FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 204

CHAPTER 204

AMIE

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The first thing Simon did after confirming, for the third time, that neither of our phones had service was open a bag of chips.

I stared at him.

“Seriously?”

“What?”

“We’re stranded on a deserted road, your Range Rover decided to die on us, and you’re thinking about

food?”

He reached into the bag, looking offensively relaxed.

“Good thing I grabbed a few extra bags at the convenience store. Imagine being stuck out here hungry and listening to you complain.”

“Simon, I’m serious.”

“So am I.” He held out the bag. “Want one?”

I took a chip, despite my indignation. It was impossible to argue with the man when he had a point about the hunger situation.

“Really sticking to that diet on this trip, huh?” I teased, helping myself to another chip.

Simon laughed as he got out of the car. I climbed out after him.

“I’m not obsessed with my diet.”

“Of course not. The man who weighs his food isn’t obsessed with his diet.”

“I haven’t weighed my food in months.”

“Wait, you actually used to do that?”

He winced.

“There was a time when I was a complete idiot about that stuff. Worked out like I had a gold medal to win.”

“What happened?”

“I got the bright idea to fake-date my lawyer, and she became my new obsession. Now I work out just enough to stay hot for her. Seems to be working, too. I even got her to marry me.”

I burst out laughing.

“So you’re saying I ruined your self-discipline?”

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“Completely.” He stole the chip from my hand. “And I don’t regret a thing.”

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The night breeze felt cool and pleasant against my skin. Across the road, the trees formed a vast, dark silhouette, and the sky was so full of stars I almost felt as if I could reach up and touch them.

Simon had tried one more call, but we still had no service. There wasn’t much we could do at that hour. We decided to wait until morning, then walk to the nearest gas station for help once it was light.

“Come here,” he said, holding out his hand.

“Where are we going?”

“To the best restaurant in New Jersey. Chips on the menu, panoramic views of the universe.”

I took his hand. Simon checked that the hood wasn’t hot, then helped me up and settled beside me. The bag sat between us, our shoulders touching.

For a few minutes, neither of us spoke. The silence didn’t feel like something we needed to fix. It was just quiet, and his hand finding mine.

“Isn’t it kind of crazy?” I asked.

“What is?”

I turned to look at him.

“Us. We’re married. Not that long ago, you were just my boss.”

He looked up at the stars, smiling as if he’d remembered something particularly funny.

“Remember that investor meeting when you showed up in a black skirt?”

I frowned.

“Simon, I wore a skirt to half those meetings.”

“Not like that one. You always wore knee-length skirts, all serious and professional. Then one day you walked in wearing this short, tight skirt, and I could barely think straight.” He laughed, shaking his head. “And the worst part was, you came in carrying three folders, talking about a contract clause like you were about to declare war on someone.”

“I was doing my job!” I protested, laughing.

“I know. That was the problem.”

“What problem?”

Simon turned toward me, his blue eyes catching the faint glow from the dashboard.

“I spent the entire meeting trying not to stare at your legs. I swear, I almost went to confession. Having thoughts like that about those gorgeous, thick thighs when I knew you were with someone.”

I stared at him for a second before bursting out laughing.

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“Confession? You would never!”

Probably not. With all the sins I’ve racked up, the priest would’ve thrown me out.”

“Simon!”

“What? I was a man in torment, living an empty life of worldly pleasures.”

“You were shameless. That’s what you were!”

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I shook my head, still laughing. I remembered that meeting. I even remembered the skirt. But I ever would have guessed that while I’d been arguing for a contract amendment, Simon had been waging a private war with his conscience.

“Every time you tell me you looked at me that way back then, I swear I still have trouble believing it.

“Why?”

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“I don’t know. Maybe because you never gave anything away. I had no idea you were even attracted to me

“I was your boss, Jamie. And you were with Oliver. I wasn’t going to make you uncomfortable just because couldn’t stop looking at your legs.”

“Oh, so it was just my legs?” I teased.

“No.” He gave me a small smile. “It was everything about you.”

Something about the way he said it, without a joke or a tease to hide behind, made my heart stumble.

Simon threaded his fingers more securely through mine.

“I paid more attention to you than I should have. I knew when you hadn’t slept well, when something was worrying you. Even when you were about to take someone apart in a negotiation.”

“Oh, that last one was easy to spot.”

“Not necessarily.” He laughed. “You had this habit of smiling politely right before you demolished someone’s argument.”

I smiled, looking down at our hands.

“You made me nervous, too.”

“Me?”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late.”

“I hated it when you showed up in my office without warning. Messed with my stuff, sat on my desk, asked questions I could’ve answered in an email.”

“I liked hearing your voice.”

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My smile faltered for a moment.

are you trying to make me forget we’re stranded out here?”

“Is it working?”

“A little.”

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He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles. It was a simple gesture, almost absentminded, but warn spread through me.

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