She knew he was uncomfortable with how conceited it sounded, but it was true. “Let’s call you the influencer. When you recommend something or use a product, it influences your wide circle of friends to do so the same.”
Jason dragged his hands down his face. “Here you go again with your social media terminology.”
“You shouldn’t be embarrassed about your influence. You don’t realize how much power you have because you’ve always been the leader of the pack.”
“I didn’t ask for the role. It was given to me. It doesn’t make sense,” he said in a grumble. “You’ve accomplished so much by yourself and no one sees it. They won’t notice you unless I notice you. Where’s the logic in that?”
“It’s okay, Jason.” She reached out and placed her hand on his arm. “I haven’t made a point of promoting myself so people aren’t going to notice me without the help of an influencer.”
“It’s still unfair.”
She had learned early that life wasn’t meant to be fair. After growing up with sisters who never struggled at school, it was disheartening how much she had studied and didn’t get the same results. They could do math in their heads, ace a test without cracking a book and received grades she could only dream about.
“So, what do you think about my idea?” Jason asked.
What did she think about Jason Strong wooing her? Seducing her? Her heart fluttered against her chest. She would be living out her fantasy. For a whole week! Claire tried to keep a thoughtful expression as excitement pulsed inside her. Who cared if it was pretend?
She couldn’t appear too eager as she accepted his idea. There had to be a problem with this plan but for once she wasn’t going to weigh the pros and cons. She was willing to take the risk. She wanted to know what it was like to be with Jason.
Claire understood that if he truly was in lust with her it wouldn’t last. She wasn’t the kind of woman who could keep his attention. In fact, no woman was. But this way she could enjoy the experience and there wouldn’t be any long-term awkwardness once their “fling” fizzled out.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked cautiously. “Won’t it hurt your status? When two brands that don’t match up get together, it’s always a disaster and then both brands are doing damage control.”
“It’s the easiest and quickest way to change your image,” he decided.
“What about your professional reputation?” she asked. “People might look at you differently if you act like a sofa-jumping man in love.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “No, it won’t affect it at all.” He paused. “Any other excuses you can come up with?”
“They aren’t excuses!”
He dipped his head and captured her gaze with his. She couldn’t glance away.
“Yes or no, Claire?” There was no twinkle in his eyes. It was rare to see him this serious. “I should warn you, there are some rules.”
She clenched her jaw. “You tell me this now?” She didn’t like having surprises sprung on her and Jason knew that.
“First, you have to follow my lead.”
Her shoulders slumped. “I should have known there was going to be a catch.”
He had a determined look that she found mesmerizing.
“When I do something to support this crazy scheme, don’t question it and don’t fight it. Just trust me.”
“Just like that?” Part of her wanted to follow him wherever he led. She wanted to see where he would take her. But she had to be in control of her surroundings. She couldn’t give up that control just because Jason asked for it.
“And the second rule...” He paused as if he wasn’t sure if he should continue. “If I’m going to publicly pretend to fall for you, the least you can do is let me catch you.”
Her mouth parted in surprise. He was worried she might reject him? Where had he gotten that idea? Had she hid her desire for him so well that he thought she found him repulsive?
“Do you agree?” He frowned when she didn’t respond. “Yes or no, Claire.”
“Yes.” The word dragged out of her throat.
He gave a sharp nod. She couldn’t tell if he was satisfied, relieved or resigned. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
She took an automatic step back. “Why?”
“Rule number one,” he reminded her as he cupped her face with his big hands.
“I’m just trying to figure out why you think this is the right time.” She was beginning to babble. “If we had used a spreadsheet, we could have staged a proper buildup and—”
He claimed her mouth with his. Claire gasped, her breath hitching in her throat as heat washed over her. This was no brushing of the lips or a gentle exploration. It was a hard and demanding kiss, as if he couldn’t wait another moment.
His touch broke the barriers she had carefully built. Claire returned the kiss with a hunger she hadn’t realized she had. The heat billowed inside her as she swiped the tip of her tongue into his mouth. His fingers tightened against her jaw as he captured her tongue and drew it in sharply. Claire felt the pull deep in her core and moaned with delight.
She wanted to be closer, to melt into Jason. She clutched the back of his head with her hands and greedily returned his kiss. Her skin felt tight and tingly as she ached for his hands to explore her body.
Claire had no idea how long the kiss had lasted when Jason pulled away slowly. She stared at him, gulping for air, not sure what to do or say. He looked as amazed as she felt. He dropped his hands as if her skin burned him.
Claire swallowed hard and reluctantly lowered her hands. She kept her gaze on his reddened lips. She couldn’t look him in the eye. She didn’t want him to see how much that kiss affected her. “I have to go.”
“You’re walking away?” There was an edge to his voice. “Again?”
“If I stay then we will have to continue this charade, and we don’t have a strategy in place,” she said hoarsely. If she stayed then she would cling to Jason and drag his clothes off. “Now is the time for me to leave.”
“Let me walk you to your car.” He bunched his hands at his sides and she knew he wasn’t going to touch her again. “And we will figure out our story along the way.”
* * *
MINUTES LATER, Claire walked into her apartment, wondering how she was going to get through the week when Jason could kiss like that. She flipped on the lights, closed the door and leaned on it. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to get addicted to his touch.
Her cell phone rang. Was it Jason? Her pulse galloped as she retrieved it from her purse. She felt a mix of relief and disappointment when she recognized her best friend’s number. Claire answered it quickly. “Kim?”
“I just got a picture of you and my big brother kissing,” her best friend said in a rush. “Tell me that it was edited.”
Claire covered her face with her hand. Someone must have captured them kissing at the party—and the photo had gotten around fast. Her friend lived across the state managing the Mountain Creek vineyards. “Where did you get a picture?”
“Oh, please. I still keep in touch with people in Woodinville.” Kim paused. “So it’s real?”
“Uh...yeah.”
“You and Jason?” Kim’s voice rose to a screech. “What is going on? When did this happen?”
Claire sighed. “It’s not what it looks like.”