The Pretend Boyfriend novel Chapter 102

"You weren't tempted to take this deal?"

"I-I couldn't promise to do something I couldn't deliver. It was too much. It was indefinite. Besides, I couldn't do that to Ms. Fox. Agreeing to this new ... deal ... would have meant I was not allowed to see Ms. Fox again in the way I've been seeing her."

"Which is?"

Brian bores his liquid green gaze into Sam. His eyes are wide and guileless and he says, "Ms. Fox and I have been having a sort of ... relationship for over a year. We are friends, business partners, and lovers."

"Sounds like a comprehensive relationship," Karen says.

Nervous laughter ripples through the audience. Sam can detect the slight wistfulness in the way Karen says this, but only because she was looking out for it. She wonders if Karen had always wanted Brian in that way. She wouldn't be surprised if Karen did. Brian's obvious beauty, charm and success affect people in brutal ways - ways they have no control over. Her own experience is a classic example. So much so she is willing to commit a crime for him.

The knot in her stomach tightens. What a sugar-coated mess I am.

"It is," Brian agrees.

"How did Ms. Faulkner react to your decision?"

"She didn't take it well. She said she would see me in court."

"And here you are."

"Here I am."

"Thank you, Mr. Morton. I have no further questions." Karen shoots a look at Norma Hennessey, who is glowering. "Your witness."

Norma Hennessey gets up with a shuffle of her chair. Sam finds herself holding her breath. Norma has a look on her face that means war.

"So, Brian Morton," she sneers, as if he's already a convicted criminal cowering at the dock, "a thousand women. That is quite a record."

"I'm not proud of it," Brian admits.

"Quite a story you have detailed to the members of the jury." Norma waves a hand around. "I'm sure you have stoked the imaginations of everyone here today. Brian Morton, former CEO of Vanguard Advertising. Current partner of 'Shape'. Blackmailed into sex by the very woman who accused him of raping her. Are you asking us to buy this story?"

"It isn't a story. Every part of it is true," Brian says.

"So you say. It's her word against yours as to what really happened. No witnesses, no evidence. Merely stories upon stories. You're what most people would deem an attractive man, Mr. Morton, but come on."

"I do have evidence," Brian replies, refusing to be bullied.

"Really? And in what illegal manner did you or your business partner - " Norma practically spits out the word " - obtain it this time? You said there were no eyewitnesses. I'm sure everyone here is dying to know what you have conjured."

Titters run through the masses.

Brian says, "In the last two weeks when I was seeing Ms. Faulkner, my lover and business partner, Ms. Fox, had a suspicion that all was not right with me. So she followed me one night without my knowledge."

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