Just Pretend

Chapter Twelve

Gwen

Something changed this morning between Jason and I; I'm much more comfortable with him than I've ever been in my life and I know that's not something I should let go.

When I saw him in the lobby of the place my clients are having their meeting, I can't help but excuse myself momentarily to go say "hi". I can't help but step into his offered embrace and lose myself there for a moment.

'It seems your "friend" is joining us,' my client teases under his breath in Japanese and I can feel my cheeks redden the moment Jason walks into the boardroom and sits across from me. I hurriedly explain my relationship with Jason before the meeting starts but my client tells me that I'm lying to myself.

I shrug it off and the meeting goes smoothly; both parties leaving with an agreement that benefits them greatly. I have to hand it to Jason; he knows what he's doing in the business world. His father sat back for the majority of the meeting, allowing him to take the lead.

My clients insist on seeing the city as tourists, without me, and I call them an Uber that will take them anywhere they want; after checking with my father that it was fine. So, I hover back as they make their way to the front door acutely aware of the fact that Jason is now watching me from the elevator bay.

I turn around once my clients are in their car and on their way into the busy street. I walk over to where Jason is standing with his hands behind his back, and step into his embrace when I get close enough. He wraps an arm around my shoulders and gives me a tight squeeze.

'How long are you sticking around here?' he asks from above me and I raise my head to look at him, aware that we are standing extremely close to each other.

'I'm done for the day. We had two more meetings but they've been moved to tomorrow,' I respond and his expression turns thoughtful. His fingers trace light circles on my shoulder as he thinks and I can't help but relax into his body at the attention.

'Right, I have one more meeting in an hour, then I'll be over to yours,' he says and I lean back to tilt my head up to look at him with raised eyebrows and he looks down to meet my eyes, amusement shining in his own.

'Do I have a say in this?' I ask and he shakes his head, to which I sigh dramatically, causing him to chuckle and raise his eyebrows questioningly.

'Fine. What do you want for dinner?' I ask and his eyes widen in surprise before a devilish expression flits over his face and I can feel my heart rate quicken as he meets my eyes.

'How about steak?' he requests and I bite back a laugh, instead I nod in agreement, already starting to plan the rest of the meal.

'No problem, baked potato okay with it?' I can see the surprise register in his expression but it's now a game of who can push the other into admitting defeat.

'That sounds mouthwatering, can you add sweet carrots to that?' I nod and agree to his adding the side dish and he smirks before adding that he would love a joint as dessert. It's my turn to smirk at the mention of dessert and he raises his eyebrows, looking down at me with an odd, unreadable expression.

'What?' he asks slowly and I shrug as I move out of his arms, feeling bereft for it, but I make sure to take a few steps away before telling him goodbye and starting to move back, casting a look behind me so as not to trip. Jason starts following me, his eyes curious and almost predatory.

'Gwen, what are you planning?' he calls after me, calling attention to us and I can see the expressions of the lobby occupants from business-like to curious and some downright angry – mostly the women – as Jason continued to follow me to the door of the building.