Chapter 2
1270 Words
2
Sienna
Silence in the penthouse. Outside a jet flies overhead, cutting through the space between us.
"Excuse me?" he grates out.
"No," I say, my voice thin yet firm. Folding my arms across my chest, nails digging into my forearms, I shake my head. "I can't do it."
A flash of pure anger ripples over his features, tightening them so his cheekbones stand out.
My heart trembles. But I will not give in. Not yet. I need the deal alright, but I must structure it to my benefit.
"If you don't take this offer, not only will you lose your start-up ... but―" he pauses for effect, "―you'll have let down your sister."
The words hang between us. My throat closes, heart thudding against my rib cage. "How did you know?" My voice comes out hoarse.
"Bella. Straight A's, brilliant student. And a gifted athlete." At his words, a trickle of sweat drips down my back.
Bella. My lovely, talented sister who'd got admission into the filmmaking program at UCLA, the one she's been working toward the past few years. After my adoptive father died, my mother struggled to make ends meet.
Jace is right. Without this deal I can't pay Bella's university fees. She'd have to miss the course, and that would shatter her.
I owe it to her to see this through.
I hate that Jace holds all the cards.
One day, I'll turn the tables on this man, I promise myself.
Then another thought strikes me. "You had me watched?" Even as I say it, I know it's true. "You knew I was coming today?"
"I had you researched thoroughly." He lets that sink in. "You fit the profile of the person I was looking for."
"And what is that?" I ask. Voice low. A slow burn of annoyance in the pit of my stomach.
"Attractive, intelligent, with a thirst for new experiences. Open enough to not be scared from the unusual. Yet also desperate to make it in the Valley at any cost."
Desperate enough to take his deal.
Hearing myself slotted so neatly into a pigeon-hole strikes at the very core of who I am: someone who refuses to be pegged. I will not be restrained.
He's right, though. I have a weakness for new experiences. Ask me to try something for a first time, and I can never say no. I decide right then I'm going to surprise him, shock him out of his 'billionaire' comfort zone.
He had the proposal lined up even before meeting me. Confident that I'd accept the deal. It didn't have anything to do with him wanting to invest in my start-up.
This has been about him all along. Him needing someone he could control. Anger flares to life, a bitter taste in my mouth.
I lean over and slap him.
Gold ignites in those silver-green eyes.
Silence. I'm not sorry I slapped him. Yet, the sensible part of me insists this is not going to help me at all.
A strange expression on his face, grudging respect.
"I deserved that," he drawls. Lips quirk in a self-deprecating smile. A first genuine smile.
It throws me. Makes me wary. This man is potent, disarming when he turns on the charm.
"I'm sorry," I lie.
"Your temper's going to make things a lot more interesting in the next few days," he growls, voice predatory.
No missing the unmistakable s****l meaning of his words.
A sharp curl of desire twists my stomach.
"I mean no harm." He holds up his hands.
A gesture meant to placate.
I trust him as much as a wild jaguar.
"Agree to the deal, and I'll ensure the first installment of half a million hits your account before the end of the day. More than enough to pay off your urgent business debts. And your sister's fees."
Bella had been born five years after my parents adopted me. My baby sister is the light of my life.
Oh. He knows exactly what to say to get me to agree. I resent being manipulated this way, and yet ... what choice do I have?
I know when I've been out maneuvered. But at least Bella will be fine and so will my team, for now.
Holding onto that thought, I jerk my head. "I'll do it," I say, voice cold. Even as my heart stutters in nervousness.
He tilts his head, acknowledging my response. Did a flicker of relief cross his features?
He needs me to do this more than he's letting on.
"On one condition," I add.
His jaw hardens.
"Separate bedrooms," I burst out before I lose my nerve.
He snaps back, "Same suite. Same bed. We must keep the pretense up behind closed doors too. We'll be at a hotel and staff talk. We have to ensure no word of this arrangement gets out, not even a whiff."
His voice is authoritative, brooks no argument. End of discussion.
I blink.
How dare he command me?
If he paid for my time, I'll have to do as he says, no questions asked, over the next week.
That part of me that hates being constrained resists. No. I can't let him have so much power over me.
And yet, that hidden, treacherous part of me so attracted to him leaps to life. The thought of sleeping in the same bed as him... How would it feel to have those fingers on my skin? Sliding down the curve of my waist, toward the dip of my—
Don't go there.
"My lawyer will swing by your place this evening with the agreement, including a non-disclosure clause." He keeps his voice casual but I sense the underlying tension.
Yeah, he wants this formalized before I change my mind. Makes me wonder why he's so desperate to have a girlfriend accompany him on this trip. I'm going to find out.
"No part of this conversation is to be mentioned to anyone. Not your close friends or family or even ex-boyfriends." Emphasis on the last word sets my teeth on edge. "And no speaking to the press, of course."
"Yeah, I get it. I'm not stupid," I mutter, anger crawling up my spine. I hate feeling so helpless.
"No, you're not." He holds out his hand.
I don’t take it. Don't even respond to the gesture.
No change of expression in his face. He only cares that I've accepted his proposal. My feelings don't come into this equation.
"We leave in two days." His voice is matter of fact.
"So soon?" I squeak.
"Yeah." He runs his fingers through his hair. "We fly out, spend a couple of days with the family. The wedding is on Sunday night."
I almost choke. An entire week in close quarters with this man? Seven days of pretending I'm in love with him, can't live without him...even as I resist this strange pull I feel toward him.
Hell.
Unaware of the emotions churning inside, he continues, "You also can't bring your personal phone or your laptop or be in touch with anyone these next few days."
"What?"
He's mad.
"To avoid any temptation of photos, emails, telling anyone else where you are or what you're up to," he says. "We need to keep media attention out of this completely."
"You're cutting me off from the world? Don't trust me?" I'm only half kidding.
His reaction doesn't disappoint.
Silver sparks flare. "I never underestimate my opponent."
He has no idea what I'm capable of.
"Besides, it's only for a few days, and I'm making it worth your while, aren't I?"
Yeah, and I'm paying a big enough price for it. But I don't say that aloud.
In a daze, I turn toward the door, making to leave when his voice calls out, "You'll need the right clothes, won't you? I'll arrange for a credit card."
Right. Credit card. I half turn, sure this time I look plain baffled.
"You'll be fine, Sienna," he says in a gruff voice.
The sound of my name on his lips feels strangely intimate.
What have I gotten myself into?
- Writer
