Her wariness increased. ‘Why?’
‘I’m privy to Jules’s financial status. I assure you my resources are considerably more substantial. Moreover, I can’t risk you changing your mind at a later date, no matter how noble you’re purporting to be right now. What better way to mitigate that than by making you a serious offer?’
She gasped. ‘God, you’re not just rude, you’re also offensive.’
‘I’m doing what it takes to ensure my family isn’t held to ransom by anyone.’
The past must have bled through into his voice because her gaze sharpened. ‘That happens often, does it?’
‘Your insolence isn’t getting us very far, Madeleine.’
A telling little expression flitted over her face at his use of her name. One that flamed the lingering heat in his body. For several moments all he could think about was whether those lips would taste as sublime as they looked, how the plump curves would feel between his teeth.
With an inward curse, he reined himself in. ‘I don’t have all day.’
She cleared her throat. ‘I agreed to be his girlfriend in return for—’
‘Be his girlfriend or play his girlfriend?’ he interrupted sharply.
She swallowed. ‘Play his girlfriend.’
He exhaled as a knot unravelled in his gut. ‘In return for?’
‘For...seventy-five thousand pounds.’
The words were hushed but the look in her eyes dared him to denigrate her. He shoved his hands into his pockets and fought for control, but the attempt to curb his emotions wasn’t as easy as he’d anticipated.
‘You look as if you’re ready to chew rocks, Your Eminence, but before you spit out any more insults, please know that I don’t really care what you think of me.’
‘It’s Your Highness, or Crown Prince. Or whatever I give you permission to use at some point in the future,’ he replied tightly.
‘Well, whatever you call yourself, spare me that condescending look.’
‘It’s not condescension you see on my face, Miss Myers. It’s puzzlement as to why you would sell yourself so cheaply.’ The offensively paltry sum wasn’t the main reason for his disgruntlement, but Remi didn’t want to examine why.
She went a shade paler, and then her alluring eyes sparkled with rekindled anger. ‘Excuse me?’
He allowed his gaze to drift down her body, taking in her elegant neck, h
er trim, tiny waist, the feminine flare of her hips and the long, shapely legs currently encased in cheap stockings.
‘With the right amount of polish you could be exquisite. And I don’t mean dressed in those distasteful clothes you were wearing last night. Unless you suffer from a debilitating case of low self-esteem, I believe you know this. So why sell yourself so cheaply?’
‘First of all, I resent the assumption that I sold myself. I didn’t. I agreed to play a role in return for payment. I may not be professionally trained, but I believe that’s what actors and actresses do all the time. Secondly, you suggesting that I use my looks to land a better deal is frankly distasteful. I know what I’m worth, Your Highness, and it has nothing to do with the configuration of my genes. Now, if you’re done insulting me, I’m going to leave this place and forget you exist.’
He strolled towards her, drawn to her inner fire despite himself. ‘Great speech, but I’m afraid it’s not going to be as easy as that.’
‘Watch me,’ she returned, right before she tightened her grip on her handbag and headed for the door.
Wrapping his arm around her waist as she walked past him felt natural. Almost too natural. He’d only meant to detain her, but once her body was plastered to his, once he felt her warm, vibrant skin through the cotton of her shirt, his intentions altered. Not even the bolt of guilt that slammed into him made him drop his arms.
‘A quarter of a million pounds,’ he rasped.
Her mouth dropped open. ‘W-what?’ she stuttered.
‘You heard me.’
She shifted in his hold, one hand rising to rest on his chest. ‘You...you can’t. That’s too much.’