found her undesirable. A turnoff. That’s what he meant. Stifling a surge of rage as fierce as it was irrational, Lauren said, “I’d also require a signed statement from you that you would never, directly or indirectly, damage my stepfather’s name.”
“Providing you keep to the terms of our agreement.”
Her turquoise eyes flung themselves like waves of the sea against the hard planes of his face. “I would. I promise.”
“So you’re saying you’ll do it?”
She bit her lip. “We’d never bring it off—it’s so obvious we don’t like each other.”
“You’re being too diplomatic. Mutual antipathy—wouldn’t that be a more accurate description?”
“It would, yes,” she snapped. “Plus, to put it bluntly, you don’t look like you could act your way out of a paper bag.”
“You let me worry about that,” he retorted. “Yes or no? Eight days of your time or your stepfather’s reputation—which is it to be?”
“I’ll do it,” she said. “You’ve known all along that I would.”
“So you’re astute as well as talented.”
“You’re getting a bargain,” she mocked.
“We’ll see,” he said dryly. “In addition to our basic agreement, I’ll require you to sign a statement that you’ll never discuss our supposed relationship with the press. Come to this office at three tomorrow afternoon. I’ll have the documents drawn up for us both to sign. You can arrive at my condo at ten tomorrow night—I’m out earlier in the evening.”
“Very well.” Lauren gave him a derisive smile. “I do hope all this acting won’t be too taxing for you.”
“If you’re asking for a demonstration, you’re out of luck. I don’t believe in wasted action.”
She clenched her fists. “Your secretary must know we’re not lovers—that we just met this morning.”
“My secretary is very well paid to keep her mouth shut.”
“Now why should I be surprised?” Lauren said cordially. “Goodbye, Mr. Callahan. I won’t say it’s been a pleasure.”
“Don’t push your luck—the document’s not signed yet.”
She said tartly, “If Wallace is looking down on me from heaven, I hope he appreciates what I’m doing for him.”
“People who cheat and lie don’t go to heaven.” Reece opened the door. “Goodbye.”
They were in full view of his secretary. “Then I guess you won’t go there, either,” Lauren said, reaching up and kissing him on both cheeks. “Goodbye, darling,” she added in a carrying voice. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Pivoting, she smiled at the secretary. “I’ll see myself out,” she said, and walked toward the elevator. The slit in her skirt, she knew, showed her legs rather admirably. To her great satisfaction she heard Reece Callahan’s door snap shut with more force than was required.
At least she’d achieved that much.
Had she ever in her life conceived such an overwhelming dislike for a man? Even Edward, her mother’s third husband, liked dogs and rhododendrons, and laughed loudly at his own jokes. Reece Callahan wouldn’t know how to laugh.
Cold. Hard. Manipulative.
She was going to read both documents very carefully before she signed anything.
CHAPTER TWO
CHARLOTTE BOND, better known as Charlie, said incredulously, “You agreed to do what?”
“You heard,” Lauren said. “I agreed to act as Reece Callahan’s mistress, in public only, for the space of one week. Well, eight days. That’s all. It’s no big deal.”
“Lauren, I dated Reece. Twice. He plays major league. And he’s got a hole where his heart’s supposed to be.”
“So why did you date him twice?”
A rueful grin lit up Charlie’s piquant face. “I couldn’t believe that a guy with those rugged, damn-your-eyes kind of good looks could really be as cold as the proverbial glacier.”
“You saw him as a challenge.”
“I guess so.” Charlie gave a snort of self-derision. “What a joke. Although we did have a few things in common.”
Charlie was a top-notch tax consultant, whose logical brain was the antithesis of Lauren’s: they had a friendship of opposites that had survived Charlie’s move from New York to Canada’s west coast last summer. “Don’t you see?” Lauren said equably. “It’s because he’s such a cold fish that I feel quite safe taking this on. No risk Reece Callahan’s going to lose his head over me. We’ll act as lovers in public, go our separate ways in private, and Wallace’s good name will be safe. Simple.”
Charlie grimaced. “Trouble is, I feel responsible. If I hadn’t brought up Wallace’s name quite innocently to Reece, in connection with that software company Wallace was involved with, Reece wouldn’t have mentioned I should keep my ear to the ground for some very interesting revelations about Wallace. None of which were to Wallace’s credit. As soon as he said that, all my alarm bells went off and that’s when I phoned you.”
“You and I were due for a visit anyway,” Lauren said comfortingly. “And I’m so glad I’ve finally made it to the west coast. Oh, Charlie, it’s wonderful to have a bit of money to spend! To be able to get on a plane and fly here and not have to worry about the cost. For so many years I’ve been rock-bottom broke, having to count every cent I spent.”
But Charlie was still frowning. “Just so long as you don’t get hurt.”
“By Reece Callahan?” Lauren made a very rude noise. “Not a chance. Did I tell you he bought those two bronze pieces as an investment? They’re two of my best works, and yet they’re owned by a man who doesn’t give a damn about what they say—his only concern is that they increase in value. And you’re worried I might fall for him? Huh. Pigs might fly.”
Charlie sighed. “It’s an awful waste. He’s got a great body.”
“To sculpt, yes. To go to bed with? No, ma’am. Anyway, I’m off sex, have been for years.”
Charlie took a big gulp of her Chardonnay, her face still troubled. “You’re absolutely certain of Wallace’s innocence?”
“Of course I am!”
“You did tell me once that your inheritance from him was less than you’d expected.”
“That’s true enough. And his mother’s jewels that he’d promised me, they never did turn up. But, Charlie, everyone can have setbacks on the financial markets, you know that from your own work. It doesn’t mean the person’s committed fraud.”
