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“This is madness,” I breathed, wrapping my arms around myself.
Unflinching, he said, “I know.”
“As long as you’re aware.”
“Is that a yes?” He stepped a little closer.
Motioning between us, I stammered, “W-we’d have to sell this.”
“Spent ninety hours a week together for twenty-one months, and I haven’t sent you running with a severance check, so I think it’s believable.”
“I mean…PDA. People would expect it.”
“Ahh,” he breathed, a cocky smirk falling to the floor. I tracked his tongue as it wet the seam of his lips before he added, “The fun part.” I squirmed, but he wrapped both of his warmhands around my arms, guiding our bodies together. “Do you find me repulsive, Alessandra?”
I will not squirm for Greyson Hart.When I just gaped up at him, his eyes flicked to where my hair stood on end in the trail of fire he was leaving on my arms.
“Then that’s the fun part. As it is, I’m a notoriously private man and would never be one to flaunt my affections. Media expectations of your participation will be minimal unless you decide to instigate something yourself.”
Despite the shiver up my spine, I sheepishly admitted, “My family calls you Hartless.”
The tiniest twitch tugged at his lips. “Wonder where they got that idea.”
“They think I can’t stand you.” Because I couldn’t. Had been livid since the day Paul showed up to transfer me from marketing to PR, dropping me off in his office.
There was nothing—and I mean nothing—worse than telling a Rhodes we couldn’t do something.
Greyson shrugged one shoulder, shirt straining against the movement.
“I’m a Hart. When you’re born with a silver spoon, and the eyes of the world on your family, being hated is in the job description. I’ll just have to spend three years earning their trust. On a positive note, you hating me keeps our boundaries pretty firm.”
“The board will have a field day with this.”
”Leave them to me.”
“You’ll regret this,” I warned, feeling oddly emotional about how he’d respond.
He gave me a long, hard look, eyes pensive as he stared me down. Goosebumps crept up my arms when he gently lifted my shirt back over my bare shoulder, giving me a firm squeeze before saying, “Impossible.”
“I’ll drive you crazy—I paint and draw with charcoal while blasting oldies at all hours of the night. And I like things clean.AndI have to work out every day, or I get stabby.Especiallywhen I’m dealing with you.”
“I’ll clear out the guest room. I already sleep poorly, I have a housecleaner who comes daily, and there’s a state-of-the-art gym in my basement.”
“You can’t be seen with anyone else—I can’t live with the shame of some big, public affair. Of being yourCinderellastory turned couldn’t-keep-her-man.”
Greyson deadpanned, lips pursed in irritation. “Have you seen me with anyone in the last two years?”
I blinked, realizing if he had to have a plus one, he paid me to accompany him to galas and events. It was why I’d missed Christmas with my family. My eyes flew wide. “Are yougay?”
His laughter bounced off the walls before supplying a lighthearted, “No.”
“Then I don’t understand.” Hell, he was named the sexiest man in the country last year. Greyson Hart could have anyone he wanted, and they’d thank him as he kicked them out of his house.
He studied me, and that focused furrow deepened. “I’ve never been a casual hookup man. And…after Carly and Ollie…if I fuck someone, it will mean something to me. Frankly, having you around will ward off the vultures, which would be deeply relieving. A built-in escape hatch.”
If I fuck someone, it will mean something to me… that was the part of the statement that stuck with me, and I cursed my ridiculous brain. What half-wit bimbo didn’t look at this man and imagine what that would be like? I certainly didn’t intend to be one of them. “You’re not going to set the same rules for me?”
The rakish grin that stretched his cheeks this time made my toes curl. “If my wife cheats on me and is stupid enough to get caught, I’m doing my job wrong.”