The waiter removed their plates and another came with the dessert cart.They both declined dessert and went with coffee.Lex reached inside the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper and a monogrammed pen.
“This is a rough draft of the contract.Take a look at it, add or change whatever you want.Then we’ll discuss it and draw up the final draft.”
~*~
Lex sipped his coffee and studied Jillian as she read the document.It was simple and to the point.He’d drafted it, not wanting his lawyers involved.
Her teeth sunk into her lower lip, making him wish he could lean forward and sooth the soft flesh.Until they decided to take their relationship to the next level, he was going to be in a constant state of arousal.She frowned, and he stopped focusing on his needs.
“What is it?”he asked.
“I can buy my own clothes,” she said, throwing him a rebellious glance.
“My wife is expected to dress a certain way, otherwise people will think I’m not a generous husband.”
“Fakehusband,” she mumbled.
He chuckled.“You are not to use your money for expenses during our contract, Jillian.I have accounts you can use at various stores, and I plan to set up more in your name in stores catering to women only.”She opened her mouth, but he shook his head.“This is not negotiable.”
“You’re a bully, Alexander.”
He grinned, not in the least repentant.He knew he was being selfish and manipulating the situation, but he wanted this woman and planned to have her.
“I’m also keeping my condo.”
Lex nodded.“That’s a sound business move.You can rent it instead of letting it sit idle.”
“It won’t be idle.It will become handy for cool downs.”
He didn’t like the sound of that.“What’s that?”
“When you piss me off and I need to vent instead of chucking something at your head.”She gave him a sweet smile.“You know, anything to avoid a scandal.”
He cocked his eyebrow.“I have better cool down exercises.”
Pink tinged her cheeks.“Bet you do.The condo is not negotiable,” she added, throwing his words back at him.Her head dipped as she read the bottom, her eyes narrowing.Then her head whipped up.She stared at him like he was crazy.“So I’m not allowed to see other men until the contract is over?For a year?Are you nuts?I have needs and I can be discrete.”
Lex shrugged, but his blood boiled at the thought of her with another man.He had needs too, and he loved indulging himself.Jillian was going to be a joy to seduce.
“It’s a reasonable request, Jillian.Remember, I’m trying to avoid anything that could potentially jeopardize this deal, and that includes my new wife seeing some idiot behind my back.The worddiscreetdoesn’t exist in my world, sweetheart.Someone always finds out.”
Her eyes narrowed.“What if I meet someone?”
Over his dead body.“You won’t have time.”
She laughed.“Time has nothing to do with falling in love, Lex.I could meet someone at work or on my way there.”
“You don’t date people in Hollywood.You told me so.And Douglas or Mathews will be with you at all times to and from work.”
“No, they won’t.”She pointed the pen at him.“You’re not turning me into a prisoner just because I’m your wife, pal.I’ve been riding my bike to and from the studio and will continue to do so.Oh, narrow your eyes all you want.You’re not turning me into a Stepford Wife or one of your women.”
He cocked his eyebrow.“One of my women?”
“You know, blueblood, born with a silver spoon, and can’t lift a finger except to order a servant tofetchsomething.I’m riding my bike.Who’s Mathews?”
“My pilot.The helicopter comes in handy during high traffic.He can fly you in and out of the studio lot or nearby filming location.If you’re headed out of town, you can take the jet.”
She opened her mouth, closed it, and shook her head.“I’m not dignifying any of that with an answer.”Then she chuckled, eyes twinkling.
