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‘Well, what happens if we slip up?’
‘We won’t,’ she promised with complete confidence.
‘I see.’
But Tessa had thought about this from every angle, and she knew this was the perfect way to contain the chemistry he’d referred to, to ensure it didn’t boil over too much. ‘This isn’t a real marriage, and we’re not really a couple. While I won’t even attempt to deny that there’s a spark between us, we’re not animals, Alex. We can control when and where we act on it.’
‘Of course,’ he agreed, even when she had the feeling he wasn’t agreeing with her at all, so much as teasing her.
She ignored the whip of frustration inside her belly. He could laugh and joke all he wanted; nothing would change Tessa’s mind on this score. They had to take charge of this marriage, or it would never work.
‘Do you agree to the contract?’
He ran a finger over the page and shook his head. ‘It’s a good start, but it could do with a bit of work.’
‘Okay.’ She reached for a berry, popping it in her mouth then wishing she’d resisted when his gaze followed the innocent gesture, lingering on the softness of her lips. Heat rushed through her.
‘Where would we live?’
She looked around them. ‘I’d actually been planning to suggest my apartment but...’
He waited, regarding her.
‘I like your place. I can move in here, if that’s easier.’
His eyes sparked with something she didn’t understand. ‘I will give you the full tour after this.’
Alarm bells dinged. A full tour would include things like bedrooms, and right now that was a dangerous prospect. ‘That’s okay, I can imagine,’ she mumbled.
A knowing glint in his eyes showed he understood exactly what underscored her hesitation, but fortunately he didn’t push it.
‘We’ll live here.’ He made a note at the bottom of her contract. Will. Not we could. Something ignited in her bloodstream. This was happening. And even though she’d wanted this, it felt surreal and scary to contemplate the reality of becoming Mrs Alex Zacharidis. ‘When will we get married?’
‘Soon.’
‘A week?’
‘That really is soon,’ she said with a shake of her head.
‘I made enquiries this afternoon. I can get the legal documentation expedited.’
She bit down on her lip. What point was there in prevaricating? ‘I guess that adds to the idea of this being a red-hot love affair.’
‘As though we absolutely couldn’t wait for the ink to dry on your divorce.’
‘Yes,’ she agreed, glad he understood.
‘And we’ll tell your parents together?’
‘My parents.’ She closed her eyes briefly, the main purpose for setting this in motion sharp in her mind. ‘I’ll call them soon. They should hear the news from me.’
‘No.’
She blinked at him.
‘I know your father, and he will only respect this if we do it properly. I’ll ask for permission.’
She almost spat out her champagne. ‘You’ll ask for permission?’
