Corporate Assets_A Fake Marriage Romance Read online

  By lunch, I narrowed it down to seven women. I figured ten was too many, and seven was a sweet spot. There was a diversity of women to choose from, and all of their resumes and pictures were impressive.

  I emailed the photos to Lauren, including a message to meet me for lunch in ten minutes.

  “Who are these women?” She asked. There was a confused look on her face when we were alone in the elevator.

  I raised my finger to my lips, encouraging her to remain silent. Loose lips

  sink ships in corporate environments, and I didn’t want anyone to ear hustle, and there was no telling which elevators recorded audio.

  We walked two blocks to the restaurant that served Asian fusion. There, I finally felt comfortable to open up my phone after the waitress took our drink orders.

  “Do you like any of these women?”

  Her bewildered expression amused me. “What’s this about, Case?”

  “Dad sent an email about possibly retiring soon.” My voice rumbled with enthusiasm. “You know he doesn’t want to put me in charge without a wife.”

  Suspicion framed her features. “Case… What are you scheming on now?”

  I chuckled. It never took Lauren long to figure out when I had a plan in the works.

  “Each of these lovely ladies have arresting resumes. They’ve all got careers, allegedly. They’re all prospects to become my future wife.”

  “You’re going to marry a woman based off her resume?”

  I grinned in acknowledgment, looking her directly in her grey eyes. Her disbelief was palpable. She cussed quietly as she let the news sink in, her palm slapping on the table. I watched as it immediately jumped back up and her knuckles wrapped against the hard surface, tapping as her nerves started to fray.

  “Where the? Why the? How the?” She stopped and raised her palm in surrender. “Please tell me how this is supposed to work.”

  “Easy.” I relayed the plan to her. “You’re going to help me chop this list in half, three or four women. Then we’re going to bring them in for interviews.”

  “Interviews?” Her eyebrow arched suspiciously as she repeated. “You want me to help you interview women to become your corporate fiancée?”

  Bemused, I watched her struggle with my insanity. Lauren was up for a good time, but I could see this wasn’t how she expected her midweek lunch to proceed.

  “Why do you always pull me into your craziness?” She sighed, exasperated. “You know good and damn well that I have no idea how to pick women. I don’t date women.”

  “You don’t date anyone,” I teased.

  “I’m in a relationship with my children and married to my career.” She tooted her nose in the air slightly, just enough to let me know she wasn’t going to be moved by my taunts. Lauren knew she was gorgeous; she just had no interest in dating until she’d moved on from the divorce.

  “You’re a woman, and women know women,” I reasoned. “You know what kind of women I like, you know my personality. You’d be able to tell if one of these women were a perfect fit.”

  “And if they aren’t?”

  I sipped my beer. Nodding thoughtfully at her challenge, I considered my reply.

  “Well, that’s when we move to step two of the search.”

  “Which is?”

  “I marry you.”

  “Case!” She shrieked but looked around, covering her lips in embarrassment at her sudden outburst.

  “What?” I tapped my finger on the table resolutely as I laid out my explanation. “You’re good with numbers. You know what I like. You’re ambitious. My dad would approve.”

  “That would look scandalous.” Her tone lowered as she gave me the most direct glare ever. Her grey eyes were steely and serious. “I can’t have that kind of reputation at the office. It would destroy everything I’ve worked for.”

  “I’m just playing!” I laughed. “You’re a little too uptight anyway. I like MILFs but I’m not changing diapers.”

  She exhaled an exasperated sigh and tossed the balled up paper from her straw at me. “You play too much.”

  “And you take things literally, way too much.”

  Over the course of lunch, Lauren pored through the ladies’ photos. She was reluctant, but she eventually selected three women she liked the best.

  “Three gives us a safe number to work with,” she reasoned. “Here’s Michelle, Kia, and Sage.”

  I looked over them. Michelle was a pretty Asian brunette. Kia looked exotic; she had to be of mixed heritage. Sage was a classic American beauty. Dark hair and alluring eyes.

  “Great.” I smiled. “Call all three of them and arrange dates.”

  “When?”

  A devilish smirk grew on my face. “Now.”

  Kia’s number went straight to voicemail. Michelle wasn’t free until next week. Sage was the only one immediately available to meet. She offered to stop by for Happy Hour.

  I dragged Lauren with me. She was reluctant to come, and made up every excuse to stay behind. First she hammered away with alibis around finishing work, but eventually, she gave up and attempted to use her kids to slide out of it.

  “I can’t stay that long,” Lauren griped. “I have to pick my children up.”

  “How much is your sitter?”

  She quoted the price. I immediately Venmo’d her double the money.

  “Oooh, look. Now you get to stay, and you get to have dinner, drinks, and conversation on me.” She rolled her eyes playfully as I clapped happily. “Squee.”

  “You’re impossible,” she retorted.

  “You love me.” I leaned forward, wiggling my head to taunt her. She looked around and flipped me the bird.

  Anyone who would have looked at us wouldn’t have known we were co-workers, or rather, that she was my subordinate. We had a strong relationship; it felt like she was the older sister I never had.

  We left as the janitors came to clean the office. I jabbed my finger on the elevator button.

  Lauren texted her sitter, confirmed her availability to stay, and resigned herself to being my sidekick for the evening. As we approached the door of the restaurant, she inquired, “Did she say what time she’s coming?”

  “She should be there right when we arrive. I made reservations for us. Got the table in the back.”

  “Isn’t that my job?” She cocked her brow.

  “I can handle things myself sometimes.” I shrugged, holding the door open for her.

  But she wasn’t there when we arrived. The woman in the red dress was not in our booth as discussed.

  “Maybe she’s running late?” Lauren suggested.

  “Perhaps. Rush hour always throws us off.” My tone was noncommittal; it disguised my urge to scowl, and suppressed the mistrustful feeling in my stomach.

  What if she didn’t show up?

  We ordered our drinks. I was determined to push forward and make the most of this while we waited.

  “I’m headed to the bathroom.” Lauren pushed herself out the booth. “Be right back.”

  I wrapped my hands lightly as I thought over the afternoon. Free drinks and the opportunity of a lifetime. Who would destroy such an opportunity?

  A flash of ruby emerged from the hall where the restroom was, and a shock-wave hit my chest. A slender woman with gorgeous legs perched in gold sandals and holding a matching purse looked at her phone and adjusted her hair.

  She looked up, without thinking, and our eyes locked.

  It was her.

  I waved confidently at her. My blood pressure cooled. I held her in my gaze, daring her to look away as she approached.

  Panic sparked in her eyes, but only for a second. It wasn’t obvious enough to travel to the rest of her face, she appeared relaxed to a common person. But I could see the nerves fraying beneath the surface.

  Standing to greet her, I cleared my throat and rose from my seat. I was 6’2” and found her delectably short, even in her heels. She had to be 5’7” at most, and again, we’re talking about
five to six inch heels.

  Up close and in person, she was perfect. Her face was chiseled with high cheekbones, plush lips, and big innocent eyes with soulful brown color.

  “Good evening. Sage, right?”

  She nodded, barely whispered a yes. I saw the tremble in her bottom lip, and felt my dick stir. She was nervous, but it made her look delectable, like sensual prey, perfectly designed for my primal nature.

  I wanted to fuck her on the table, simply on the strength of her innocence and bashfulness.

  But instead of cupping her face with both hands and planting my lips against her jaw, I extended my arm to shake her hand.

  That was almost a mistake. It was buttery soft, and held a forbidden silkiness that should only belong to babies, and wet, slippery body parts one didn’t fantasize about in public.

  “You look lovely.”

  My eyes took on a mind of their own and raked over her feminine curves. The red cocktail dress she was wearing fit right where it mattered, while still leaving enough to the imagination.

  “Thank you.” Her voice was husky, but soft, barely above the whisper before. Stars flickered in her eyes, and I could imagine how the world dimmed around their edges.

  She had no idea how hard it was for me not to react the same way.

  Sage

  “You know, you had me worried you weren’t interested.”

  My eyes clouded with sexual haze, and the smoky feel of his dark gaze on my skin made my heart flutter.

  “I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I caught a case of the nerves, and ran to the bathroom.”

  He held me in his gaze, completely

  I fashioned myself a woman ready for anything, but I was insufficiently prepared for this.

  On the way over, I imagined every possible scenario:

  •Hideous man looking for a sugar baby, smiling with stained teeth, and smarmy appearance.

  •An older executive seeking arm candy to play a role.

  •Middle age nut job looking for a cheap thrill on the basis of boredom.

  I’d even considered that this was a complete social experiment. I’d walk in, confident and proud, but there’d be an investigative reporter waiting at the table, camera crews on hand. I’d be invited to take a seat, and get interrogated on why a qualified woman such as myself would involve herself in such a questionable proposition.

  My mind was rich with possibilities — and yet none of them led me to this, seeing the sexiest man I’d ever seen in my life.

  I would have thought I was high, that it would have been too good to be true if he hadn’t taken my hand and shaken it.

  He hadn’t let go after we’d shaken either. The heat of his skin against mine sent pleasurable waves pulsing from my hand up my arm. The sensations reverberated through my body, and I could feel telltale goosebumps pop up and over my arms.

  How dare my body betray me so?

  “I assure you this is very real,” he mused. He raised my hand to his lips, and they caressed me. His kiss was equal parts scintillating and soothing.

  But can I tell you how he looked?

  God. When I say fine, I mean fine.

  This man was taller than any other man I’d dated in my life. 6’2”, with dark eyes, and dark close cut hair just long enough to create delicious curls. He was striking, with a close cut beard and strong, masculine jawline.

  My nipples hardened, and my clit pulsed. Attraction was important to me, but I could see me playing this role really well — if this were indeed the real thing. If I played fiancée, could I be a fiancée with benefits?

  “Oooh. Our guest is here.”

  I turned to put a face to the sultry voice. The woman was indeed as sultry as she sounded. With black hair, pouty lips, and smokey grey eyes, she returned my curious look with a sensual smile.

  Dear God, I wondered; was this some sick ploy to get me involved in some kinky couples’ role-play fantasy?

  “Hello, Sage. I’m Lauren, the woman you spoke to on the phone?” She extended her hand, and tipped her eyebrows to the sky with a friendly grin. I relaxed enough to smile back and return the gesture.

  “Hello. It’s nice to meet you.” My heartbeat relaxed when she slid next to the tall, handsome gentleman, but I still feared the worst.

  I wasn’t sure I was ready for the couples’ experience.

  He smiled at me, and Lauren called the waitress over. When she arrived, she ordered appetizers.

  “And whatever the lady would like to drink,” the man inserted, gesturing toward me.

  Caught by his chivalry, I blushed. “Whatever your current signature Happy Hour special is, is fine with me.”

  The waitress pointed out four drinks on a mini menu. I picked the drink that sounded pretty and sweet. I was too fraught with looking perfect in front of this handsome man – and his adoring… uh, wife/girlfriend/plaything? - to even consider anything closely.

  “Thank you,” I smiled at him. And her. You never want to upset a man’s woman, even if she knows why you’re there.

  Once the orders were in, the handsome god of a man wasted no time getting focused.

  “One thing’s for sure. You’re everything your pictures promised, and more.”

  Heat rose from my core and spread over my body. Even if he weren’t in a well-tailored suit, with impeccable shoes and a fine watch, I could tell he was a C-suite executive just by the way he expressed himself.

  Self-assured. Dauntless. Direct and to the point — complete with eye contact.

  “Thank you,” I managed to utter through the haze in my head. Sexual tension was ripe between us, and I hadn’t even taken a sip of the pretty pink and purple drink the waitress sat down in front of me.

  “You think you can stop drooling over her enough to tell her what’s going on?” Lauren interjected. She shot me a teasing wink as she looked at him. “Has he even told you his name?”

  I snapped out of it, just a bit. “Actually, no.” I shook my head. “No he hasn’t.”

  His eyes bore into me as he declared himself. “Case Williams.”

  “Sage Bush.” Lauren gave me a cheeky expression. I shrugged lightly. “I know. Real creative on my mother’s part.”

  “Lauren Michaels.” She chimed in. “Now that we’re all introduced, can you explain what’s going on?”

  I gave an approving nod, echoing her sentiments. He nodded as he finished a bite of his chicken appetizer. Lauren and I helped ourselves to some of the rest, which were placed in the middle of the table for us to enjoy.

  “Essentially, my father owns a large corporation here in the city. Just a couple of blocks away. He’s getting ready to retire, and I’m in the prime position to take over, but his rule is that I need to be married.”

  Lauren nodded as he spoke, confirming every word.

  “My plan is to find a smart, suitable fiancée to present him, so he has the confidence to hand the company over to me, as opposed to someone else.”

  “Why would he give anyone else your position?” My brow furrowed.

  “The company is an ‘old money’ brand. The last thing he wants to do is tarnish it by leaving it in the hands of his single, handsome, and eligible bachelor of a son, despite my qualifications.”

  “He’s really about image,” Lauren added. They shared an insider’s scoff, but I noticed their body language was peculiar. They had a tangible, yet indefinable closeness that inferred they were really close, but not in a sexual manner. "How it looks is the second thing shareholders care about after profits."

  “May I ask a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “Are you two related in any way?”

  They shared an amused look. “Do we look related?”

  “No, but you seem really close to one another.”

  “How so?” Lauren’s tone was inquisitive, and her eyes sparkled in anticipation.

  Case’s expression was highly interested also, but his eyes remained intense, as if he would spread me on the table and eat me in fro
nt of the entire restaurant. I was both scared and aroused by the vision.

  “I don’t know if this is something I can clearly define,” I started.

  I scrutinized them for a moment. The way they sat very close, but not in direct physical contact. How her shoulders were relaxed. Her bra was doing a great job supporting her, because she wasn’t sticking her chest up and out the way a woman who desired sexual attention would. And they had a comfortable rapport, but they weren’t sharing food directly or double dipping.

  “Be honest.” Case asserted.

  “Honestly? It’s as if you two are either siblings or prior friends with benefits.”

  Case tossed his head back, releasing a manly, comfortable roar. Lauren cracked up, her breasts jiggling heartily beneath her top. They looked at each other and I saw tears in the corners of their eyes.

  “Heavens no.” Lauren finally replied. She wiped the corners of her eyes with a manicured finger, and then followed up with a free napkin on the table. “Case and I could never be lovers.”

  “Why not?”

  “He’s my boss.”

  “We’re close. Like brother and sister. But Lauren’s well past her dating years,” Case butted in.

  Lauren jabbed him with an elbow. “I’m 33, sir. I’m not past my dating years.”

  “You certainly aren’t,” I added, feeling relief that she wasn’t his wife or lover. “Women blossom in their 30s. At least that’s what I’ve been told.”

  Lauren pointed her finger at me and nodded in assertion. “You’ve got that right, girlfriend.” She took a sip of her drink and eyed Case with a teasing glare as she spoke.

  “I’m recently divorced, and a mother of two. I’m just not interested in dating, and Case teases me for it. I’m also older than him, so he likes to poke fun at that also.”

  “Lauren knows me better than any woman on this planet,” Case added. I raised a brow to that statement. He clarified.

  “My mother passed away several years ago. Lauren and I have worked together since I first joined the company after graduating.”