Page 7 of His Ruthless Queen

“Dr. Savino, sure. But Mrs. Murphy. You’re Mrs. Murphy, the wife to the heir of the Boston Irish Mob. Can’t you be both?”

She looks at me with a dark glint in her eye. “I am Haley Savino, the boss bitch who saves the mafia boys when they go all cowboy outlaw. I will be known as such, not the wife of the boss.”

I shake my head, laughing. “Okay, okay. I get your point.”

“I just feel bad. I want your mom to have a wedding for her eldest son. She already missed out on Paddy having one.”

I shrug. “So. A surprise wedding it is.”

She smiles. “Sure. Let’s do it that way. But … not yet, okay? Focus on yours first.”

“Okay.” I nod, twirling the necklace around my finger.

Chapter Three

“Theresheis,”CorbinMcClellan, the Governor of Massachusetts, says. His hand reaches out for mine. He’s dressed in a slim-cut navy suit that shows off the athletic body he’s curated in the gym, and his boyish smirk spreads across his mouth as I approach. Brown hair styled with a side part, and a crisp white dress shirt. The sharp look works for the Governor.

He’s gorgeous, still with that sweet boy-next-door face, even as he reaches his forties. His body is well kept, his voice soothing, like a soft lullaby that caresses your sleep, and he’s kind. He’s the opposite of what I expected when I went to my brother for an arranged marriage.

I thought I’d get a ruthless man covered in tattoos that paid me no mind. Instead, I got Grade A husband material. I didn’t expect my brother to have good taste. I should be jumping for joy, yet nothing stirs inside me as Corbin ushers me toward him.

Nerves swirl in my gut, but I push them away and offer a warm smile. Corbin pulls me into his side, cocooning me into him. His green-brown eyes twinkle with amusement, and he presses a soft kiss against my temple. This may be all for show, but he’s my future husband, and we’re faking it until we make it. So, I embrace his touch.

“Honey, this is Lawrence Fraser. Larry, I’d like you to meet my partner, Saoirse Murphy,” Corbin says.

Partner. Sounds so stuffy as opposed to girlfriend. Though, I suppose the title will be upgraded to fiancé soon enough.

I turn, taking the extended hand of the man in front of me while I try to remember his position. Shit, it’s on the tip of my tongue but I’m struggling. Corbin’s spent the last month drilling me for this event, calling me when we’re apart, and sporadically dropping names. I’d been confident in my ability to recall everyone within seconds, but now with the crippling anxiety of this event, my mind goes blank.

Corbin dips his mouth toward my ear. “He’s my Energy and Environment Advisor.”

It’s so low that only I can hear, and he covers his mouth with my ear so Lawrence can’t see his lips moving. His face lingers, while I keep mine plastered with a welcoming smile. To the outside we look like we’re passing through an intimate moment. It’s exactly what we need to sell this relationship.

“Mr. Fraser. It’s a pleasure. Corbin speaks highly of you. I wonder if we could chat sometime? I’ve been hoping to find some new ways to reduce our carbon footprint while building new structures.”

Lawrence’s brows shoot to his hairline. He’s intrigued, and I take my victory. “New structures?”

“Saoirse is an architect,” Corbin says, pulling away.

“I’d love to chat about some low-carbon materials that reduce energy while heating structures. I think it’s something every construction company should be using,” I say.

“Sounds wonderful. We’ll have to set up a meeting,” Lawrence says.

Corbin’s hand drops to the small of my back. “Let’s get you something to drink, honey.”

I nod. “Lovely to meet you, Lawrence. I’ll have Corbin pass along my contact information.”

Corbin pulls me toward the bar. When we’re out of earshot he says, “Good job. He was impressed.”

I raise my chin, proud of myself, even though there’sself-doubt there, too. “I forgot his position. How could I, when he’s an energy and environment specialist?”

“You’re being hard on yourself. You did amazing.”

Corbin’s hand squeezes my waist, and I close my eyes, trying to invent that spark I wish we had. But there’s nothing. No warm liquid pooling in my belly, or electricity sparking at his touch.

There is a sense of comfort, though. We’ve become close friends these past three months, and I can envision a life with him. But the passion isn’t there. I keep telling myself one day things will click into place. We’ll work at our friendship, then through that, the burning desire will come. At least, I hope. Because I don’t think I can live the rest of my life in a sexless marriage.

Relationships are like a garden. They take time to grow, and nourishment is what helps the flowers bloom. We’re doing that. The rest will come.

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