The Billionaire's Fake Fiancee - Lauren Wood Page 0,37

was long gone and obviously had no desire in seeing me ever again.

I plopped onto the edge of my bed, wrapped in my bathrobe, running my hands along the dips in my bed and sheets where our bodies had twisted together in ecstasy the night before. If only I could go back in time. Being suspended in drunken lust was far preferred to the morning after shame and guilt.

I laughed to myself, thinking Ben got exactly what he wanted all along. We played the cat and mouse game of who wanted who, and I managed to stay one step ahead the whole way. That’s why he kept coming back. But the moment I gave him the upper handed by muttering those three stupid little words, he ran as fast as he could. It was everything I swore I wouldn’t let happen … and yet there I was.

After struggling to make myself put on clothes, fix my face, and gather my things, I reluctantly headed out to work with a to-go cup of coffee in hand. I sat in the parking lot for a few minutes, trailing my thumb in circles across my phone screen. Maybe he would regret leaving me like that with that stupid note. Maybe he would come to his senses. I felt tears well up in my eyes at the unlikelihood of that.

Don’t let this get to you, Kate. At least you were smart enough to see it coming. You knew the whole time that things would end up this way. Suck it up and let it go.

I wiped my eyes and sucked in a deep breath, gearing up to throw myself into work. I marched into that office like I owned the place. I didn’t have the guy. But I would get the promotion if it was the last thing I ever did.

Tucked away into my office, I concentrated on calling child psychologists and tracking down books for research. I had a theory about what could potentially make the Nesters toy line more successful than they even imagined, and I was preparing myself to present just that in my pitch. I didn’t know what kind of generic, lazy ideas Chuck was mulling over, but I knew what I had to offer would blow him out of the water. The client and the new job, along with the fancy corner office, would be mine. And I needed the pick-me-up more than ever before.

Several days went by, still with no word from Ben. I wasn’t surprised, but it was harder than I expected to shake the disappointment that nagged at my heart. What was I thinking falling for someone like him? Or the better question, why would I tell him I loved him!?

It was a constant tug-of-war pitting all of my questions and regrets against my determination for my work. Until finally, it was time to present everything to Greg. Chuck, of course, insisted I go first, which I was more than happy to do. I presented them both with all of my research on how to best sell the new line of toys and make them stand out from the competitive market.

Greg looked impressed by the time I finished, but we still had to wait for Chuck to take his turn. His pitch was typical and predictable and didn’t stand a chance against mine.

“Well, you two. This is a tough decision,” Greg told us as we wrapped up.

I knew the only thing that made it tough was Greg’s personal fondness of Chuck, but I bit my tongue and waited for him to finish.

“But Kate’s angle is innovative and fresh. It’s something that I think will really speak to not only parents, but teachers and caregivers alike. Great work, Chuck. But I’m going with Kate’s idea for the pitch to the clients. Can you have this ready to present to them by Friday?” he asked me.

A huge smile spread across my face. The first time I had genuinely smiled in days. “Absolutely, sir. It would be my pleasure. And I won’t let you down.”

Chuck was speechless and stunned, but didn’t waste any time to start throwing dirty, resentful looks in my direction. I gathered my things and strided out of the meeting room before he had a chance to say anything to me. On my way out, I heard him pleading with Greg to reconsider. I didn’t bother sticking around to defend myself. I knew it was a no-brainer. My pitch was better than his, hands down. I was just