never faltered. “How much?”
He was the first one to give, the wry grin cracking on his face despite his best effort to maintain a cool facade.
He shouldn’t even think of entertaining her offer. He needed to distance himself from the male escort image, and that was essentially what she was asking him to become. He should tell her “thanks, but no thanks,” and end this meeting right now.
But that number she’d thrown out was too tempting to reject her offer out of hand. He’d been crunching the numbers, trying to figure how to make an early withdrawal from his IRA with the least amount of penalties. If there was a way to avoid tapping into his retirement altogether, he should at least consider it.
But money wasn’t the only reason Dex chose to remain right where he sat.
Asia Carpenter could offer something that was just as valuable to him as money. She was employed by one of the largest public relations firms in New York, which meant she was a professional in the art of presenting companies in the most positive light. Asia could do what Alena’s article could not. She could help him figure out a way to present his business to the public that wouldn’t reap the negative feedback he’d received on the blog.
“Well, Mr. Bryant, are you available for hire?”
His grin widening, he leaned forward and folded his hands on the table.
“It’s Dexter. If we’re going to convince anyone that I’m your new man, you’d better learn to call me by my first name.”
***
Asia added sweetener to the coffee she shouldn’t be drinking. She had enough nervous energy flowing through her to power all of Manhattan, but she needed something to fortify her against the forthcoming conversation.
“So, how do you envision the two of us working together?” Dexter asked in that voice that was just a bit too silky for her peace of mind. Nothing seemed to shake that smooth, suave facade of his, which likely meant it wasn’t a facade at all.
She swirled the stirrer around the paper cup, then set the coffee aside without taking a sip.
“It’s simple,” she said. “We pretend to be a couple wrapped up in the throes of a new relationship.”
“Was it love at first sight?”
“Absolutely. As soon as we met we both fell head over heels. I debated whether or not we should pretend to have been seeing each other for a few months, but I won’t make myself out to be a cheater. The fact that I’m resorting to paying you to date me is bad enough. So, we’ll go with the love at first sight angle. It’s believable enough.”
“You are just full of romance, aren’t you?” he said with a smirk.
Asia folded her arms on the table, regarding him with an imperative stare.
“I contacted you because you are purported to be a professional, Mr. Bryant. If you are not going to treat this matter seriously, tell me right now so I can come up with another plan.”
He sat up straight, his relaxed expression becoming more alert. “Make no mistake, Asia. I am one-hundred percent serious. You have my undivided attention.”
“Thank you,” she said with a sharp nod. “Now, I want Cortland to believe that I have found someone who is just as motivated and successful as he is.”
“What does he do for a living?”
“He’s an attorney in the legal department at Global Partners PR.”
“A lawyer?” A genuine smile broke across Dexter’s face.
Asia pulled in a swift breath at the sheer beauty of it.
Cortland was handsome by any woman’s standards, but this man was remarkably hot. It wasn’t just the dimple that formed when he flashed his straight white teeth, or those light-brown eyes that glittered when he smiled. His physical appearance played only a small part in this shockingly intense attraction she felt toward him; it was his overall demeanor. He had that laid-back, sexy vibe going for him. Surrounded by uptight professionals all day, she found him a welcome change. The chiseled jaw and seductive eyes
He was the first one to give, the wry grin cracking on his face despite his best effort to maintain a cool facade.
He shouldn’t even think of entertaining her offer. He needed to distance himself from the male escort image, and that was essentially what she was asking him to become. He should tell her “thanks, but no thanks,” and end this meeting right now.
But that number she’d thrown out was too tempting to reject her offer out of hand. He’d been crunching the numbers, trying to figure how to make an early withdrawal from his IRA with the least amount of penalties. If there was a way to avoid tapping into his retirement altogether, he should at least consider it.
But money wasn’t the only reason Dex chose to remain right where he sat.
Asia Carpenter could offer something that was just as valuable to him as money. She was employed by one of the largest public relations firms in New York, which meant she was a professional in the art of presenting companies in the most positive light. Asia could do what Alena’s article could not. She could help him figure out a way to present his business to the public that wouldn’t reap the negative feedback he’d received on the blog.
“Well, Mr. Bryant, are you available for hire?”
His grin widening, he leaned forward and folded his hands on the table.
“It’s Dexter. If we’re going to convince anyone that I’m your new man, you’d better learn to call me by my first name.”
***
Asia added sweetener to the coffee she shouldn’t be drinking. She had enough nervous energy flowing through her to power all of Manhattan, but she needed something to fortify her against the forthcoming conversation.
“So, how do you envision the two of us working together?” Dexter asked in that voice that was just a bit too silky for her peace of mind. Nothing seemed to shake that smooth, suave facade of his, which likely meant it wasn’t a facade at all.
She swirled the stirrer around the paper cup, then set the coffee aside without taking a sip.
“It’s simple,” she said. “We pretend to be a couple wrapped up in the throes of a new relationship.”
“Was it love at first sight?”
“Absolutely. As soon as we met we both fell head over heels. I debated whether or not we should pretend to have been seeing each other for a few months, but I won’t make myself out to be a cheater. The fact that I’m resorting to paying you to date me is bad enough. So, we’ll go with the love at first sight angle. It’s believable enough.”
“You are just full of romance, aren’t you?” he said with a smirk.
Asia folded her arms on the table, regarding him with an imperative stare.
“I contacted you because you are purported to be a professional, Mr. Bryant. If you are not going to treat this matter seriously, tell me right now so I can come up with another plan.”
He sat up straight, his relaxed expression becoming more alert. “Make no mistake, Asia. I am one-hundred percent serious. You have my undivided attention.”
“Thank you,” she said with a sharp nod. “Now, I want Cortland to believe that I have found someone who is just as motivated and successful as he is.”
“What does he do for a living?”
“He’s an attorney in the legal department at Global Partners PR.”
“A lawyer?” A genuine smile broke across Dexter’s face.
Asia pulled in a swift breath at the sheer beauty of it.
Cortland was handsome by any woman’s standards, but this man was remarkably hot. It wasn’t just the dimple that formed when he flashed his straight white teeth, or those light-brown eyes that glittered when he smiled. His physical appearance played only a small part in this shockingly intense attraction she felt toward him; it was his overall demeanor. He had that laid-back, sexy vibe going for him. Surrounded by uptight professionals all day, she found him a welcome change. The chiseled jaw and seductive eyes
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