A Playboy's Love Affair (3 page)

Amusement filled Alex’s eyes. “Un-freaking believable, you’re dismissing me again. Honey, it’s not working so give it up. Let’s start with you owning up to your lie, which has had a domino effect on everything else in my life. I won’t leave until I take what I came to get.”

Carly breathed in, facing him once more. “Alex St. Jones, you don’t have very good manners. Cussing in my office? Really?” She shook her head in disapproval. “Also, let me make something clear to you. I’m not your sweetheart, sweetie, honey or anything else, understand?” To emphasize her words, she raised her eyebrows the way a teacher reprimands a kid.

Alex eased back in his chair and stared at her. If she thought he’d cringe at her words and give up his claim, she was in for a rude awakening. He wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Carly reached for a handful of the color pencils that were spread over her desk. “Fine. Since you won’t leave, say what you came to say and then leave. What’s this lie you’re accusing me of? You have five minutes starting now, so out with it.”

He regarded her. Perhaps showing up unannounced hadn’t been the best course of action. Then again, chances were she would’ve never accepted to meet him, so he would’ve shown up anyway. He was saving himself time doing it this way. “My, my but proper Carly is bossy.” Alex crossed one ankle over his knee, getting more comfortable on the chair. “Your five minutes don’t start now because they don’t count. I can take all the time in the world if I want to, got that?” He paused for a second, then added, “I got this horrendous shiner, as you put it, from your fiancé—”

“He’s not my fiancé anymore,” Carly cut in, studying his bruised eye.

“It doesn’t matter what he is or used to be. What matters is you lied to him, and now I got this.” Alex pointed to his purplish eye. “Why did you lie?” Her concerned expression made him doubt his approach again, but he couldn’t deviate from his goal. Get Carly in his bed, and if this was the way then so be it.

“It wasn’t intended. One thing led to another, next thing I knew the lie was out. I couldn’t stop it.” Carly closed her eyes for a moment, and slid them back open, locking her gaze with his. “I’m sorry you were caught in the middle of all this, that you got your ass kicked, a black eye to go with it and a wounded pride. So if you came for an apology, take that Alex St. Jones because that’s all you’re going to get. Now, you can leave the same way you came in.”

Alex straightened in his chair. “If you think for a second I’ll take that sorry ass excuse of an apology for one, you’re sadly mistaken darling.” His gaze locked her into place. “I didn’t come here for an apology. You owe me and you owe me big.”

“What are you gonna do, Alex? Sue me for the lie or for the millions I supposedly cost you? Oh…wait, better yet. Will you sue me because you, the famous playboy, suffered a blow to his infamous reputation?” Carly eased back in her chair and pushed away from the desk. “I don’t owe you anything. Heard that? Got it? Good? Have yourself a good day.”

“Yes, I could file a law suit against you for defamation and damages. This is California and you know I’d win. You sure you want to go that route, sweetheart?” Alex stood up, looking down at her. “I had a better proposition in mind for how you can make up the damages.” He grabbed one of the paint swatches still on her desk. “You knew at some point your little lie was going to come out. The sooner you agree to my terms, the better it’d be for both of us.” Alex tossed the swatch back on her desk.

“I’d heard you were a force to reckon with, I just didn’t know you were a skunk,” Carly said. “Stop

sweet-hearting me too. I told you, I’m not your sweetheart. You want to sue me, go ahead sue me. Bring it on! I’ll hear any propositions you have in a court of law, not here. And, if you think you’ll win, think again.”

Alex placed his hands on top of her desk, leaning toward her. “I’m trying to do you a favor.” He slanted his head to the side.

“I don’t need any favors from you.” Carly sprang to her feet and walked to the couch in the sitting area of her large office. Carly grabbed her Louis Vuitton satchel and stashed a couple of sketchpads in it. His strong hands swirled her around. “Why are you playing hardball, Carly? It’d be so much easier if you hear me out.”

She blinked a few times before her gaze finally focused on him. “I’m not going to be another of your conquests.”

“What makes you think you won’t?” Alex didn’t expect her to put up a fight, not after her demand to kiss her the other night, but Carly was turning out to be a lively little piece. What she didn’t know was that he thrived on challenges; he never, ever failed.

“Um, let’s see. Your reputation precedes you, and I refuse to be another statistic. Let me make something clear: I.AM.NOT.SLEEPING.WITH.YOU. Got that?” Carly tilted her chin.

Alex searched her face. “Sweetheart, that’s not my proposition.” He bit the inside of his cheek. Carly had hit the nail on the head, that was his hidden proposition but he’d never admit it. Getting a woman in bed was never a problem, Carly wouldn’t be the exception. “I’m here to offer you a deal that you’re going to accept.” He firmed his hold on her.

Carly licked her lips as she came out of the spell he’d put her under. “What’s this proposal of yours?”

His lips were only about an inch from hers, it took all his restraint no to claim them. “Meet me for dinner at my place tomorrow night.”

Carly attempted to take a step back, but that only encouraged Alex to lock his arms around her waist. At her silent response, he added, “I’ll tell you my indecent proposal then, since it’s obvious you’re too busy today.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. I told you to sue me but you won’t because you have an indecent proposal you’d rather pursue, how stupid do you think I am? I wouldn’t meet you at your place. You have a proposal you want me to hear, then you come to
my
place at seven o’clock sharp. Not a minute early, not a minute late, and no dinner. Got that? Good.” She reached with her hands behind her back to loosen his grip.

Alex closed the distance between them even more. His lips were now a third of an inch away from hers. He breathed in her fragrance before he spoke again. “Yes, I got it. Same goes for you. I’ll take no cancellations or re-schedules, and skipping dinner is not an option. Until then, Carly.” Just like that, he let go of her and walked out, leaving her standing in the middle of her large office.

****

Celebrity News!

Alex St. Jones has a black eye!

The tall, slim entertainment anchor smiled to the camera. “Hello there! Our favorite bachelor is at it again, girls. Come on, will this bad boy ever learn?”

She motioned to the screen displaying Alex with an ugly bruised eye. “My source tells me Alex was involved in a brawl. What for this time, you may ask. I’ll tell you I’m having a bit of trouble believing it myself, but rumor has it he was caught messing with another man’s woman.”

She turned halfway to look at the picture on the screen. “That’s a new one for him. We all know that’s not his style, then again we can always hope for anything where Alex St. Jones is concerned.”

Smiling, she looked back at the camera. “Doesn’t he look adorable though?”

Chapter Five

It was seven o’clock and Alex was late. Carly didn’t need a fortuneteller to know the guy would do the opposite of what she’d said. He would’ve surprised her had he shown up on time, but who was she kidding? She was dealing with the incorrigible Alex St. Jones. At ten minutes past, a knock sounded on the door.

Carly walked to the door and took a deep breath before she opened it. “You’re late,” she said.

Alex held a pastries box in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. “No. I’m not.” He raised his arm, giving her a glimpse of his wristwatch without really letting her see it. “See here, it’s exactly seven o’clock.” He strode in and headed over to the kitchen as if he’d been there before.

“No, it’s not. You know you’re late, and I was very clear when I said you needed to be prompt.” Carly was right at his heels.

“All right. Guilty as charged. I’ll admit it, I’m late. Happy now? Great.” He pulled open every cabinet drawer he found. “Where do you keep your bottle opener?”

Carly folded her arms over her chest. “What makes you think we’re still on? You’re late, you lost your chance, now leave.”

Alex stopped searching for a moment. “Darling, I don’t think you’re in a position to negotiate. Here’s what’s going to happen: we’ll dine, enjoy dessert, and drink this delicious bottle of wine. You’ll agree to my proposal and we’ll end the evening any way you want to, whether that’s in bed or out of it will be your choice.”

The man had some nerve. How dare he walk into her place as if it were his and then set ground rules? She was no one’s lap dog, and most definitely didn’t take orders from anyone, especially not from the man standing in the middle of her kitchen looking like he had every right to be there.

“How about this ends now?” She propped a hand on her waist.

“What, and miss dinner with you? Not a chance. Aha, here it is.” Alex pulled the bottle opener from one of the drawers.

“What dinner anyway? Does it smell like there’s food here?” Carly waved her hands.

Alex poured two glasses of wine. “Now that you point it out, no. It doesn’t.” He sniffed. “It smells like a mixture of lavender and vanilla.”

“Exactly.” She took the filled glass of wine from his hand. The brush of his fingers against hers in their exchange shot a warm electric current down her spine. “There’s no food, your stay here outran your welcome.”

A knock sounded on the door.

Alex raised his glass. “Cheers, darling. It sounds like someone’s here.”

Carly frowned in confusion and turned back in the direction of the sound. Who the heck could it be? She wasn’t expecting any other visitors. She opened the door. “Yes?”

A guy dressed in black slacks and a black shirt stood on the hallway. “Ma’am? Your food delivery—”

“What? I didn’t order anything.”

“Thanks, Mike.” Alex walked up to Carly’s side and opened the door wider. “Place the bags right over there,” he instructed, pointing to the kitchen counter.

Carly was dumbfounded by the exchange. Who was this guy? She’d dealt with all kinds of people but Alex was definitely out of her element, every one of her attempts at besting him failed. He always came out with the upper hand, but raising a white flag wasn’t an option. Carly didn’t know what game Alex played, whatever it was, the game was on, soon enough the tables would turn. Taking another deep breath, she counted to ten and walked back to the kitchen. “What’s all this?”

Alex stopped looking through the bags. “Dinner. I hope you’re a meat girl because your choices are charbroiled rosemary lemon chicken or filet mignon. What’s it going to be?”

“Um, none?” Her words came out through a straight line smile. The man was impossible.

Alex dropped his hands to the sides. “Liar, I know you eat meat.”

“I won’t ask how you know that because I don’t think I want to find out. I’ll have the chicken.” She gestured with her hand, holding the glass of wine.

“Good girl.”

Dinner turned out to be better than she expected. Alex shared with her anecdotes from work, and how he’d become friends with his business partners. Carly didn’t miss that he was always careful not to talk about his family, especially about his dad. During the easy conversation throughout dinner understanding dawned as to why women fell for this man. Alex wasn’t only gorgeous as sin but also an architectural genius, and even though he was a notorious rakehell, her gut told her it was all for show. If this man ever fell in love, he’d fall hard. Oh, how she’d love to see that.

Dinner was over too soon. Carly never thought she’d enjoy it as much as she had. Alex helped her clear the table and put her small kitchen back to rights.

“All right.” Carly pressed the wash button on the dishwasher. “We’ve had dinner, dessert and wine.” She swirled the bit still left in her glass. “It’s about time you tell me about this indecent proposal of yours.” She walked past him and headed to the couch in her living room.

“It’s simple. All you have to do is say you agree to it, its terms and conditions.” Alex caught up with her and refilled her glass of wine half way.

“You certainly don’t expect me to agree without having read it first.”

“Just say it, Carly. Say you agree to fulfill the requirements in this proposal.” He took a drink from his glass.

“What are these requirements?” Carly asked.

“Nothing unsuitable, I assure you.”

His smirk gave nothing away but impure thoughts. Carly willed those thoughts to leave her mind, but that wicked gleam in his eyes only raised her suspicions about his hidden agenda, because he definitely had one. She could smell it miles away. “If it’s nothing unsuitable, why can’t you tell me?”

“Where would be the fun in that? Isn’t it enough for me to say there’s nothing indecent? Can you trust me?” he said.

She placed her wine glass on top of the coffee table. “No. I just met you, you’re a playboy and your reputation precedes you. I’d be a fool to trust you.”

Alex finished what was left of his wine in one gulp. “You’ll have to trust me.”

“You said it was an indecent proposal, yet now you say it’s nothing like that, so which is it? I don’t understand you—”

“Don’t try to understand me because you won’t,” Alex cut in.

“Then, you have my answer. I won’t agree to your proposal.”

“Yes, you will.” He took a step toward her.

“No, I won’t.” Carly stepped back only to realize the darn couch was on her way. Drat.

Alex regarded her for a moment too long before he spoke again. “All right, I’ll tell you first, then I’ll let you read it. Happy now?” He walked over to the chair where he’d left his jacket earlier and extracted from it a letter size envelope.

Carly nodded.

“In a nutshell, the terms of this proposal will last six months. During which time you will accede to fulfill the requirements I mention anytime I deem fit.” He unfolded the white document. “Failure to adhere to any of these terms and conditions will result in a lawsuit for breach of contract, defamation charges, and damages.” Alex placed the contract on the table. “Sign Carly,” he instructed, tapping with his fingers the document.