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"I do not." She scowls.
"If it weren’t me, it would be somebody else. Better a man you’ve already met than a complete stranger."
She blinks, then tips up her chin. "That’s what I’m trying to tell myself. But I don’t know you, either."
"A problem that’s easily solved."
"What do you mean?"
"We’ll get to know each other after we’re married."
"And love, what about that?"
"I don’t believe in love."
"Because you already gave your heart to someone else?"
I narrow my gaze. "I see you’ve heard about my past from our mutual friends?"
She shakes her head, then stops herself. "Only a little. It wasn’t that I asked; it was mentioned in passing that you had your heart broken."
I firm my lips. I want to deny it, but that would be lying. And that’s the one thing I don’t do. The habit of always telling the truth, no matter the consequences, is one I haven’t been able to shake. I settle for not saying anything, which she interprets correctly in the affirmative.
Her forehead wrinkles. "So, what I heard is true."
"My past is of no consequence to you."
"How can you say that when it will impact my future?"
"All you need to know is that your father and I came to an amiable agreement, and he has agreed to my proposal of marrying you."
"Do I have a choice in this?" There’s a bitter note in her voice.
"You know the consequences of refusing."
"So, that’s a no?"
I rise to my feet then pull out a chair and sink into it. "That’s a—this relationship can work to both of our advantages."
"How’s that?"
"You’ll be my wife in name only."
"Meaning?"
"You’ll take my name, you’ll marry me, you’ll wear my ring on your finger. You’ll be civil toward my family. As far as they're concerned, this is a real marriage. But we will not sleep in the same bed."
"We won’t?"
"I have no interest in having sex with you."
"You...you don’t?"
"I’ll take care of my needs…elsewhere."
"You mean in this club?" She gestures to the room.
"I’ll be discreet, of course."
