I nod. “Yes. Who knew you had such a sweet, caring side to you?” I tease.
Leaning toward me, his eyes zero in on my lips. “There’s nothing sweet about what I’m thinking. Forget making calls, come to my bedroom and I’ll show you what’s on my mind.” His mouth lands on the racing pulse on my neck. His tongue flicks out and glides to my ear.
Breathless, it takes effort to form words. “What about the desk?”
One of his hands skims the side of my torso until it reaches just under my breast. His thumb ghosts over my peaked nipple. My eyes roll back into my head before they flutter shut.
“Changed my mind. I want you in my bed, because I’m keeping you there all night,” he murmurs against my neck.
“As much as I love the sound of that, I can’t keep ignoring my responsibilities.” Using all the effort I can muster, I place my palms on Lucas’ chest and push. “Save it for later. I really do need to make some calls. When I’m done, I promise we can get back to this.”
With a heavy sigh, he rises from the settee. “Fine. Make it quick.”
“I will.”
When he leaves the room, I reluctantly pull my phone from my pocket. I stare at the screen—so many missed calls and texts. Should I call Claudia or my mother first? My mother will probably only make things more dramatic than what they are. Better to call Claudia; she’ll keep her cool while telling it to me straight. Selecting her name, I put the call through.
She answers on the first ring. “My God, Pen, why haven’t you returned my calls? Your mother is going crazy because you haven’t contacted her. Are you still at the cabin, or did the paparazzi find you there? Everything is falling apart. You don’t know what we’ve been dealing with here. We’ve been trying toput out all the fires you’ve made, but it’s out of control. You’re losing everything!” Claudia’s frantic voice shrills through the phone.
The breath gets knocked out of me. So much for Claudia keeping her cool. For her to be in such a panic mode, things must be bad. “Claudia, calm down. What fires have I made?”
“Calm down! Calm down! How can you tell me to calm down? We’ve barely spoken, and then we see photos of you gunning it down main street in a freaking middle-of-nowhere town. I thought you were hiding out so no one could find you? Being seen again has only stirred things up more.” I hear her sniff. Oh no! For her to get emotional, I’ve really hurt her feelings by not contacting her sooner.
“I’m sorry. I told you when we last spoke I had no reception at the cabin. Things got so crazy this is the first chance I’ve had to call you.” I tell her a little white lie. I could have excused myself from Lucas’ family when we arrived. They would have understood. I just wasn’t ready for reality, and I was enjoying my time with them. “So tell me what’s going on. What do you mean I’m losing everything?” My stomach clenches as I wait on her response.
“First, tell me where you are so I can get you. We can talk better face to face.”
I tuck my legs up onto the settee. “I’m staying at Lucas’ apartment.”
Claudia is silent for a beat. “You’re in the city? Why haven’t you gone home or at least come to mine or Elizabeth’s place?” I hear the hurt tone in her voice.
“I was worried there’d be too many paparazzi there. Lucas’ apartment has super-tight security. Anyway, it’s only for the night. I’ll work out my living arrangements tomorrow. Darren probably hasn’t left—even moved Karen in.” I own my home. Darren moved in with me. But now, after he had sex withanother woman in there, I don’t want to step foot in it again. Although, that doesn’t mean I’m going to let him get comfortable. I’d rather burn it down than let him live in it.
“You’re right about Darren living in your apartment, but not with Karen. They’ve gone their separate ways. Although he’s still sobbing about your affair to whoever will listen.”
Great. If he keeps talking, it will take even longer for the media to move on. Once I kick him out of my apartment, I never want to have anything to do with him again or give him another thought.
“Tell me why I’m losing everything,” I say. Surely she’s being overly dramatic.
“Oh, Pen. Your TV series deal has fallen through. Why air a show about a wedding that’s not taking place? And they no longer believe in your squeaky-clean image. Also, the book contract your publisher was sending out for you to sign has been withdrawn.”
I spring from my seat. “What? They can’t do that! I did nothing wrong. Darren is the one who got caught bare-assed having sex with another woman, yet I’m the one being punished? How is that fair?” I can understand about the show, but the book? That hits hard.
“The photos of you with Lucas, and Darren’s statement saying you had the affair first, is making you look guilty. Your image is damaged. No one is prepared to commit to you anymore.”
I drop my head in my hand and rub my fingers across my forehead. This is worse than I expected. Anger burns in my gut. All my hard work is ruined. What the hell am I supposed to do now?
Be my fake girlfriend.
Lucas’ suggestion rings through my head.
Would pretending to be a couple help with my reputation? Will people love our relationship enough to forget about themess with Darren? I don’t have to fake being attracted to Lucas. The chemistry between us is electric. With people watching our every move, could we pull it off?
What other option do I have? I need to do something to save my business and reputation.
“Claudia, I have to go.”
“Wait…what do you want us to do? We need to put some kind of plan together.”