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‘Neither of us will be going into this with stupid illusions.’
‘Love can grow...’ she said hopefully.
‘We’re not plants.’ Ethan tossed her notion aside.
‘No, but remember the amulets...’
His lips parted, but before he could give a derisive laugh she spoke again.
‘What I meant is that arranged marriages often work well...’
‘Then let’s arrange it well.’
‘That’s not what I meant either.’
‘I know that—but listen to me.’ He was firm. ‘I don’t believe in love, Merida. More than that, I don’t even want to test the notion.’
He wanted to be drawing up a contract—not sitting drinking coffee as they discussed some imaginary castle in the sky. Ethan nevereverwanted the responsibility of another’s heart, nor any foolish belief in love.
He had grown up guarding his heart and there was a wall of steel clamped around it now, for he had to keep his head in this.
‘What about the baby?’ Merida asked. ‘What happens to our baby in this loveless world of yours?’
‘I can’t answer that,’ Ethan said through gritted teeth, ‘because I haven’t met our baby yet. Merida, what the hell did you expect? We hooked up one night and, as good as it was, it’s not really a recipe for longevity.’
He took a breath and tried to push aside the memories of just how good it had been, reminding himself that sex was the easy part.
‘Listen, Merida. You look after yourself, I’ll look after myself, and together we will do the very best by our child.’
‘You’re talking about a business arrangement?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘And in thisarrangementdo we sleep together?’
‘I believe a marriage has to be suitably consummated,’ Ethan said, and then grew irritated at her pointless question. ‘Ofcoursewe’ll sleep together.’
‘Even though we don’t love each other?’
‘You can put your moral compass away now, Merida. You didn’t seem to mind too much a few months ago.’
She folded her arms, angry at his words and wanting to refute them. It hadn’t felt like a hook-up. How bloody dared he? Yet she guessed, to him, that was all it had been.
‘Don’t worry,’ Ethan said as he handed over the contract. ‘If either one of us cheats it will be an expensive mistake.’
He was covering all the bases as he shredded her heart.
‘We’ve given this a lot of thought...’
‘We?’
‘A select few members of my team have been working with me through the night.’
‘Talking about us?’ She was up on her feet now. ‘Last night I asked that you speak tome...’
‘Merida.’ His calmness only accentuated her drama. ‘Sit down and tell me whatyouthink we should do.’
She sat down. ‘We could...get used to the idea. Together. Maybe date...’
