The Accidental Engagement Read Online Free

eye. “I want you to go along with a lie, Ivy. I want you to tell the world that you and Jack are engaged and I want you to play the part of the happy fiancée until this deal is signed.”
    Ivy found herself staring up at Daniel and for the life of her she was unable to come up with any words. Her brain had turned to mush in her shock and she had the odd sensation that time stood still. The hum of the air-conditioner was temporarily washed out by the sound of her own heartbeat in her ears.
    Daniel was eyeing her warily, his gaze fixed on her, and for a moment she thought she saw a hint of concern in his eyes. Those dark eyes that still held her captive.
    He was gorgeous . Now was not the time to be thinking about this man’s sex appeal, but there it was. Her heart was racing and she was no longer certain if that was due to shock or sexual attraction.
    Focus, Ivy. This man wanted her to lie for him—about her entire life.
    His voice startled her back to the moment. “I can see my proposition has taken you by surprise.” He relaxed his intimidating stance and leaned against the desk with his hands in his pockets as though they were discussing the weather and not her life. “Don’t get me wrong, we are not asking you to do anything illegal or anything that would jeopardize your values. You will be handsomely rewarded in return—my investors and I are more than willing to ensure that you are very comfortable financially in return for this favor.”
    “Other than lie.” The words slipped out of her mouth.
    Her words put a dent in Daniel’s perfectly poised sales pitch. She couldn’t help it. Her mother’s face loomed in her mind’s eye at the mere thought of lying. Her parents had thoroughly ingrained their children with the need to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
    He paused and raised his brows in polite inquiry. “I’m sorry?”
    She cleared her throat. “I said ‘other than lie’. You said ‘we’re not asking you to do anything that would jeopardize your values.’ And I said ‘other than lie.’”
    Oh Lord, she was babbling. She was repeating their conversation like a court reporter. His forehead wrinkled as if in thought for a moment but again she couldn’t tell if he was amused or annoyed. Or both.
    “Yes, you have a point there. I’m sure lying to your friends and family will not be pleasant but unfortunately, we can’t afford to take any chances on anyone slipping up. It would be more difficult for you as well if the truth were to come out. It would not paint you in a flattering light, I’m afraid.”
    Panic made Ivy’s heart rate accelerate. He was talking as though she’d already agreed to go along with this stunt. She shook her head. "I’m sorry, Daniel, but I’m really not a very good liar and I’m not much of an actress. I don’t think I could pull it off.”
    “Unfortunately for us, we don’t have much of a choice in who will play the lead in this particular farce.” He gestured toward the newspaper. “But you will have a team of people at your beck and call to help you—I am absolutely positive you will get through this little façade with flying colors.”
    Ivy bristled at his know-it-all tone. Was he really trying to steamroll her into telling a life-altering lie just because it was convenient for him? He wasn’t even pretending to frame it as a question—as though it was understood that she would comply.
    “Do people always do what you say?” she snapped.
    The charming smile faltered. It was slight but she caught it. His perfectly poised demeanor slipped—just for an instant, but it was enough to give Ivy a sense of triumph. She had a feeling that Daniel Gladwell was rarely taken by surprise.
    He recovered quickly though and his answer was brutally honest. “Yes, Miss Sinclair. They typically do.” If they know what’s good for them. He didn’t say the words but he didn’t have to.
    Gone was the polite smile and Ivy found herself face to