“You’re splitting hairs.”
“I’m realistic,” he countered, making me groan.“I think you are, too, which is why you haven’t ordered me thrown off the property.You are a realist like me.You know, in the end, this is the only arrangement that’s going to work for both of us.I get my new properties… you get to stay in control.”
“Damn right, I do.”I had always intended that, but it was nice to hear him say it out loud.One less thing to fight over.“You’re taking what I’ve worked for, and I’m not going to let you forget that.”
“No shit,” he replied with a soft laugh.“I guessed that.I don’t hold it against you.I can’t imagine what this must be like.You’ve worked your ass off, the same as I have, so why can’t we both benefit?”
“How would we do that?”As much as I didn’t feel like listening to a word coming out of his mouth, he had me intrigued.
“Just because we’re married doesn’t mean we have to live like a married couple.”
“Papa will expect us to live together.”My molars ground together at the thought.“It’s a big sticking point.He wants me out of my apartment, living with you.”It didn’t get any easier to accept when I said it out loud.
“Sharing a house isn’t the same as living as husband and wife.”How could he shrug it off so casually, like marriage meant nothing?Was there a heart anywhere in that broad chest of his?
“You’re saying we’d be roommates?”
“More or less.We can work out the details.I need you to understand I don’t expect more than that."With the closest thing to a friendly smile he’d offered so far, he added, “I know this isn’t what every girl dreams of when she grows up.Having a husband chosen for her and all that.It doesn’t have to be painful.”
“You don’t know what I’ve dreamed of,” I reminded him.Where the hell did he get off painting some lame-ass cliché?
And how the hell did he know?Because no, this was not what I had dreamed in the secret corners of my heart.Sold in marriage, exchanging vows with a stranger.How sad, pitiful, and empty it all seemed when compared to the fantasies of love and romance I had held onto way longer than I should have.I knew better than to think Prince Charming would come along, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t hope he was out there somewhere.
“Fair enough.”His sensuous mouth twitched, drawing my attention again.It wasn’t fair for him to be so gorgeous.“I’m doing my best to be a nice guy, which is not something I’ve prioritized in the past.The least you can do is meet me halfway because here’s the bottom line.This is happening.You can make it easier by playing along, or you can dig in your heels, stick out your chin, and hold your breath until you get your way.You’ll be wasting your time.”
If anything, I appreciated his bluntness more than his attempts at being friendly.We weren’t friends.I had no interest in getting to know him because I already knew everything that mattered.“I have no intention of digging in my heels or holding my breath.I’m too busy working.I hope you can keep up with me,” I added with a smirk.
He didn’t bother hidinghis triumphant smile as he drew closer.“It now occurs to me that we never officially met.”He stuck out his hand.“Clayton Manning.”
I stood taller and reluctantly accepted the gesture.It felt like making a deal with the devil, touching my hand to his, letting it engulf mine.The tiniest sizzle traveled up my arm.Did he feel it too?It didn’t seem that way, his eyes never leaving my face.“Mirabella Rinaldi,” I murmured, pulling my hand free.“Your soon-to-be wife.”
Dimples flickered in his cheeks as he pulled out his phone.“Let’s get the ball rolling.I know your father will be happy to get this call.”
Why did I get the sense I was making a deal with the devil as I watched him dial Papa’s number?He was all polite and respectful once my father’s familiar voice floated faintly through the speaker.“Mr.Rinaldi?This is Clayton Manning.”Our eyes met before he gave me a slow, sexy smile.“I’m calling to accept your offer.”
5
CLAY
Iknew the news would shock them.
I didn’t expect them to shut down on me.
“Did I kill you?”My gaze shifted from one of them to the other, traveling around the table where we’d finished dinner and were now lingering over drinks.Spencer’s mouth hung open.Lex stared at me like we had never met.Travis looked like he’d just witnessed a graphic car crash, something repulsive he couldn’t look away from.
I had to laugh.“I’m not burning off my fingerprints and moving to a desert island.For fuck’s sake, I’m getting married tomorrow.”
It was Spencer who shook off his expression of surprise first.“Since when?”
“We finalized the contract yesterday,” I explained.“Alessandro Rinaldi came to me with the idea the day I met with him in his office last week.”
Spencer snapped his fingers before pointing at me.“That’s why you wanted to talk to Bruce.Something tied into this.”
“Right.I needed to know everything there was to know about my wife.”
“Time out.”Travis set down his glass, looking around at the rest of the group before turning back to me.“Did somebody spike my drink?Who the fuck is this woman you’re marrying?”
“Mirabella Rinaldi.It was one of the conditions of Alessandro selling to me.”When they continued staring, I finished my drink, then set the glass down, leaning back in my chair.“So, how is everything with you guys?”
