than it is in here."

He whisked Charlotte outside and soon she was lost in Jack's world, leaning against his shoulder as they wandered together. Charlotte wished that part of the night could last forever, the part where she and Jack didn't have to pretend, where they didn't have to meet and greet and all of that. She wished she could be alone with him and he'd be content just to be with her, but whenever the night ended, and the gallery closed, or the fundraiser was over, and she and Jack got back to his house, the truth was inescapable.

On that night, as soon as they were back inside, with the door safely between them and the world, Jack's manner changed. It wasn't the first time Charlotte had seen the warm I'd-hold-you-in-my-arms gaze that had charmed her on their first meeting harden into something cooler, like he just wanted to be left alone. Charlotte knew whatever Big Greg had said to Jack had gotten under his skin. When he saw Charlotte watching his face, he smiled politely to break his cold expression. Charlotte couldn't help but feel a little hurt, wishing he would just share how he felt.

She knew she would be welcome to stay in the guest room again if she wanted, but she decided it might be best for both of them this time if she spent the night at home.

"Let me drive you. I have a surprise for you. I was going to tell you earlier but the whole thing with Big Greg threw me off," he said as he led Charlotte outside. "Tomorrow night. I think you're going to like it. At least I hope you will."

"Another fundraiser?" she asked.

"Better than that."

"Are you going to introduce me to the president?"

Jack laughed and shook his head. "I don't want to give you the wrong idea. It's something a little less… grand." Jack had a gleam in his eye, like there was something he wasn't telling her.

"What is it?" Charlotte playfully punched him on the arm.

"I can't tell you. That would ruin the surprise."

"Can you at least tell me what I need to wear or who I'll need to impress?" Jack always found a way to brief her before an event, whether it was with an informal rundown of his goals for the night or a detailed set of instructions on who to charm and who to avoid.

"Wear whatever you'd like, and you won't need to impress anyone for once."

"Really?" Charlotte asked. "Are you giving me a night off?"

"Something like that," Jack said. "I'll explain the rest over dinner. But that's all tomorrow. Tonight, I've got to get you home. I still don't even know what your place looks like."

"When you see it, just keep your comments to yourself."

"What could I possibly say?"

"You live in a mansion. I'm clinging to a lease for a tiny apartment. If you really have to ask…"

"You know I don't care about that, right? Money is money." Jack looked back at the mansion. "I did nothing to deserve this house. I was born into privilege. I'd trade it all in a minute for a chance at a normal life."

"You could do that any time you want," Charlotte said, "and then maybe you wouldn't have to bribe me to spend time with you."

"So if I were broke, you'd be interested in me?" Jack asked. He shook his head. "I wish I had known."

Charlotte laughed. Was he serious? Had she not worn how much she loved kissing him on her sleeve? She would have kissed him as soon as they left the fundraiser if it hadn't been for the sudden change in Jack's mood. "What is that supposed to mean?"