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I did wish. With every atom in my body, I wanted to grasp his offer with both hands.
But all this came at a price.
Neo Xenakis, marketing guru extraordinaire, wasn’t handing round internships of a lifetime out of the goodness of his heart. He was bartering my wish list for complete access to my child.
But, even knowing that, I couldn’t help pride and satisfaction fizzing through me like the headiest champagne. Regardless of what had led us here, to have the president of marketing for a global powerhouse like Xenakis Aeronautics pronouncing my idea sound was an accolade worth celebrating.
‘Thanks, that’s...um...a generous offer.’
‘You’re welcome,’ he returned, and then for some inexplicable reason his gaze dropped to my mouth.
A moment later, I realised I was smiling. And he seemed...fascinated.
CHAPTER SIX
THE MOMENT STRETCHED as we stared at one another, a tight little sensual bubble wrapping itself around us, making it hard to breathe as heat and need and desire filled my body.
This time he was the one who broke contact, his chest expanding on a long breath before he said, ‘Which item do you wish to discuss next?’
None, I wanted to say. But, reluctantly buoyed by the promise of utilising my marketing knowledge, I wanted to hear him out. See where he was going with this.
‘What do you suspect about my mother?’
He shrugged. ‘That she’s far too dependent on you—perhaps uses you as an emotional crutch to hide a deeper problem?’
I pressed my lips together, unwilling to betray my mother.
‘Whatever those problems are, they’ll only grow if ignored,’ he said.
With a grimace, I exhaled. ‘She gambles online. It’s small sums, but—’
‘Addiction like that is insidious, Sadie. It needs to be curbed now or it’ll become a problem.’
Unable to meet his gaze, I toyed with the hem of my dress.
‘Has it already become a problem?’ he intuited smoothly.
The answer spilled out before I could stop it. ‘Yes. I’ve spoken to her about it. Asked her to get help.’
His face hardened. ‘You might have to be a little more insistent. Ruthless, even.’
‘Like you?’
A look flashed in his eyes, but he shrugged. ‘If it makes you feel better to think that way, then so be it.’
Temptation swelled higher. I knew I had to tackle my mother’s problem before I lost the only parent I had, but... ‘She’s my concern. I’ll find her the help she needs.’
Neo nodded after a handful of seconds.
I licked my lips, knowing the most important topic still needed to be tackled. ‘Let’s talk about the baby.’
‘Yes,’ he replied, his voice deep and heavy, with that yearning that still had the power to rock me.
‘How would it even work?’
‘Our marriage would simply legitimise my child and formalise any agreement as to childcare when it’s dissolved.’
A beginning and an end. So...a temporary marriage. A get-out clause and a possible end to his duties as a father when the appeal wore off?
