Chapter 7
1150 Words
Madison
I stared at Alexander like he'd grown a second head. "One year? As your girlfriend?"
"Think about it logically." He loosened his tie, looking far too comfortable for someone who'd just proposed the most insane arrangement I'd ever heard. "Your mother gets the care she needs, and you won't have to work yourself to death with side jobs."
"How exactly is this different from your first suggestion of being your personal..." I swallowed hard, "prostitute?"
His eyes darkened. "Don't use that word again."
"Why not? That's essentially what you're suggesting – trading my body for money."
"No." He pushed off from his desk and invaded my personal space. "I'm suggesting we date. Exclusively."
I backed up until my legs hit the chair. "Date?"
"Yes, Madison. Date. You know, spend time together, go to dinner, attend events." His lips quirked up. "And yes, physical intimacy would be part of it. But only between us – no other partners."
"How romantic." I rolled my eyes. "A contractual relationship with an expiration date."
"Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement between two consenting adults. We already know we have chemistry."
Heat flooded my face. "That was different. You were drugged."
"And yet I remember enough to know it was incredible." His voice dropped to velvet, making my knees weak. "Don't tell me you haven't thought about it."
"I've thought about finding a new job," I snapped, though my voice wavered.
"Where you'll make enough to cover your mother's medical bills?" He raised an eyebrow. "Face it, Madison. This solution benefits us both."
"And after the year is up?"
"We part ways amicably. No drama, no complications." He shrugged. "Simple."
I laughed. "Simple? There's nothing simple about pretending to be in love for a year!"
"Who said anything about love?" His smile turned wicked. "I'm talking about enjoying each other's company, having fantastic s*x, and maintaining appearances."
His words triggered memories I'd tried to suppress—his hands exploring every inch of me, the way he'd made me cry out his name, and how perfectly our bodies had fit together. Heat crept up my neck.
"Your silence speaks volumes." Alexander's knowing smirk made me want to slap him. Or kiss him. I wasn't sure which.
"What happens when you get bored?" I crossed my arms. "Or when some supermodel catches your eye at one of those fancy galas?"
"That would constitute a breach of contract." He spoke as if discussing the weather. "I'd pay the penalty clause and terminate our arrangement immediately."
"There's a penalty clause now?"
"Of course." Alexander's smile grew predatory. "And before you ask - yes, the same rules apply to you. No other men, no secret rendezvous, complete exclusivity."
I blinked rapidly, my brain struggling to process this surreal conversation. "Let me get this straight. You want me to be your fake girlfriend for a year, attend fancy events, and..." I gestured vaguely between us, "...all that in exchange for helping with my mom's medical bills?"
"I wouldn't call it fake. The activities would be very real." He winked, and I fought the urge to throw something at him.
"Why me?" The question burst out before I could stop it. "You could have any woman in Manhattan—models, actresses, socialites. So why me?"
"They come with expectations, publicity headaches, and a certain level of drama that I have no interest in dealing with," he said, his tone matter-of-fact.
"And I don't?"
"You're practical. Efficient. Discreet." His eyes traced over me. "And after that night in my penthouse, I know we're compatible in other ways."
My cheeks burned. "Stop bringing that up."
"Why? It happened. And it could happen again, minus the chemical interference." He straightened, his eyes never leaving mine. "Think about it—you need financial assistance, and I need a companion. It's mutually beneficial."
The intensity in his eyes made my stomach flutter. A tiny voice in my head screamed this was a terrible idea, but a much louder one wondered if his kisses would feel the same without drugs clouding his system.
I forced myself to look away from his magnetic gaze, my heart thundering against my ribs. The memory of his touch ghosted across my skin, making it impossible to think straight.
"I can see those wheels turning in your head." His low voice sent shivers down my spine. "Weighing pros and cons, calculating risks and benefits. Always so analytical."
"Someone has to be." I meant it to sound sharp, but my voice came out breathier than intended.
Alexander's lips twitched. "Take your time with the decision." He stepped back, giving me room to breathe. "No pressure."
"No pressure? You just proposed turning me into your personal—"
"Careful with your words, Miss Harper." His eyes glinted with amusement. "I believe we covered that particular comparison already."
"Right. Your 'girlfriend.'"
"Much better term." He returned to his desk, picking up a pen and twirling it between his fingers.
I watched him twirl that stupid pen, fighting the urge to snatch it from his fingers. The man had just proposed the most outrageous arrangement of my life, and here he was, playing with office supplies like we were discussing the weather.
"If you decide to accept," he said, still focused on that infuriating pen, "just send your mother's hospital bills to my personal email."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that." He set the pen down and met my gaze. "And there is one other matter we need to discuss."
I braced myself. Here came the other shoe.
"Your little moonlighting activities need to stop immediately."
"But—"
"No buts." His tone shifted from playboy to CEO in an instant. "Consider this a warning. If I discover you're still working for other companies, I'll be forced to take formal action."
"Right. Of course." I swallowed hard, trying not to think about how I'd explain this to my other clients. "I'll wrap up my current projects and—"
"Today."
"Today?" My voice hit a pitch that would make dolphins jealous. "I can't just ghost my clients without—"
"Madison." The way he said my name made my toes curl. "Your contract with Knight Industries is explicit about exclusivity. I've been lenient, but that ends now."
I bit my lip, fighting the urge to argue. The man had a point – my contract about not working for other companies was crystal clear. The fact he'd caught me meant I'd gotten sloppy.
"Fine. I'll send termination emails today." The words left my mouth like a deflating balloon. Goodbye, extra income. Hello, starvation.
Alexander nodded, satisfied like a cat who'd just cornered its prey. The metaphor wasn't lost on me – I definitely felt trapped.
"I'll need time to think about..." I waved my hand between us, unsure what to call this bizarre proposition. "Whatever this is."
"Of course. Take all the time you need."
- Writer
