Page 11 of Signed, Sealed, Married

‘Ah, now I’ve offended you. It’s Adam, please.’

Gisèle inhaled sharply. Was it possible he hadn’t meant to insult her? That he considered her a pawn to be played as it suited him, yet hadn’t understood how that felt?

She was no sacrificial lamb. She was a woman with a life and plans of her own.

‘I’m afraid you have an unrealistic picture of me.’ She couldn’t bring herself to use his name. She was too furious, too shocked. ‘I’m sure there are plenty of women who present well in public and who’d be eager to take up your offer.’

He shook his head. ‘But they’re not you, Gisèle. You’re the one I want.’

She loathed his arrogance. Almost as much as she hated the part of her, deep inside, that clenched with a dark, inexplicable excitement at the sound of his deep voice saying he wanted her.

Was she so sexually deprived she found that thrilling? It was clear from his bland expression, and his words, that he wasn’t speaking sexually. He wanted her at his side in public, the face of Fontaine’s, an upmarket accessory.

He had no interest in her personally, despite the deliciously rough edge to his voice when he talked about wanting her. It was a paper marriage he contemplated. A union that looked good in public, but in private she guessed he’d satisfy his other needs with a string of sexy women.

For all the images of him looking severe and businesslike, her research had produced as many of him emerging from famous restaurants and clubs with a range of sultry women snuggled close.

And once in a grainy, long-distance shot, he’d been captured in the shallows of a tropical beach. His companion wore a string bikini and he’d been magnificently bare to the waterline at his hips. The image of his honed, muscled frame, his head bent towards the lithe redhead in his arms, was branded in Gisèle’s memory.

No doubt he’d continue pursuing sexual intimacy wherever and whenever took his fancy. He wouldn’t turn to a convenient wife for that.

Gisèlecouldn’tbe attracted to a man like him. She was stressed, worried about Julien and the company. Her reactions were all out of place.

‘Tell me what you’re thinking.’

She looked up to find his eyes on her. ‘Sorry?’

‘You’re flushed and your eyes are shining. You look different.’

‘Perhaps I’m searching for a polite way to convince you I mean what I say.’

‘No need to be polite with me. Feel free to let rip. I want to know what you’re thinking.’ His gaze was steady, expression unchanged, but his deep voice again held that husky edge that burred along her nerves.

Gisèle folded her hands, resisting the temptation to tell him exactly what she thought of him. It would be momentarily satisfying but too many lives depended on this deal.

‘I’m happy to negotiate an arrangement to represent the company for a time. I can accompany you to launches and so forth.’ She ignored the shiver of warning rippling down her backbone at the idea of spending time with this man. ‘We can amend the contract—’

‘That’s not enough.’ He leaned closer and a drift of subtle scent reached her. Something rich, dark and wholly male. Yet despite her training she couldn’t place it. ‘It’s marriage or nothing, Gisèle.’

‘If you take time to think—’

‘I have thought. That’s why I’m meeting you alone. I assumed you’d prefer we settled this between ourselves.’

Thiswas his attempt at consideration? Suggesting, no,demandingmarriage in a public restaurant, within half an hour of meeting her? Maybe evenhebaulked at the thought of inserting that particular clause in a commercial contract.

Gisèle struggled to squash a rising tide of laughter, fearing that if she let rip, as he put it, she wouldn’t be able to stop.

‘That’s the deal.’ His tone was uncompromising. ‘Take it or leave it.’

Her amusement died instantly. There was nothing to laugh at. Only herself for thinking today’s meeting would be straightforward. She’d even assumed she might persuade him to guarantee employment for the staff. How naïve she’d been.

Marrying a stranger was impossible. She couldn’t do it. But the alternative, sending him packing then watching everything her family had built crumble, was equally impossible.

Her mind blanked. She couldn’t think, couldn’t plan.

‘How long before you need an answer?’

She couldn’t believe the words emerging from her mouth but a delaying tactic was good. She needed time to think.

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