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I look back. “Doing what?”

“Agreeing with me like you know I’m lying.”

I smile. “Do I?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re lying?”

“No!”

I laugh and walk toward the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Roof.”

“Dane.”

I stop.

She looks frustrated enough to throw something. “You cannot keep taking over my lodge.”

“Sure I can.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

“I’m not some helpless woman you need to rescue.”

I know that. I’ve watched her carry this place on her back for years. That’s the problem.

I walk back and stop in front of her. “I gave you a hundred grand because that’s what the contract said.” She watches me. “Everything else I’m doing because you’re my wife.”

Her expression changes.

I don’t wait for an answer.

I head outside and climb the ladder before I do something stupid.

Like kiss her.

Because Lila doesn’t know what I already figured out.

She’s inexperienced.

Maybe very inexperienced.

And she signed a contract because she was desperate to save her home.

I won’t take advantage of either. If she ends up in my bed, it won’t be because she owes me money. It won’t be because my name is on a marriage certificate. And it sure as hell won’t be because I cornered her until she gave in.

Lila Dawson is stubborn enough to fight me about everything.

When she finally stops fighting this, I want to know it’s because she chose me.

Chapter 5