Because he had no intention of ever settling down. Of ever hurting a child the way he had been. Because he’d have no kids. Ever. No commitment.

He just needed to rid himself of this fixation on her. And he was sick of meeting her in offices or shops or seeing factory floors. Maybe he’d show her how spectacularly the division of assets could work in a company’s favour.

‘I’ve thought of my amendment to our arrangement,’ he said huskily.

Her eyes widened.

‘I don’t want a date this Saturday.’

Her jaw dropped pleasingly.

‘I want a whole weekend,’ he added quickly. ‘A long weekend. Away.’

‘Where?’

‘It’s a surprise. But there’s relevance to our business as well.’

He almost had her. Then he saw the shadows flitter in. ‘I can’t take time off work—’

‘You worked on the last long weekend. I bet you have far too many holidays accrued. We’ll fly out Friday morning, fly back Monday night.’

He’d known she’d worry about work.

They’d have whole days and nights together. He would have his fill of her. He would get control of his own mind again. Dial it back for the duration of the time they’d be dating. Because this was only a game. That was all. And this weekend would be just the thing to get it back under control.

‘Would it be public?’

‘No.’

‘That means several days with nothing on that website.’

‘No problem. We’ve given them enough for now.’

She shook her head. ‘I can’t make those arrangements that quickly. I can’t just abandon all my projects. I’ve got too much work to do.’

He understood and respected that even though his body rebelled. ‘Then we’ll have a quiet weekend this weekend so you can get ahead and clear the decks. We’ll go the weekend after.’

She looked tempted. But also strangely wary. ‘So we won’t have a date this Saturday?’

‘Are you worried you’re missing out?’ He felt a ridiculous warmth bloom in his chest.

‘No, it would be convenient, actually. I’m just concerned about your ability to have a boring night at home all alone.’

‘I guess I can manage it just this once.’

CHAPTER TWELVE

SHEWASN’TMISSINGHIM. Nope. And she certainly wasnotfeeling disappointed there was no date tonight. She was in a good space. She’d had a good week. Great, actually. She’d been working round the clock, getting reports written. Achieving with a capitalA. She was still working even now. Some might call it a boring Saturday night at home but she was satisfied...

Yeah, right. Of course she wasn’t. She was edgy. It took everything to keep herself on track and not check her phone every five minutes in case he’d messaged.

There’d been eight messages this week—for the record. Silly comments that made her smile. A stupid meme. A copy of the latest photo of them together, which, to her shame, she’d saved as her wallpaper. And yes, she knew this arrangement wasn’t a relationship, but she couldn’t help herself. She was staring at it when she realised someone was pushing her buzzer. And not releasing it.

‘Let me in,’ he growled the second she hit the intercom.

The big bad wolf himself. She listened to his rapid thudding feet as he ran up the stairs and inwardly marvelled at his fitness given the mauling his leg must have had to be so scored with surgical scars.

‘I thought you didn’t want a date this week.’ But she held the door open for him.