The Fiancee Charade

She smiled sweetly up at him, making his blood heat. ‘Oh, yes, I remember now. Let’s see, out of the thousand or so people there…you’re that annoying fellow from the third row whose mobile phone kept ringing?’

He couldn’t help but smile. ‘No, I’m the one that sat two rows behind you and didn’t see the performance at all.’

He moved closer to her, drawn by the fire in her eyes and the challenge in every breath she took. ‘Because I couldn’t tear my eyes away from your beauty.’

Jess raised an eyebrow. ‘Still schmoozing like a bachelor begging for a babe in his bedroom?’

He smiled. ‘It works.’

She put her hands on her hips and glared up at him. ‘If you’re not going to listen to me then I’d have to wonder why I should waste my time listening to your very large load of—’

‘Fine. I won’t heap on the flattery.’ He stepped back, giving her some room. Obviously she wasn’t going to be softened by his repertoire. ‘What now?’

‘Now we go and see if you are constantly selling sex to every hapless woman in the building,’ she said coolly, glancing at the doors behind her.

He crossed his arms. ‘And that’s a problem? Why?’

She pouted, staring at him as though drawing out his anticipation of her answer. ‘If you’re a walking advertisement for sex then what something special are you going to offer that woman of your dreams? You’re already betraying her with every passing woman. What hope is there of your fidelity—ever?’

‘But a hot-blooded single bachelor—’

‘There’s single. And there’s seriously single.’

He pursed his lips, frowning. Did women really have rules for everything? ‘The difference?’

She crossed her arms over her breasts. ‘You can be a single person who’s looking for love and commitment, or serious about staying single and on the sex scene.’

‘U-huh. You’re blushing.’

She glared up at him coldly. ‘I’m hot.’

‘Me too.’

‘I think we need a few parameters here.’ Jess swiped a stray wisp of hair back from her face. ‘You keep your steamy looks and sexual overtones for your women. I want nothing to do with them. Deal?’

He held up his hands in front of him. ‘Fine. No sex for you.’