Eric Jansen was aware of his reputation. As a stoic widower
with a mysterious past, work was his only solace…until his investors threaten
to end the deal. With a new luxury hotel and housing development for
underprivileged families on the line in scenic Rio de Janeiro, the beautiful
new photographer, Jayla Mitchelson, is perfect for the job. She may also be the
perfect woman to claim his heart.
Jayla stared at him, stunned. “Did you just say fiancée? As
in…engaged?” The word echoed in her mind, making her frown as if she hadn’t
heard it right. “I thought you needed a date.”
Eric
slipped a hand into his pocket. “It’s a bit more complicated than that. Our
potential investor values traditional family structures. He believes an
engagement would, let’s say, enhance our credibility.”
Jayla’s
shock turned into something sharper. Oh, so her photography skills didn’t
matter? Was she just supposed to play dress-up and pretend to be in love with
Mr. Perfect? “You can’t be serious.”
Eric
watched her pace. “It would help me greatly.”
“For
your little charade?” Jayla’s voice grew louder. “Is that why you hired me? To
be nothing more than your arm candy?”
Eric
closed his eyes a moment before he shook his head. “No, Jayla, it’s not like
that.”
She
stopped pacing, arms crossed. “Then why bring me down here? Why go through this
phony interview process, checking out my site and bringing me–” She gasped. “Is
that why you took me to breakfast? The sightseeing? Was that part of softening
me up?”
“Jayla—”
She
glanced back at the huge building. “If I say no, are you going to, what, chop
me up and hide me in the building?” She began rummaging through her camera bag.
“Look, buddy. I got Mace, and I will not hesitate to use it. I don’t care how
many yachts you own.”
Eric
froze mid-step toward her, then covered his mouth. His shoulders started
shaking, and before Jayla could react, he doubled over, laughing
uncontrollably.
“What—”
Jayla’s indignation mixed with confusion. “What is so funny?”
He
couldn’t even answer, leaning against a nearby lamppost for support as he
laughed.
Jayla
watched him, arms crossed, trying to maintain her anger.
But
as Eric continued laughing with his eyes sparkling with tears, something
shifted inside her. This wasn’t the composed CEO showing off his engaging
smile. This was just Eric. Just a man finding genuine humor in her conspiracy
theory.
“Oh,
Jayla.” He finally managed to stop laughing, wiping a tear from the corner of
his eye. “I’m sorry, but that was not the reaction I was expecting.”
She
raised her hands, still stunned. “Well, what exactly were you expecting, Eric?
You bring me out here, make this grand gesture, and then—”
“It
sounds insane, I know,” he interrupted. “But hear me out. This deal is critical
to my company. And I need someone who isn’t part of the usual circle, someone
who won’t leak it to the press or get too involved. Someone I can trust to keep
their distance while we manage these investors.” He watched her for a moment.
“And when it’s done, we go our separate ways. But in the meantime,” his tone
shifted slightly, “since we’ll be working together for the next few months, why
not…”
He
let the sentence linger.
“I’ll
pay you twenty-five thousand dollars per workday. Seem reasonable?”
Her
mouth fell open. Had she heard him right? Twenty-five thousand per day?
“Eric,
I—”
“Think
about it,” he said quickly, holding up a hand. “Don’t answer yet. Sleep on it.
I know it’s a lot to process, but honestly, Jayla, it would mean a great deal
to me… to us both. We wouldn’t have to see each other outside of a set plan,
anyway. The meetings, the photo opportunities, that’s it. Your time is your
own.”
Jayla
nodded slowly. She didn’t even want to think of what Donna would say if she
mentioned this. It sounded crazy. And the crazier fact was… she started
considering it.
“I’ll
think about it.”
Author of clean, cozy reads about love and romance, Rachel
Matthews is a wife, daughter, crocheter, artist, and dreamer all rolled into
one. She’s dreamed of writing ever since she was little and now enjoys penning
them for readers all around the world. Part mermaid and part stuffed animal
wrangler, she currently lives in San Diego where she is fighting an addiction
to the beach while enjoying free time with her own romantic hero husband.
