exclusive hotel in complete silence.
In the lobby, employees nodded and said, âGood evening, Mr. Suminski. Ms. Anderson,â but other guests ignored them. They stepped outside into the cold December air and, glancing at her skimpy wrap, Dean rushed her into the limo.
She slid onto the seat. He slid on beside her. The limo pulled out into traffic.
The silence continued.
She peeked over at Dean who wore a black tux, white shirt, white vest and white bow tie. He looked clean and expensive and smelled divine. And for the first time it hit her that she was really on a date with him. One of the richest, most handsome men in the world.
The whole freaking world.
Her throat tightened. Her nerve endings buzzed. Right at that moment, sitting next to him, his money and social status took a backseat to his good looks. Never in a million years would a farm girl from Grennady ever date a guy like this. Not that the men in Grennady werenât handsome. But there was something about Dean Suminski that made her tingle. He was so pulled together and so smart, and those penetrating dark eyes of his were like onyx.
Of course he was also distant with her. Maybe not angry, but not exactly a guy who looked like he was on a date with a woman he liked. And it was her job to fool the world into thinking they were a couple. A happy couple.
She cleared her throat and said the first thing that came to mind. âSo it really is white tie?â
He faced the window, clearly unhappy that heâd have to speak. âItâs funny what rich people will think up to distinguish themselves.â
âYouâre one of those rich people.â She held up her arm, displaying the bracelet. Since he was angry anyway, they might as well settle this now. âBy the way, I canât keep this.â
He turned to her with a frown. âThe bracelet?â
âYes.â
âWhy not?â
âBecause itâs not right.â
âYouâre helping me.â
âWe have a deal. Ten minutes after we shook hands, I signed the written agreement for computers in exchange for this date. No bracelet.â
âThe miracle of technology. I call my lawyer. He writes a simple, no-nonsense agreement, emails it to me and I print it. Everything goes at the speed of light these days.â
She almost laughed at the way he tried to fool her. âDonât change the subject. As it is, weâre equals. You start giving me bracelets and everything changes.â
He tilted his head. âHow so?â
âIt makes our relationship personal. Plus, itâs expensive. I donât need itâor want it.â
When he only stared at her, she sighed. âOur deal should be professional. Things get messy when you mix personal things into business. I donât like messy.â
He studied her face for a few seconds before he said, âIt sounds like youâve had a little experience in this.â
She said nothing.
âIf you want me to understand your point of view, you have to explain.â
âI had a boyfriend who used me to get to the princess.â
He studied her face again. âTaught you a lesson, huh?â
âAnd not a fun one.â Actually, the idiot had broken her heart into a million pieces, made her feel like a fool and caused her to decide love wasnât for her. She would put her whole heart and soul into making Aaseraâs dream a reality because that had purpose and meaning. Love? She wasnât sure it existed, except for a few lucky people like Princess Eva.
âHe used me to get to my boss, and when I figured it out, he said he wanted to marry me.â She shook her head. Though it had been years, it still hurt. âIt was ridiculous how simple he thought I was. It taught me never, ever mix business with pleasure.â
He said, âHumph. I learned that lesson the hard way too.â
âYou did?â
âItâs why Prince Alex hates me and why I also