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My shoulders stiffen and my back snaps straight. “What did you just say?”
“I just had my PI do some light digging into you. You’re in quite a lot of debt, Matthew.”
“Fuck off,” I murmur, feeling my cheeks flame. “I can’t believe you just invaded my privacy like that.”
“Well, I was curious and it’s not like you’d tell me.”
I wouldn’t. I haven’t told a soul how deep in shit I am. My chin is barely above it right now. I’m choking on it.
“I don’t want Max to know,” I say hurriedly. “He can’t know. So, don’t tell Beau. Please.”
“What will you do for me if I keep this secret a secret?”
My eyes narrow. “Are you serious?”
“I’m a businessman. Sort of. My dad is, and he’d be very disappointed if I just gave in without some kind of deal in place. A verbal contract of sorts.”
“Jesus,” I reply, running a hand through my hair. “Well, as your nosy ass can see, I have nothing to give you. I’m in deep financial shit, okay? So you won’t get a penny out of me. A repayment plan is out of the question for this divorce or annulment or whatever it’s called. Unless you want to wait a year or two. So what the fuck do you want in exchange for keeping this a secret? Because it sure as hell can’t be money.”
He cocks his head at me and his eyes light up, almost as if he’s come to some kind of revelation.
“You can spend time with me.”
My jaw drops open, and I stare at him, blinking rapidly. “What?”
“Spend time with me. Pay your debt off for the divorce and my sworn secrecy at the same time.”
“Why the hell would you want to spend time with me?”
“I’m a lonely boy.”
I snort and stare at him in disbelief. “Fuck off. You are not.”
He shrugs. “Believe me or not. That’s my deal.”
I shuffle on my feet. “Well, we’re technically married without a prenup. I could just come after your money that way. Wring you dry.”
He grins at me, looking as if he’s already thought about this. “Oh, but Matthew, I would contest it and it would be such a long-drawn-out process. One you can’t afford. Trust me on that. I’d bury you in paperwork for years. You’d never come out of that.”
I frown, realizing I’ve been outsmarted. I really am fucked.
Before I can respond, everyone shows up, looking content and happy, and just making me realize how fucking fucked I really am.
It’s the only reason I’m even considering this stupid proposition Coop’s thrown at me. My time in exchange for a divorce.
I don’t want to have to do any of this. Why can’t things just be simple? Why can’t he just agree to a divorce? Why the hell does he want to keep stringing this along?
I have no damn clue, and I’m not sure I want to know either.
The answer is nefarious, I’m sure.
Chapter Two
Matt
“Why are you doing this?” I ask Coop as we meander toward our hotel. I’ve had two beers and he’s had three martinis so we’re not sloshed, but I’m feeling slightly buzzed. A little loose-lipped. A little less reserved than normal. I know I’m not myself because I keep thinking about Cooper naked and sprayed with cum. I really can’t get it out of my head.
“I know you can afford to have this all resolved with a snap of your fingers. Why draw it out? Really, tell me the truth.”
