Page 13 of Loving Her Enemy

Reece chuckled. “Oh, I beg to differ. I think I see the situation very clearly, even after only seeing that gorgeous woman for a split second. I can honestly say I’ve never known a woman to get under your skin like that, and I can’t help but wonder why.” He snapped his fingers, like he was having an aha moment. It was one of many of his irritating habits. “Could it be sexual tension that had you two verbally sparring with each other? Or maybe it’s—”

“Like I said, you don’t know a damn thing.” Sloane spoke the words but thought about what Reece was saying.

Could what had just transpired between him and Halayna have been sexual tension? Probably not on her part, but it could definitely explain why he kept spewing crap that he knew would piss her off.

No, starting a fight wasn’t intentional, but yes, he was seriously attracted to her. Had always been drawn to her even if he hadn’t acted on it. But this time, being around Halayna felt different. He couldn’t quite explain why, but maybe it was because she was older and the age gap didn’t seem as wide. Or maybe it was because she was in his home, giving him better access to her.

Whatever it was, he needed to figure it out because he was getting tired of making an ass of himself where she was concerned. And he especially hated arguing with her. No one needed that kind of tension in their life.

Reece cleared his throat, and Sloane already knew whatever he was about to say was going to piss him off. “Save it, Reece. I’m not in the mood for—”

“Any chance that beautiful woman can be wifey material?”

Sloane’s anger spiked again, and he charged toward his long-time friend. “So help me, Reece. If you even think about stepping to her, I will—”

“Not for me, you idiot. I’m talking about a wife for you. What do you think? Is she the type of woman who’d consider a marriage of convenience?”

Chapter Seven

“A marriage of convenience? Have you lost your damn mind?”

Sloane swiveled back and forth slowly in his office chair while rubbing the light scruff on his chin. His sister had every right to ask questions and be concerned. No, he hadn’t lost his mind, but he definitely wasn’t acting like himself. Especially if he was seriously considering marrying someone for any other reason than love.

When Reece had laid out the idea the other night, Sloane questioned his friend’s sanity. However since then, he’d honestly been thinking about what a contract marriage would look like for him.

Yes, the idea was wild, but it was the perfect solution for Sloane’s future plans. He didn’t trust most women. After being betrayed by his long-time girlfriend, a woman he’d been in love with and had planned to marry one day, he vowed never to let a woman get close again. She had not only had an affair with one of his business associates, but she had joined forces with him in order to destroy everything Sloane had built.

After that, he barely dated and definitely didn’t let anyone near his heart. He was tired of hooking up with women knowing many of them sought him out with an agenda. They wanted something from him, either his money or his connections.

Needless to say, his trust issues ran deep. However, now that he was forty and not getting any younger, Sloane had been thinking about having children. Though the potential of doing business with Watanebe might’ve been the catalyst for marriage talk, it wasn’t the only reason Sloane was seriously considering a marriage of convenience because he also wanted an heir.

Sure, he could have a child out of wedlock, but as old-fashioned as it might seem these days, that’s not how Sloane wanted to bring a child into this world. Granted, requiring his baby be born as part of a contract was unconventional, if done correctly, all parties would get what they want.

“You’re serious,” Bristol said, as more of a statement than a question as she stared at him, shock marring her pretty features.

“Very,” Sloane said.

His sister nodded slowly as she adjusted the thick white towel hanging around her neck. “Okay, I assume you’re not considering a contract marriage for the hell of it. So, what’s this really about?”

She had just finished working out in his home gym but stopped by his office to tell him she was officially moving to Atlanta at the end of the summer. She was giving up her job at the University in Tennessee because she had accepted a new job with a non-profit organization. She was their new coordinator of community outreach, a role he knew she would excel in.

Bristol had a trust fund with enough money to live comfortably for the rest of her life, still she would always work for a living. His sister loved to stay busy, especially when it came to helping those less fortunate. He wouldn’t be surprised if she donated her earnings back to the organization or did the job on a volunteer basis. That was who she was.

Sloane filled Bristol in on how the topic of marriage came up in the first place. Then explained how he’d been thinking about having a family. Granted, a marriage of convenience would have an end date, but he believed it would be a win-win for him and the woman he chose.

Saying everything out loud sounded cold and clinical, but he tried the falling in love thing before, and he had no intention of putting himself through that again.

“What about the magazine article that you said is coming out next week? Aren’t you considered one of the sexiest men in the world?”

He took a swig from the bottle of water sitting on the edge of his desk, wondering where this question was going. “Yes,” he said, hating he’d ever agreed to be interviewed for the article.

Each time he ended up in articles or did interviews on television, it attracted female attention, and not always good attention. Especially if he attended an event or dinner. Suddenly women came out of the woodwork trying to get to him.

“Why are you asking about the article?”

“I’m just thinking you might meet someone special because of it. You could probably blink your eyes and have women flocking to you. I know you don’t think so, but there are some nice, trustworthy women out there who’d do right by you, Sloane. Why not wait until you find your person and then fall in love instead of resorting to a contracted marriage? That just seems so… impersonal.”

“I hear you, Bri, but I’ve already decided this is the route I’m taking. Everything will be in writing, and emotions will be kept out of our arrangement. There won’t be any falling in love or feelings getting hurt. This will be a business transaction, and yeah, maybe it does sound impersonal, but it’ll all work out.”