Cathal
I felt a bit guilty talking about this when she was clearly not at her best, but given what landed her here, I felt we couldn’t wait.
Her safety was paramount. Resolving her family’s safety was secondary.
Walking into this hospital and seeing her had raised an overwhelming need within me to protect her.
Other emotions were tangled up inside of me that I’d have to unravel later, but the one clear one was that Bronagh needed to be protected, and I was the one who would do it.
The thought of someone else, whether related to my family or even within it, marrying her and providing anything for her had made me growl. It was an uncontrollable, visceral response. I held her small, soft hand in mine. My thumb rubbed back and forth on the back of her hand.
“I’m assuming that if you agreed with your dad to enter into a marriage of convenience, that you’re not involved with anyone?”
I let the question hang there. I still wanted to know who the man she had dinner with tonight was. Maybe this would give me the answer. But I had news for her—my wife wouldn’t have any other man in her life.
“You’re correct, I’m not seeing anyone at the moment.”
“Is that only because you knew marriage for your family’s sake was a possibility? Have you recently broken up with someone?”
She frowned. “No, I didn’t dump some man in case one of the mighty O’Sheerans decided to take pity on us and marry me,” she said snappishly.
“I’ve got to warn you. I like fire, but only to a degree. Don’t push it,” I warned automatically.
“And I don’t take well to anyone trying to run my life or tell me what to do. Sounds like we’re not compatible. Good. This conversation is over.”
She tugged to free her hand, but I refused to let go. She yanked harder and growled at me.
“If you don’t let go of me, I’ll punch you,” she threatened.
A surge of excitement flashed through me.
I smirked and said nothing. She pulled again.
I slowly let go, but not because I was afraid she’d hit me.
As soon as she freed her hand, I slid mine underneath the other one, being careful not to touch her IV.
She huffed at me, but didn’t try to pull away a second time.
“I’m trying to determine whether, on top of everything else we have to deal with, I’ll have to worry about some lovesick guy trying to steal you back or interfering in our marriage,” I explained.
“No, you won’t. But that raises a good question. How many women will I have to send away or slap for getting in my face because I took you away? I read magazines, watch television, and use the internet, Cathal. You’re very popular with the ladies. I doubt you’re unencumbered.
“And speaking of that, while our marriage will be platonic, I refuse to have you screwing women and making me the laughingstock of the world. Can you be discreet at least and not get caught?”
Her expression of distaste was accompanied by what I thought was the barest hint of hurt. I guess it was time to tell her how I saw this marriage going.
“As I mentioned, we’ll let you heal for a couple of weeks.
While you do, we’ll get to know each other.
When you’re better, we’ll announce that we’re engaged, and that we kept it secret to prevent becoming a spectacle.
We’re getting married right away. We only want our immediate family and closest friends in attendance.
It won’t be an elaborate affair. If you want that, we’ll do it later. ”
“There’s no need for a second wedding, regardless of what I want. It’s a waste when this one isn’t real and won’t last more than a year, if I agree,” she countered.
I ignored her not-real-and-limited-time remark and kept speaking.
“You will live with me in my house. We all live in the family compound. You’ll be expected to accompany me to charity events and social functions that are deemed necessary.
I will ensure you lack for nothing—clothing, jewels, whatever you want.
You will have a personal bodyguard who must go with you everywhere.
There will be none of this slipping away as you did with your dad.
I won’t remove your security. They’ll be there to keep you safe. ”
“God, what else do you want to lay out in this fantasy marriage of ours?” she asked smartly.
“You will sleep in bed with me.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s not necessary! If we’re in your house, there’s no need to pretend we’re intimate. Surely you have a guest room.”
“It’s very necessary because I won’t have a platonic relationship with you. It will be a real marriage. We’ll be monogamous. Infidelity won’t be tolerated, Bronagh.”
She gasped and, despite the struggle, raised herself into a better sitting position.
“Are you out of your mind!? We’re not having sex so that you don’t have to pass it up for a year. I told you, as long as you’re discreet, I don’t care.”
“But that doesn’t work for me. I’m taking vows before God to love, honor, and cherish my wife. And I don’t intend to lie. I won’t break my marriage vows, no matter how long we’re married.”
Every word that came out of me felt right. And as I laid out my conditions, I became more convinced that while this started as a favor, marrying Bronagh Bragan might be the best thing I’d ever done. All I had to do was get her to the altar.