Jess threw up her hands, her stomach tossing as the conversation flooded back to her—every word of her crazed babbling crashing into his calm responses. ‘Don’t ask.’
‘It looked good.’
Jess shook her head. How could a person with four years worth of hatred, wimping out in the face of her evil nemesis, look good?
Her cheeks burned. How was she going to exact her revenge on the guy with a shred of dignity now he knew she was the total twit who’d lost it, tossed a drink on him and spoken absolute rubbish to him?
Women Against Womanisers? Where had that come from? Sure, if such an organisation existed she’d be the first to sign up—giving support to other women who’d been screwed over by men. And there’d be a lot.
She bit her bottom lip. She just hoped he believed it, and forgot all about her.
Jess straightened her jacket, willing her pulse to slow. It was over. So over. And there was no way she was going to be eating anywhere tonight—least of all here. ‘Let’s get out of here.’
‘Did you get it all off your chest?’ Kath stood up slowly, her gaze probing Jess’s face. ‘You have to feel better now that’s over?’
‘Sure,’ Jess choked, looking towards the front door, hoping she sounded more convincing than she felt. ‘I told him.’
Kath hooked her handbag over her shoulder, tipping her head to one side, looking past Jess as though she wasn’t there. ‘I don’t know…I don’t think you made your point very clearly at all.’
Jess sucked in a deep breath. ‘You weren’t there. You have no idea.’ So she’d barely scratched the surface. But now wasn’t the time. She had to work out a way to get their company playing ball with the big guys, to get the clients that Alex Calahan coveted and to drive him broke—as he deserved.
‘So, if you saw Calahan again…?’
She lifted her chin. There was no way she was going to let Kath know the truth about the encounter. It was better to let her partner in business believe she was over the ‘Crush Calahan’ crusade and that she was in no way as idiotically vulnerable as any other woman to the man’s evil charms.
‘Not a problem,’ Jess said easily, seeing as she didn’t plan to see the guy ever again. Unless you counted giving change to him in the street after she’d turned him into a pauper.
‘Good. Because he’s behind you.’
She stiffened, then relaxed. Kath had to be joking. There was no way Calahan would come begging for more of the same—she’d acted like a total idiot.
‘I’m not joking, Jess,’ Kath said from between clenched teeth, imitating the smile of a Cheshire cat, her attention behind Jess.
‘Jess,’ said a distinctly male voice, rich and smooth behind her. ‘Nice name. Short for—?’
Jess’s heart leapt into her throat.
She stared at her friend, flexing her fingers as his warm friendly tone slid through her, doing strange things to the nerves in her body.
She wanted to turn around and shove the guy into next week. But she was frozen to the spot, her breath coming short and ragged.
‘I’m Katherine,’ her ex-friend said, reaching past Jess, offering a nervous sort of smile.
Jess saw Kath’s hand vanish in his large hand beside her, out of the corner of her eye, and her mind darted to how strong and smooth and sensuous his hand probably felt against hers.
‘Alex,’ he said smoothly. ‘But I’m guessing you already knew that.’
Kath nodded. ‘So…’ she offered, glaring at Jess, widening her eyes.
What could he possibly want? Her mind rattled through the possibilities. To give her a dry-cleaning bill? Or a date?
She bristled. He’d better get used to disappointment.
She swung around to face him, her breath snagging in her throat at the sheer presence of him, so close to her, watching her with his deep blue eyes as though he was searching her very soul.
The corners of his mouth tipped. ‘Hello.’
‘Hi,’ she whispered, forcing air into her lungs. ‘I’m sorry…if I gave you the impression that I wanted something from you. I don’t.’
He touched his jaw, his eyes sparkling. ‘Good.’
She stared at his mouth, trying to understand the meaning behind the word, his presence, the strange tingling in the pit of her stomach.
‘I’d like to propose—’
Kath gasped.
‘—that you may have a unique viewpoint to offer, and I’m more than interested in exploring it to the full.’
‘Really?’ She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at the man. What sort of pick-up line was that? She’d expected more from a guy with the reputation of wooing the ladies the way she’d heard he did.
‘I’d appreciate your perspective.’
‘I have no idea what you’re talking about, and I have no intention of spending one more minute of my time finding out.’ Jess snatched up her bag from the bar. ‘I’ve said my piece.’ She shot Kath a look. ‘And I won’t waste my time or my breath on self-serving womanisers who are out to exploit everything and everyone around them. Good night.’
She snagged Kath’s arm and lurched towards the exit.
‘Jess?’
Her name on his lips hit her deep in the chest. She swung around to face the last man on earth she wanted using it.
‘That’s exactly the perspective I need. I’m looking to change my image…and I need some honest advice.’
She sucked in a deep breath.
‘I’ll pay you for your time.’
‘Of course you will,’ Kath piped up, stepping forward. ‘And I expect you’ll want her to incorporate herself into your day-to-day routine, so she can point out exactly what’s happening on a minute-by-minute basis?’
He blinked, and nodded. ‘Yes, that would be a good idea. I hadn’t thought about it. I just figure I need some guidance from one of your members when it comes to my attitude with women.’
Kath shot Jess a questioning look.
She swallowed hard. Kath had no idea what was going on—that she hadn’t vented it all on Calahan, that she’d fed him a false line. She looked at her friend. ‘I did my bit for Women Against Womanisers—seeing as he qualifies as a prize-winning jerk in the first degree. I told Calahan here as much, and exactly what I thought of him.’
Kath’s eyes widened, glinting. ‘Right.’ She swung to face Calahan. ‘And I’m sure your womanising activities extend far beyond dating and into every part of your life, Mr Calahan?’
He frowned. ‘No. Maybe. Possibly.’
‘So if my fellow member of our organisation here took time out of her valuable schedule to instruct you in the ways of the sensitive New Age man…?’
Jess stiffened, glaring at Kath, who’d cottoned onto the conversation far too quickly and was taking full advantage.
Calahan smiled at Kath, adjusting his tie and pulling back his shoulders. ‘Exactly what I’m after.’
What in heaven’s name was Kath getting her into? And why on earth would she want to follow Calahan around all day telling him what he was doing wrong?
She paused. It could be fun, screwing with his head. But, no—nothing could induce her. She had a business to run, clients to seduce away, and campaigns to wage against the Calahan empire. ‘Not a chance. You’re an arrogant son of a—’
Kath grabbed Calahan’s hand again and pumped it enthusiastically. ‘She’d be happy to help you out.’
Jess’s heart leapt to her throat. ‘Kath?’
‘You’re one of our most active members,’ she offered, widening her eyes at Jess. ‘So I’m sure you’ll sacrifice your time to help Mr Calahan back from the dark side. Goodness, Jess, you have to agree that the world can never have too many men trying to be more sensitive to a woman’s needs.’
Jess stared at Kath, her blood pounding in her veins. She was conscious of her mouth being open, of it drying, and of no words coming out.
‘You can’t tell me that you’d refuse to help a womaniser who’s addre
ssing his problems?’ Kath took Jess to one side and rubbed her shoulder as though she could warm her to the idea. ‘Come on. You can sit in on his meetings,’ she said with a seductive lilt in her voice, ‘and follow him around as he talks with potential clients and stuff. Instruct him on where he’s getting it wrong. Won’t you?’
‘Will I?’ she said cautiously, then registered Kath’s words as they spun around her head, their significance seeping into every pore.
It made perfect sense. If they were ever going to have a chance of competing for business with this guy’s empire they had to know how the enemy ran his camp. And if, in the process, she happened to hear what companies were looking for representation, it wouldn’t be out of the question to use that information and offer them an alternative. Would it?
Jess bit her bottom lip to stop the smile threatening her cool expression. She was sure Calahan wouldn’t mind…It was business, and when it came to business with Calahan anything was fair. She turned to face him again.
‘I’d be awfully grateful,’ Calahan said smoothly, offering Jess a business card. ‘If you could get out of your usual job for a day and come to my office…say Wednesday…we’ll get on with it.’
Kath snatched the card from Calahan and nodded enthusiastically. ‘She’ll be there.’
Jess watched the most arrogant, irritating man in Sydney saunter back to his group, his head held high, his shoulders back, his irritating confidence oozing from every pore.
‘Oh-my-God.’ Jess forced herself to move, stalking to the front door of the fancy restaurant. ‘I can’t.’
Kath followed a step behind. ‘You can.’
She swung around to face her friend. ‘What did you do? Did you wake up this morning and decide that today you were going to destroy my life?’
‘You’re being melodramatic. This is going to save us.’ Kath linked her arm in hers, grinning. ‘Our prayers have been answered.’
Jess sighed. ‘I don’t think I can deliberately go and steal his clients…’ That would make her no better than him, and if there was one thing she never wanted, it was to be like Alexander Calahan.
‘What about you just get some dirt on the guy, then?’ Kath leant close. ‘You said yourself that the article had to be a lie. Get the proof.’
‘That would put a spanner in the works,’ she said slowly, mulling over the idea, feeling a weight lifting from her shoulders at the thought that she could do some good.
‘There’s no other way we can put one there.’
What could she say to that? Kath was right. This was a boon and a half. She just wished it didn’t involve her going anywhere near the man she loathed.
‘It’ll be fine. You’ll love it. You can point out all the guy’s faults and get paid for it too.’
Jess bit her lip, her body chilling. ‘But that would mean the article is genuine, wouldn’t it? If he really wants to change himself?’
‘Could be just another stunt?’
‘Yes.’ Kath was right. Cripes, it was what they’d come to expect from the guy—and if she was going to have to spend time with the handsome jerk she was going to make it count.
She’d spent long enough keeping score. It was time she took a shot herself.
Alexander Calahan wouldn’t know what hit him.
CHAPTER THREE
‘WHAT the hell is this?’ Lucas slapped the magazine down on the desk between them. ‘Have you gone mad? You’ve got everything. Why throw it all away by getting married?’
Alex shrugged. ‘You may be happy living the bachelor life indefinitely, but I, personally, am getting tired of it.’
His friend leant forward, leaning heavily on his desk. ‘How? You’re rich, you’re pretty good-looking, and you’ve got every woman in the city falling all over you. Why mess with perfection?’
Alex shrugged. ‘I need more. I’m bored.’ And his thirty-third birthday had been a turning point in his life—his father had been married by this age; it was time to step his life up another notch.
He swivelled the magazine around to face him. Declaring his new intentions to the women of the city would give him a head start. They’d know he was seriously thinking about settling down, so when he found one who touched him deeply she’d know he was serious.
And in the meantime he had Jess.
He leant back in the seat opposite Lucas, letting his gaze wander around the man’s office as his mind wandered over Jess again.
She was all woman—stubborn, but seriously sexy, with that long loose hair, as though she had no restrictions in her life. Her attempt at conservative clothing had taunted him with the passionate woman that pulsed underneath, just waiting for the right man.
What a challenge.
But not his. She was coming for one reason and for one reason only: to show him the art of a sincere seeker of love.
His blood warmed at the thought of seeing her again, his mind playing with him as he wondered what she’d be like. As forceful as last time? Or gentler, more understanding, as her realisation of his wanting to move to the next step in relationships sank in?
He tipped back on his chair. The woman had no business hating him—she didn’t even know him. Yet.
Alex folded his hands behind his neck. He would remedy that—and find out what in hell made the woman tick.
He couldn’t wait to see her—start bending her to his charms, softening her heart…
He shook himself. No. That wasn’t the idea.
He looked at his watch. Time was moving too slowly today. Hell, for the last five days. Why had he thought he could wait so long before his lessons began?
Logic ruled that the woman probably had a life to reschedule, but the waiting was killing him. It was hard to imagine he could be doing anything wrong—anything that would put a woman off falling head over heels in love with him—but for some reason it just wasn’t happening.
Lucas stood up and stalked across his office, stroking his goatee. ‘You’re delusional. The last thing you need in your life is a wife.’
‘You’re wrong, Lucas.’ Alex shook his head, kicking back in the chair and lifting his feet onto his friend’s desk. ‘I need a woman. A lover. A mate. I need to put the sort of time and commitment into a relationship that I have into building this business.’
‘No. You’ve had plenty of relationships and look at you. Still single.’ Lucas inclined his head. ‘And still smiling.’
Alex swung his feet down to the floor and stood up, smoothing down his trousers and buttoning his jacket. ‘I’m not smiling when I go home to an empty apartment.’
‘Get a dog.’
‘I have a dog. It’s time for me to marry.’ Alex strode to the door.
And it was time to show his father he could do better than him in his personal life—as he had in his business one. He would have the perfect life that his parents had failed at, and give his children the stability that he hadn’t had.
He gripped the door handle, glancing at his friend. He wouldn’t mind coming home to someone who was going to be interested in his day, his goals, and his dreams for the future.
‘No.’ Lucas pointed at the magazine still lying on the desk. ‘I can’t believe it. Tell me it’s a ruse.’
Alex shook his head. ‘I assure you that I’m hellbent on this. There’s no way on the planet that I want to continue with these shallow flings for the next few decades. They leave me with nothing but a bigger void to fill.’
‘Get a girlfriend, then. A proper one. One who isn’t looking for a good time and a large bank account.’
Alex threw up his arms. ‘That’s the idea. And if she works out then I’ll make her permanent.’
Lucas ran a hand through his short hair. ‘So I’m guessing you have a game plan for how to achieve this insane goal of yours, like you usually do?’
‘Absolutely.’ Alex strode down the hallway to his own office. ‘Like with everything else in my life, I’m the one in control—and I’ll have the future I make for myself by using all the re
sources available to me.’
Lucas followed him. ‘So what are you planning? I don’t like surprises.’
Alex had to like Lucas. He was his best friend, vice-president and his corporate lawyer, and always looking out for his best interests. ‘It’s all about actions reflecting goals. I know what I have to do.’
‘You have something up your sleeve?’ Lucas eyed Alex with narrowed eyes. ‘I can see you’re up to something already.’
Alex couldn’t help but smile. ‘I’m all over the problem.’
‘How?’
He slowed, slipping his hands into his trouser pockets. ‘You know I have a reputation as a womaniser?’
Lucas gnawed his bottom lip. ‘As evidenced by that woman on Friday night. What I would give for a woman like that to come up to me…minus the drink in the face, of course. And that outburst—that was harsh.’
‘She was perfect.’
‘She was crazy.’ Lucas stroked his goatee again, shaking his head. ‘Ignore her.’
‘Not a chance. She’s perfect,’ he said slowly, the memory of the fire in her eyes sliding through him like warm honey.
‘Well, she was certainly beautiful.’ Lucas nodded. ‘And feisty. And she’ll make wonderful babies with you…if only she didn’t hate you.’
He had to smile. ‘Not a problem since all I need from her is her wisdom and advice on ousting my womanising ways.’
‘You’re going to make her fall in love with you, aren’t you?’ Lucas leant against a wall. ‘Because if you can make her love you then you can make anyone?’
Alex frowned. ‘I hadn’t thought of that.’
‘Think about it.’ Lucas crossed his arms over his chest, a gleam shining in his eyes. ‘Then you could make a try at the big one.’
Alex closed his eyes. ‘Natasha Bradford-Jones,’ he said slowly, thinking about the woman who had evaded his charms and advances by being tantalisingly unavailable, with this fiancé or that one. Until now.
But somehow he couldn’t get enthused about Natasha with Jess filling his mind and senses.
Jess and him.
The thought of romancing Jess sang in his veins, but the thought of anything more—that he could get anyone, maybe even Natasha Bradford-Jones of the Double Bay Bradford-Joneses—was incongruous.
The Fiancee Charade Page 2