Jennifer didn’t need someone to fetch her coffee. She could get up and get it herself and besides, what he proposed would be way more lucrativefor her. He leaned forward and said, “Yeah. I need you.”
She pressed her lips together but her gaze narrowed as she studied him. “Why?”
Good. She hadn’t said no. This meant he had a chance to convince her. Matt always got what he wanted. Always. He softened his expression and scooted closer like they were already friends. “I’m up for a big role. Role of a lifetime really, but thepress… I don’t have Jennifer’s PR team, though if I knew who they were, I’d hire them in a heart-beat.”
She sighed like she enjoyed being so close to him, close enough for him to smell her apricot shampoo. “What does that mean? What’s going on?”
Matt decided to lay all his cards on the table. This close he could see that Ashley was naturally beautiful, and goosebumps rose on hisarms. “I’m being waitlisted for the franchise because I haven’t had a girlfriend in a while.”
Her eyes, without makeup, darkened and her lips, gloss-free, pouted, tempting him to kiss her but that wasn’t going to happen. She said, “I’m sure there are tons of actresses-”
“That doesn’t help my PR.” He reached across the table and took her hand. Electricity shot through him. “Look,I’m rich and my agent and his publicist say part of why I’m not getting this role is because I don’t connect to every-day people.”
“Are you joking?” Her voice lifted in surprise. “You’re one of my favorite actors.”
Then hopefully she’d be on board with his plan once he spelled it out. Ashley was absolutely not the Hollywood type so he traced her fingers as he said, “I need to rehabmy PR so I’m looking for some help.”
She took her hand back and tilted her head. “Like what?”
Adrenaline pumped through him as he said the absolute truth. “I need a pretend plain girlfriend, so that people see I like normal women and not just glamorous movie stars or models.”
Her lips pressed together. His mind raced that he’d made a mistake, saying the word “plain” when Ashleywasn’t. Hopefully he could recover—he’d meant without makeup. She didn’t call him on it but said, “I thought you only dated blondes.”
If he was playing part, what would he do in this situation? Apologize without saying sorry. He traced her hand, and saw she too had goosebumps. “See, that’s why I need your help. You’re beautiful and way more down to earth than I am.”
She swallowedlike she needed a second but then took her hand back to press it against her chest. “I don’t understand what you’re asking of me.”
No-holds-barred. Maybe this was impulsive and a bad idea, but part of what made him an actor was allowing himself to be impulsive and the opposite of his banker father, who’d overseen his life without mentioning their real relationship. Matt didn’t blink ashe said, “I’m asking you, a total stranger really, to help me and go out on a few dates with me.”
A laugh escaped her lips. “That’s it?”
His shoulders lightened. She’d agree. He felt it as he nodded. “If the press thinks we’re dating and we sell it, then I get the movie role I want. So, yes. Will you?”
Again she pointed to her heart like she was shocked. “Me?”
A propwould be nice right now, like flowers. He didn’t have one so he positioned his chair so he could face her directly without the table between them. “You’re pretty perfect. But it means you need to quit your job with Jennifer. And if you can move in for a few weeks, in your own room, of course, that’s even better.”
Her face was red. “Can’t I do both? Be your “girlfriend” and work for Jennifer?”
This plan was perfect. She needed a job, and he could pay her well. “How much do you need?”
She stared at him with eyes wide open. “What?”
This being a job meant he wouldn’t act on his other desires to taste and kiss her. Boundaries were good for the billionaire side of his life. “How much will getting you to quit and taking the job as my pretend girlfriend cost? My lawyerscan have a contract in your hand in an hour.”
She leapt out of her chair and avoided his gaze as she talked fast. “Let me get this coffee to Jennifer. Can I think about it for an hour and let you know at the next break in the schedule?”
Matt’s heart pounded. He hadn’t expected her to run from him. He’d felt he’d closed the deal, but he nodded as she picked up the coffee cup. “Youpromise not to leave the set without giving me an answer?”
“Absolutely.” She raised one hand like she was giving a scout’s pledge.
He would get props for round two. And probably have his agent run a background check. That was logical. He walked her to the door that she unlocked herself. “Then see you later, Ashley.”
“Bye.” She opened the door. For a second she didn’t moveand he waited, holding his breath.
Ashley dashed away and he watched the sway of her hips. She truly was beautiful. He tasted thecafesitaagain, which was heavenly. She’d be perfect for the role, though he did wish he remembered where he’d seen her face.
Chapter 3
