‘You’re pregnant with my child.’
Okay, so there was that, but it didn’t seem a likely motive in this day and age. There had to be something else behind it. But what? What could possibly have had Theo dramatically haring after her and issuing a proposal? He couldn’t have suddenly realised he’d developed feelings for her, could he? No. That was impossible. He’d shown no sign of wanting her at any stage since he’d hustled her out of his office suite and bundled her into a taxi. Although presumably stranger things had happened. Somewhere and at some point...
Had her news jolted him into some kind of epiphany or something? He had been in a state of shock earlier. And he did have a reputation for knowing what he wanted, going for it and not giving up until he got it. So had she, however improbable it might seem, fallen into that category of being something he wanted?
Doubtful.
And yet...
What if this was her rock-bottom self-esteem making her assume the worst again? Just because no one had ever wanted to marry her before—or even date her, for that matter—didn’t mean that no one ever would. So could Theo actually want her? For real? She had to allow that it was a possibility, for personal growth purposes, if nothing else. He was looking at her in a spine-tinglingly fierce kind of way. And he had just asked her to marry him, which he would not have done if he hadn’t meant it.
So.
Maybe the circumstances were a bit of a surprise but people had married for less. Maybe she and Theo could work. Somehow. They already did on a carnal level, and imagine a lifetime of sex like that...
Hmm.
Perhaps it was best not to do that. Or get too carried away. Already excitement and a longing for what could be were drumming through her and scrambling her brain. She had to remain calm.
‘Right,’ she said, forcing herself to proceed with caution and fervently trying to keep the familiar fuzzy image of a cosy family unit at bay. ‘I see. Well. This is rather unexpected.’
‘Tell me about it,’ he said, his eyes dark and his expression unreadable. ‘I should clarify.’
Clarify? Yes. Good idea. ‘Please do.’
‘What I am about to tell you is highly confidential.’
A shiver ran down her spine as her heart thumped. Could this be because relationships between personnel at his company were discouraged? How thrilling. ‘I understand.’
‘I am pursuing the acquisition of Double X Enterprises.’
What? Oh. Right. Back to business. Odd. But never mind. His brain was famously nimble and at least it would give her fevered thoughts a respite. ‘I’d heard.’
‘It’s not going as smoothly as I’d hoped,’ he said, and she could hear a hint of frustration in his voice. ‘To gain a competitive edge I need to acquire something I lack. To put it bluntly, a partner.’
Kate frowned. What on earth was he talking about? Why would he need a partner to seal the deal? From what she knew about him he was a lone wolf all the way. He didn’t do partners. Besides, how could she help? She was way down the corporate food chain. And although she supposed it was flattering that he considered her a sounding board, what did any of this have to do with her and the pregnancy and his absurd yet intriguing offer of marriage?
‘Would you like me to help you find one?’ she asked, more than slightly bewildered.
‘What? No. As I said, I want you to fill the role.’
She stared at him, still none the wiser. ‘I’m afraid you’ve lost me.’
‘I need a partner, preferably a fiancée,’ he said flatly, his patience obviously stretched to the limit by her complete inability to grasp what he was getting at. ‘Someone to accompany me to dinner from time to time. The odd gala or party. Lunch. Drinks.’
Huh?
‘Daniel Bridgeman, the CEO of Double X Enterprises, values such a relationship so I need to provide him with one. For appearances’ sake. Temporarily. Until he signs on the dotted line.’
Oh.
Oh.
As the true meaning of what he was after sank in Kate felt as if she’d been thumped in the gut. Her throat tightened and her ears began to buzz and a hot flush rocketed through her.
‘Your company is all I require, Kate,’ Theo continued, evidently unaware of the devastation he was beginning to wreak on her. ‘Your time and your acting skills. Nothing more. Apart from complete discretion, naturally. I anticipate it’ll take a fortnight. A month at the most. I’ll supply you with the necessary wardrobe and a campaign plan. All you have to do is turn up when and where I tell you, pat your abdomen and smile.’
He stopped and looked at her, clearly waiting for a response, but Kate couldn’t speak for the pounding of her head and the blurring of her vision. Oh, she was an idiot, she thought, swallowing hard to dislodge the knot that had formed the