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“I’m here. Sorry, I dropped the phone.”

Giving him a killing glare, Haley tried to slide off his lap. Her thighs were on the sides of his. While she wasn’t completely on top, there wasn’t much room between the juncture of their thighs, with her knees taking her weight to keep them separated.

He gripped her hips, pressing her downward as he gave her a mocking glance, daring her to do something about the intimate way they were sitting while she talked to Rhone.

“No problem. So, are you saying, if I were to invite you to Gillis Island, you would come?”

“Absolutely. I could you use some fresh air. I just finished a job, and it would give me a place to think about what I want to do next.”

“You’re no longer working for Desmond Beck?”

“No, he fired me.”

“Any chance you would come work for me?”

“Any chance you wouldn’t ask me to do anything illegal?” she countered.

“I’m not good at making promises,” he hedged.

“Then working for you won’t be an option. Does that mean no invite?”

“Hell no. I live in the hope of changing your mind … in all areas of the spectrum.”

“You’re the biggest flirt I know.” She laughed.

“Including Desmond? A little birdie told me you two are seeing each other.”

“We are. I was going to wrangle an invitation for him, also, so he could keep me company.”

“What am I? Chopped liver?”

She glared down at him for preventing her from getting off his lap. Desmond had to give her props for not letting him distract her from the conversation with Rhone.

“You could never be chopped liver, but you have to admit to becoming easily distracted when other women are around. Not that it bothers me,” she hastened to assure him. “I’m appreciative of any time you make for me.”

“Nice save.”

“I thought so.” She laughed.

“You’re more than welcome to come for a vacation.”

“Would next weekend be okay?”

“Yes.”

“Can I bring Desmond?”

“If you have to. I’ll send the location to Desmond’s assistant to give to his pilot.”

“Thanks, Rhone.”

“No thanks necessary. I might ask you to look over a few accounts for me while you’re here.”

“As long as—”

“I know, I know… as long as I don’t ask you to do anything shady. You know what I want to tell you about that rule, don’t you?”

“But you won’t.”

“Because I’m too much of a gentleman.”

“More like you’re afraid I won’t talk to you anymore and stop the freebies I’ve been giving you.”

“That, too,” Rhone said drily. “I’ll see you next weekend.”

“Bye, Rhone.”

Disconnecting the call, Haley tried once again to get off his lap.

“Sounds to me like you and Rhone were more than friends.”

“Rhone and I are friends, yet I really don’t consider us friends. We’re more bartering partners. Not that it’s any of your business.”

“It is my business if we want him to believe we’re in a relationship. Rhone knows I don’t share when I’m involved with a woman.”

“Are you kidding me? This is a make-believe relationship, not a real one. You’re concerned I’ll cheat on you with Rhone?””

“Why is that so shocking?”

“Because you and Rhone are two peas in a pod. Rhone would never be attracted to me any more than you would be.”

Jerking her down onto his trousers, he let her feel the straining arousal trying to rip his zipper apart. “Baby,” Desmond mimicked the same sultry tone of voice that Rhone had used, “do you see any other woman in this room?” His eyes fell to her dress, which had slid up her thighs. Another inch, and he would be able to see what color panties she was wearing underneath.

“The real question is: are we going to continue with this fictitious relationship or make it the real deal?”

Nineteen

“We are not going to make it the real deal.” Haley huffily tore herself off his lap to stand over him.

“Are you sure? We could be good together.”

“As much as you’re tempting me with all your sweet talk, I’m afraid I’ll have to pass. I know how your real relationships end. I’m better off with the fictitious one.”

When Desmond started to say something, she put up a hand to stop him.

“Please don’t tell me you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s too cliché.”

Desmond relaxed back on the couch with a laugh, placing a long arm along the top. “I wasn’t going to say that.”

“What were you going to say, then?”

“Never mind.”

Haley couldn’t help herself as she started laughing. “You were so going to say that.”

“You’ll never know, will you?”

“I know. You just can’t bring yourself to say it after I said it’s cliché.”

“I have to admit that term has never been used before concerning me.”

“At least not to your face.”

Haley stared at the attractive man casually sitting on the couch as if he didn’t have a care in the world, while her insides where doing Olympic tumbles. She couldn’t fathom what was behind his sudden turnaround. Was he paying her back for making a scene at the party or paving the way for her continued cooperation? One thing was for sure—it didn’t come from any sudden desire for her body.