“Offended? How could I possibly be?” she said airily, even as her heart seemed to strum at hearing his voice. The tinted partition between her and the chauffeur was up, and she could talk freely. She knew Jude could at least detect the steel in her voice. “I know exactly my position as far as this arrangement is concerned. I’m not surprised if you wish to further demean me by throwing your money around in my face.”
“I’m sorry that it looks that way to you,” he said, and the coolness in his tone pricked her. “It was not my intention to insult.”
“No, it wasn’t, was it? Because insulting is what you do naturally,” she said cynically.
“Even when you don’t mean to, you still manage to make other people feel even lousier about themselves. I guess that comes with being a hotshot corporate mogul billionaire.”
There was a pause, and Miranda wanted to kick herself. What was her problem? Showing emotions where he was concerned was not how she’d planned to handle things. The sex had been high-octane, yes, but she’d sworn that the strictest level of disengagement should be maintained on all levels. The last thing she wanted to happen was to do something stupid like...like fall in love with him.
Was that why she felt so irked? She wondered frantically. Was she developing feelings for Jude, and could she be wishing that she didn’t have to be in the situation? Did part of her wish that they were on level playing ground, and not this increasingly uncomfortable sense she was having of being nothing better than a paid whore?
It was a few seconds more before he replied, and his tone was devoid of emotion.
“Apparently, we “hotshot corporate mogul billionaires” are the ones most prone to being too easily misunderstood,” he drawled. “But that’s no problem. We both know the score, Miranda. Maybe it’s time we stuck to it. Which brings me to the other reason why I called.”
Miranda wasn’t sure how to respond to this, though something in his tone made her feel a little ominous.
“We’ll be having dinner with a few very important business associates of mine and their partners. It’s very high-profile, so I’ll imagine you’d want to go out and look for something appropriate to wear.”
“Trust me, I’m no Cinderella, Jude,” she said stiffly. “I’m certain I have a dress worthy of your hallowed clique of...”
“Oh, but I insist,” he drawled, tone chilly. “Considering my status, I wish any woman that’s seen with me to look the part. You’re a very beautiful, stylish woman, Miranda. I’m sure you’ll easily create an outfit and jewellery to match the occasion. Use the card, get anything you need. Never mind about the cost. And oh...don’t forget to get some really sexy lingerie as well. I like red, keep that in mind will you?”
“Would there be anything else your majesty would be requiring of me?” she enquired with steely sarcasm, her teeth aching from gritting them so hard.
“Nothing else...for now,” he returned mildly. “We’ll need to be ready by seven. Let’s try not to be late.”
He hung up, and Miranda would have smashed her receiver murderously down unto its cradle, but restrained herself. She knew it would be futile to fume. He was right, she knew the score. No matter what she thought or felt, he was the one in charge here. And it looked like he was going to make sure that this time, she didn’t forget it.
***
Miranda had been sure that the dinner to be harrowing. But to her surprise, it turned out quite be more exciting and enjoyable than she’d expected. Jude had been right about it being a very high-powered event. They were seated at a long table in the exclusive restaurant, and there were at least eight of them, including her and Jude. The men were mostly elderly, but looked just as rich and powerful as Jude – and some were certainly more, she sensed. The women were exquisitely attired, their bodies dripping with jewels.
Miranda was in no way shabby herself. She’d been quite furious with Jude for his insistence that she spend his money – but it had certainly proved interesting to walk into the most exclusive stores and pick just what she wanted. However, she had opted for understated, yet tasteful elegance. Her dress was designer, and it had been a thrill to put it on and see how well it draped over her frame. It was in a black, slimming style, the waist cinched in right beneath the bodice, the neckline draping low to reveal just a tempting glimpse of bust.
Jude’s bank account certainly had far more commas than hers, but Miranda would certainly not wish to give him the satisfaction in thinking she was enjoying this...extravagance. She was no way in the least happy that she’d had to trawl a high-end lingerie boutique in search of his so-called favourite red-coloured under things. No, it hadn’t been fun in the least...