Chapter 25 Dexter Rifling through my closet , I choose slacks and a shirt , then do a quick spritz of cologne .
Its something fresh that smells like walking out of a white marble estate on a Kauai beach .
If Im out to wow her , theres no sense in half measures .
By the time I head back down , Im hoping I smell imposing enough to convince her she can trust me .
She glances up at me from where shes slumped across the sofa .
The slightest frown touches her brows as she inhales slowly .
Huh .
So you can smell like a million bucks .
Who knew ? she says as I join her .
Ignoring her bullshit , I pick up my phone and use the app to start the fireplace , Was that a backhanded compliment ? Im sincerely touched , Miss Winkley .
As I hold my hands over my heart like Ive been shot , she laughs .
Its high and bright and too damn real .
She huddles in her worn hoodie , sticking her thumbs through holes that almost certainly werent part of the original design .
More strands slip from her bun , and she sighs and pulls it loose , running her fingers through the knots .
I get the faintest whiff of fruity shampoo .
Do I smell good enough for you to talk to me now or what ? I need to steer this conversation back on track .
Sure , I guess .
Sorry .
The faintest flush stains her cheekbones .
That was childish of me .
I wont disagree .
I lean back against the cushions and look at her , the way shes curled up like she wants to be as small as possible .
I also wont deny I didnt smell fresh .
Or look great , she says with a tiny smile .
Dont push your luck , lady .
She glances away and those walls creep up again .
Fuck this .
I need to be charming , not push her away .
No matter how unbelievably hard she makes it .
You got my note , I say .
What do you think of the offer ? You gave me fifty no , a hundred thousand dollars .
Are you insane ? Yes .
She stares at me in stunned silence .
As a deposit ? Youre paying me in full when I havent done anything .
I inwardly groan .
Miss Winkley , Ive decided to pay you double .
Same terms .
Youll get the rest of it when this crap is over and done .
Consider it hazard pay for putting up with my temporary madness .
Those big green eyes cut right through me .
Then she slumps back and sighs .
I give her a few seconds to process everything .
… you did all that without knowing whether Id even agree to the fake fiancée thing at all ? Hell , dont remind me .
Call it an incentive , I bite off .
Um , Id call it ludicrous .
Wacked .
Kind of dumb , she says , and finally theres a bashful smile tugging at the corner of her mouth again .
A genuine , honest to God smile that lightens her eyes .
I couldve just cashed the first check and youd be out fifty thousand smackers .
My gaze narrows .
You couldve done that , yes , but you didnt .
You came here with the check .
I couldve easily had second thoughts and clawed it right back , sending you home penniless .
Now whos being dumb ? She snorts , glancing over at the fresh check , which is still sitting on the counter with the invisible weight of an elephant .
I have morals , Rory .
Shocking , I know , she spits , shaking her head at me .
I didnt want to take it before we agreed to anything .
And if we couldnt 16:43 Love Betrayed : A Journey of Separate Paths 27.6 % Chapter 25 agree , I figured youd want that back .
Huh .
I appreciate the gesture .
I fold my arms .
Get on with it then .
Name your terms .
She considers it for a minute , biting the end of her thumb .
I struggle like hell to look away .
First thing you need to know is Im only doing this for the money , she says , like thats some kind of crime .
Id have to be fucking nuts to believe that after all shes done to blow me off , shes actually interested in anything else .
And … and if you want us to appear in public or whatever , you need to run everything by me first .
Give me fair warning .
Dont ever waltz into my store again and expect me to play ball .
I deserved that .
Done .
No problem , I say .
And Dexter ? I start , not expecting her to use my name .
Theres something hard in her eyes again now the shyness has worn off , replaced by the familiar quiet anger that fueled her before .
Guess talking like adults doesnt mean shes forgiven me for barging in on her at the store .
You will not mess with my family , she says crisply .
Stay the hell away from my nana unless I give you permission .
Clear ? Crystal clear .
I nod slowly .
I mean it .
The second you approach them without my permission , the deals off .
In the unlikely event I lose my mind again , Ill stand in front of your firing squad without a fight .
Of course , that goes for you , too .
Trust me , she says scornfully , I have zero interest in your family .
Im not the one desperate to convince everyone were in love .
Im only trying to convince one man , really .
I run my hand through my hair .
That vulnerability returns , like shes made of brittle glass .
Look , Im sorry for what happened before .
I had to get to you and I recognized your grandmother from the research I did .
Research ? You looked me up ? Her eyes flash with disbelief .
Like any good negotiation , I had to know whos on the other side , I say .
Obviously , it went too far .

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I shouldnt have targeted your grandmother , but you werent talking and I had to get creative .
I saw my chance and I improvised .
Improvised ! You had to force me into a shit show , you mean ? She huffs and glances away , back over the white carpets .
Just make sure it doesnt happen again .
Deal .
And you better not back out of the Sugar Bowl orders for your properties .
Thats part of the arrangement , even if you didnt include it in your little note .
I chuckle before I can stop myself .
Shes fiery , all right , and I cant say I hate it .
Truthfully , in this light with flaring tension coursing through both of us like lightning , I cant say I hate anything about her at all .
Theres something brutally alluring about the ruddy hair and the forest- pool green of her eyes that makes me wish it wasnt all make believe .
Just for one night .
16:43 Love Betrayed : A Journey of Separateati