Besides, it was a little late now. His point rang true: I could either passively let this run its course or take the situation by the balls and make something of it. I’d never had any desire to be famous, but now that it had been thrust upon me, it would be nice to at least have a little control back.

I still wasn’t sure how going viral was going to impact my work. I wanted to think it would pass in fifteen minutes when everyone moved on to the next scandal, but it could drag on for a while and have a lasting impact. I was being inundated with new client requests, but my regulars were the bread and butter of my income and many of them were already spooked.

Being a politician’s dirty, scandalous secret all over the media was degrading in ways I hadn’t let myself work through yet. Being proudly displayed on the arm of Hollywood’s most desirable bachelor? That would let me rewrite my own narrative.

Alex Chase leaned closer, nearly vibrating with intensity. “I need you. The fans need you. Please help me, Lady Elena.”

Remembering to use my title had been strategic on his part. I could tell from the mischief in his expression. He was challenging me like he knew I liked it, like he was letting me know he was capable of going toe to toe with me. How could he possibly be having a hard time with this role? I longed to coax the dominance I felt lurking in him to the surface..

I let out the breath I’d been holding. “It’s going to cost you. I’m selling my privacy, not just my skills.

I was drowning in student loans. If everything else hadn’t been enough to convince me, the sum I could charge for something like this would be pretty influential.

Alex Chase pumped his fist in front of him triumphantly.

Rami, who’d been silently observing the exchange, shook his head, but sighed and held out a card. “Have your attorney call me. We can set up a meeting and I’ll get preliminary documents sent over to him.”

“I’ll have her give you a call in the morning,” I corrected, taking the card. Ophelia, the coworker I’d just left in the dressing room, was the only lawyer I trusted to help me with this.

They both stood and I began escorting them to the guest elevator on the other side of the suite. Rami shook my hand. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with us, Lady Elena. We look forward to discussing it with you more soon.”

Alex Chase, on the other hand, asked, “Does ‘no penetration’ just mean no sex? I’ve been trying to figure this out since you handed me the rules.”

He was still teasing, still trying to nudge a reaction out of me. It was disturbing to feel myself wanting to smile back at that playful grin of his. “It means nobody sticks anything in anyone, Mr. Chase. No fingers, toes, tongues, toys, urethral sounds, dicks, vegetables, kitchen implements, or anything else you could think of…stuck in anyone’s orifices. Does that help?”