Free Bachelor Unforgiving by Brenda Jackson Page B

you’re even tolerating me is because of Matthew.”
    â€œWill you at least hear me out?”
    She raised her chin. “Why should I?”
    â€œBecause I’m the client, and although you presented my company with a good action plan, there’s an aspect of it that won’t work unless modifications are made.”
    She narrowed her gaze at him. “I will work with any modifications you suggest as long as they don’t include me.”
    â€œBut they do include you, because this idea of yours can only work with you.”
    She rolled her eyes. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Why on earth would you, of all people, think that?”
    â€œBecause it’s true. I will only feel comfortable with a woman that I know for certain won’t get any ideas. You won’t, since you know our relationship will never go back to the way it was before. And you know the arrangement is strictly a strategy to improve my image. I prefer not sharing such personal details with anyone else.”
    â€œAnd you wouldn’t have to if we used that escort service that I told you about.”
    â€œIt’s too risky. What if someone was to discover it’s nothing but a sham and that I’m paying someone to be seen with me?” He held up his hand when she opened her mouth to speak. “Before you say that there’s no way anyone will ever find out, think again. Even with all the precautions and safeguards you put in place, can you guarantee that won’t happen, Kara? Think about the consequences if it does. That would be a scandal Bougard Enterprises could never recover from.”
    Kara knew he was right, but—
    He cut off her thoughts. “Your company was hired to fix my image, Kara, not make a bigger mess of it.”
    Virgil’s words momentarily froze Kara and she held his gaze with her glare. “I know what my company was hired to do and I know what I’m doing, Virgil. Don’t treat me like I don’t.”
    She saw the agitation in his face when he said, “Bougard Enterprises would not have hired you if we didn’t believe that you knew what you’re doing, trust me. All I’m saying is that for this plan of yours to work, all players have to be in the game. I know what I’m capable of doing and I doubt I can pretend interest in some woman.”
    â€œBut you can pretend interest in me? Knowing how you feel about me, that doesn’t make sense,” she countered.
    â€œThink about it, Kara. It makes perfect sense. First of all, you and I have a history and a lot of people remember that history. When they see us together again they will assume we’ve worked out whatever differences kept us apart.”
    He paused a moment then added, “And as far as pretending interest in you, that will be easy, because that’s all it will be—pretense. And I won’t have to worry about you getting the wrong idea about anything.”
    Kara hated admitting it but everything he’d said was true. They had dated exclusively for a full year and had been known as a couple in the community. They’d gone to events together and were always seen together. Everyone had speculated that eventually a wedding date would be announced. Some had even considered them the darling couple of Charlotte. At least that’s how the society pages had pegged them thanks to a popular news column called Flo on the Ro .
    For some reason the editor, a woman by the name of Florence Asbury, a romantic at heart, enjoyed keeping readers abreast on the romantic lives of some of Charlotte’s prominent singles. Originally her column was called Flo on the Romance Scene , but later the title was shortened and became known as Flo on the Ro . Flo enlisted what had become known as Flo’s Posse and the group would roam around town keeping their eyes and ears open for any newsworthy romantic gossip. A few years ago Flo and her posse had