Jake shook Claire's hand for the right amount of time and let go.
'Very professional,' she thought.
He made constant eye contact and did not stare at her body as the other billionaires did. Part of him was aloof, as if he was somewhere else.
"I will take your leave, then," Rory announced. "The guys need a babysitter."
Jake nodded, and Claire gave him two thumbs up as he left.
"Please join me," Jake invited her to the other end of the gallery. There were high-backed lounge chairs large enough to lie down. A low single-block dining table was aligned with them.
Claire sat beside the billionaire, facing him, her legs crossed.
"Thanks."
"I noticed when you went to the bar; you ordered cranberry juice. Are you not allowed to drink? Any photoshoots or events coming up?"
"It's not that, Mr. Grayson-"
"Please call me Jake."
"Hmm. It's not that, Jake, I do drink, but with the right company."
"I can't promise to be the best drinking partner but, let's see what we have here-"
Jake removed a tinted bottle from the table drawer.
"-A Chateau Lafite 1887. One of the best in my wine collection. $50,000 a bottle."
"Wow. Are you sure this occasion warrants such an expensive vintage?"
Jake smirked and popped off the cork with a corkscrew.
"Let's find out, shall we?"
He half-filled two flute wine glasses and handed one to Claire. She swirled the liquid and took a sip.
Her eyebrows fluttered.
"Mm. This is good. I am not a wine person, but this is damn good."
Jake drained his glass and refilled it.
"Right? The Italians know their way around wine. So! Tell me about yourself. What do you do apart from, uh, modeling? Hobbies? Interests?"
Claire placed a finger on her chin, thinking.
"Let's see. I like yoga, painting, horse riding, among other things."
"Horse riding, huh? I own a dozen ranches in Missouri, Iowa, and Texas. Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Appaloosas, you name them. I employ full-time breeders."
"Wow, that's amazing. I'd love to visit one of your ranches. Horses are such majestic creatures, aren't they? I love being around them!"
"I'm sure we can arrange a visit. It will be good publicity for the ranch as well. In fact, the reason I invited you over was to make you a business proposal."
"I'm listening."
"Well, we are launching a products and accessories line. And I would like you, Claire Fox, to be our brand ambassador."
Claire's eyes widened.
"Oh my God, really? I'd love that, Jake. My manager is going to flip out once he hears this."
Jake laughed gracefully and refilled both glasses.
"Grayson enterprises would love to have you. That's why I asked Rory to bring you to me personally. I don't like middlemen when doing business. So, let's drink to this union!"
They clinked their glasses and talked some more.
"Okay, enough about business, Mr. Forbes list," Claire began, tipsy with the wine. She got friendly real quick under the influence of alcohol. "Tell me, how do you feel today, Jake? With the party and everything. Although I know you host a lot of events. This one must be personal and special."
"Well, it's my engagement bachelor party," Jake replied, shrugging. "After my engagement tomorrow, I cannot be with another woman. It makes me sad and happy at the same time."
"I get it."
"You do? Have you thought about getting married?"
"I'm twenty!" Claire said, giggling. "Still in college, you know. I haven't thought about anything!" Her voice had risen after five glasses of wine.
Jake shook his head, chuckling. "You got me there!."
"Hmm. So, tell me the truth. This business proposition. Was it the only reason for calling me over?" Claire loosened her smile and tried to read the handsome face before her.
Jake ruffled his hair and shifted closer to Claire until their knees touched.
"Here's the truth, Claire. I wanted to have a closer look at you. In my experience, pretty women from TV have been a disappointment. In-person they look different. It's just Hollywood showbiz. Makeup, good lighting, and special effects make them goddesses on the screen."
Claire leaned towards him until she could smell his cologne.
"And what is your review of me?"
"You're better than on TV."
"Really? But you haven't even looked at me properly since I arrived."
"I like to give a lady her personal space."
"What if the lady gives you a free pass into her personal space?"
"Then I will invade without reluctance," Jake replied. His hand went to her left cheek. He touched her skin with the back of his knuckles.
"Ah, I must say, you are rare, Claire. One of a kind."
"Talk more, please. I've longed to hear your voice up close."
"One would think a man about to get engaged is a turnoff."
"Au contraire, Jake, any woman on this planet would be lucky to spend a few minutes with you."