The Accidental Engagement Read Online Free Page B

with a raise,” Daniel added.
    “I don’t want a promotion if I haven’t earned one,” Ivy said, sitting up straight. She may be desperate for money, but she still had some morals.
    She thought she saw a hint of a genuine smile again. Good Lord, this man’s lips were hypnotic.
    “On the contrary, Miss Sinclair. I’ve had a long talk with Franklin and it seems you have been long overdue for the promotion. I plan to have a talk with him about that.” His look of disapproval actually made Ivy nervous on Franklin’s behalf.
    “So, do I take it we have a deal?”
    Ivy swallowed down the feeling that she was taking a leap off of a high dive without checking to see if there was water below.
    “We have a deal.”
     
     

Chapter 2
     
    Ivy was in a bit of a daze. She watched Daniel warily as he paced the room—he was all business as he laid out the plan. They would hold a small press conference later that day to announce their engagement and Daniel would get on the phone with Brunelli to explain the situation and salvage the deal.
    Ivy’s mouth opened to interrupt but Daniel kept talking, pacing the room as he plotted and planned. He eyed her appraisingly, like she was a sports car he was considering buying. “Yes, I’m sure you’ll fit the role just fine once we get you the right clothing and jewelry.”
    Ivy raised an eyebrow at that. “Gee, thanks.”
    “I’ll have Jack come to the hotel this morning. You two can use my suite to work out the details—come up with a story about how you first met, how it was love at first sight, that sort of thing,” he said with such a dismissive air; it was clear this man did not believe in ‘that sort of thing.’
    Definitely not love at first sight. She smothered a laugh at the thought. But what about love at all? Despite his charming smile and gentlemanly ways, Ivy felt certain this man was most definitely not a romantic. He was all business all the time.
    As if to prove her point, he switched topics to explain how her money transfer would occur once the merger was complete. “It shouldn’t take more than a couple of weeks to finish this deal.”
    She nodded and stood up, hoping to leave that office and find a quiet spot where she could let her heartbeat return to normal. She needed to wrap her mind around the ridiculous situation she’d just gotten herself into. Daniel stopped her before she could walk out the door. “There’s just one more thing, Miss Sinclair....”
    When she looked back he was holding up a contract and a pen. “If you’ll just sign here, our deal will be official.”
    Ivy’s stomach churned as she took the paper and pen from his hands. She sank back into her seat to read the fine print. Once she signed there would be no backing out. No exit strategy. She would be a stranger’s fiancée and this man’s pawn. She swallowed thickly and tried to focus on the words before her.
    She looked up in alarm at one clause. “I can’t even tell my family the truth?” It was spelled out on the paper but she had to say it aloud.
    She couldn’t do it. She pictured her parents, her brothers, her sister Holly—she had never lied to them. Ever. They were the people she trusted most in the world and they trusted her. Could she really go weeks letting them believe she was in love and marrying a man they’d never even met? Alarm was turning to panic. Ivy forced herself to take a deep breath reminding herself, in through the nose, out through the mouth. She kept going until her eyes could once again focus on the words in front of her.
    She would have to lie to the people she loved most. She tried to think about it rationally but guilt and fear made it difficult to concentrate. She couldn’t go through with it. She would be hurting them. But then again, after it was all said and done, she would be able to help her family. Wasn’t that worth it?
    Daniel was watching her like he was ready to pounce; he would do whatever it took to get her to sign that paper.