Oliver leaned forward. "Great, great, we're making real progress here. Now you, Janey. Try some blaming."
She struggled to think of something blaming to say. Then she snapped her fingers. "Nyall has stupid rules. He thinks work always has priority. If that's what he thinks, then he shouldn't make arrangements with virgins."
"Okay, now we're getting somewhere," Oliver said, rubbing his hands together. "Let's move on to vantaging. Here, we're aiming to leave history behind. Move past what's happened. We're aiming for forgiveness. Janey? Why don't you start?"
"Um. Like, I should forgive Nyall for his stupid rule, you mean? Is that what you mean?"
"Yeah, that kind of thing."
"Okay." She turned her head to look at Nyall doubtfully. "I think your rule is stupid. But I understand that you have to have it. You're forgiven." She didn't feel like that really settled anything, but the words made her feel a little better.
"Nyall? What about you?"
A muscle moved in his jaw. "I forgive you, Janey, for everything. You can stay with me."
Oliver smothered a laugh and Amy hooted. "Er, right," Oliver said. "Maybe be more specific?"
Nyall sighed and ran his hands up Janey's arm and hip, shifting her further up against him, reminding her of the elevator incident again.
"Janey, stop assuming you're like Amy here, or anyone else," he said. "No offense, Amy, you were the best, bud."
"Creep," Amy yawned, and to Oliver, "Don't freak out, lover, Nyall's not even in your class." She winked at Janey, who decided she really liked Amy.
Nyall's hands tightened. "And stop assuming I'm being noble. You're not a charity case, you never were a charity case." He whispered in her ear: "I was just hot for your ass, only hotter than I've ever been for any ass, ever, because it's your ass. I keep telling you that. Maybe you'll believe me now."
She swallowed. In the same hushed tone, she said, "Because there's something about me even though I can't figure out what it is and you don't know either."
"More or less." He kissed her head, then said in a normal voice. "So if you do that then I forgi—"
"Hold on," Oliver said. "You're doing it again. Rushing to the next stage. That's negotiating. Did we ever agree on the goaling? Because the negotiating depends on the goaling." He scratched his head.
"If you want to wait to finish this until you've worked out some bugs, that's cool," Nyall said. "We've settled that Janey's staying with me, isn't she? Aren't you, baby?"
Janey frowned. "Not necessarily. I still don't think I'm offering you anything remotely near what you're giving me. You don't want to learn to cook."
"You can teach me how to cook."
"But it's not that valuable to you."
"Maybe I can help here with a re-isolating moment," Oliver said. "Janey, what is it you want in this relationship with Nyall?"
Janey bit her lip. "You mean for this week? I want to learn everything Nyall can teach me about sex and men and how to deal with them. I want my —" she flashed a smile at Nyall, "sex certificate."
"And Nyall? What is it you want in your relationship with Janey?"
There was a pause. Eventually Janey looked around again and found him looking annoyed. "I want her with me," he said. "To take care of her. To teach her whatever she wants to know."
"And you want me as a mistress. A sex partner," Janey supplied.
"Janey," Nyall said clearly to the room at large, "is not a mistress. Not a sex partner."
"Then what is she?" Amy said suddenly. "Girlfriend, Ny?"
Before Nyall could dismiss that himself, Janey shook her head. "No, no. Not a girlfriend. Nuh-uh. This is just for this week."
"You heard her," Nyall drawled, his voice at odds with the suddenly bruising pressure where he held her arm and hip. "I'm not peon enough to be boyfriend to this woman. Right, Janey? You want yourself a—what did you call him—nice, normal, regular guy?"
She nodded. "Nyall's the dashing, worldly guy I'll think back on when I'm an old and feeble grandmother as the one who made my first experience with sex something wonderful instead of scary."
"Oh, brother," said Amy. "So you're just into him for his bod?"
Janey flushed. "It's just that we live in different worlds and our agreement is only for the week. It's supposed to be mutually beneficial, except it's not so beneficial for him. He won't even let me buy groceries."
"Rightyo," Oliver said. "The last stage of resynthesis is futuring. Let's envision what the future holds here. This is a relationship we're talking about, so let's do some futuring centering around relationships. Janey, do you want to get married one day?"
"Oh, yes. I hope so."
"And who do you see yourself married to in the future?"
She closed her eyes. "Maybe somebody in the hospitality industry like me. The last guy I asked out managed events for his company. We handled the CEO's birthday and he seemed interested. I asked him out, but he acted like he was only interested in my orange vanilla cream cake. So not him, obviously, but somebody."
"All right. Nyall, Amy's said you're not the marrying type, but you've been married before, if rumor has it right," Oliver went on. "Do you ever plan to marry again?"
"Yes," Nyall said firmly.
"You're freaking me!" Amy said. "I thought Kimberly burned you out on marriage but good."
"Only singed," Nyall stretched, which made his chest look very appealing. "I still think a normal life is not outside the realm of possibility. So yes, I want to get married again."
Janey's eyes became saucers. "You do? Really, Nyall?"
His eyes narrowed and he tilted up her chin. "Yeah."
"You actually want to get married." She was suddenly excited. She gave his arm a little shake. "I didn't know. I thought all you were interested in was uncommitted sex. Nyall, this is perfect. I have an incredible idea. This is what I'm good at."
His mouth curved into a twisted smile. "Yeah, sweetheart?"
"Oh, boy." Her heart gave a huge, painful squeeze at the images in her mind, but she ignored it. It didn't matter what she wanted. She was already getting so much out of this arrangement. This was the answer that would not only give something back to Nyall, but keep her heart protected from hurt.
"I know what it would take for me to stay with you this week so I don't feel like I'm taking advantage of you," she told him with a little shiver of dread and hope.
He hooked a leg over hers and turned her, looking at her intently. "What's that? Something to do with marriage, Janey?"
She nodded, pretty sure he was worried Janey had grandiose ideas for herself. It only confirmed her sentiments that Nyall was out of her league. She rushed to placate him.
"Definitely something to do with marriage," she said reassuringly. "You know how when you suggested to me you could help me with my virginity problem, I agreed almost right away? Well, I want you to do the same with me and trust me. You see, I don't have too many special skills, but one thing I am really, really good at is matchmaking. I've set my own sisters up on dates with guys they've even married! So Nyall, if you agree, what I'll do is I'll go ahead and help you get that normal life you want by finding you the perfect wife!"
Chapter 11
TO: Amy Ellen Winch
FROM: Nyall Anderson
SUBJECT: Resynthesis
Amy, next time I wish for something idly while texting, remind me to be careful what I wish for. Your man gets paid for this crap?
Nyall Anderson
CEO
Sonneman Anderson Research Group
TO: Nyall Anderson
FROM: Amy Ellen Winch
SUBJECT: Re: Resynthesis
Hey, she's staying with you, isn't she? Mission accomplished. Her cheesecake was outstanding, by the way.
Is she seriously gonna do it though? Find you a wife?
Amy
TO: Amy Ellen Winch
FROM: Nyall Anderson
She's dead serious. The moment you guys left she was all over me with th
is insanity. She's going to throw me a fucking charity ball. She calls it a Prince Charming ball or Cinderella ball or whatever the fuck it is. For fucking Halloween. And I get to pay for it.
Nyall Anderson
CEO
Sonneman Anderson Research Group
TO: Nyall Anderson
FROM: Amy Ellen Winch
Not getting the connection. How does that find you a wife? Are you supposed to meet a wife there?
BTW, you're pissy today. You need to get laid.
Amy
TO: Amy Ellen Winch
FROM: Nyall Anderson
Thanks, Einstein.
Everyone who comes to the ball is going to be dressed as a Cinderella character. Dozens of princes and princesses. She's going to blast through her "upper class" (her phrase) connections via her catering gigs to find eligible women.
Eligible fucking women, Amy. From which she plans to hand-pick the very best—her words, the very best—and auction them off to the highest bidder. I'm supposed to pick somebody to get engaged to. She's lost her sweet little mind.
Nyall Anderson
CEO
Sonneman Anderson Research Group
TO: Nyall Anderson
FROM: Amy Ellen Winch
You're not agreeing to this?
Amy
TO: Amy Ellen Winch
FROM: Nyall Anderson
Of course I damn well am. I get her this week if I do.
Nyall Anderson
CEO
Sonneman Anderson Research Group
TO: Nyall Anderson
FROM: Amy Ellen Winch
Out of morbid curiosity, what does she mean by the very best of femalekind?
Amy
TO: Amy Ellen Winch
FROM: Nyall Anderson
From the names she rattled off, heiresses mostly. But also rich divorcées, businesswomen, celebrities, political daughters.
Nyall Anderson
CEO
Sonneman Anderson Research Group
TO: Nyall Anderson
FROM: Amy Ellen Winch
Preening.
Amy
TO: Amy Ellen Winch
FROM: Nyall Anderson
Yeah, you're invited, you heiress/businesswoman, you.
Nyall Anderson
CEO
Sonneman Anderson Research Group
TO: Nyall Anderson
FROM: Amy Ellen Winch
But when the party rolls around you're going to be a slime and dash the hopes of dozens of women?
Amy
TO: Amy Ellen Winch
FROM: Nyall Anderson
You laugh, but this is not fucking funny. By party time, she'll be a fixture in my bed and those women will know it.
Nyall Anderson
CEO
Sonneman Anderson Research Group
TO: Nyall Anderson
FROM: Amy Ellen Winch
Geez, why are you sitting there emailing me if you're so gone about the chick? You should be fucking her.
Amy
TO: Amy Ellen Winch
FROM: Nyall Anderson
She's scribbling out plans. She gets ten more minutes before I remind her why she's here.
Oh, and I'm not just twiddling my thumbs, Winch. This is a warning. If this actually goes down, you're going to inform every hopeful female you see there that counter to rumor, I am not wife-seeking, so leave me the fuck alone. (No arrogance intended.)
Nyall Anderson
CEO
Sonneman Anderson Research Group
TO: Nyall Anderson
FROM: Amy Ellen Winch
Don't even go there. You're arrogant as hell and you know it.
Roger as to rumors. I guess I should put a lid on psych guy, too.
Speaking of which, go away, it's time for me to bang him. Tonight was like watching a porn shoot. That girl's hot for you and your dick was pointing at her the whole time.
Amy
TO: Amy Ellen Winch
FROM: Nyall Anderson
Subtle, Amy, real subtle.
Let me know if there's fallout with the vomiting boss for taking you away tonight.
Nyall Anderson
CEO
Sonneman Anderson Research Group
TO: Nyall Anderson
FROM: Amy Ellen Winch
Nah, I'm good. Server's back up, nobody's fired, bribes to janitorial. I expect rum balls soon.
Amy
***
Marriage Candidates for Nyall Anderson
Charlene (Char) Johnson-Forks (daughter of Dad's orth surgeon & on Board of Directors St. Danes Medical Ctr, also ex-wife former governor)
Monica Broome (Broome trust fund—mega$$$ & leg model)
Alisha Scarbrough (best friend to wife of CEO Sumwun2luuv.com)
Sonya Woznyak (daughter of Woznyak Doors & Windows Int. also genius IQ)
Evelyn Saunders-Gleason (ex-wife of founder Redmond New Tech College—redhead like Amy)
Lize Zimmer (starred in Friends in a Fishbowl reality TV, also best friend of Monica Broome above)
Pamela (Pammi) Matarino (sister of somebody to do with car manufacturing can't remember who)
Bethany Ginsburg (CEO of Ginsburg Elegance)
Amy Winch (granddaughter of Nancy Penne who married into broadcasting fortune)
Cyn Chan (star of Play Me For a Lollipop, Sucker)
Sheila Joy Waters (CEO Bodi Bodi Fitness Clubbes)
Tamara Alison (Ally) Stulz (MD. Oncology, PhD @UW, Tineesoft heiress)
Who else? Janey nibbled the back of her pencil as she hunched over her notepad and tried to recall all the various well-heeled female connections she had. Any of the women already on her list she thought Nyall would like, but you never knew. Nyall was hot enough, charming enough, and rich enough to have his pick of pretty much anyone, so the more choices, the better.
She made a note to quiz him about his spousal preferences.
Vaguely she became aware of muted sounds from elsewhere in the condo. That had to be Nyall moving around. She tried not to think about being alone with him in his home again. In the hour that Amy and Oliver had been gone, he'd left her alone to do her brainstorming. Concentrating on finding a match for Nyall was better than thinking about their fight.
It reminded her that they lived in different worlds. But thanks to a stroke of fate, Janey's world skirted his in that in her capacity as caterer, her contacts knew his contacts. Janey's role in Nyall's life after this week was over was becoming clear.
She would be his friend and matchmaker.
It made sense. Janey was good at being both a friend and a matchmaker. Going by what his women had said, Nyall was good at switching mistresses over to friendship with no hard feelings.
Meeting Amy tonight had brought it all into focus. Amy didn't seem to be so much a sex partner anymore as Nyall's friend. That was very encouraging. That's what Janey wanted to be after the week of his teaching her how to have sex was over.
After all, friendships could cross money lines without too many issues.
Janey chewed her lip. One of her good friends had a cousin who knew the mother of a Pilates instructor for a prominent female celebrity lawyer who hosted a talk show. If she wasn't mistaken, that lawyer was single…
"Janey."
Janey looked up and blinked. Nyall was standing over her, so tall it was almost intimidating, his expression impatient. She gave him a beaming smile.
"Hi, Nyall. I have twelve candidates so far—no, thirteen now. I don't think you'll need to worry at all. These are all nice ladies. You're going to have so many choices at the Charming Cinderella Ball."
"Terrific. We're done in here. Let's go."
"Done? Go?" Janey said confusedly. She was still in the universe of débutante names, party planners, and fundraisers. There was so little time to plan an event of this magnitude. It was overwhelming. She was glad Nyall had agreed to let her hire anyone she wished. She might even need to hire another caterer. Her small staf
f wasn't equipped to handle this scale of event if Janey was also going to be involved in the planning of it.
Nyall gestured to the dirty dishes on the table, the food containers on the counter and the nearly half-gone cheesecake dripping with pink sauce. "We're done eating and socializing. You've had your hour."
"Oh," she said. It hit her that the kitchen was a disaster. She couldn't believe she'd forgotten it. "We need to clean up and put everything away."
"I'll do it later," Nyall said tersely.
"You?"
"I canceled maid service for this week, so yes, me."
"Let's do it together," Janey said and stood up. That brought her a little too close to Nyall, so she stepped back hastily.
She felt him watching her while she covered the cheesecake and stuck it in the fridge. When she started moving dishes, though, he stopped her. "Later, Janey. Bed now."
Janey's eyes widened. "Bed? Is it that late? I'm not sleepy."
"Not to sleep."
"Um. I see. By the way, thanks for ordering the dinner. It was delicious. I can't remember the last time I've had real French onion soup baked by somebody else. And the cilantro lamb was perfect. I think Amy and Oliver liked it, too. What did you think of the cheesecake? Was the strawberry sauce too much? Maybe raspberry would have been a better choice after—"
Heat Exchange (The Alpha Billionaire's Virgin Book 1) Page 13