The intense stare of Jacob Blackwood made me want to shift in my chair. I forced myself to sit completely still, staring back at him. I could tell that Jacob was at loss, he tried to hide it but my words probably made him change his game. Unlike me, he pulled himself back together quickly.

"Glad you could make it."

That voice of him did things to me that I didn't want to face. I shifted in my chair despite my brain telling my body to stay put.

"We should resolve this matter quickly."

I swallowed nervously. The darkened look in his eyes told me he noticed. The sides of his lips curled up to a knowing smirk.

"We should." Jacob moved forward, folding his fingers together and resting his hands on top of his desk before him, "Despite what you think of me I couldn't disappoint your father." I honestly could believe that because dad always praised this man before me, "He was so proud of his darling daughter Nina. I didn't want to shatter the dream he has of you."

Nothing he was saying sounded like lies to me. Jacob sounded fond of his friendship with dad and whenever dad talked about Jacob he had stars in his eyes. I didn't want to shatter that friendship. So now we had to come up with a plan to keep the parents happy.

"I don't want your friendship with dad to fall apart, dad likes you." I rolled my eyes, "Even though I don't understand why." I mumbled, "To each their own I suppose."

He chuckled, "You know what makes me likable." He lowered his voice, "You like me too, Nina."

"Don't fool yourself." I told him sternly, "Whatever I thought was likable about you has been erased from my mind. Now I just want to focus on what we can do to make things right and both move forward with our lives."

"There is only one thing we can do about this."

I narrowed my eyes on him, "And what is that?" I asked suspiciously.

He leaned back in his chair, looking comfortable despite the tense situation. The confidence was radiating off him, wrapping around me and making it difficult for me to breathe. I shifted in my chair once more, now completely aware of how soaked my panties were.

Damn it.

"Well, we should get married."

I slipped from my chair, nearly falling off. Jacob laughed at me, quietly and deep from the stomach. It was a delicious sound but I couldn't focus on it. I got to my feet and Jacob who walked around his desk took hold of my arm and helped steady me.

"Was it that much of a shock?" He asked, laughter clear in his voice.

He let go of me once I looked calm again. He stepped back and watched me carefully.

"That was a stupid joke." I glared at him.

His stormy eyes narrowed on me, "What if it wasn't a joke." He asked, stepping closer to me. He shoved his hands in his nice looking slacks as if he couldn't trust himself around me and stared me down, "What if I promise you a future where I'd give you anything you want. Protect you from everyone around us and do everything in my power to make you happy." He leaned closer to me, his lips brushing against my ear, "Would you consider taking my offer then?"

This wasn't just a stupid joke. It was a sick joke.

I pressed my hands against his firm chest and pushed him back. He moved back but not much, just enough to give me space. I was grateful for that because his intoxicating scent lingered around us. It lured me in and tempted me to touch him in a way I shouldn't.

"That's quite enough!" I told him firmly, not afraid and not messing around this time, "Stop playing around with me. That is a sick joke."

His stormy eyes glittered, "What if it wasn't a joke?" He asked, "Isn't that why you're smitten with that man?" He asked, "Because he can provide you with the picture-perfect life you want?" He asked, "What if I give it to you? Would you leave him and become my wife?"

I couldn't breathe. I stared at him wide-eyed while struggling to breathe and behave like a normal human again. I placed my hand against my chest, finally breathing in and out again to calm my beating heart.

"Nina?" Jacob sounded worried. He took his hand out of his pocket and cupped my cheek, "Darling, breathe in and out. Calmly. Deep breaths." He spoke barely above a whisper. It was a calming tone which actually helped me relax.

He smiled gently at me, "That's it. Calm, deep breaths."

The tight feeling in my chest faded, I was able to breathe again and think with a clear mind.

"That sounds too good to be true, Jacob." I told him, "What is it that you want in return?" I stared down the guilt washing over me for even asking these questions of Jacob, "Because you are right. The promise of a future together is what I want." I tilted my head back and met his warm pools of grey eyes, "What is it that you want?"

His thumb brushed gently over my cheek, he then pulled away and folded his arms across his chest. The expensive black jacket tightened around his arms and shoulders. God, just staring at this man did things to my body. It wasn't quite the same as Lucas made me feel. It was different. Way too intense. The passion would burn everything in its path and when it would fade it would leave only ashes behind.

"A woman who wants me for me." He made it sound so simple, "Who wants me for my body and mind, not for the money I make or the fame which comes from being my wife."

We wanted the same things yet we worded it so differently.

"I can't." I whispered, "Lucas-"

"You're not married yet." Jacob's voice was void of any emotion, "You don't owe him anything."

"It would hurt him, it would hurt his friends whom I quite like."

He grabbed my hands, gently holding them in his. It was so gentle, so soft, I never imagined Jacob could touch me like that.

"Don't you have the right to consider your options?"

I closed my eyes, shaking my head. He was as tempting as the devil who wanted to make a deal. From the start, I knew this man was quite the same as Lucifer. Making deals and wanting your soul in return. The thought made me smile. It made Jacob before me chuckle seeing the peaceful look on my face.

"I want to make you my wife, Nina." He whispered, "But I know you have a commitment to that man. So you consider your options. Give me your answer a week before the party."

I opened my eyes, "When is that?"

He chuckled, "The party is in two weeks."

"You want an answer next week?" I asked.

"Yes, a lot of things need to be taken care of if you do decide to take up my offer." The sinister smirk returned to his handsome face, "We'd need a few days to ourselves to get acquainted with each other's bodies."

I held back my laughter, leaning forward which made me press my forehead against his chest. Jacob gently placed his hand on the back of my head and held me to him. We stood there not quite hugging but not wanting to pull apart either. The feeling I had when I kissed Lucas minutes ago wasn't what I felt when Jacob held me close. It was like we both knew what my answer would be.

Jacob pulled away first, "I want to point out that I wasn't joking." I frowned at him, "But of course I'd like to hire you as my personal shopper again. I did praise you like the best personal shopper around town and I meant it. You are the best."

"Oh so if I don't accept your offer you'd still be around because I'd be working for you?"

He didn't respond to my question, because the answer was obvious. Jacob Blackwood always got what he wanted one way or another. I stepped back, took a deep breath and let my shoulders slump. Since we were done with this discussion I wanted to leave. I needed a shower and change my clothes. My panties were making me feel uncomfortable.

"I'll give you my answer next week."

"Friday night, around eight?" He asked, "We'll meet up at the penthouse." He walked to his desk, grabbed the keys to the double doors of his penthouse and tossed it to me. He looked pleased when I caught them, "Welcome back, Miss Merigold."

I stared at the keys I caught with ease, "Thank you, Mr. Blackwood."

He walked up to the chair I occupied a few minutes ago and grabbed the weekend bag I took with me. he held onto it and gestured to the door, "I'll walk you out, Miss."

Fenna and the good-looking Asian guy stared at us in awe as Jacob walked with me to the elevator. He didn't look like he was going to head back to his office. It made me stare at him in awe too when he took the elevator with me to the lobby.

"I'll ask my driver to take you home."

I stepped in front of him, "That's okay, I can take a cab."

"It's not a big deal, Nina. You are familiar with you, are you not?"

That wasn't what I was worried about. It would give me time to collect my thoughts as I headed home. If I took his car I'd still be reminded of Jacob Blackwood. I needed both Jacob and Lucas to fade in the background so I could make a list about my future.

A future Jacob promised me already sounded more tempting as my future with Lucas was still unsure.

"Jacob."

My tone made him step back and smile, he handed my bag to me, "I understand. I won't push you. Do what you have to do. I'll see you next Friday night at the penthouse." He leaned forward and kissed my cheek, "I'll be looking forward to it." He whispered.

My heart skipped a beat. The one who won this game we were playing was Jacob Blackwood. I just fooled myself into thinking I'd come on top. I grabbed my bag and smiled at him.

"See you next Friday," I whispered.

I walked around him and headed outside. The minute fresh air whipped around me I felt free from tension and dark promises. I inhaled deeply, the light-headed feeling I always had around Jacob faded. I nearly ran into someone when my phone suddenly rang. My body moved on auto-pilot as I reached into my pocket and grabbed my phone, answering it without really knowing what I was doing. I was lost, lost in my own world as images of Jacob and Lucas flashed through my mind.

"Nina, are you there?"

I blinked, "Nick?'

"How was your dinner with Lucas and friends?" He asked.

"Nick."

Just like Jacob, my brother immediately knew something was wrong.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

I let my weekend bag drop to the ground, it laid beside my foot as I stared straight ahead, "Jacob proposed to me." I whispered.

"Where are you right now?" Nick demanded to know.

I glanced around me, a little intimidated by the people around me who were just living their lives. Moving around with determined looks on their faces.

"I'm taking a cab home."

Nick moved, I could hear him in the background, "I'm meeting you at your place. See you in a bit." Nick ended the call without giving me time to respond.

I managed to grab a cab. I was on my way home where my brother would meet me. I suppose talking to someone about the list of why I should or shouldn't marry Jacob Blackwood was better than to do it, my imaginary friend. They'd be biased.