Page 20 of The Imperfect Marriage

I want to say yes, but that would be admitting this marriage of convenience makes sense, and I don’t want to do that aloud... Yet. When I stay silent, he bends his knees and looks into my eyes. "I’m not going to hide what happened from my family. I’m going to be open with them that I saw you and wanted you, and when my son decided to leave you at the altar, I came to your rescue. It enhances?—"

"Your status as a knight in shining armor and me as the helpless woman who had no choice but to marry you?” I ask drily.

He shakes his head. "Let’s get one thing straight. You own the power in this.”

"You’re not making sense." I hunch my shoulders. "After all, wouldn’t I be dependent on you?”

"And I, on you. Remember, I need you to fulfill my father’s condition. We need each other." His gaze turns smoldering. "Besides, it had to be you.”

My heart leaps into my throat. A pulse flares to life between my legs. “Wh... what do you mean?”

His lips curve. “As soon as I saw you, I knew it had to be you. The connection between us ensures anyone who sees us together will believe our story. So, you see... It couldn’t have been anyone else. That’s why I need you.”

He looks deeply into my eyes and, oh my god, the heat of his gaze turns my blood to lava. The pulse between my legs intensifies. He hasn’t even touched me, and I am so turned on.

He must see the reaction on my features, for he nods. “Of course, it’s up to you how you spin this for yourself. Either you can play the victim of your circumstances, or?—"

"Or?"

"Or you can claim this as an opportunity.” He peruses my features, his tone confident. “With my money and influence, you can pursue your aspirations. Surely, that's invaluable?"

He’s right. And that makes it worse. I wish he didn’t make sense. I wish he weren’t so persuasive. I wish I weren’t so drawn to him, enough to override every sane thought in my head. The seconds stretch. The air between us sizzles and grows heavy. Every cell in my body is aware of his bulk, his solid presence, his broad shoulders, that force of his dominance, which seems to wrap around me and pin me down… in a good way.

When he straightens, I draw in a breath, and the rush of oxygen makes me realize I forgot to breathe.

He surveys my features. "Do you need more time to make up your mind?”

Fact is, I’m wavering. He makes a good argument, but... this is my life. And this decision will impact me in so many ways and for the foreseeable future. Surely, I need to think it over some more? “Yes,” I square my shoulders. “Yes, I do.”

He wipes his thumb under his lower lip. “I’ll give you a week to think it over.”

“A week?” I gape at him. “That’s too short; I need more time.”

“Ten days, then?”

Is he kidding? How can he expect me to make such a life-altering decision in that short timeframe?

A gleam of mischief enters his eyes. The playfulness is so surprising, it makes me stare. So, he wants me to negotiate, huh?

“Three months,” I jut out my chin.

“Two weeks,” he retorts.

“Two months,” I scowl.

“A month, and that’s my final offer,” he snaps in that bossy tone. A shiver squeezes my spine. I want to say yes right away, but I make myself pause and pretend to consider his offer.

“A month,” I finally agree.

“Good.” He nods in a decisive gesture. “But know this. I get what I want.”

8

Quentin

"What are you doing here?" Knox spins a chair around and straddles it. Whether on purpose or by chance, he makes sure to keep his face in shadow.

"Last I checked, this was a weekly poker game where all Davenports are invited." It’s not my first choice of where I want to be. But when not even work can distract me from thoughts of her, I decided to accept Arthur’s invitation to join the poker game.

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