Page 41 of A Temporary Forever

So, there was something that set off her hesitation.

Quickly, she puts on that daring expression like she’s ready to fight with the world. “What can I say? It’s scary to marry you.”

I snort. A good save, but she’s lying. “I’m sure you can do much worse, black swan.” I decide to drop the topic. I’ll find out, eventually. We’re stuck together for three years, after all.

She lets out a chuckle. “I doubt that.”

“And yet you pursued me relentlessly.” I lean forward, grinning.

There’s a table between us, but that flowery scent of hers assaults me, making my cock twitch. The woman puts an aphrodisiac in her perfume.

“I pursued a business arrangement with you. That’s all this is.”

But I’m not against mixing business with pleasure.

The waitress brings our wine, and we stare at each other while she serves us. The air is more charged than usual, but the charge is lighter.

We tease, we don’t argue. And I can’t say I hate it.

“You forgot that I have nothing to gain, so I wouldn’t call it a business arrangement.”

“Perhaps you’re just a shitty businessman and I got a better deal.”

I laugh. “Touché. Should we toast to this union?”

She raises her glass. “To not killing each other.”

Snorting, I toast. “To getting you your job back.”

Her eyebrows jerk up, like my wish surprises her. Like she wouldn’t expect I would wish something good for her.

She takes a sip and puts the glass down in that signature elegant way of hers. “Why are you being nice to me?”

Her lips are slightly parted as she waits for my answer. The sad part is that it’s a reasonable question. Somehow, somewhere, I made it my life's mission to be horrible to her.

This woman who has a tiny studio decorated like a true home. Who collects valuable art beyond her means. Who has books stuffedin her cupboards. Whose body is made for sin, and whose wits are refreshing.

A woman I typecast at one point, and now I’m confronted with layers of her that don’t match that mold.

“To be perfectly honest, when I agreed to help you, I didn’t realize I was making a three-year commitment. So upon careful reflection, when I reviewed my calendar for the next three years”—I smirk—“I decided that keeping the peace with you is probably the best course for my—our—sanity.”

She sighs with a dejected chuckle. “You could have backed out.”

“Well, black swan, another thing you’ll learn about me is that I’m a stubborn bastard.”

She shakes her head, a smile lingering on her lips. “Is that why you organized everything overnight, so you’re not tempted to give up before you commit?”

“No, that was for the benefit of your visa and your work.”

Now she shakes her head, rolling her eyes like I’m full of shit. Okay, partially I am. I was hoping for a fast resolution—not that that’s an option anymore, with the three-year-long red tape wrapped around Celeste’s little problem.

“Besides,” I continue, with another part of my motivation for the speedy resolution to her problem. “Ihave a business deal to close that requires my full attention.”

The server places our meals in front of us, the scent of thyme and spices invading the air.

Along with anticipation. Or maybe it’s just me who’s hoping we’ll continue that kiss after our wedding reception for two.

“What kind of a deal?” Celeste flakes off a tiny piece of fish and brings it to her mouth. Again, the movement is an art.

---