I hesitate and look out to sea. I’d like to have taken Wren to meet my parents and for us to have been super romantic. But there are several factors that are going to make that impossible. For a start, Wren asked Caesar to be a sperm donor, and Aurelia knows that, too. They both therefore know this isn’t a love match—yet. And the issue of my father’s ultimatum, and how quickly I’ll be announcing the wedding, means he’ll suspect I engineered the marriage. But what did he expect when he told us we might lose the company?
“I’m sorry,” Wren says softly. “That came out a little harshly. I just don’t want your father—or Caesar, or anyone else—to think I’m a fortune hunter.”
I look back at her. “I understand.”
“You should have a prenup, anyway.”
“Yeah. It’s not the most romantic of things, though.”
“No, I suppose not. But we both need to protect ourselves. This is an arrangement, not a love match.”
For you, Wren. I don’t say the words. But I think them.
Chapter Eight
Wren
Marcus’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t argue with me.
My heart is racing. I’ve agreed to marry him. I can’t believe it.
I said yes because he was right—there’s a better chance of getting pregnant if we do it the old-fashioned way, with fewer complications. That’s the only reason.
It’s totally not because he promised good sex.Wouldn’t you like to go to bed with a man whose focus was on you, not on whether you perform well enough for him? A man who takes his time?I shiver. No, it wasn’t because of those words. He’ll get bored with me eventually, so I have to protect my heart and keep this purely a marriage of convenience.
I’m half terrified, half excited about having sex with him. I admit I’m curious whether he can live up to his promises. But afterward, I’ll retreat to my own bedroom, and that way I can safeguard my heart.
His eyes are glowing now, his lips curving up. He seems happy. That puzzles me. It can’t be because of me. I suppose it’s because he’s secured his wife and heir. He’s saved the company. At last, he’s done something before Caesar, and he’ll get his father’s approval. That’s what all this is about, in the end. The sex is just the icing on the cake for him.
“Are you going to tell your father this is an arranged marriage?” I ask.
“No,” he says. “Because it’s not.” His voice is firm.
I can remember Edward Ashford from my visits to their house, and occasional days when he and Cece came to the beach. He was stern with the boys, but always nice to me, and Cece was lovely. Suddenly, even though Edward has practicallypushed Marcus into it, I don’t want them to know about our arrangement. Or about what I’ve done.
“Please don’t tell your parents I asked Caesar to be a sperm donor,” I say.
His expression softens. “Okay.”
“Can you ask Caesar not to tell him, too.”
“Yes. He won’t if I ask him, don’t worry.”
“Thank you.” I hesitate. “I don’t want to lie to them. But we can make up a story that his ultimatum made you rethink your feelings for me, and I’m happy to pretend to be in love, for their sake.”
One of his eyebrows lifts, just a little. “I see,” he says slowly. “That’s very gracious of you.”
Is he mocking me? I frown. “I’m just saying, if you don’t want your parents or the board to think this is a stunt, I understand.”
He looks down for a moment. Then he lifts his gaze back to mine. “Right. Yes, that makes sense.” His gaze slides to my mouth. “Can I kiss you?”
I blink. “Why?”
That earns me an exasperated look. “Well, for a start, I’ve just proposed to you, and you’ve said yes. It seems like a cause for celebration.”
I offer him my hand. “We could shake on it, if you want.”
He looks at my hand. Then he slides his into it. I go to shake it, but before I can stop him, he pulls me to my feet, rising at the same time, and I stumble forward and fall against him.
