Page 23 of The Fake Affair

“Exactly.” I sit across from her, leaning forward. “Think about it. The brilliant executive assistant who earned her position through merit who just happened to be dating the CEO long before she applied. The power couple who kept things professional despite their history. It’s the perfect narrative.”

Shehmmsthoughtfully, drumming her fingers on the edge of the couch. “And what do I get out of this charade?”

I pull out my phone, bringing up the document I drafted in the car. “Audrey mentioned once that your dream was to own a marketing agency. Well, how about full funding for your marketing agency venture. Support for your independent projects. A guarantee of professional independence after our... relationship ends.”

She scans the contract, her expression shifting as her eyes move over each line. I watch her take it in—the fine print, the protections I built for her, the thought I poured into making this offer something she could say yes to. “You’ve thought this through.”

“I always do.”

“And the personal aspects?” She looks up, her eyes lit with mischief. “What are the terms there?”

I resist the impulse to smile. I’m not celebrating anything until she’s on board. “We maintain appearances. Attend events together. Show a believable progression of our relationship becoming public.”

“Of course.” She stands to her feet, setting my phone down. Then, she meets my eyes and launches a grenade in my face. “No sex.”

I stare back at her, completely stunned by what she just said. “What?”

She shrugs as if it’s the most natural thing, like she’s actually surprised I didn’t think of this myself. “It complicates things. We need to keep this professional. Everything that happened in the past… is in the past.”

No way she isn’t feeling the gut-wrenching ache I am at the thought of never sleeping together again? It’s Bella and me, for crying out loud. I scoff. “Says the woman who was moaning against a wall three hours ago?”

She maintains the same coolness as before, merely scrunching her features slightly as if the mere memory of that is distasteful to her now. “That was a mistake. One that won’t happen again.”

I ignore the flash of heat her words trigger, though in reality, I’m very close to punching a wall. “Really? So, if I came closer...” I take a step forward. “If I reminded you how good we are together...”

“Logan?” Her voice is light, deliciously slow. I watch the flutter of her pulse at the base of her throat.

“Yes?” I’m in front of her now.

She smiles sweetly. “Step back.”

“Make me.”

She gets up from the couch and walks toward the table, her back to me. “I don’t have the energy for that. So if you don’t, I’m good with stepping back myself. Onto other things—we should discuss terms.”

“Bella—”

“No, Logan.”

Before I can begin to argue, her phone rings. I recognize the caller immediately as Victoria’s assistant.

“Put it on speaker,” I say when Bella looks uncertain.

“Elise? Is everything okay?” Bella answers, her voice remarkably steady.

The voice on the other end is chirpy. “More than okay. I just got off the phone with Goldman Partners. They’re interested in a significant investment in Monarch—apparently, knowing Logan’s finally settled down with someone swayed their decision. Old money, old values, you understand.”

My eyes meet Bella’s across the phone. This is it; this is why the fake dating proposition has to work. All the more reason since news travels fast.

“That’s... great,” Bella manages.

“We’ll discuss more on Monday with Mr. Fraser. Goodnight.” Elise hangs up.

I sigh and drop down on the couch wearily. “So, Victoria has basically told everyone about this.”

Bella nods thoughtfully as she sets the phone down. “Seems likely.”

I look up at the ceiling. “What do you think, then?”

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