Chapter 4 - You're The Kind Of Reckless That Should Send Me Running

Willow

I nearly spit out my drink.

“Excuse me?” I exclaim, not understanding what he was talking about. A fake romance? A fake relationship? With him?! WHAT?!

“Exactly what I just said, Miss Creed. Think it over and get back to me on Monday.” He says and gets up to leave, but I grab his arm and pull him back.

“Why? What could you possibly gain from this?” I ask, not knowing if this was a joke or not.

Was I being pranked right now? Well, that’s not possible because he had the personality of a brick, and I don’t think he has any friends anyway.

He sighs, “As I said, be my date for my brother’s wedding and any other events we might be invited to. I am tired of my family asking about my love life, so I see it as a win-win situation. As you know, I am a busy man, so I don’t have the time to go around looking for a partner, but I have been in relationships, so I’m not that dense when it comes to romance. Besides, why not you? You're beautiful and smart, so think it over, Miss Creed.” He says, then gently pulls his arms from my grip. But as he walks away, he turns back and leans in close to me.

“Oh, and keep this to yourself.” He whispers in my ear, and then he is gone.

Wait, what just happened?! Did the arrogant and rude Reid Grayson just propose I enter into a fake relationship with him?!

God, as if my day couldn’t get any worse.

****

It's Sunday evening, and I am staring at my laptop screen with Reid's suggestion still on replay in my head. A fake relationship? Was I that desperate to write this book? Ugh, the answer would be a resounding yes and yes.

Yes, I have Sci-Fi and action books published, and they're doing well, but none of them holds a candle to my first bestseller. I need to think about my future, and like it or not; this might be the best thing I could do.

But I still wonder, why me? There are plenty of other pretty women to show off. Hell, he could even buy a date for the weekend of his brother's wedding and call it a day. This will complicate things heavily - especially since I have this thing going on with Seth. I like the guy, but he's so slow with making any sort of moves.

Perhaps I should make a move first? Independent woman and all that? I need Mel's advice, but Reid said not to tell anyone about this, so what do I do? There would be definite perks in being his fake girlfriend, though: a whirlwind romance with a CEO's son. Hmm. Maybe this could work out in both our favours.

The following morning I am back at my desk with Seth's rose still lying next to my computer screen, and my mind made up. If I say yes to Reid and his stupid idea, it will give me a lot of new experiences, so this, in turn, would benefit both of us.

Michael's schedule would have him out of the office for the entire morning, so by tea time, I plucked up the courage and walked towards Reid's office. Better to get it over with now rather than later. I knock on the door and wait - the moment of truth.

“Come in,” came his voice from the other side of the door, and I opened it before I had a chance to change my mind.

“Mr Grayson,” I say as I walk in, and Reid looks up from his paperwork, raising his eyebrow when he sees me.

“Miss Creed, this is a surprise." I have to do this for my book, and I need to remind myself that I am doing this for my career. "Please, come in and have a seat.” He says and puts down his pen. I sit down opposite him and take a deep breath.

“I have thought about your proposition, sir, and I acquiesce,” I say, but Reid only chuckles and sits back in his chair.

“You acquiesce? Miss Creed, I am not holding a gun to your head here.” He says, and I blush, realising the error of my chosen words but immediately feeling like he was mocking me. I clear my throat.

“I apologise. I have thought about your proposition and agree that it would work out in both of our favours; you would get your family off your case, and I would learn more about romance while we're in this fake relationship agreement.” I say, picking at a fingernail as I speak to him while maintaining eye contact.

He nods in agreement. “Yes, I do think so as well. But before we start, we need to lay down a few ground rules.” He says, and I sit back, waiting for him to start.

I knew that this would come because Reid strikes me as a guy who likes to be in charge of any situation.

“First off, when we're in the office, we will act as we always do since office romances are forbidden, so no telling Melissa about our arrangement. Secondly, since this will basically be a contract between us, no feelings should be involved, and as soon as either of us starts developing feelings for the other, we are to call off this agreement.” He says, and I nearly snort out loud.

As if I would fall for this self-righteous guy. I have a better chance of falling for Michael than I would him!

“And lastly, my brother will most probably invite us out in the weeks leading up to his wedding, so we would be obliged to go. Are these rules okay with you?” He asks, and I nod.

“Perfect. Thank you for clarifying.” I say and get up from my chair. I notice Reid gets up from his as well and walks over to me. Then he does something that completely floors me; he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close!

“It will be a pleasure doing business with you, Willow. Have a pleasant day further.” He says, then leans down and kisses me on my forehead. I sputter out a thank you before scurrying out of his office.

What the hell was that?! He was so close that I could still smell his cologne on me! Was that Clive Christian?

“Willow?” I freeze when I hear Melissa's voice behind me and slowly turn around. hoping my emotions didn't show on my face.

"What the heck are you doing on this side of the office?” She asks me with a raised eyebrow, and I shrug lightly.

“Michael asked me to confirm something with Reid regarding some paperwork,” I say, hating the fact that I'm lying to my best friend, but she seems to believe me.

“Ah, okay. I didn’t know he gave out forehead kisses with his paperwork. See you at lunch?” She asks, and I nod, then realise what she just said.

“Wait-!”

“LUNCHTIME,” she says slowly, then walks away before I make my way back to my own desk.

Melissa saw that, and now she would want to know what was happening between us. Oh, God, what have I let myself in for?

---

Reid

I watch Willow with a smile as she stumbles out of my office, pleased that she decided to say yes to our agreement. I must admit that I never thought she would agree to my proposition, but I knew she was desperate enough to write her book to go through with it.

Ah, well, at least it would get my mother off my back for the next six months or so. Or at least until I decide on where my future would lead.

No matter what my family says, I need to stick to my guns and go through with the decision I have made, and I hope they will eventually accept it. As much as I hated it, my decision was final.

I go about my day as if in a daze, and for some reason, my mind drifts to Willow Creed. She was a woman who was absolutely beautiful but never stood out as if she decided to make herself smaller unconsciously, and I find myself needing to know why.

Did something happen to her in the past that made her shrink into her shell? Hmm. Against my better judgement, I pick up the desk phone and dial her office extension.

“Thomas, Grayson and Sawyer, Willow speaking. How may I help?” She answers in her put-on professional voice on the second ring.

“Miss Creed, are you busy tomorrow evening?” I ask and hear her sharp intake of breath. I try not to smile at this and fail miserably.

“Mr Grays- Reid! Uhm, no. I am not busy at all tomorrow evening.” She says, and for some reason, I knew she was blushing.

What a cute little thing.

“Since we are now unofficially dating, and it is my duty to show you romance, would you join me for dinner tomorrow evening?” I ask her. I might as well, right?

She waits a few seconds before answering. “Y-Yes, I would love that,” she says, stuttering out her answer, and yet again, this causes me to smile.

Snap out of it, Grayson! This girl is but a means to an end.

“Perfect. I will pick you up at 8 pm. See you then.” I say before I put the phone down, not waiting to hear an answer from her.

Oh, well, at least I could have some fun with little Miss Creed until the time comes. Willow would be a welcoming distraction from the debris.