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“Absolutely. As soon as we return to the States, our attorneys will meet but that meeting will be kept strictly confidential. You and I must agree that no one outside of my family will know what we’re doing isn’t real.”
“I’ll need to tell my family. You know that.”
He nodded. “Absolutely, but I think it’s best if you sell it if as we suddenly got close, not that we’re working together.”
My father would think of it as scheming. This was a nightmare. But I couldn’t see any other way. I was no fool. If threats were being made, hostile attempts as well, it was only a matter of time until everything my father had worked for became unraveled. He might hate me, but I’d never allow that to happen.
“Then fine. I’ll seriously consider it and let you know in the morning.” Dear God, what was I doing? Selling my soul to the devil? It was quite possible.
“Just one little thing, cupcake.” He took a deep breath and I was swooning. “You can’t change your mind. Period. And, as a gesture of good faith, you will agree to surrender to my needs right here. Right now. In doing so, I’ll add another five hundred thousand.”
The man was playing the bastard card. Well, I refused to allow him to win. I stuck my hand out for a shake. Yep, I’d lost my marbles.
Instead of shaking it, he brought it to his lips. The feel of his hot breath was exhilarating. “Excellent. I need to go prepare something special I have in mind for this evening. I assure you that with your cooperation, our marriage can be wonderful.”
“What about love?” I asked, the words spilling from my mouth before I could stop them.
He paused, shaking his head as he chuckled. “You should know that there is no such thing as love for people like you and me. It’s messy, complicated, and tends to destroy anything good. I certainly don’t want that. Enjoyment is something else altogether.”
Such a fucking romantic.
As he rose to his feet, another mixture of excitement and apprehension began to soar.
“Make no mistake, my cupcake. I will tame you because that’s what you need and what you’ve craved. I assure you that soon you’ll be begging me for more.”
He walked away and all I could do was pray I hadn’t just signed the termination for my father’s company.
And for our relationship.
CHAPTER 23
Selena
Begging.
I wasn’t a beggar.
Not for anyone, even a sexy yet infuriating man. But his actions and his words remained intriguing. He was certainly more skilled at playing the merciless businessman. I didn’t know what I was thinking by assuming I could not only go up against this man but win. The game was far too advanced for me.
But the nagging was there in the back of my mind. It was as if both of us were about to enter into a game of Russian roulette, but we weren’t the only players. My throat felt tight, my nerves raw. Deceiving my entire family was something I’d never considered.
What was the saying? All was fair in love and war?
Love.
I’d spouted off about wanting love as if I knew anything about it. I’d thought I’d been in love at sixteen, the boy perfect in every way. But he’d been just a boy with an eye for anything in a skirt. In college, I’d believed finding someone who I could grow old with was the right thing to do. But ah, no. I’d almost found myself in a relationship with a much older professor.
Until I found out he was married.
The rest of my track record with men was horrid. Including the boxer.
Maybe this was the best I could do. After all, I’d end up a millionaire with an amazing business. Right?
The stars were twinkling, the moon high in the sky, and the waves from the pristine ocean waters were crashing against the shoreline. Even the glow of the candles was perfect. So romantic that any couple should be able to get lost in the moment.
Only we weren’t just any couple.
This was nothing more than a business arrangement no matter how it was played out in my mind. I held out my hand in the moonlight, wondering if he’d get me a big, fat diamond. I guessed to keep the charade going he would. I’d make a point of adding that to my list of wants. Then after the year prison term was up, I could sell it on eBay. At least the thought made me smile.
