The CEO Daddy Next Door Read Online Free PDF Page A

it clear she was staying.
    â€œIs there a problem, Ms. George?” he asked when she answered.
    â€œNo. And please, call me Ashley.”
    He sat back in his seat, avoiding eye contact with his sister. “What can I do for you?”
    Joanna pulled out a pad of paper and wrote furiously. She shoved it across the table and thumped it with her finger. Be nice!
    â€œI’m calling with a business proposition.”
    He’d been bracing for bad news about her apartment project. Business was indeed the last thing he’d expected to be brought up. “Go on.”
    â€œBefore I say anything, you have to promise me that you won’t breathe a word of this to anyone.”
    Now she really had his curiosity piqued. A secret? “I don’t like making promises I’m not certain I can keep.”
    She huffed on the other end of the line. “You relish any opportunity to be a pain in my side, don’t you? Look, I understand you’re expanding Chambers Gin in the States. The network is throwing a big party for the premiere of my new season. They’d like to offer you a sponsorship spot that night, at no cost to your company aside from providing your new gin for the guests. Your logo will be everywhere. The guest list is chock-full of celebrities, and they’ll all be drinking your gin. The network publicists can work their magic for you.”
    â€œWhy would you do that for me? And why would I need to keep that a secret?”
    She grumbled, “I’m getting to that part. I need you to come to the party. With me. As my date.”
    For a moment, Marcus wasn’t entirely sure of what she’d just said. “I only date women I’m serious about. Because of Lila.”
    â€œThen it’s perfect, because I don’t date at all right now. And I’m not talking about anything more than you taking me to the party and pretending you like me. The network wants me on the arm of a handsome man, I’m not seeing anyone, and you’re literally the last man I’ve been on a date with.”
    The part of him that warred with her over her apartment wanted to snicker that he was her only option, but the situation also genuinely struck him as a bit sad. “I’m not entirely sure that Manhattan Matchmaker and Chambers Gin is the right match. I don’t see the correlation between the two brands.”
    â€œYou want to appeal to young, hip customers? My demographic is all about young and hip.”
    â€œAnd Mrs. White.”
    â€œShe’s a lot hipper than you.”
    â€œThat’s up for debate.” He was making her angry, which didn’t entirely bother him. Nothing like some good verbal sparring with a beautiful woman to get the blood pumping.
    â€œWell? Will you? Just think of what this could do for your business.”
    She might have been right about that. He and Joanna had been discussing exactly that, and judging by the look on his sister’s face, she’d pop off at him if he said no to this. “Yes. I’ll do it.”
    â€œYou will?”
    â€œYes, I will. Please don’t tell me you’re angry with me for saying yes.”
    â€œNo. Not angry. Just surprised, that’s all. You fight me on everything.”
    It’s easier to convince myself I’m not so damn drawn to you. “I won’t lie. Chambers Gin could use the help. The American market is a big mountain to conquer.”
    â€œOkay, then. It’s Thursday night. Eight o’clock. I’ll have a car for us at seven thirty.”
    â€œI’ll come round your place at seven-fifteen.”
    â€œI’m capable of meeting you at the elevator, you know.”
    â€œAshley, I’m a gentleman. A gentleman always picks a lady up for a date.”

Three
    A shley hardly recognized the woman in the mirror. Same face as hers, same hair and nose. Same eyes. But this was the familiar wrapped up in an entirely new and very expensive package.