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Memories of the last time someone used that word to describe my future barrel through my mind. The "radical intervention" crafted by the MacTaggart clan had changed my life, though not in an entirely good way. If Avery's idea is anything like that, I might as well move to a desert island and spend the rest of my life eating coconuts.
My mother's voice echoes in my mind.Get your chin up, stiffen your upper lip, and stop behaving like a chancer.Oh yes, my father would be ashamed of me. I haven't lived up to the title he bequeathed to me, and it's time I did.
I sit up straighter. "Tell me your idea, Ms. Hahn."
Her lips twitch at the corners, but she doesn't quite smile. "Are you sure you're fully committed to repairing your image and saving your company?"
"Yes. One hundred percent."
She sets her folder on the desk and clasps her hands on her thigh. "You need to get a girlfriend."
Laughter explodes out of me. "What? Shagging the wrong woman is what got me into this mess."
"I know. But you need the right kind of girlfriend to show the world you're not just a man-whore who screwed a duke's wife. The woman in your life should be respectable, mature, accomplished, fashionable, and attractive."
"Attractive? Looks don't matter. That's what women tell me."
"They're lying." Avery leans over my desk to plant one hand on the surface. "You don't need to find your soul mate. You need to convince the world that you've settled down and you're now a respectable viscount."
"How long will that take?"
"Normally, I allot at least two to three months to give a man an image makeover." She slants even closer. "But you don't have that much time. You need to get yourself into a stable relationship right away."
I stare at her. Has the woman gone insane? I can't find a girlfriend immediately, much less form a stable relationship with whatever woman I can talk into this bizarre scheme. A seed of an idea is taking root in my mind, though. A barmy idea, but desperate times call for reckless actions. Don't they?
While I consider my plan, I skim my gaze over Avery's body. Yes, she is attractive and fashionable, not to mention respectable, mature, and accomplished. The fact that I'd love to shag her has no bearing on my decision. If she wants me to get a girlfriend right now, she'll have to settle for my barmy idea.
I fold my arms on the desktop, my hands millimeters away from hers. "This would need to be a fake relationship. Yes? No one can find a serious girlfriend in an instant."
"That's right. But the fakeness needs to seem real."
"Of course." I glance at her thigh and the creamy skin exposed by the way she's leaning over my desk. "I know exactly how to fulfill your requirements."
"Good. Tell me your idea."
I rise and angle toward her, though not too much. If I mean to convince Avery, I need to channel the energy we'd shared yesterday in my flat. That means I need to become Lord Steamy, right here, right now, in my office with her. "The woman I have in mind is everything you mentioned in your list of requirements. I know she and I have chemistry, so pretending to be in love shouldn't be a problem."
"Another inappropriate sex partner won't do."
"But the person I know is not just another shag. She's a mature, accomplished, sexy, glamorous, powerful woman." I bend toward her until our faces hover a breath apart. "Her name is Avery Hahn."
Her face goes blank. She blinks once, slowly. Then she flattens her lips and blusters a breath out through her nostrils. "Honestly, sarcasm won't help. I was serious about you needing a respectable girlfriend."
"I was serious too. You are the only woman on earth who can both handle me and fulfill your requirements." I slide an arm around her waist and tug her into me. My lips graze hers as I speak. "That kiss yesterday proved you're the right woman for the job. Unless you're worried you can't resist me…"
"Of course I can."
"Then say yes to my plan. Be my instant fake relationship, Avery."
"Lord Sommerleigh—"
I flick my tongue out to tease her lips, rewarded by her quick intake of breath. "You wanted a radical solution. This is it."
For a moment, we sit here frozen in this position, our mouths almost touching and her chest heaving. Yes, Avery wants me. And I want her like mad. This plan will solve two problems at once—my need to kiss her again, and my need to save my company. At least, that's what I'm telling myself. Whether this will solve my problems or not remains an open question.
"Okay," Avery says. "Yes, I'll do it."
"Brilliant." I slide my hand down to her arse. "Now, how about our first kiss as a mature, respectable couple?"
