Chapter 3: Zeke's Proposal

Blair Monore

She tried not to bounce up and down, but she couldn’t help the excitement. When Zeke had asked her out and this time he seemed really sincere she couldn't say no. He had called a fashion designer, got her a dress and even a makeup artist, she felt like a princess, She was nervous and now in his car she couldn't help it. As the car sped along the road to Zeke Armani's apartment her knee couldn’t hold it in.

Zeke had something planned for her. He wanted to discuss something, and she had no idea what it could possibly be. Plus, they were going to his house. Where he took all the women he slept with. Now that it was really happening, she was nervous.

She wasn’t sure what was going to happen next.

He kept up comfortable small talk the entire short trip back to his luxury high rise apartment. If she hadn’t been too busy thinking about the fact that she wasn’t wearing panties, she would have been able to admire the building. It was old and beautiful with a literal golden elevator to bring them to the penthouse suite.

He scanned his face in the elevator and smiled at her.

“You’re nervous, aren’t you?” he asked.

“Maybe a little,” she said. “I’ve never been in an elevator that requires a facial recognition, is this the FBI?

He leaned over, his lips brushing the small hairs by her ear and making her body tingle. The movement was intimate. “And the fact that you aren’t wearing underwear has nothing to do with it, right?”

She froze as he chuckled and pulled away. She did her best to stand up taller and compose herself.

“First, that’s none of your business,” she told him.

“And second?” he leaned against the elevator wall as they went up.

“I don’t actually have a second,” she admitted for the first time he made her speechless.

The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened to reveal a regular looking door. Zeke walked over and placed his hand flat on the wood, just above the doorknob. The imprint of his hand started to glow and she heard the unmistakable sound of a lock opening. That was some high-tech door.

“Please, come in, Blair.” He held open the door for her to step inside his home.

The high-rise apartment was bigger than her childhood home. Everything was modern with clean lines and crisp colors. It suited the image she had of Zeke in her mind. She could imagine him at home here.

He tossed his suit jacket on the back of a white leather couch and went to the kitchen table. Even though it was night, she could tell that his view from up here was absolutely amazing. She rather hoped she get a chance to see it in the morning.

Depending on what he had to tell her.

“I’ll need you to sign this,” he said, handing her a stack of legal papers. “It’s a fairly standard non-disclosure agreement.”

“Why do I need to sign an NDA?” She asked, tentatively taking the stack of paper.

“I have a proposal for you,” he told her, sitting down at the table. “Sign that, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

Blair chewed on her bottom lip for a moment before taking a seat at the table. She quickly scanned the legal document, but it appeared to be the standard legal mumbo jumbo of all legal documents. She could in no way talk to anyone about their conversation and if she did, she would have to pay so much money she would need to move to a third world country just to afford food.

Zeke slid a pen across the table and she carefully signed her name on the line.

“Do you do this with all your dates?” she teased, handing him the signed papers.

“Only the ones that I am going to ask to marry me,” he replied.

Blair’s heart did a full stop and her heart was suddenly in her mouth.

“Excuse me, what?”

“I need to find a wife,” he replied. He was calm and collected like this was a normal discussion. Who knew? Maybe in his world it was.

“Most people just date,” Blair replied. “There’s a whole dating industry for just that reason.”

Zeke smiled at her. “I need a wife and a child for business reasons. I’d like it to be you.”

“Me?” She thought they had a connection, but to marry her? “I don’t understand.”

He stood up from the table and went to the kitchen. “Wine?” he asked, pulling out two glasses and then going to a fridge and pulling out an opaque bottle.

“Yes, please,” she replied. Wine was definitely needed for this conversation.

“My business is struggling,” he told her, uncorking the wine with practiced ease. “I have to straighten my lifestyle and image”

“Your image?”

“I’m a playboy. A womanizer,” he said. He smiled at her. “You even remarked upon it.”

“True,” Blair agreed, thinking of all the scandals. “But what does that have to do with your business?”

“Customers, shareholders, directors and investors don’t trust a womanizer ” he replied. “I need to become a trustworthy source, I want a big change but I want it on my terms, It’s all about appearances.”

“And what are you asking of me, exactly?” Blair asked.

“To be the face of that wife,” he replied. “I’m asking you to enter into a business transaction. I need someone who can play the part of loving wife and I’m asking you to do it.”

“But not for real?” She wasn’t sure how to take this.

Blair had always planned on getting married and having children. It was one of her life dreams to be a mother and wife, but this wasn’t the path she’d thought she take to get there. She’d always assumed it would be after a year or so of dating, and that there would be love involved.

“No. Not for real, although I do like you,” Zeke replied. He handed her a wine glass.

“You said something about a child,” she said, holding the glass but not sipping yet.

“Yes.” He sat down in the kitchen chair next to her. “Having a wife isn’t enough. 

Blair set her wine glass down. “Let me get this straight. You invited me out on this date to make sure we got along, and since we do, you’re now asking me to marry you and have your child. To save your business.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “Though it sounds worse when you say it like that.”

How else could it sound? she thought to herself. “You said this was a business deal, so what do I get out of doing this?”

“Money. You would be marrying a billionaire and having his child,” Zeke explained. “You will never have bills again. You will live in the lap of luxury for the rest of your life. You and our child.”

Blair didn’t know how to respond. What was the appropriate response for that?

“Look at it this way,” Zeke continued. “You want to be a marine biologist, right? There is no way that being a barista will get you there faster than I can.”

She knew that it was the truth.

“I completely understand if you need some time to think about it,” Zeke told her. “I know it’s a big decision.”

“Would we live together?” Blair asked, looking up from her untouched wine glass. “What does a future with you look like?”

“We would become a couple in public and I would propose,” Zeke explained. “We would marry and have the wedding of your dreams. You would get pregnant as quickly as possible. You would live here, if you want. Or anywhere in the city you desire.”

“And what about us?” Blair’s throat tightened. She looked up at him, searching his handsome face for emotion.

“I like you,” Zeke told her. His calm green eyes met hers. “I’m asking you to do this because, believe it or not, I trust you. We get along well and we have chemistry. I couldn’t ask this of just anyone. You’re special.”

Blair swallowed hard. She sat there, unsure of what to do next.

“What are you thinking, Blair?” Zeke asked. His voice was soft.

“I’m... I’m not sure,” Blair replied. Her brain was spinning. She hadn’t expected this in a million years.

“If you need some time to think about it, you can have a couple of days,” Zeke said. He placed his hand on top of hers. It was so warm and strong.

“I will need some time, please.” She didn’t pull her hand away. She liked the way it felt touching her. “It’s kind of a big decision.”

“I understand completely,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze. “I’ll answer any questions you might have. Here is the complete packet. I have a lawyer on retainer that you may utilize for any questions.”

“Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest?” Blair asked, looking up at him. “Wouldn’t he want the best deal for you?”

Zeke smiled. “He’s hired to get you the best deal. I’m paying his fee indirectly. You are his client, not me.”

“Oh, okay. I’m not sure what to even ask at the moment,” Blair told him. “It’s a lot to think about.”

“Of course,” Zeke agreed. “Would you like to stay here? You’re welcome to spend the night.”

She considered it. Despite it all, she still wasn’t wearing panties and he had her wanting to go to bed with him. Maybe that was part of why she shouldn’t stay. She wanted him.

“I’d actually like to go home, please,” Blair told him. It wasn’t that the sexual attraction wasn’t there, because he was still sexy as hell, but rather that she wasn’t sure she’d make good decisions if she stayed.

She needed to step back and think about what this would mean. As much as she had fantasized about being with Mr.Armani, the actuality of really doing it was something entirely else.

“My driver will take you home,” Zeke told her. He pressed something on his phone to notify the driver. “But, like I said, you’re more than welcome here.”

“Thank you,” Blair replied. She was suddenly very tired and this decision felt way too big. It was a good thing she didn’t have to work tomorrow.

“Here’s my private number,” he said, handing her a card. “Call me anytime. Text me any questions. I want this to work with you. I think we can both be very happy with this. I know it’s not the traditional method, but I think it can work out.”

“I just need some time,” Blair told him, standing from the table. “I’ll let you know my decision in a couple of days. I’ll need to speak with the lawyer.”

“Of course, Blair.” Zeke smiled at her. It made her heart thump in her chest when he looked at her like that. She was tempted to say yes to him right there with that smile.

“Thank you,” was what she said instead.

He stood up and kissed her cheek. His lips were soft and he smelled so damn good she nearly changed her mind. She wanted to rip his clothes off and lick his skin and see if he smelled that good everywhere.

But, she needed to think critically. This needed to be a rational choice, not one made because she was horny.

He hovered with his mouth inches from hers, waiting for her to choose what to do next. She wanted to believe he wanted her as much as she did him. That this attraction wasn’t just in her mind. She took a deep breath, and stepped away.

“I’ll let you know my decision,” she said, watching him. His green eyes shone with desire and lust clearly painted her face. She wanted to stay.

Luckily, there was a knock on the door, giving her a chance to look away. Zeke opened it to reveal a driver. She hurried away from Zeke and his bed, needing to think and wonder how did hell she had wandered into that kind of situation.