I’d laugh if I thought he was kidding, but from his cocky demeanor and the fact that he literally just claimed me in front of the man I was attempting to seduce, I know for certain that he’s dead serious.
“I find it hard to believe you’re in the habit of playing pretend.”
Hunter moves his feet off the desk and stands up, taking determined steps around the mahogany barrier between us. “I enjoy a good role-play. Just not usually out of the confines of the bedroom.”
I roll my eyes, “I was just about to—”
“Make a fool out of yourself by being something you’re not. You’re not a seductress, Katie. You’re clever. The girlfriend type. Don’t try to get him by lessening your worth. Show him what he’s missing out on. Make him want what he can’t have.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“I’ve played racquetball with the guy every week for three years. I’ve learned a thing or two, and trust me, this isn’t what he wants.”
I cross my arms in front of my body and bite my lip in contemplation. He’s not entirely wrong. I was feeling like a two-bit tramp there for a moment. Maybe he’s right. Perhaps showing Branson I’m a sexy woman who men want is the way to go.
I sway back and forth. “It’s not the worst idea.”
He lowers his head, so his caramel eyes are level with mine. “Mad at me?”
If he wasn’t so damn charming, I would be. But I can’t be. Not when he’s looking at me with that devilish grin.
I lean forward and wipe a smear of red lipstick off his mouth. “A little.”
“What can I do to make it up to you?”
“Well, I hope you plan on seeing this through. You just declared yourself as my boyfriend in front of the man I want to be my real boyfriend. How exactly does this work?”
He twists his mouth and rubs his hand on the back of his neck. “I was improvising. A plan wasn’t exactly formed yet.”
I growl in frustration, which earns me a smile as he gives my head a noogie.
“Lucky for you, I work best under pressure. We have to set parameters though. Rules per se,” he says, and before I can even argue, he holds up a finger. “Rule number one: two weeks. It’s long enough to seem genuine and short enough to be realistic.”
“Two weeks? I wanted Branson for Christmas, and now, I’ll be lucky if he’s mine by New Year’s!”
“Work with me, and your New Year’s kiss will be with the man you love.”
I grumble as I hold up two fingers, “Then, rule number two is, no dating anyone else. I don’t want rumors going around that you’re cheating on me.”
He nods his agreement. “Rule number three: no hitting on the boss.”
“Four: no more assaulting me in public like that.”
“My lips are an assault?” He steps back with his hands over his heart, like he’s offended.
“Well, yeah, kinda. I mean, I enjoy kissing you. I just don’t like to be taken so off guard. It’s disarming,” I explain. “And I do have a plan to create a long-term career at this company. Professional decorum is greatly appreciated.”
“Noted,” he says and then adds, “says the girl who was just trying to seduce her boss.”
I stomp my foot, which he seems to find charming.
“I do have one very serious rule,” he says.
“What’s that?”
He steps up close to me and holds up his hands near my blouse, halting in midair as his eyes ask for permission. I nod then he draws closer and lays his fingers on the buttons of my blouse, fastening the second button. “No showing off your body unless it’s for you.”
“Or you?” I muse. “Have you ever been someone’s boyfriend before?”
He doesn’t answer me. “Only show your body off for a man if it makes you feel good to do so.”
He’s said so many poignant things in the course of five minutes that I’m mad for losing myself for a moment.
I suppose, deep down, my concern is, “What if what I am isn’t what he wants?”
He smiles the most reassuring smile I’ve ever seen. “Trust me, you are.”
The way he makes that statement so easily surprises me. It’s said with conviction and meaning, so much so that I think he one hundred percent believes it.
“Don’t go falling in love with me, Katie,” he jokes quietly.
“My heart’s already taken,” I say, and his gaze falls to the floor as he smiles to himself.
I tilt my head to bring his attention back to my face. I wasn’t lying last night when I said his focus makes me feel like I’m the most important person in the room. Even now, as he looks back at me with warmth in his eyes, staring deep into mine like he has my back, I feel so incredibly important to him.
The sound of Branson’s heavy footsteps cause me to stride away from Hunter and face the doorway, where my boss is walking back in.
“You two lovebirds ready to get back to work?” Branson says, sounding agitated.
“Yes, sir. I have those reports for you on my desk.” I start to move, but Hunter pulls me in.
“Don’t work my girl too hard.” He kisses my jaw and then smacks my ass, making me yelp. “I’m taking her to dinner tonight.”
I shoot him an evil eye as I walk back to my desk, and he saunters out into the hallway.
When I look back toward Branson, he’s eyeing me quizzically as I sink into my chair.
In the course of twenty minutes, I went from a half-assed seductress to having the office lothario as my pretend boyfriend.
Lord knows what else can happen by the end of the day.
Chapter Five
This day has felt like it would never end.
Branson, who usually goes through his schedule smoothly, seems to be off-balance. He forgot files in his office, making me run them down to meetings. He even misplaced his phone, which, after an extensive search, was right next to him. It’s made for a frustrating afternoon since every time I start on one of my own tasks, he needs my help with something else.
As the time draws close for Branson’s scheduled car pickup, there’s a knock on the door. To my surprise, Hunter strolls in.
I give him a bewildered expression as he stands in front of my desk with his hands in his coat, staring down at me, looking like he’s waiting on me to go somewhere.
“I told you I was taking you out,” he answers my unasked question.
I look from side to side, trying to figure out what I’m missing. “You were serious about that?”
Branson heads out of his office, stopping in his tracks at the sight of Hunter. “Oh. Hi,” he says to Hunter and then nods as if he just remembered something. “You’re picking her up for your date?”
“I have a whole evening planned,” Hunter says, standing up as tall as he can, which is silly because he’s a good three inches taller than Branson.
Branson gives the two of us an easy smile. “Well, you two have a smashing evening. Cheerio.”
As he leaves, I shut down my computer and wait for it to turn off. “Your act is cute, but I’m not really in the mood for it. It’s been a long day.”