Page 30 of Loving Her Enemy

“I don’t like the idea of knowing one day I’ll be a single mom,” she finally said. “Still, since I have no intention of getting married again, I’ll agree to have a baby with you because I’ve always wanted children. However, not in a year as your proposal suggests. I’m proposing we do that in year three and only if our relationship or friendship is solid. I don’t want to bring a child… or two...” she said and nibbled on her lower lip, looking unsure as if he’d object to having more than one child with her, “into this world if we don’t get along.”

There were several things to unpack in what she’d just said, but his mind circled the fact that she never planned to get married again. Sloane couldn’t imagine her not married with kids. She’d be an amazing wife to any lucky guy.

Then again, the thought of her with any other man didn’t sit right with him. Especially knowing that same guy would be the stepfather to his kids.

Sloane shook his head to free those thoughts. He needed to focus on the here and now.

“I’ll agree to having a child during our second year of marriage. That’s more than enough time to show whether our relationship will be solid.”

“Third year,” she countered weakly. Had she been firmer, then he’d agree, but he sensed she wanted to have kids sooner than later and so did he.

“Second year, Halayna. I already know we’re going to be great together, and we’ll make a good team when it comes to raising our kids.”

Again, she was nibbling on her lip, and he wanted to reach over and rub his thumb across the tender flesh. He refrained. It was already hard sitting across from her without touching her while she was looking like a goddess in that white dress.

“Fine. But no sex.”

Sloane’s eyebrows shot up. “You do realize that’s how kids are conceived, right?”

She frowned at him, and he was barely able to dodge the dinner roll that sailed across the table just missing his head.

He couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling up inside of him. She had thrown it so quickly, he’d hardly had time to react. Note to self: The woman has a wicked right arm.

“I know how babies are traditionally conceived, but we can go a more nontraditional route since our marriage won’t be real.”

That sobered Sloane immediately. “Halayna, I don’t know why you think our marriage won’t be real. When we get married and say ‘I do,’ we’ll be officially married. Just because we’ll have a written marriage contract doesn’t mean we won’t be living as husband and wife.”

A blush tinted her cheeks, and there she went, nibbling on that lower lip again. “You know what I mean.”

“I know exactly what you mean, and I’m going to make this very clear. After we exchange vows, you’ll be my wife, and our marriage will be real in every way possible. This won’t be a platonic relationship. We’ll share a bed and our bodies.”

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open, but she quickly closed it. Then she started to speak but stopped herself. That happened several times with her not saying anything.

“Is this going to be a problem?” Sloane asked, hoping it wouldn’t be. He wanted her in every way a man could want a woman, but he would never force himself on her. “Once we’re married, we can go as slow or fast as you want in building upon our relationship, but we will share a bed, bedroom, and everything else, Halayna.”

It took her so long to respond that, for a minute there, he thought she wouldn’t until she nodded.

“Understood, but I want it added to the contract that, when we get divorced, we share custody, but our child lives with me.”

Though he planned to be a hands-on father, he would never take their child from her. He already knew she’d be an incredible mother, and a child custody battle was the last thing he’d ever want.

“Agreed,” he said, and they talked a few minutes longer on the subject, with her making notes on the page.

His cell phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled out the device to see who was calling. When he saw it was his mother, he ended the call. She was the last person he wanted to talk to, especially right now. He was sure she had sent Marcella to his office with intentions of trying to get the two of them together. That was never going to happen, and he wanted no part of their games.

Before he could put his phone away, he saw a transcription of her voicemail showed on the screen. He groaned when he read the words—Engaged? You can’t be engaged to Bristol’s friend! When did this happen?

“Problems?”

Sloane glanced up to find Halayna staring at him.

“No. Just my mother letting me know she’s found out we’re engaged. I guess Marcella didn’t waste any time reporting back,” he murmured.

No doubt his mother would insist on him bringing Halayna over, and she would hound him until he did. Dalia Davidson did not like to be ignored. But Sloane had no intention of subjecting his fiancée to his mother anytime soon. At least not until after they were married. He always tried to respect his parents, but he couldn’t trust his mother not to try something underhanded, like send other women his way.

“Oh,” Halayna said. “How do you think your parents will respond to this news?”

Sloane shook his head. “My dad won’t say much,” he said, knowing the only thing his father would want to know was who her people were and if she came from new or old money. “My mother is a different story though.”