FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 23

– JAMIE

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Simon disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a bowl of strawberries, settling in next to me with that casual arrogance that made him so infuriating.

“Didn’t peg you for the type who stays late with the boss,” he said, plucking a strawberry from the bowl.

“I’m making an exception.” I reached for one, but he pulled the bowl away.

“Ah-ah. I’m the one feeding you.” He brought the strawberry to my lips, and I froze.

“Simon…”

“Come on, Counselor. It’s a strawberry, not a grenade.”

I opened my mouth reluctantly, and he slid the fruit between my lips with an embarrassing slowness.

“Good?” he asked, his voice dropping an octave.

I swallowed. “It’s a strawberry.”

“Your ears are red.”

“They’re not.”

“Your ears are so red they’re practically glowing.” He tilted his head, a wicked smile playing on his lips. “Does my proximity make you nervous?”

“Your proximity makes me want to throw this bowl at your head.”

He laughed, that low, genuine sound that always caught me off guard. “I missed that. The way you get all flustered and try to hide it behind that lawyer face.”

“I don’t get flustered.”

“You do.” He popped a strawberry into his own mouth, chewing with infuriating satisfaction. “It’s one of the things I like about you.”

I snatched the bowl from his hands before he could protest. “You’re insufferable, Hart.”

“And yet, here you are.” He stretched his arm along the back of the sofa, his fingers brushing my shoulder. “My fake girlfriend. So committed to the role.”

I rolled my eyes, but a laugh escaped me-reluctant, involuntary, and absolutely genuine. He always managed to pull it out of me, even when I was determined to hold onto my irritation.

“So… what happens with our arrangement after today?”

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11:42 Fri, Sep 25

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FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

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“I guess it’s over, right?”

I shook my head slowly.

“Doesn’t seem fair. I got way more out of this charade than you did.”

His eyes met mine, and for the first time, there was no arrogance there. No teasing. No mask.

“It’s fine.” He shrugged, but his voice came out lower. “I guess, at the end of the day… I’m pretty okay with

where I’m at.”

I blinked, processing his words. “Wait.” I set the bowl aside, a smile tugging at my lips. “You’re giving up? Just like that? I thought you were going to win her back.”

“I’m not giving up. I’m just thinking… if it’s going to happen with Abby, it’ll happen. No forcing it.” He paused, and something flickered across his face. “But honestly? I like my life. I like being single. I don’t need to be someone else just to impress anybody.”

“That’s surprisingly mature of you.”

He laughed, shaking his head.

We sat in silence for a moment, the city glittering beyond the windows. Then I sighed, sinking deeper into the sofa.

“Can I tell you something?” I asked, my voice softer than I intended.

He turned to me, his expression curious. “Mmhmm.”

“When I was younger, I never thought I’d understand why anyone would choose to be alone. I thought people who said they liked solitude were… lying.”

“And now?”

I shrugged, the gesture feeling lighter than it had in months. “Now I get it. After Oliver, I just… don’t want to give anyone else the power to break me again. And I know that’s probably not healthy, but at least I’m honest about it.”

“Jamie.” He shifted closer, his shoulder brushing mine. “I’m not going to sit here and give you some speech about how you need to find love or any of that bullshit people say. But I will tell you this.” He held my gaze, his expression unexpectedly serious. “You deserve to have some fun. Go out with someone who isn’t a complete disaster.”

“Are you suggesting I find someone to… what? Hook up with?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I’m suggesting you stop taking everything so seriously.” He leaned back, his arm stretched along the sofa, his fingers grazing my shoulder. “You deserve a vacation from your own head. And if that means finding a handsome stranger to distract you, then so be it.”

“Handsome strangers aren’t exactly lining up at my door.”

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11:42 Fri, Sep 25

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

67

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“Ah, I don’t know about that.” His gaze dropped to my lips for a fraction of a second. “You’d be surprised who might be interested.”

My heart stuttered in my chest. I told myself he was just being his usual charming self-the kind of flirtation that came as naturally to him as breathing. But the way he said it, the way his voice had dropped…

I cleared my throat, straightening on the sofa.

“What if you… were that handsome stranger?”

The silence that followed was deafening. My eyes went wide the instant I processed what I’d said.

“Forget it.” I held up my hands, feeling the heat crawl up my face. “That was ridiculous. I don’t know what-”

“Jamie.”

His voice was low, but firm. It cut through my stream of apologies like a knife.

“Are you serious?”

I opened my mouth. Closed it. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear the blood rushing in my ears.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe. Yes. No. I…”

“Jamie.” He leaned forward, those blue eyes locked on mine. “Look at me.”

I did.

“If we do this,” he said, his voice rough, “it’s just this. No feelings. No expectations. Just two people enjoying the good part of life.”

I swallowed hard. “No feelings?”

“No feelings.” He held my gaze: “Can you handle that?”

I twisted a strand of hair around my finger, the nervous energy taking over. “I think so. I mean… you’re my boss.”

“I know.” He took my hand, his fingers lacing through mine. “But we can set the rules, stick to them, and when we decide to end it… it’s done.”

“No jealousy.”

“No jealousy.”

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