Page 6 of Robert

It would be just us and of course…,” she frowned slightly. “You have a sister as I recall?” When he nodded, she continued. “Just close family and I am afraid we’re going to have to pretend to live together for a while. We could do alternate days.

My house is small but it is in the middle of the uptown area and near enough to your office and mine.” She passed her hand over her forehead. “It would be just for a month or two to satisfy her and then we can go about our business as usual. Are you seeing anyone?”

Robert was still trying to process and for a few seconds he did not respond.

“Not at the moment.”

“Good, neither am I.” She stared at him pleadingly. “You are the only person I could think of to ask. I know you are not interested in a relationship, and neither am I. So, it’s perfect.”

Moving forward, he folded his hands on the desk and pinned her with his intense hazel gaze. “Let me get this straight, you want us to pretend to get married.”

“Yes.”

“And live together?”

“Yes. Well, not exactly. You would be free to do as you please, see whomever you want, you just have to be discreet. I am aware that this is an awful lot to ask…”

“The mother lode,” he cut in bluntly.

She sank back in the chair and closed her eyes in defeat. “I am sorry. I don’t know why I came, why you should do me this favor. It’s going to put you out of your way, and you don’t know me, not really.”

“I knew you when we were in high school,” he pointed out.

“But we were…,” her voice tailed off abruptly.

“We were in totally different stratospheres,” he supplied smoothly. “The sun and the moon - as far apart as two people could ever be. I was the poor scholarship kid, and you were…,” he gestured with one hand.

“You were the most popular girl with an entourage. One who had never given me a second look, except that time when you came to my rescue.” His face was expressionless, his eyes hooded. “I have often wondered why you deigned to stoop so low.”

Sonya felt shame coursing through her body and could not look at him. Staring down at her clasped hands, she fingered the rubyring on her index finger. It had also been a gift from her daddy, one she cherished.

“I don’t know!” She admitted truthfully, lifting her head to meet his gaze. “And there is no reason for you to come to my rescue…”

“Oh, but I want to.”

Her head jerked in shocked surprise. “You do?”

“I have my reasons. Won’t your mother be horrified that you have chosen someone like me? Without a pedigree?” His sensuous lips twisted cynically.

“I don’t care, and neither will she. You have something very desirable.”

“Ah, my extreme wealth, that will do it all the time.” Cynicism was stamped all over his face. A face, she noticed, was very attractive. “When do you want to do this?”

She stared at him for a moment in dazed wonder, not really believing it could be this easy.

“Next week, the sooner the better.”

“How shall we proceed?” A bitter smile touched his lips. “Surely you cannot expect anyone to believe we fell in love and decided to rush into marriage?” His hazel eyes raked her face and lingered for a few seconds on her lips.

Pushing away from the desk, he strode over to the built-in cabinet and pushed a button. Sonya was impressed in spite of herself when a fully stocked cabinet with rows of shelves bearing liquors of all description slid out smoothly. It was so cleverly designed that one would not know it was there.

“We could go out on a few – er – dates,” she fussed with her tote restlessly, “you’re an attractive man…”

“One who had previously avoided matrimony.” He had turned around to face her, one hand holding the squat glass. “My sister was just saying yesterday at lunch that it was time for me to settle down.”

He twirled the liquid in the glass, his eyes holding hers. “She has been dating and wants me to meet the guy. She is bringing him by on Sunday for dinner, why don’t you come as well? That way we could get the formalities out the way.”

“I am not sure…”

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