Page 18 of Sunrise Malice

Instead, we talk about the meal. Once I start to concentrate on the food, it’s surprisingly good. There’s a tartare de saumon, an incredible duck breast a l’orange, more fancy cheeses, and a dessert of chocolate fondant with a molten center and ice cream. I didn’t plan on going all out when I came here, but I’m stuffed once the waitress clears away our final plates.

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” Julien says and drums his fingers on the table. “I’ll be honest. Right now, I’d die for a fucking cigarette, but I quit and I’m trying to be better about it.”

“You smoked? I shouldn’t be surprised. French and all.”

He grunts at me. “Like half of your cousins don’t smoke Newports in their mother’s back yard.”

That makes me laugh, mostly because he’s not wrong. “I’m just saying. You’re a French gangster with a cigarette addiction. It’s as cliché as it gets.”

“How very funny for you. I’m glad you enjoy my suffering.” He finishes his wine and waves for a refill. “Speaking of suffering, I think we should discuss business.”

I tense slightly and look away. I’d almost forgotten why we were here. I was actuallyenjoyingmyself, which is completely bizarre, seeing as I’ve done nothing but sit around and have a pleasant meal with an unpleasant person.

“You want to talk about getting married.”

“I thought I’d outline the shape of our relationship. If we are moving forward, and I think that we are, there should be ground rules.”

I nod once, looking at the table. “What kind of rules?”

“First of all, you will be loyal to me. I don’t expect you to love me, and you don’t even have to like me, but you will not fuck around behind my back. I’m many things, and extremely possessive is one of them. While you’re mine, you will bemine, mon minou, is that clear?”

I look up sharply, eyes narrowing. This arrogant fuck. I glare at him and have to steady myself before replying. “And does that fidelity also extend to you?”

“Absolutely.” He nods once, as if that’s obvious.

“You’re going to be loyal to me while we’re married? No mistresses? None of that French-style open marriage bullshit?”

“No. If you’re mine, then I will be yours. I prefer to keep things simple that way.”

“I honestly find that hard to believe. You’re really not going to cheat on me?”

“So long as you don’t cheat on me.” He leans closer, his expression darkening into something intense and stormy. “And trust me, mon minou, whoever you fuck behind my back will wish you hadn’t touched him.”

I have to laugh. The guy’s threatening my nonexistent affair partner, and we haven’t even gotten married yet. Maybe he really is as possessive as he says.

“Alright, so no cheating. What else?”

“You will come live in my house. You will act as my wife at all public functions. In private, if you want to maintain separate lives, we can find a way to make that work. I need you for at least two years, after which point we can discuss if we wish to continue the marriage. If you want out, I will grant you a divorce, and we will move on with our lives. Does that work?”

I open my mouth but can’t find words. I assumed this was going to be a forever thing, but now he’s saying there’s an out, a potential time limit on our arrangement.

What happens if we do break up? Where would I go? Back home to my abusive fucking father? I’ll be older, with no skills, no college education, no real prospects. I’d be left with nothing.

“Money,” I blurt out and instantly wish I could learn how to keep my mouth shut. His lips curl into a smirk. “If we break up, I need money.”

“We’ll put something in writing that works for us both.”

“Fine. Okay.” My heart’s racing and I feel hot. I sip my wine but that doesn’t help. Why does it bother me so much, knowing I might be free in two years? If Julien really does pay me, I can start my own life. I’ll be able to do anything I want and never have to worry about anyone else ever again.

“Then it sounds like we have a deal, mon minou.” He glances down at my hand. “I see you didn’t wear your ring.”

“No, I didn’t.” I raise my finger up to the light. “Didn’t feel right.”

“From now on, you won’t take it off.”

“Where’s your ring then?”

He slips out of the booth and gives me a hard stare. “Get me one if you want me to wear it.”

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