Chapter 6: Meeting Katie Again

Ariana stared at Katie, just as dumbstruck as she was. The previous day, she had insisted Wesley wasn't good enough for her daughter, and now, at dawn, a stunning woman had shown up looking for him. Ariana admitted Tiffany was attractive, but even she wouldn't claim Tiffany outshone the woman before her. Katie's poise and beauty were rare, almost breathtaking. Katie saw Wesley stride out bare-chested, hair tousled, and her brows pinched. Color rose in her cheeks as she turned her head slightly and said softly, "Aren't you going to invite me in?" "Yeah, come in." Wesley stepped aside at once and let her in. Katie walked in, taking in the courtyard, grimy and cluttered, and her brows tightened again. She didn't look back. Tall and lithe, she cut a cool, arresting figure even from behind. Wesley followed her inside, taking in the graceful curve of her back, and asked, "Have you been checking up on me?" Otherwise, he didn't believe Katie could have found his place so quickly, though not that he cared. "That's not important," Katie replied, her tone cool. She turned and looked at him, and when she caught sight of his tanned muscles and solid frame, her face heated again.  However familiar she was with Wesley, the sight of his body always sent a flush racing through her. "Aren't you going to put on a shirt?" Katie muttered, her cheeks aflame. "Sure." Wesley grinned, unbothered, and ducked into his room.  A moment later, he reemerged in his courier uniform. "Again with the delivery uniform," Katie murmured, still flushed. Then she said, "Can you come with me? I need to talk to you." "You need to talk to me? Can't you say it here?" "Not here. It's not a good place to talk." With that, she turned on her heel and headed out, as if she did not worry at all that Wesley might not follow. "Even when you need a favor, you're still this proud?"  Wesley grumbled under his breath, but remembering he had taken her first time, he let it go and went after her. A Maserati Quattroporte sat at the curb. Katie slid behind the wheel without looking back. Wesley took the passenger seat. Expressionless, Katie started the engine. The Maserati sped off. Behind them, Ariana stood there open-mouthed. "You've got to be kidding me. He really went with her?" ... Twenty minutes later, the Maserati pulled up in front of a cafe. Katie got out and headed straight upstairs. They reached the second floor. A floor manager approached with a respectful smile. "Ms. Norman!" Katie waved her away. "You can go." She moved through the corridor into the inner rooms. "Is she the owner?" Wesley asked the floor manager. "Yeah. Ms. Norman often drops by when she has a minute and catches up on work here," the manager said, then withdrew. "Looks like this woman has some pull after all," Wesley muttered. No wonder Katie had found his place so fast. Not that he cared. Katie led him to the end of the hall and into a private room. Once Wesley sat, she took the chair across from him. The floor manager returned and poured them tea. Katie lifted her cup, then set it down and looked up. "You're Wesley Kershaw, right?" Wesley shrugged. "Since you know, why ask? Go on. Why bring me here?" Staring at him, Katie couldn't help flashing back to the night they had sex. A faint sorrow washed across her delicate features. Given her family background, she'd always been proud. The men who pursued her ranged from big family heirs to business elites, and yet she had given her first time to a mere courier. The thought stung in a way she couldn't shake. She lowered her head and went quiet for a while. Then she lifted her gaze and said, "I want to ask you for a favor." Seeing the strain in her eyes, Wesley felt a sudden ache in his chest. He knew that night must have hurt her more than she let on. Remembering they had shared a night, he said, "Tell me. If I can do it, I'll give it my best." "I…" Katie flushed and faltered again. After a long silence, she seemed to reach a decision. "I want you to marry me." "What? Marry you?" Wesley gaped. He hadn't imagined that was the reason she had brought him here. In his mind, marriage had always been something far-off. He hadn't expected it to show up on his doorstep today. "That's right. I want you to marry me. Immediately!" Katie met his eyes, her tone resolute. "Come on, gorgeous, really? Just because we had a one-night stand, you want to marry me? If what happened that night hurt you, I'm sorry. But marrying me just because I slept with you once doesn't add up." Wesley spread his hands, helpless. "Why?" Katie's face went cold, anger flickering. "I'm a very traditional woman. I need someone to stand between me and the men who think they can have me. I can't bring myself to ask anyone else. You and I have already shared a night. Rather than pick another man, I'd rather pick you. And don't get any ideas. It's a sham marriage. After a year, we go our separate ways." "So I'm your decoy," Wesley exhaled. He understood at last. Katie must have been facing trouble, or her family was pressing her to get married. She needed a man to fend off suitors, and Wesley had come to mind. "But why should I agree?" Wesley asked. "I'll pay you handsomely. How about fifty thousand dollars? You can take half up front. You'll get the other half when the year is up." Katie watched him with a hint of teasing in her eyes. "Fifty thousand? No." "One hundred thousand," Katie said without missing a beat. He looked at Katie, all elegance and frost, and another face flashed in his mind.  A fresh-faced girl swapped places in his thoughts with a delicate beauty whose wavy hair fell over her shoulders, alternating again and again. "Two thousand. Since I know you, I'll only charge you eight hundred." As that line echoed in his head, Wesley's arms began to tremble, his breathing growing heavy. After a long moment, he let out a soft sigh. "All right. I'll do it." Katie had been watching him quietly and assumed his agitation meant the money had gotten to him. When he agreed, her lips curled with a touch of disdain. Wesley was a delivery guy, after all. He rejected fifty thousand, but one hundred thousand had him agreeing in a heartbeat. "Good. Since you agreed, you can't back out. Here's the contract. Take a look." Katie slid a document across to him and handed him a Montblanc fountain pen. She had clearly come prepared. At this point, Wesley said nothing more. He picked up the agreement and skimmed it. The title read, "Fake Marriage Agreement."