Tell Me You're Mine (The British Billionaires #1) - J. S. Scott Page 0,34

said hastily. “Forget it. Just get out of my office. God, did you really think you could just apologize, and I’d fall all over you just because you’re Damian Lancaster?”

He shrugged. “Most women do.”

Oh, I’m sure they did. Strangely, I didn’t detect a hint of arrogance in his comment. He sounded more like having women fall all over him because he was one of the richest guys in the world was just a…fact. “I’m not most women,” I told him firmly. “I actually have to like a guy to go out with him. And I don’t like you. Now just…go.”

I hated the way my heart was racing, and how damn hard it was to keep up my indifferent façade.

“Not so fast,” he said smoothly. “There’s one other issue I’d like to discuss.”

“I think I’m done here,” I snapped, my hostility rising. I was thoroughly pissed off at myself because even though I knew he was a man-whore and a liar, my body still wanted him. My involuntary reactions to Damian were hard to control, and that was something my rational mind just didn’t understand. How could I want this man to fuck me when I didn’t even like him?

Damian ignored my curt dismissal. “You were right about everything you said about Lancaster International,” he said in a more businesslike voice. “We do need a good crisis management agency right now. Social media is having a field day with the article and the photo, and that’s something my marketing team has never had to deal with in the past. We’re seeing more pushback from the public than I ever imagined. We do need a specialist.”

I couldn’t hold back on my sarcasm as I retorted, “Maybe you wouldn’t need a crisis manager if you could keep your damn pants on when you’re in front of a camera.”

Damian’s lips twitched like he wanted to smile. “You looked up the photo and the article, I assume.”

Busted! “Strictly for business reasons,” I explained hastily. “I wanted to see the scandal that screwed me on my presentation.”

“The whole story was a setup,” he said, frowning. “A trap to make Lancaster International look bad, probably by a competitor.”

I scoffed. “Seriously? Do you really expect me to believe that?”

“No. Not now. But if we’re working together, maybe you will someday.”

“That would be impossible since I don’t plan on taking on your company.” Did he really think he could hire me, and it would make what he did all right?

His brow furrowed as he studied me. “Nicole, it would be a ridiculous business move to pass on Lancaster International. It would be a huge account, and it would definitely open the door for a lot more international clients for you in the future.”

Dammit! I hated the fact that every single word he said was…true.

“I don’t care about the money,” I said defensively. “I have to be able to work with every client, and I can’t work with you.”

The guy was arrogant and presumptuous, not to mention the fact that he’d already lied to me, and I had no idea whether he’d do so again and again if we were working together.

“You can work with me,” he told me, his voice persuasive. “Don’t turn down this opportunity. You’ll hate yourself for it later.”

I was silent as I thought about what he’d just said. Would I hate myself later for making a big decision like this based on emotion instead of reason?

I’d desperately wanted to secure Lancaster International as a client, not only because they’d be a huge account, but also because of the doors it would open for ACM to branch out into the UK and European markets.

My employees had kept this business booming after my mother’s death. I felt like I owed all of them a decision that was made with a clear mind and not emotion.

“I suppose I should take some time to consider it,” I told him reluctantly. “Are you sure you’ll be able to stifle the urge to throw another orgy while I think about it?”

He grinned at me. “I think I can contain myself.”

His smile made me so breathless I couldn’t say a word.

Dammit! I really hated the way I could still want this man, even though I knew what an asshole he really was.

I needed to get Damian Lancaster out of my office. “Then I’ll consider it,” I said with absolutely no enthusiasm. Thank God I managed to resist the urge to get in another insult, though. I was showing my cards every single