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I smirk at her bossy tone. “What if instead of being forced into this union with me, you actually chose it for yourself?”
“That will never happen.”
The smile slides from my lips. “I can be very persuasive. In the last decade I’ve managed to double the profits of my father’s company. Believe me, when it comes to business, I know exactly what I’m doing.”
“We’re talking about marriage, not business.”
“Marriageisbusiness. It’s a contract. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a fool.” And anyone who thinks they’re marrying for love is doubly foolish.
“Fine. Dazzle me with your powers of persuasion.” She sips her wine. I can tell from her mild expression that she’s humoring me. She has no intention of changing her mind about our arrangement. Luckily, I’ve cracked tougher nuts than her.
“I want a willing wife—in every department.” I rake my gaze down her body just to see her flush. Gorgeous. “You’ll need to produce at least one heir. You’ll also have to accompany me to numerous social events every year. We’ll share a bed, and no other man will touch you. Ever.”
She leans forward, giving me a clear view of her cleavage. “This is the mostromanticproposal I’ve ever heard.”
I swear I’m going to fuck the sarcasm out of her, sooner rather than later.
Ignoring her sassy comment, I continue, “In return, you will have everything money can buy, a comfortable home, and my protection.” I watch her carefully while I deliver the real gold. “And a college degree, as long as the university you attend is local. After that, if you choose, you may find a job at a museum.”
Her entire body stiffens. Slowly, deliberately, she sets down her wine glass.
“Can you repeat that last part, please?”
I grin, knowing I’ve caught her, now I just have to reel her in. “You may go to college and work in any field you desire. I’ll pay for all of it.”
“You’d do that for me? Why?”
“I’m not doing it for you.” I chuckle at her exasperated glare. “A business arrangement should be mutually beneficial for all parties involved.”
“Right. But what if… I don’t know. What if I can’t have children? You need an heir. What happens then?”
“Simple. I’ll kick you out and take a new wife.”
She glowers at me. “You’re horrible.”
I laugh, drawing attention from those around us, and a startled glance from my soon-to-be wife. Reaching across the table, I squeeze her hand. “If we run into any fertility issues, we’ll work through them together. You have my word.”
Surprisingly, I mean it. Yes, I need an heir. Am I willing to give up Sophia if she can’t provide one? Absolutely not. She’smine.
It occurs to me that I should ask the question: “Do you want children?”
She nods. “Two max. I’d like to be a mother, but I also want a career. A real career, not spending my days organizing and volunteering at charity events.” She cocks her head to one side. “You do realize I could be in college for six years. I don’t want to go to college and have children at the same time.”
“I’m a patient man. You’re young, so we’ll wait until you’re ready.”
Sophia’s eyes narrow again. “Who are you and what have you done with that overbearing brute I’ve spent the past week with?”
“When force doesn’t work, I resort to wish fulfillment. It’s a simple, but effective, strategy.”
“Ah, there he is. I was getting worried that all this talk of marital bliss had done him in.”
Another laugh bursts from my chest. She smiles at me this time, and I hide my answering grin behind my glass. Sophia is a breath of fresh air. I haven’t enjoyed being around another person this much in a very long time, maybe ever.
She’s smart and funny. Even if her jokes are mostly at my expense. Every day she shows me more of herself and the ground beneath my feet unexpectedly shifts. I never know what she’s going to say next, only that she has my full, undivided attention as I wait for her to speak. Knowing whatever she says will be at least blunt, if not also insightful.
This woman may be my undoing.
I’m marrying her, with our own negotiated terms. This is not my original plan. In fact, it’s far from it.
