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For a moment they both exchanged annoyed looks.
“Listen,” Ben said trying to de-escalate the situation. “All emotions and jokes aside. If we don’t do this, we both will lose our homes. I will lose all I have ever possessed, and you will lose the only chance in life you may ever have to pay off your father’s debt and let him retire without the worry of having to turn every penny twice.”
For a brief second Ava flinched. How did he know about their debts? And how dare he use them so unscrupulously to get what he wanted? But as much as she hated it, he was right. Yet, she remained apprehensive. She fought with her doubts in a last attempt to stay true to herself, life without a price tag attached to herself—even if that tag was $10,000,000.
“What are six months?” Ben continued persuasively. “They will go by quickly. We don’t have to see each other besides that one dinner a week and the extra time required by the will. We can eat in silence. Play around with our phones. And before you know it, six months will be over and we both go separate ways. Rich.”
Ava bit her lower lip. He was right. Every word he said.
“What about…” she said but stopped as her cheeks turned fiery red. Ben wrinkled his forehead, no clue what she was trying to say.
“What about…you know…” she continued. “The thing…”
“The thing?”
“Yes. Men and woman… in a marriage… you know… married…”
Ben drew his brows tighter. “Emmm… what?”
Ava lost her patience. “Sex. What about sex?”
He flinched then grinned. “I didn’t really have that on my mind, but if you make it a requirement to agree to this then I will have no choice but to be your sex toy.”
Ava was ready to explode. This guy was unbelievable. “No thank you,” she growled.
“Are you sure? I would do it to avoid homelessness…” he pressed harder, his smirk growing wider.
“That won’t be necessary. This will be a loveless marriage.”
“Like countless others. So are you saying you are doing it then?”
Ava let out a loud audible sigh. “No touching whatsoever?”
“Not even in our dreams… or nightmares.”
“And I can come and go as I please?”
“Of course,” he said.
“Six months.”
“Six months for $10,000,000. Nobody has to even know about it.”
Ava slowly started to nod. “All right.”
Ben drew in a quick breath as his eyes widened. “Really?”
“I think so.”
He threw his head back in relief. “Well, in that case, take Thursday off, because we will be getting married.”
The air grew thick and awkward. Neither of them had words after it was said out loud like this.
A noise from the house distracted them. “Who is at the door?” her father’s voice asked, stepping outside. When he saw Benjamin, he smiled and reached out a hand. “Benjamin, what a surprise.”
“James. It’s been a while,” Benjamin cleared his throat. “I am sorry, but I have to go.” He nodded at the estate. “Things to do…”
“I’ll see you Thursday,” Ava said to Ben to give him permission to leave.
