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“How did you get in here?” I glance at the door, which is open. I didn’t leave it like that. I never left the window open either.
When I look back at him, he arches a quizzical brow, and I remember he’s the same boy from high school who broke into the science building and the principal’s office when his stash of pot was confiscated.
He’s the same boy who pulled a Houdini on a police officer when he was arrested at a beach party when a fight broke out between rival football teams, and more importantly, he’s the same boy who used to sneak into my room to see me at night.
That was how I lost my virginity, right there in my room in my family home with my dad downstairs in his office. I swear Jericho did it like that to prove the point that he could.
He’s the same boy.
Boy.
No. Man. I keep forgetting he’s a man now, and I shouldn’t, because he hasn’t looked like a boy in a very long time. At seventeen, he hardly looked like one when I first met him.
Breaking our stare, Jericho pulls a small envelope from the inside of his coat. He holds it up then sets it on the nightstand.
“Your contract should you wish to accept my offer,” he states in a flat tone, keeping his eyes fixed on me.
“Your offer.”
“Myoffer.” He places emphasis on that word as if to remind me that he’s the one with the control even though I asked about thejob. “The contract of marriage is for one year.”
“A year?” My breath tightens even more. I knew the time wouldn’t be short, but I wasn’t expecting it to be that long either.
“Is that a problem,Mermaid?”
I hate that mermaid name, and he always sounds like he’s taunting me with it, but now isn’t the time to get annoyed.
“No. It’s not a problem at all.”
“Wonderful. You get a million after the wedding, which will take place in one month, then another million at the end of our marriage in one years’ time.”
It's so weird to hear him talk about ending before we’ve even begun, but the prospect of all that money fills me with new energy.
“That sounds fine.” I nod.
“I’ve taken the liberty of paying for your aunt’s full medical care. Her surgery is tomorrow.”
My mouth drops open, and a rush of warmth fills my soul, relieving the heaviness of my worries. “What?”
His face softens. “I didn’t want Gina to wait any longer than necessary.”
“Oh my God.” Tears of joy swell my heart, but I hold them back. He’s seen me cry enough. “Thank you so much.”
“No worries.”
If I weren’t naked in bed, I’d jump off and hug him. This is more than what I expected, but suddenly, the matter of the money occurs to me.
He paid for Gina’s surgery, but I haven’t done anything yet.
“That money was supposed to come from our agreement.”
“You and I are a separate matter. I don’t want this to be about your aunt.”
“But then I still owe you.”
A salacious smile slithers across his face. “I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities for you to make it up to me. We have time.” He winks at me, and damn me, desire stirs low in my belly at remembering that those hands of his have the power to make me feel unimaginable pleasure. I push the thought away and focus on the fact that he paid for all of Gina’s care.
“That’s not what I wanted.”
