Chapter 11
GRIFFIN
I watch her and her perfect ass walk up the stairs to her sublet.
I'm half tempted to snatch her back into the car and make her come home with me right now. She is infuriating, but I’d be disappointed if she were anything less.
I’m changing her entire life, and I don't want to cohabitate with a woman who is so greedy for money and prestige that she would throw away her freedom without a little bit of a fight.
That being said, the first thing that crosses my mind as she closes the door is: What the fuck am I doing?
I have no business bringing this woman into my life. She's beautiful, vibrant, and has an incredible future ahead of her. All I’m going to do is fuck her up.
I've set conditions for our marriage that don't include mandatory sex because I don't think that's fair to her. Yet, I didn’t think about how unfair it is to me. I have to look at someone so fucking gorgeous day in and day out and not touch her?
I try not to get too tied up in the details.
The only thing I need to do is have her sign the contract and go through with the wedding.
When I prove to the board I’m married and stable, I’ll be able to focus on acquiring David Mason Enterprises.
After that acquisition, I’m going for Carl Besheir’s whole empire.
Being a partner offers the kind of clout I need to establish myself within the Christopher Street Society.
We still have a rebellious faction working covertly behind the scenes, trying to overthrow Massimo, the long-established leader.
Carl and his recruits are putting pressure on my friend Beckett to weaponize his pharmaceutical research.
Carl is also pushing Marcel to buy up international properties for illicit purposes.
Everything Carl touches is dirty, and he's starting to come after me with deals that don't pass the smell test. Being a partner at Paxton, Gill, and Associates will give me the leverage I need to crush him.
My mind is reeling when I finally lay my head down. I dream of the blonde beauty who has fully captured my focus.
The next morning, she enters my office looking nervous. I get up and close the door, locking out the curious eyes of the bullpen.
“Thoughts?” I ask, leaning against the doorframe.
She is wearing a blush-colored blouse and fitted charcoal pants that are modest but frame her curves so perfectly that all I can think about is unbuttoning them.
“I’m scared,” she confesses.
It’s brave of her to admit that, considering we aren’t married yet and she could still lose the deal.
“I’d be worried if you weren’t scared. You’re essentially marrying a stranger. But remember the wins.” I sit down at my desk, putting distance between us for her sake.
“It’s my entire life, Griffin.” She looks like she might cry.
“It’s only a year. Maybe a few more. Just lean into the skid, Selena. You’ll enjoy the ride. I’ll make sure you don’t suffer—too much.”
I laugh inwardly because enduring my personality might actually be the hardest part of the contract.
***
Friday evening, I take Selena to my penthouse.
First, I show her to the room that is going to be her private sanctuary—though, secretly, I don’t want her spending much time there.
“This room is entirely yours,” I tell her, opening the double doors to the guest suite.
“But your clothes will go in our room. On Monday, we have a designer coming to help you decorate. This will be your project; I don’t care what you choose as long as you’re happy.
You’ll have me in your bed for the next year, so make the primary suite a place you want to sleep. ”
I lead her out onto the terrace overlooking the glittering Manhattan skyline.
“I have staff,” I say, feeling compelled to explain the ecosystem of her new home. “I don’t talk to them much. They’re from a high-end agency. I prefer to have vetted professionals working here rather than people I have to make small talk with.”
I’m sure my inner asshole is showing, but Selena just stands at the railing, staring out at the city.
“Our appointment is in an hour,” I say, checking my watch. “I can fix you a drink. When we get back, we can use the hot tub.” I’m scrambling for ways to make her feel at ease.
She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, centering herself. “Can I just have a glass of ice water, please?”
“Of course.”
I bring her the water. I touch her shoulder and kiss the top of her head because it feels like the right thing to do.
“Everyone at work knows about us,” she says quietly into her glass. “El has been telling anyone who will listen that I’m your latest fling and I won’t last the month. She says I’ll be labeled a liability and banned from the building.”
Her voice is flat, defeated.
“Monday, you will not go in at eight. I’ll have you meet me for lunch, and I’ll make an announcement then. You won’t have to see El again before being Mrs. Calloway. Actually, I kind of want to see the look on her face when I drop the bomb.”
Selena’s head whips toward me. “That’s cruel.”
“I never said I wasn’t cruel. When I started sleeping with El, I told her it was purely physical.
She had a nice ass, decent tits, and an attitude I wanted to break.
I told her I’d make that pinched brow of hers arch as she screamed my name.
Challenge accepted and met. Oh, and I paid her as well.
That condo she owns? I paid the down payment and half her mortgage.
I stopped fucking her because she started looking at engagement rings. ”
Selena stares at me, horrified.
“Why are you marrying me?” she asks, her voice steady. “Is it because you think I’m an easy target? That I’ll shut up and be your complacent little wife?”
“Yes. And because you have an amazing pussy that makes me lose my mind. Plus, you’re gorgeous and smart. That doesn’t hurt.”
Her expression turns to fire. She slaps me hard across the face.
Snap.
“Save that for the bedroom, baby,” I growl, grabbing her wrist.
I kiss her palm, staring into her eyes. “I deserved that. But let’s not take our relationship there unless you want us to veer into the really kinky shit.”
She’s trembling, but she doesn’t pull away.
“Okay. I need you to sign the marriage agreement before we head out.” My cheek throbs, but I don’t fault her.
She takes a deep breath. “I can’t do this.” She’s trying to escape. I anticipated this.
“You aren’t marrying me, Selena. You’re entering a contract with a man who will hand you a future. And don’t tell me you didn’t love my cock. You may not be in love with me, but you like the fantasy. We are both getting something out of this.”
“Do you even like me?”
“I fucking adore you.” And strange as it seems, that is the absolute truth.
She exhales slowly. “This just feels wrong.”
“Of course it does. It is wrong. But it’s also pretty straightforward.”
I step inside the glass doors and pick up the manila envelope on the console table.
“The main points are what we discussed. We share a bed and a room. You receive five million dollars at the end of year one, with renegotiation for subsequent years. Just before the end of the first contract, we will discuss terms for renewal. Other provisions include a stipend for clothing, beauty, and home decor. You are not to work. You must attend all public functions with me.”
I pause.
“And you are forbidden to tell anyone outside of the two of us about our arrangement. That is the most crucial point. The NDA includes family members. It is non-negotiable. You will tell them I swept you off your feet, that I adore you, and that I’m lavish. Blame my age if you must.”
This is the sticking point. I know she’s close to her sister.
“So no one will know this is a marriage of convenience?” Her face falls.
“No. My public persona—and my partnership—is at stake here.”
“My sister is never going to believe I married a man on impulse.” She glares at me. I love how she fights back.
“Say the money and power were too tempting to pass up.”
“I’m not like you, Griffin. Money and power aren’t my motivators.”
“Then why did you agree to this?”
“Temporary insanity?” She flashes a weak smile.
“You did it for security. For law school. And just a wee bit of power. The sex is also good, admit it.” I grin.
“You,” she says softly. “I liked the you I met at the club. But now I think I’ve made a mistake.”
Tears finally spill over.
I pull her into a bear hug, enveloping her against my chest. “I liked the me you met there, too. Perhaps with you in my life, you’ll see more of him.
You can do this, Selena. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a better life.
I can give you that. That is the one and only thing that is truly mine to give. Other than my stunning cock.”
She laughs through her tears. “I’m not vapid for doing this?”
“No.” I kiss her wet cheek. “You are saving my life. We are sacrificing for each other.”
“Why do we have to share a bed?” I knew she wasn’t over that hurdle.
“Because that’s what married people do. When we have guests, or when the press digs into our lives, we can say with total honesty that we sleep together. What we do in that bed is no one’s business.”
Though I’m secretly hoping we do a lot.
The hour passes quickly. We’re in the town car, heading to the clinic. She is silent, watching the city blur past the tinted windows. I remember this is a completely new world for her. I'm a stranger, and she hasn't had time to process the wreckage of her previous life.
“This has got to be strange,” I say, breaking the silence. “Last week you were meant to be marrying another man.” I laugh because the absurdity is staggering. “And here you are, marrying me.”
“I've officially gone insane,” she whispers against the glass.
“You've officially chosen a life of adventure.”
She turns to me, her green eyes searching mine. “Just be nice to me, okay?”
“I’m going to be better to you than I’ve been to anyone. I promise.”