by Lulu Pratt
He calls over the waitress and she takes our orders. He has a medium-sized breakfast, and I go with a simple fruit and yogurt dish. I figure that will be the easiest on my stomach.
We eat in silence, before Cade begins, “I can’t believe it’s already been three years since we first met.” He glances up with a smile, “Three years since we met and it’s taken me so long to propose.” He chuckles.
It takes me a moment to catch on and I blush, offering him a smile, “I know. You really took your time there, didn’t you?” I’m smiling, shrugging as I look into his eyes.
He meets my gaze and he looks serious, “I just couldn’t get up the courage to tell you before.” He leans forward and for a moment, nothing else exists in the room, in this moment, but me and him. The world slows as he continues.
“I have a bit of a reputation as a playboy… I thought you’d reject me.” He shrugs, a sheepish look on his face, “Good thing you didn’t.”
I feel hope stir in my chest, a faint hope that maybe all this isn’t pretend. Maybe there’s more to him, more to us, than I had originally thought. Maybe I had jumped to conclusions. For a brief second, my heart is soaring.
Then Cade breaks into an easy grin, “So, how was that?”
I blink, unsure what he means. There’s silence for a moment before it hits me. He was just faking it. Just another lie. Just another way to build the image of a perfect relationship. A good excuse for why we hadn’t gotten into a relationship much sooner.
He’s still smiling, “I thought it was pretty good.”
I don’t know what to say. Anger pulses through me, hurt following soon after. It is followed quickly by the shuddering realization that this is all it will ever be to him and I am better off keeping this strictly business.
I throw any hope of something more into the trash, and move on.
If the smile I give him looks forced, it’s because that’s exactly what it is. Forced. “That’s great. Convincing story.”
Any sincerity has vanished from his eyes and I am left wondering what the hell just happened. I wonder how he can change so quickly, how he can lie so convincingly. I swallow the lump in my throat and straighten my dress. He’s a jerk and I need to remember that.
A complete jerk and this is nothing but business, end of story.
“Good. I hoped it would be.” He sips his coffee.
I finish mine, before rising to my feet.
“Where are you off to?” He asks with a confused look.
“To get the bill.” I know I sound a little cold, but I’m beyond caring. I’ll play my part to a tee, but that’s all he’s getting from me. I go to the counter before he can argue, handing over my card and clearing the bill before I return, clutching the receipt like a trophy.
“What was that all about?” There’s tension in his voice, the easy-going exterior melting away into nothing before my very eyes.
I shrug and sit down, “I was getting the bill.”
“I know that. I was going to pay.” His eyes are boring into me and I turn and stare straight back at him.
I smile, and I find my own words flowing smooth as honey, “I just wanted to spoil you before your big meeting, baby. I know how important it is to you.” I lean across the table and touch his arm with a soft smile.
Our eyes meet and there’s a moment of fire between us. Then he glances away. He knows he’s lost this round. An odd thrill rises inside of me and I pull my hand back.
“Thanks.” His words are forced, but he’s smiling as if nothing happened. He’s convincing. That’s good.
“You’re really thoughtful.” He finishes his drink and stands, “We’d better get going. Better to be early than late, huh?”
I nod in agreement, holding my purse as we make our way to the door, “Thank you for inviting me to this.” I practically simper, “I really want to be a part of this.” I smile, “I mean, now that we’re engaged. It would just feel wrong to leave you all alone.”
He adjusts his tie and I can tell I am making him uncomfortable. I’m playing my part too well and I feel triumph flush through me. He can fake it all he likes, but I can do it too, perhaps better. I know what he likes, I know his life story. I’m his stylist – I’ve practically seen inside his soul. It’s time to put that to the test.
He might know how to treat some random lady, but I know what makes Cade Harlow tick. I slip my hand into his and glance up at the building that we’re approaching.
It’s massive and somehow it seems terribly soulless. “Cheerful place, isn’t it?”
“Matches the man inside it.” I feel him twitch, hostility pouring off him like waves.
“You know him?”
“No. One phone conversation. One email.” He frowns, “That was enough.”
I nod, and squeeze his hand, “Well, we’d better be nice. After all, he’s doing a lot of work for us, isn’t he?” I laugh and shake my head, “Oh, I mean, for you. Sorry.”
An innocent slip, a loving little mistake and a squeeze of his hands. He looks away from me and I can feel the warmth radiating off his body.
“Of course I’ll be nice.” He does a remarkable job of keeping steady and I have to admit that he’s not the only one feeling tense, feeling nervous. This is a big day and I hope that I am ready to take it head on.
We make our way into the building. Cade checks a piece of paper – I assume he is confirming the floor and the number. We step into the elevator and I glance at myself in the mirror. I still look put together and professional. A reliable fiancée.
Good. That’s what I am going for. I let my attention wonder as the lift rushes upwards. Cade seems unsettled, tapping his fingers lightly. His expression is smooth but I have only ever seen him tap his fingers when he’s feeling stressed. I’m not sure he even realizes he is doing it.
The building itself feels unusually cold, like it is too big to heat properly. It truly does have an odd, soulless feeling to it – a sort of corporate quality, but without any attempts at being friendly or inclusive. I swallow. I need to play it cool. I need to keep it together.
I know Cade. I just need to focus on the truth and build it into the lie. Everything will be just fine. Cade doesn’t say a word until we reach our floor, stepping out of the lift. I let Cade go first, and breathe a deep sigh. I try to steady my nerves. I suddenly wonder if this would feel any different if we were in love, if we were together. Would I feel less worried or even more so about this meeting?
“His office is this way.” Cade glances at me with a smile. He’s moving with easy confidence again, the hostility left behind in the elevator. He’s all calm smiles and flashing eyes.
When we stop outside a door, the plaque reads, “Adam Jones. Lawyer.”
Cade doesn’t hesitate, knocking firmly on the door before glancing at his watch. We’re right on time, and the door swings open promptly.
A man is standing in the doorway. He’s taller, younger than I expected him to be, and I am struck by how good looking he is. He exudes a completely different kind of confidence. He’s holding himself tall in a way that suggests he holds power, he holds knowledge, and he knows it.
His eyes skim over me and over Cade, and I notice that they are the most brilliant shade of blue. Lively, sharp and very intelligent. I need to keep my guard up with his man. He’s dressed crisply in a shirt, tie and dress pants. No suit jacket. He’s at ease, even more so than Cade.
He has nothing to lose. He holds all the cards. I feel a flush of heat down my body, lingering between my legs. His eyes find mine and for a moment, I am held in place, a butterfly pinned and unable to move. Then his eyes slide to Cade again and he smiles, extending a hand.
“Ah, Mr. Harlow. Come in.” He shakes hands with Cade and steps back to let us into the room. “And you must be Miss…?” His eyes search my face and it’s like he can see right through me.
“Cassidy.” I answer, a blush creeping to my cheeks despite my best intentions to stay composed. He holds out his hand and I
take it for a moment in a handshake. It’s cool and dry and I hope that my hand feels the same way to him.
“Please, take a seat.” He leads us to his office and pulls out my chair.
He’s polished, unlike the womanizing confidence of Cade. It’s like being submerged into a pool of cool water. Too cold at first, but refreshing and beautiful and exactly what you need.
“Coffee?” He steps away to the machine.
Cade is leaning back in the chair now, looking perfectly at home. His posture is open and relaxed, but I see the flickering in his eyes, “Black, thanks.”
I nod, even though I have only just finished a cup, “With cream, if that’s okay.”
“It’s no trouble.” Adam turns to make the coffee and I glance at Cade. He gives me a reassuring smile and reaches across to take my hand.
For a fleeting moment of insanity, I consider pulling my hand away. I blush at my own stupidity, the way I am fawning over a man I have just met. Sure, he’s magnetic, but that’s no reason to lose my head.
Adam hands us our cups and makes his way to the other side of the desk, sitting down in his chair and surveying us, “So, Mr. Harlow… I trust you’ve brought the relevant paperwork?” He’s smiling as he skips straight to the point.
“Of course, Mr. Jones. What exactly would you like to see first?” Cade smiles in return, flicking his briefcase open easily.
“Please, call me Adam.” His eyes move to me as he says it, meeting my gaze. Electricity crackles in the air between us and I feel my breath grow short.
He looks back at Cade, “The paperwork for the trust fund, thank you.” His voice is as polite as when he first opened the door, but I can feel the current running beneath. It’s almost patronizing and I see the tension grow in Cade’s shoulder.
These men hate each other. They may wear suits and dance around the issue with polite talk and subtle digs, but their hatred for each other is clear. Not even five minutes in. I bite back a sigh and lean forward, trying to seem interested.
I realize with startling clarity that I am going to have to do a damn good job of this if I want to convince Adam of our relationship. I rest a hand on Cade’s arm, “Is that the letter you mentioned?” I ask, naive and eager to help my fiancé. My voice is a soft murmur, as if I only want Cade to hear me. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
To his credit, Cade doesn’t shoot me an irritated glare even though I feel him stiffen. Instead, he looks at me in a supportive sort of way, “Yes, that’s the one.”
Tension cracks between us and I hope that Adam mistakes it for sexual tension, romantic chemistry or something other than anger.
Cade finds the papers and passes them over to Adam.
I wonder how long I can keep this up. The meeting is only meant to last for an hour, but five minutes in and I don’t know what I am supposed to feel.
I focus on a point behind Adam’s head and try to breathe.
I can do this.
CHAPTER EIGHT
CADE HARLOW
Stress pounds through my temples, thudding through my head and making it ache. I’ve been working too damn hard to lose everything to this guy. He’s smooth, I can’t deny it. He’s crisp and well dressed and he talks to Ellen like he knows just what makes her tick. I feel an odd jealousy at the way he makes her smile, the way he elicits a laugh from her.
She needs to be careful. Anger thuds at my chest. If she acts like a schoolgirl with a crush around Adam, he’ll know that our relationship isn’t for real. She’s playing her part well, touching my arm, asking innocent questions, taking an interest in me and what I am doing. But I wonder if she’s attracted to him.
She nods at everything that Adam and I say, and she looks as polished as she did the evening I proposed to her. Everything is going perfectly – everything is going according to plan and, honestly, there is no real reason for me to worry.
But I just can’t shake the concern from my bones. The way Adam looks at Ellen has me unsettled, and I have a bad feeling that she’s looking at him in much the same way. I can’t blow this.
I need to come up with better ways to convince her to play her part. I need to find a better way to deal with Adam. I’d be doing so much better if I had actually slept last night and the ache in my head is growing blinding.
“Okay, Mr. Harlow. Everything seems to be in order.” Adam is smiling as he holds up the paperwork, “Do you mind if I take a copy, just for the records?”
“No, of course not.” I respond pleasantly.
A moment later, he’s stepped out of the room. An obvious ploy. I turn to look at Ellen, cutting her off before she can speak, “Thanks for coming with me.” I take her hand in my own, speaking in low tones, “I know it’s boring, but I really appreciate it.”
She smiles and it’s so warm and so sincere that I feel winded for a moment, “Don’t worry about it, Cade. I’d never make you go through this alone.”
A hand seems to grip my heart, clutching it tightly in my chest. There is sincerity in her voice that I have not heard for so long. It makes me ache and I hate it. Of course she is acting sincere and loving. It would be silly of her not to – we’d both lose out if she decided to be snippy.
Still… the feeling lingers in my chest long after the moment has passed. When Adam wanders back into the room, we shift apart again, my attention moving back to him. He hands me my papers and I nod.
“Thank you.” I take them and tuck them back into my briefcase.
“I don’t expect any delays.” Adam is smiling in a reassuring sort of way, “We’ll probably need to meet a few more times, to sign some papers, but I’ll be in touch.”
“Is that all then, Adam?” I smile, shifting in my seat. He takes me in for a long moment and I am struck by the blue of his eyes. I shrug it off.
“That’s all.” He smiles and it lights up his face, “Oh – I don’t think I’ve congratulated you.” He looks between me and Ellen, “Congratulations on your engagement – both of you. You must be very happy.”
For a moment, I don’t know what to say. Ellen comes to the rescue with a bright smile, “Oh, very.”
“Definitely.” I smile, taking Ellen’s hand as we stand.
Adam follows soon after and we make our way to the office door, “I’ll be in touch then.” He smiles.
“It has been a pleasure to meet you both.” He smiles again and I don’t like the way his eyes linger over Ellen. Her eyes meet his and I can practically feel the chemistry between them. Ellen pulls her gaze away quickly and I feel relief settle within me.
Good. She’s not going to blow everything on a silly attraction. I’m surprised that I don’t feel that much better. I push my emotions down deep and offer Adam my hand. He shakes it firmly, “Good to meet you too.” I fix him with a solid stare, “I look forward to a smooth transaction.”
His grip tightens for just a second and we are locked in the moment, tension running through the both of us like a rod, connecting us together.
Then Ellen clears her throat and the moment is broken. Adam nods politely, “I’m sure it will, Mr. Harlow. I’m sure it will.”
“Call me Cade.” I add, and my voice comes out colder than I intended it to.
Adam smirks, a faint one tugging at the corner of his mouth, “All right, Cade. I’ll call you to arrange another meeting.”
“Perfect.” I turn to leave.
“Goodbye.” Ellen smiles pleasantly as we leave. I can’t fault her. She is doing her job more perfectly than I could have ever dreamed. Yet there is still a bitter sort of feeling in my stomach, one that I just can’t shake.
I don’t know why Adam sets me on edge this much, but I’m not going to let it get to me.
I have to win this round, and I’m not letting anyone stand in my way. I glance at Ellen as we reach the elevator. We make our way down in relative silence. I guess she doesn’t want to break character any more than I do. Keeping this up is far too important to the both of us and messing it up is not an option
, not something that we should even be considering.
When the elevator doors open, I hear Ellen gasp. She looked dismayed and annoyed, “I can’t believe it! I left my purse upstairs.”
I bite back the annoyance that rises in my throat and instead nod in sympathy, “Want me to go and get it?”
She shakes her head, “I’ll do it. I’ll be as quick as I can.”
She gets back in the elevator and I watch as she disappears behind closed doors. She’ll be alone with Adam and I only hope she keeps up the game.
CHAPTER NINE
ADAM JONES
The moment they walk out my office, I breathe a sigh of relief. I sink down onto the couch in the waiting room and take a deep breath. My body feels like it is sizzling with tension and I don’t know what I should be doing first. I usually feel quite focused, but at the moment, I feel almost at a loss.
I should feel triumphant – there are definitely gaps in their relationship, things I can use to slowly pull apart the fabric of their lie. I’m happy about that – happy to know that I will undo a lying bastard like Cade and put him in his place where he belongs.
The triumph is still dulled by the burning anger that has lodged itself in my heart. I don’t usually feel this way, but everything about that man has turned my anger up to full blast. His arrogance, the way he looked at his fiancée, the way he treated me with contempt.
I want to put him in his place and I cannot wait to do it. I swear nothing would give me more pleasure right now. Nothing that is, except for Ellen.
She looked gorgeous in that dress. It was cut just right and fit her body like it was tailor made. It hugged all the right curves and the subtle sparkle on her neck was just right. The way she moved, her hair shimmering down her back. Her eyes meeting mine, locking and not wanting to let go.
I can feel a stirring below my belt and I bite my lip. This is not the time. The intelligent sparking behind her eyes and her naive act, the way she sauntered out of the room, her hand in Cade’s. The way she had looked at me when she should have been looking at Cade.