Page 32 of The Maverick
She pursed her lips. “Is it an arranged marriage, a fake marriage, or a marriage of convenience?”
“Does it matter? It’s not a marriage of convenience.” I leaned into the table. “It’s more convenient for you than for me. I’m just helping you out.”
“Because you’ve spent a lot of money on the gallery,” she retorted. “If I fail, you lose money.”
That was only a small percentage of why I agreed to help her, but she didn’t need to know that.
“I’d say this is both an arranged and fake marriage.” She took the document. “We’re both arranging things to suit our needs for the six-month duration. I’d like to add a few things that weren’t mentioned in the contract.”
“This is only a draft. I left room for your input. What do you want to add?”
The server came with our food, and the savory scents made my stomach growl again.
“Enjoy,” said Lulu. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” Nessa replied and looked at me. “You didn’t have breakfast? I can hear your stomach.”
“No. I went to physical therapy and then to the gym to spar with Orion.”
“Like martial arts?”
I nodded. “It’s a good workout.”
Sparring with Orion had helped release the tension in my body as I continued my search for Ashton.
Nessa scooped some noodles and rice onto my plate. Then she cut the subs in half. “If you like chili peppers, you can add them.” She gestured for me to try the food.
I grabbed the sub and bit into it. Flavors burst on my tongue. I wolfed it down in no time.
Nessa smiled and dug into her noodles with a pair of chopsticks. “I’d like to add four more requirements to the contract.
“Okay,” I said, devouring my meal.
“One, we can’t date anyone else while we’re in this fake relationship.”
“That should be a given.”
“But it’s not there. I need it in black and white. Dating someone else while we’re ‘married’ makes it too complicated. Iwant to avoid all the drama.” Seeing my confusion, she added, “Let’s say your girlfriend is visiting you at your house or you’re out to dinner with her. Then the two of you bump into me. What if the media or people we know are around? A small thing can turn ugly fast, and I’m not in the mood to deal with a jealous girlfriend.”
The woman’s mind astounded me. She’d come up with an intricate scenario that would never happen. Did she think I was the type of man who could deal with multiple women at once? I was already having a hard time focusing when she was around. I didn’t have space for anyone else.
“Same goes with you—no boyfriends,” I said. “But I’ll avoid drama by getting rid of him quickly. A marriage demands respect, whether or not it’s real on paper. We will depict our marriage as real in every way.”
She nodded slightly. “Two. Respect each other’s privacy even if I’m living in your house.”
“Of course. The guest suite is being prepared for you.”
“You noted that in the document. Thank you.” She nodded. “Three. No extension to the marriage contract. We annul it on the dot after six months. This will give us the freedom to go or do whatever is necessary.”
Did she think I wanted to trap her in this marriage?
“What’s the last request?”
“No kissing, no sex, no crossing boundaries—no exceptions.”
I chuckled. “How are we supposed to get married if the groom can’t kiss the bride?”
She considered my comment. “Okay. Just kissing on the wedding day and during photo shoots. But no sex.”
