Chapter Six #3
She could barely swallow around the lump in her throat. “You don’t know that.”
“I want to travel to Montana. Research my family. Find land or something that will help me to build a legacy for Cam—to keep his memory alive. Those things take time. I require a partner who’s good with the social to ease my way, as I imagine a stranger, who clearly doesn’t fit it will be suspect. A wife creates a … family.”
His word changed on the last one, and she felt it reverberate in her soul. She didn’t have a family. Not really. The Family hadn’t had her best interests at heart, not ever. It was all about serving the Father. Knowing your place. Submitting to His will.
“I admire your intellect. I will be out of my element, especially if I pursue an effort to connect with my blood kin.” His mouth narrowed, and Ayana began to see how she could be a benefit, although she was the last one to advise anyone on what it would be like to embrace family.
Or to be embraced. That was a fairy tale.
“I will require your judgment, honesty, and loyalty to bounce ideas. Obviously, this is not yet a completely formed plan. Winging it and planning to interact with people I don’t know will be a new way of operating for me.
” His face shuttered for a moment, then he looked directly at her, and she felt his regard to her toes.
“You strike me as extremely discerning with a well-developed BS meter.”
“True … to my detriment many times, but true.”
“You don’t have any ties that will hinder any plan I make.”
“True,” she frowned. “And I’ve set my life up like this deliberately.”
“And it’s working for you?”
He didn’t sarcastically snap it or sound mocking, so it hit harder than it should.
“I just don’t see why we can’t pretend to be married if you think me posing as your girlfriend would offend small-town, God-fearing Montanians.”
“In a highly digitalized world, too easy to disprove, and then you’ve given someone potential power over you.”
“Who would want…” she began, automatically, the argument quick to form, but then she realized truly how different their lives were.
He’d had articles written about him, his company, his wealth. He was thinking about reaching out to his potential family—his brother was a famous bull rider who’d recently gone viral. His bio dad clearly had some scheme to wring money out of both of his estranged sons.
So, no flying under the radar.
But marriage?
“It’s a protection for you as well. You’ve been living on the margins. The payment for your job as my wife will be beneficial, and at the end of the contract, you’ll be set you up so that you will have time and money to plan your next steps. Enough to buy a home or start a business.”
“No kids,” she said. “Too permanent.”
His gaze didn’t waver, but she felt like the idea of kids hadn’t occurred to him. But maybe it would now. Dang it. She almost felt she could hear him pondering kids, and her tummy knotted up.
“I hadn’t factored children in my life ever,” he said slowly. “What I knew about my family made that seem …” He spread his hands, while she gaped.
He was rich. Smart. Beautiful. Connected. Having sons should be part of his life plan.
Just not with me.
“If we marry,” she pressed on, to leave the unborn children far from their conversation, “both of us need to be faithful to each other in spirit and body.”
“Of course,” he said, not missing a beat. “And sex doesn’t have to be a part of the marriage, although I anticipate that it would be pleasurable for both of us.”
She nearly shivered at the thought of having this man skin to skin. Her few liaisons had been casual flirting or a quick hookup on a day or night off during her work for the cruise line. She’d never had a relationship. No time. Too scary.
So now you’re contemplating marriage.
“How much money?”
He smiled and Ayana felt like she’d just agreed to dance with the devil. Anticipation lit every nerve ending, and she ignored the voice urging caution.
He tapped a number out on his iPad that nearly had her spilling her coffee.
“I can wire a third of that to your account today. Or introduce you to an investment broker. This would be your retainer.”
She did her best not to blink or let her mouth drop open. She’d seen gamblers on the river cruises. Some good, some drunk goofy. Ayana had trained herself to observe to survive.
“We’ll keep it like a job. Monthly salary. Six-month raise and a re-up signing bonus if that is agreeable to us both to continue the contract. Also, I will be paying your living expenses.”
It should have been laughable—not so damn tempting.
“So, it’s a job. You’re my boss,” she clarified, keeping her voice steady.
“You’ve had bosses before.”
“Some good. Some lousy.”
“I intend to be the best.”
The hint of arrogance suited him.
“So, Wildflower. In or out?” He held out his hand to shake as if it were a done deal.
And really, why should she say no? She’d have a legally binding contract and a huge payout and six months to plan her next move without having to worry about where to live or if she could pay all her bills without draining her savings.
Marriage. Ugh. She could just imagine Vesna laughing at her.
She put her hand in his. “In.”
Instead of shaking her hand, he raised it to his lips. “Let’s order dinner in and talk strategy.”
“Yes, boss,” she tried out the words.
“I’ll be your husband—Telford sounds better.”
“Telford,” she said softly, not able to utter the other word that she swore she’d never say.
Never say never, right?