The Game (Wagered Hearts Series, #3)(11)

Rob sat back and blew out a low whistle. "You certainly seem to have it all figured out," he said in awe. "I would have thought you'd be angry or a little bitter about the rumors floating out there about you."

"Oh, I'm pissed off, but I'll be damned if I let them ruin my career over it."

"So, what really happened?" he asked, a spark of interest lighting his eyes. "I've read the papers' accounts of your affair, but what's the real story?"

I was momentarily taken aback by his blunt question. Instead of feeling offended, I was actually relieved. No one had ever asked me that before, which I realized was a bit strange. Everyone just assumed that I'd done it--slept with a married man. Granted, I put myself in that situation, but it still rankled that they assumed I was the type of person that was capable of that. All they wanted to know was why I did it, and if I regretted it. No one, besides Charlotte, believed me or wanted to hear the truth. I could tell that even Arnie had his doubts, but he still did his job as my publicist to deny the rumors. Rob was the first one out of my inner circle that had seemed genuinely interested in the truth.

"There was never an affair. Harry Barnes is the last person I'd ever consider sleeping with," I said leaning in and speaking lowly.

Even though we were at a private table away from the other customers, I didn't want our conversation to be overheard. I wanted the story of the affair to die down, and being caught discussing it in public would only bring it new life.

"So, how did they get that idea then?" he asked.

I shook my head ruefully. "Cause I'm an idiot," I said. "His wife hates my guts, and I'm not particularly fond of her either. She said some nasty things to me at a party, and I got even with her by telling her that I'd slept with her husband. It wasn't true, but I was only thinking about hurting her and wiping that smirk off her face."

"And how do I fit into all this?" he asked. "I assume I'm to be some sort of sacrificial lamb to the tabloid gods?"

"Something like that," I laughed. "More like a distraction."

Rob shot me a crooked grin from across the table and I felt my spirits inexplicably lift. I'd forgotten how easy it was to talk with him, and how he could make me smile and laugh. I never took him seriously when we first met. He was the consolation prize after Ryan admitted he was in love with someone else. I had been disappointed, but quickly brushed that off and moved on to the next man, who happened to be Rob. It never progressed beyond flirtation, but sitting across from him now, I wondered what I was thinking, and how I managed to withstand his charm and appeal.

"That makes me feel a little better," he said.

I cleared my throat and gave my head a tiny shake. The last thing I needed was to develop real feelings for Rob. We had both made it very clear that this was strictly a business relationship, and I didn't want to mess it up.

"So, you know why I need a fiancé, but you never really explained why you needed one," I said trying to get my mind off his many attractions.




Rob blew out a long sigh and shook his head slowly. "I blame my mother for this. She drove me to it," he said dramatically.

I rolled my eyes, but waited for him to continue. "She's been nagging me about settling down for a while now and I finally got sick of it. So I gave in, sort of," he said flashing me a devilish grin. "I want to teach her a lesson never to meddle in my life again. So I--or rather my sister Stella--thought the best way to do that was to get engaged to the most unsuitable woman I could that would horrify her."

"I didn't know I was so unsuitable," I said.

Realizing how hurtful his words must have sounded, Rob looked stricken for a moment before apologizing profusely. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I'm such a jackass," he said.

"But it's true, though. I'm just a scandal prone actress--not good enough for someone with your blue blood. Hell, you're probably a lord or something right?"

Rob choked on his sip of water before he looked up at me self consciously. "It's just a minor barony," he mumbled.

"Ha! I knew it," I said. I couldn't keep the laughter out of my voice. It was just so fitting that Rob would be an aristocrat. No wonder his mother would have a fit if she thought her precious son were cavorting with someone as uncouth and vulgar as me.

"It's not anything about you in particular, but actresses and celebrities in general she has a problem with. And I also thought that perhaps you could play up being a loud and obnoxious gold digger, since you're an actress and all, it would really serve her right. But I didn't mean that you were unsuitable, just the character you'd be playing," he explained.

"So, you want me to act the part of the fiancée from hell?" I asked.

Rob looked a little sheepish before nodding his head. "That is, if it's all right with you. I thought since you were an actress, it wouldn't be a big deal. Just another role to play," he said.

"You don't have to explain. I get it. You want to teach her a lesson she'll never forget," I said.

"Yes, exactly."

I smiled a genuine smile at him. "Then I'm your girl. I can do bitchy and manipulative."

We finished our meals and I waited while Rob paid the check. It had been an enlightening conversation with him, and I was actually glad that we cleared up some issues between us, minor as they were. I knew what he expected of me, and I hoped I could keep everything civil and businesslike now that we'd gotten that out of the way.