Page 13 of Strictly Business

“How exactly would this plan of yours work?”

His eyes widen just a little, like I’ve shocked him as much as I’ve shocked myself. I can’t believe I just asked that. I can’t believe I’m even thinking about this.

Nicholas takes a slow breath, straightening his tie and smoothing a stray strand of hair away from his forehead. He’s in control again, and I can see it in the way he shifts into pitch mode.

“It wouldn’t be for long. The board’s already on board, and we’ve got the resources to make this happen. All I need is to convince them I’m serious about this. About… you.”

Color rushes to my face, and when his gaze narrows slightly, I know he sees it. Great. Just what I need—my emotions all over my face.

The idea of pretending to be Nicholas Blackwood’s wife, or fiancée, or whatever this charade is, fills me with dread. The paparazzi would have a field day. The tabloids would have my face plastered all over them, dissecting my every move. I don’t think I could handle it, especially if he takes the company global. It won’t just be New York, but the whole world watching us, judging, expecting me to be something I’m definitely not.

I shake my head, stepping back until I bump into the edge of his desk. The cold wood presses against me as I struggle to catch my breath. “I’m sorry. I just can’t.”

I lift my eyes to meet his, and for a second, I catch the faintest flicker in Nicholas’s gaze… Disappointment, maybe? It’s gone so quickly I wonder if I imagined it. He nods, his voice softer now. “Of course. I understand. I didn’t think this through. I’m sure your boyfriend wouldn’t be okay with it.”

The mention of Liam churns my stomach. “No, it’s not that. We, uh… We actually broke up.”

His eyebrows lift, just a tiny bit, the surprise flashing across his face. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I mutter, trying to brush it off with a shrug. “We just… grew apart,” I lie.

It’s bad enough being cheated on by your boyfriend of five years, let alone having to bring it up with your boss.

Nicholas nods, his hand lifting thoughtfully as he hums under his breath. “If a boyfriend isn’t the issue, may I ask what is?”

His gaze locks onto mine, dark and intense, and I can’t help it, he pulls me in, despite every part of me telling me not to. Idon’twant to be attracted to him. But it’s hard not to, not with the way he looks at me. Every woman seems to fall for his charm, and I’m apparently no different.

“It’s frowned upon for bosses and assistants to… date,” I say, my voice shaking slightly, betraying me when I see him take astep closer. His gaze never leaves mine, and I hate how my pulse quickens in response.

He smirks as he steps even closer, his presence overwhelming. “True, but not unorthodox.”

I shake my head, trying to focus. “I just… What will people think when they hear we’re… engaged?” The word feels alien on my tongue, like I’m saying something that doesn’t belong to me. Once upon a time—hell, even five days ago—I thought I’d be getting engaged to Liam. And now here I am, being asked to pretend to be my boss’s fiancée.

Nicholas’s smirk deepens, and my grip tightens on the desk behind me. “They’ll think you came into my office for more than coffee runs.”

A rush of color floods my face as his words crash over me. I shake my head, unsure whether I heard him right, wondering if he really just implied that we…

“I don’t…” I pause, gathering my thoughts. “I don’t understand how this would work. No one will believe this.”

He stops in his tracks, his brows furrowing, eyes locked onto mine. “What do you mean by that?”

What do I mean? How can he not see it? Surely, he must understand why some people would find this impossible to believe.

I exhale, my neck hot and tense. “I don’t look like the girls you’re usually seen with, Mr. Blackwood,” I say, my voice quieter than I intend, unwilling to meet his gaze. Afraid of what I might see in his eyes.

The silence stretches, and I brace myself for him to agree, maybe even apologize, and suggest this plan be scrapped. But then his voice breaks the silence, low, rumbling, and somehow darker than before, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Is that what the problem is?” His eyes lock onto mine, dark and piercing. “You don’t think I’m attracted to you?”

The air thickens, pressing down on me from all sides. I try to stand my ground, but my heart is racing out of my chest. “Are you?” I ask before I can stop myself, immediately regretting the words as they slip past my lips.

It must be the alcohol still lingering in my system making me see things. There’s no other explanation for the way Nicholas’s eyes slow their scan of my face, taking in every detail, every inch of me, until they finally land on my lips. He takes a step closer, and my breath catches in my throat. My lips part instinctively, like they’ve been waiting for this moment, and then—

“Mr. Blackwood.”

The interruption is sudden. Two quick knocks at the door, and Nicholas steps back, once, twice, eyes flicking over me from head to toe before turning to face the door.

“Yes?”

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