Chapter 15 Moving Forward #2
She jerks back in surprise. “Is this your way of asking me to marry you?” The hope in her eyes belies the irritation she portrays.
This is where it’s crucial not to glaze over the truth and risk hurting her feelings later. Scorned women tend to make stupid decisions, and there can be no fuckups, or this will all be for nothing.
“No, this isn’t a proposal. I’m merely proposing a contract. I need to be married, on paper only, for a term of two years. Then a divorce will take place, and my ex-wife will walk away a wealthier woman than she was.”
“So you are asking me to marry you. I hate to be Captain Obvious, but if we’re married on paper and you pay me for a divorce”—she leans in and whispers the rest—“then I’ll be your wife.”
“That’s true, which is why transparency is important here.
This is simply a means to an end for me.
We’ll need to live together and appear enamored in the public eye, but that’s where similarities to a real marriage end.
The only other thing resembling marriage will be when we fuck.
However, it won’t be in my bed. We’ll have separate rooms.”
“You make it sound so enticing.” The sarcasm is dripping.
“If it sounds like I’m being a dick, then I am.
I won’t have you enter this arrangement with unrealistic expectations.
If you’re clear about where I stand and still interested in hearing the details, then I’ll proceed.
Otherwise, we can say goodbye and go our separate ways.
It’s your call, and I completely understand if it’s the latter.
I realize asking for two years of your life isn’t fair, but it will be financially beneficial. ”
She sits back against the booth and turns her head to the side, breaking eye contact. I signal the waiter for another round and tip back the rest of my glass.
“I don’t want to be your whore. What if I don’t want to sleep with you?”
“Then don’t. But it’ll be a long two years of celibacy.” I smirk.
She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms.
“Look, I’m not paying you to fuck me—you’re already doing that for free.
” She gasps at the insult, but I continue, ignoring the offense, “Think of it as payment to live with me instead. Whatever makes you sleep at night.” Better she knows my aloof attitude won’t change with the new arrangement.
I’ve given no indication of our relationship being anything more than sex, and it won’t be any different if we proceed.
“What about seeing other people discreetly? There are plenty of open marriages out there.”
“Not this one. I’m not willing to have the whole thing blow up in my face if it’s discovered or have you suddenly find someone you want a real relationship with and call for a divorce early.
There are stipulations in the contract to discourage it, but I’m not taking chances.
Are you ready to hear the terms of the contract, then?
It might shed some light on that not being an option. ”
“Can I still say no after having the full picture?”
“You can say no anytime before signing the marriage certificate. Although, you’d be screwing me over in the process if you wait that long since I’d be out of time to find an alternative.
” Maybe I should keep searching and have a backup prepared to go, but I’d only be adding risk at that point with more people knowing the situation, which is a bad idea.
That means I may need to soften up a little since all my eggs are in one basket.
“I’m not out to screw you over, Eli.”
I tip my head in acceptance, hearing her sincerity. However, I know what she is out for, making me sigh at this no-win situation for either of us.
“I might as well hear the rest of the details,” she says with a sigh.
I slide the bottom file over. “This is your copy to take home and review, but I’ll hit the bullet points.
You should have an attorney review it on your behalf.
I’ll pay the bill. However, I’d like to approve of your selection first—some I wouldn’t trust to keep the information confidential. You ready?”
“How long will I have to decide?”
“The engagement would go public next month, and the documents need to be signed before that. So I’d say you have a week, giving us two weeks to finalize the paperwork with any adjustments before making it official.”
“What adjustments? I thought it was done.”
“Rebecca, this is your contract as well. If there are things you want added or changed, we’ll negotiate…. That’s how business works.” And that’s all this is.
“Okay then, fire away.”
“The conditions of the trust require me to be married for a minimum of two years after an engagement period of six months. If, for any reason, the marriage is terminated before that, an investigation into the validity of the union will take place. I’d like to avoid that at all costs.
As already stated, you’ll live with me, have a separate room, and, other than not dating anyone else, carry on with your normal life.
You’ll accompany me to events on occasion to maintain appearances.
I’ll provide you with a ring, ensure you have everything you need financially, and make provisions for clothing and accessories typical of being the wife of a billionaire. ”
She smiles slyly. “Your proposal is sounding better and better.”
“Well then, you’ll appreciate the final payment of two million dollars as a settlement in our future divorce. One million for each year of marriage.”
“Holy shit. Where do I sign?” she asks, making me laugh in response.
Perhaps the alcohol is setting in, or perhaps I’m warming up to her. “Don’t let the prospect of money make you overlook the negative aspects.”
“Remind me what those were….”
I find myself chuckling again. “There’s a firm prenup with no possibility of additional alimony, but I’d say the biggest drawback is being stuck in a dead-end situation for two years. This won’t be a traditional relationship. My stance won’t change on that.”
“We’ll see.” She winks.
“Rebecca, if you have any delusion of becoming something more, I’d rather you decline the offer now.”
She rolls her eyes. “Relax, I’m only teasing.”
“I hope that’s true. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.”
“Got it.”
“I can’t stress it enough—this is nothing more than a business arrangement.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” She salutes. “I’ll take it home to review. Now that that’s out of the way, are you ready to head up to the room?”
“I think I’ll call it a night. You have a lot to think about, and there’s no better time than while it’s fresh in your mind.” The last thing on my mind is sex. It sickens me to have done this at all, and fucking her right now isn’t an option. I highly doubt I’d be able to get it up.
“Don’t you want to remind me what else I’ll be getting in the deal?” she asks seductively.
“You’ve had plenty of reminders. Give me your answer next week, and we’ll talk about resuming our weekly meetings.”
She chuckles. “Oh, really? You’re holding sex over my head to convince me?”
“The money was meant to convince you, but if my skills in the bedroom are the deciding factor, my ego thanks you.” I smirk. “The truth is, if you decide not to do this, I’ll need to find someone else, so our arrangement will end anyway.”
“All right, all right. Next week. I’ll reach out if I’m ready before then.”
“Take your time. This isn’t a decision you should make overnight, and you need to go into it with your eyes wide open, so review every line of the contract before you commit.
Text me if you have questions,” I say, laying enough cash on the table for a quick retreat, more than ready to get the hell out of here.
Seeing Rebecca out, the first thing I do after starting my car is dial up Sebastian.
He answers the phone with no pretenses. “Did you do it?”
“Yeah, it’s in her hands now.”
“What’re you thinking? Will she go for it?”
“There’s no doubt in my mind.”
“I guess congratulations are in order.” I can hear his smirk.
“Fuck off,” I say, ending the call.