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“Marriages have been business arrangements for longer than they’ve been love matches and the ones that are business arrangements are happier and more successful.”
“You’re suggesting that we stay married?” The horrified look on her face was beyond insulting.
However, if he were honest the idea of being married to her or anyone for the rest of his life made him want to run in the other direction. He’d never even considered marriage. He went to the Club for sex when he was in the mood. He even formed relationships there when he wanted. They were simple and uncomplicated, based on mutual desire. He had work and a select few friends. He had everything he wanted except a child. “No. I’m suggesting that we marry and once you deliver a live child—”
“I can’t believe you said that.” She clutched her stomach as if she were already protecting a baby.
“I’m not handing over part of my company for a miscarriage.”
“Of course not but you shouldn’t talk about it.”
“Why?”
“I’m sure it’s bad luck or something.”
“I wasn’t aware you were superstitious.”
“I’m not but…don’t say that again.”
“Okay, but it’s in the contract.”
“That’s fine. It should be but we don’t need to talk about it.”
“Fine with me.” The less they discussed the contract the better. “After you deliver a”—he paused for a second—“child, you’ll get five percent co-ownership of Angel Face and the right to hire your own software team. I’ll have the final approval on all new hires. Then we’ll divorce, keeping joint custody of the baby. I’ll need my lawyer to add in the part about the marriage and divorce, but the rest of the contract will be the same.” It was an attractive offer. He was being more than generous.
Her lips pursed. “You don’t get the final say on who I hire for my team.”
“I’m afraid I can’t let you just hire anyone. There are security matters—”
“I’ll make sure that they meet those, but I have to be the boss.”
“This is a business. I can’t let your inexperience affect my bottom line.”
“I choose who I want to hire and between the four of us we decide.” She frowned.
“The four of us?”
“You, me, Tobias and Merri. We’re all co-owners so we should all have a say in the new hires for the business.”
Right now, he didn’t care about anything but dragging her to his bedroom and fucking her until neither of them could move, but this was his business. “I make all the final decisions on employees. I do this for Merri’s staff and Tobias’s as well.”
“You do? I thought Merri hired everyone.”
“She chooses the candidates, but I make the final decision. I usually agree with her choices.”
“Oh. I guess that’s okay then.”
His mouth dried like he’d eaten a bag of cotton. This was it. He was getting married. His throat tightened and his stomach twisted. He took a sip of his drink. It was a business arrangement, nothing more but for some reason it felt like a lot more.
CHAPTER 15: Alison
“Look it over and let me know if you or your lawyer have any questions. I’ll give you a copy of the marriage addendum tomorrow.” Harker handed Alison the contract.
“Tomorrow? It’s Saturday.” This was all moving too fast.
“My lawyer works whenever I need him to.”
“Why am I not surprised.” She flipped to the first page. “I can’t believe I’m actually doing this,” she muttered as she began reading the document. “I’m not changing my name.” She looked up at him. “What name should we give the baby?”
