what you buy. Here’s what I know. I. Have. Her.”
Silence. As if the words had finally registered.
“Did you truly think you’d find her first?” Dex continued and it was his turn to laugh. “I’ve always been better than you. More motivated. More driven. Always been willing to do whatever it takes.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
“I have her, and if you want to deal, you will stop this bullshit stuff where you’re calling and you’re hiding in shadows and you’re playing your games. I’m not in the mood to play any longer.”
“It’s not her.”
“I’m sure you heard her name when you brushed by us in the lobby.” Yeah, I spotted you. Like that required even half an effort. “Check her out. See what you discover. When you’re done, you come to me and we’ll deal. Turns out I’ll be on the slopes tomorrow with my fiancée. Maybe we’ll both see you there.”
“Dex—”
The elevator dinged. “My luggage is about to arrive.” The doors opened. Sweet. The champagne is there, too. “And my champagne is ready. I’m off to celebrate with Lacey. Chat later.” He hung up the phone.
Within moments, the luggage had been delivered, the champagne was chilling by the bed, and Dex was alone with Lacey. She stared out at the view, and a soft smile curved her full lips. “This is beautiful.”
He didn’t look at the mountains. “Stunning.”
Her head turned toward him. The faint smile was still on her face.
I love you. For a moment, he could hear her giving him that declaration again. She hadn’t meant those words. She’d been acting, just as he had been. But he’d almost wanted to believe her. He’d wondered…what it would be like to be loved by Lacey Amari?
But that wasn’t going to happen. Not today. Not ever. He was using her. And when she found out the truth…
Shit. Lacey would try to kick his ass.
“How about we open that champagne?” Dex asked. “I could sure as hell use a drink.”
“Was everything okay at the office?” She took a quick step toward him.
Okay? Not by a long shot. In his world, though, things were rarely okay. Most of the time, the world was on fire. He’d learned to deal with the heat. “All going to plan,” he assured her cheerfully. That was the truth. Nothing was okay, but everything was happening exactly as he’d intended.
He just…
He hadn’t realized that he’d started to feel this weird ache when he looked at her. Was it longing? Need? Yes, he desired her. He’d known that from the beginning. But he could separate his emotions. His lust. There was the job. Then there was her. Not like he’d get this setup confused in his head and think that they were actually a couple. Not like he’d fall for her.
He popped the cork on the champagne. Poured some into a long flute and the bubbles spilled over the side.
“Wow, I think that’s enough.” She laughed and reached for the glass. Her fingers slid over his.
He usually could do a smooth-move champagne pour in his sleep. It wasn’t like him to make a mess. “I spilled it. I gave you too much.”
“Yes, well, it’s okay.” She took the glass from him. “What’s a little spilled champagne between friends?”
But they weren’t friends.
A smile played along her lips. “You have to put some in your glass or we can’t have a toast.”
Of course. So why was he just staring at her? He poured champagne into his flute and didn’t make it overflow this time.
Lacey lifted her glass. “What shall we toast to?”
“How about…To all the things we wish we could have…but are out of our reach.”
Her nose scrunched. Cute. “All right,” she agreed slowly. “But that is a shitty toast.”
He blinked. The words had just come out of his mouth. Mostly because he was staring at her and wanting her far too much. “Shitty?”
“Toasts are supposed to be good. They are supposed to be celebrating something. If you’re longing for something out of your reach,” she stepped even closer, “then you need to do something about that. Maybe reach out and take it.”
Oh, he wanted to do something. But…
The job. Do the job. Not her.
“Know what? I’ll give the toast.” She raised her glass a little higher. “To the best fake engagement in the world and to the man who will finally give me what I’ve always wanted.”
For one crazy moment he thought…
But no.
She didn’t mean hot, screaming sex. His bad.
She meant the truth about her family. That was what she wanted.