Page 16 of Signed, Sealed, Married

But her position hadn’t been a sinecure because of her family connection. She reallyhadcontributed.

He sat back, annoyance at his ignorance vying with excitement. Each revelation about this woman only pleased him more. Even her determination to wrest concessions from him increased his respect.

‘You have a problem with me working in a serious job?’

‘None at all. So, those are your stipulations? An agreement to follow existing procedure for underperformance, a job for your brother and yourself?’

Her bright gaze held his. He sensed her wariness.

Of course she was wary. But when she knew him better she’d discover the benefits of his proposition. He looked forward to those benefits enormously. His mouth curved in anticipation.

She looked away. ‘There’s one more thing.’

Her chin tilted higher, leaving him with the impression she was nervous and determined not to show it. He scrutinised her, intrigued. ‘Go on.’

She turned and met his stare, her face perfectly composed. Which meant she hid something she didn’t want him to read. Every sense went on alert. This, he guessed, meant as much if not more than her other requests.

‘If I agree to marry, it would need to appear to everyone that it’s a real marriage.’

‘Itwillbe a real marriage. It would be legally binding and I’ll expect you to sign a prenuptial contract.’

She shook her head. ‘You know what I mean. If we go to the town hall next week and marry, no one will believe it’s anything but a convenient business deal. They won’t take it seriously. I assume that’s not what you want.’

Adam hadn’t given much thought to the logistics of the wedding. He’d concentrated on its benefits. Acquiring the company and having Gisèle on his arm in public would satisfy his immediate requirements.

As for his growing physical needs, he looked forward to pursuing those in private.

But it was natural she wouldn’t want to be seen as simply part of the takeover, or as a sharp-eyed gold-digger who’d latched on to him for his wealth. Feminine pride meant she wanted the world to believe she’d conquered the man who’d bought the family company.

‘You want to pretend to be in love?’

He’d enjoy having her cosying up to him. It would provide ample opportunity to break down those barriers she erected around herself. Excitement stirred. He had every intention of making this a real marriage.

‘Unless youwantpeople to believe you bought me as a company asset.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘Or because you need someone to gloss over your rough edges at society events.’

His rough edges? He had plenty of those. Usually only his detractors mentioned them and not in his presence. Gisèle used them as a bargaining chip with the insouciance of someone who believed they held a winning hand.

He’d underestimated her and that was rare.

‘I don’t give a damn about my rough edges. People can take me as they find me.’

But it was intriguing she’d latched onto the fact he’d benefit from having her at his side. Her intuition was good, better than most people’s.

Curiosity rose. The more he learned, the less likely it seemed that she could have made so many faulty decisions managing the House of Fontaine. But running a large enterprise was different to running a research unit.

The main thing was that nothing, not her arguments or cool disdain, lessened his determination to have her.

Adam smiled, his mouth curling slowly. His eyes blazed with amusement. She told herself itcouldn’tbe approval.

The impact was devastating. Gone was the sharp-eyed tycoon, replaced by a man whose earthy charisma jolted free all her cautious arguments.

Her stomach dropped in freefall. A carnal shiver broke across her skin and she felt a melting between her thighs as if her sex turned to hot butter under that glint of sexual interest.

Or was it appreciation?

Either was problematic. She didn’t want to be appreciated by this man. Didn’t want him attracted. She breathed out, trying to find her equilibrium as her hands knotted.

You don’t like him.

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