The Boss's Fake Fiancee Read Free

surely, but long enough so that Mark would.
    “You’re perfect.” She forced an easy tone as she dropped her hands.
    “Has anyone asked you about ThinkSpeak?”
    ThinkSpeak was Garth’s pet project—an artificial intelligence system that read and interpreted the brainwaves of children with severe autism, enabling parents and caretakers to understand their basic needs. Many doubted the technology—which was, admittedly, incredibly expensive—could ever be made commercial. Just last month, several members of the Solen Labs board of directors had suggested the company shelve the project indefinitely. In response, Garth had dumped millions of his personal funds into the development, but even his pockets weren’t bottomless. He needed a big investor to sponsor continued development of ThinkSpeak, and he was determined to find one.
    “I’ve had a few questions. I dodged them.”
    “Good. Until we hear back from Orelian, we need to keep things quiet.”
    Even before Melissa had started at Solen Labs, Garth had been courting one particular investor, Natalie Orelian, who expressed an interest in ThinkSpeak. Orelian was the only child of an old New York banking family. She had begun funding autism research when her grandson was diagnosed with a mild form of the disability at age three. While Orelian believed in funding new research, she shied away from projects that seemed too speculative or controversial. Garth was determined to keep any rumors about ThinkSpeak—good or bad—at bay until he had Orelian’s support buttoned down.
    A woman in a black shirt and pants approached them from the back of the stage. “They’re ready for you, Mr. Solen.”
    “Right. Thanks, Melissa.” Garth’s intense gaze met hers for a moment before he turned away, and a delicious shiver passed up and down her spine. She glanced from his broad shoulders to the narrow line of his waist, perfectly displayed by his tailored suit. Her gaze followed him as he took the stairs in an easy bound.
    But then, like a magnet, she found herself glancing at the back of the room, watching with a renewed feeling of dread as Mark caught her eye for one brief moment before he disappeared from the back of the room.
    If Garth ever found out what she’d said…
    Her stomach twisted in a painful knot of regret. She shouldn’t have done it. Nothing justified her lies. Mark wasn’t worth jeopardizing her job, or threatening the tiny, imperceptible chance that Garth might be developing some kind of interest in her.
    Melissa turned back toward the stage and pushed the dark thoughts from her mind. Garth would never find out what she’d said. And she would never make this mistake again.
    …
    Garth Solen pulled his silver Tesla Roadster parallel to the line of cars parked in front of a row of snug Brooklyn townhouses, and glanced at the woman sitting only a few inches away. He knew she’d stayed late to help him manage the crowds and steer away the more determined reporters, and he hadn’t wanted her on the subway at night because of him. But now he was regretting the decision to give her a ride. The car had suddenly become a tiny, intimate space—a space he shouldn’t be inhabiting with one of his employees.
    “Thanks for bringing me home,” Melissa said, shooting him a quick smile.
    A fragrance moved across the dark interior as she bent forward to retrieve her purse. Something like flowers. Maybe roses. It was subtle and beautiful, like her.
    Garth nearly choked on his own tongue as the thought slipped, unbidden, into his mind. “You’re welcome,” he managed to spit out. He jumped out of the car and walked around to open her door, forcing himself to take a slow breath as he did.
    Forget it. She’s off limits .
    The truth was, Melissa Bencher had been getting under his skin for weeks. He found himself glancing at her in meetings far more often than he should, and then wondering if anyone had noticed. She had a creative, agile mind and a lovely smile—a