Page 17 of Faking It with my Best Friend's Brother

"So, yes," she concludes. "That's one of the reasons why I'm here."

"Ah, you mean to tell me it's not because you have a newfound love for torturous work environments."

She blushes when I remind her of our last conversation and then she shakes her head. "I didn't know what I was talking about back then. You rightfully corrected me. But one thing I do know is that Reign and Associates are the best. And I want to work with the best." She meets my gaze, ambition blazing from her eyes. Exactly what I like to see in new talent.

I get up and pace. She has presented a very interesting proposal and I give myself a few seconds to consider it. “And am I just supposed to believe that what your old boss is saying isn't true?”

Her eyes widen, clearly incensed. “You can’t truly believe that-”

“It wouldn't be the first time something like that happened,” I say. “And I can't say that I would completely blame you either. It’s admirable for you to go to such lengths actually."

She reacts as if I slapped her.

She gets visibly furious, her face turning more and more heated in indignation. Laughter threatens my throat once again, but I don't let it out, wanting to observe her more instead. I know she didn't actually sleep with anyone for a sale—she's far too uptight for that—but I do enjoy getting her riled up.

She gets up from her seat and stomps over to me, and for a second, I think she’s going to punch me. But instead, she says, “ I have nevereverslept with a client for a commission. I get callbacks because I’m damn good at what I do and have done it for a while. I wasn't a natural at sales and I worked my ass off to get to where I am. I don't appreciate sexist assholes who can only make themselves feel better about themselves by saying I slept my way to the top."

Is that directed at me? I like her gumption. “I'm confused. Is your hiring tactic to call me a sexist asshole so I feel bad and give you the job?"

“No. But if the shoe fits.” Her chin goes up another centimeter.

I take another step closer, drawn by her boldness but also wanting to see where this goes. How far we can push this tension before it snaps. I know I shouldn’t. Fuck, I’ve warned myself internally so many times it’s like a mantra now, but I can't help reaching out and trailing my hand down her neck.

“You're playing with fire, little girl,” I warn her, and she swallows. Obvious heat tremors into her gaze drawing a response from me. "You should back away now.”

She doesn't, and I stand there, trying to think of a good reason not to kiss her for real this time.

Unfortunately, there are several.

“I’m not going to sleep with you for the job either,” she blurts out all of a sudden, stunning me.

“I know,” I shoot back without thinking. “You’re going to sleep with me because you want to.”

I can tell I’m right from the expression she makes, like she's been caught. Her body tremble is also a tell.

"I’m desperate, but not that desperate," she says, feigning unaffectedness.

I blink at her for a few seconds and then I laugh truly. Damn. I just can’t predict this girl no matter how hard I try.

“Trust me," I say when the laughter dies down. “I'm not going to force you. I don’t have to use a job to get women. They’re all too happy to spread their legs for me and hold them open while I eat them out on my desk.”

“Gross,” she chokes out, but there is a hoarseness in her voice that tells me she’s not entirely opposed to the idea.

I want to tease her more, so I keep going. “On the contrary, I have the annoying problem right now of too many women trying to be involved in my life.”

I pause as an idea occurs to me, one I hadn't considered before. It hits me like a lightning bolt, actually. Of course, it sounds slightly ridiculous. But it might be so ridiculous that it just might work.

I turn to regard her once more.Why not kill two birds with one stone?

“Alright,” I tell her. “I’ll give you a trial run and hire you after that. On one condition.”

She somehow manages to look extremely relieved and wary all at the same time. "What is it?”

I lean forward getting in her space. “You're going to pretend to be my girlfriend for the next few days.”

I don't think I could have shocked her more if I wanted to. “What?”

“Yeah," I say. “I need to get a few women off my back. You're going to have dinner with me, go to a few events, and we’re going to look like a happy couple for however long this lasts.”