Page 12 of If the Ring Fits

“It’s a pleasure, Rowena.” Adrian envelops my hand in hismuch larger one. His skin is cool from the water, yet it ignites a flash fire in my veins. I feel the scrape of a callus on his palm—maybe from lifting weights at the gym—and the firm, assured pressure of his grip. Solid. Strong. Capable.

When Adrian releases my hand, I immediately mourn the loss of contact. “I’m glad we ran into each other.” His eyes sparkle with interest as he talks. “Unconventional as the circumstances may be.”

I twist a lock of hair around my finger, my gaze flicking up to meet Adrian’s as I keep blabbering nonsense. “So how would I do as an investment banker’s wife?” I ask, aiming for playful but wincing inwardly at the note of self-doubt that creeps into my voice.

Adrian’s gorgeous brown eyes sweep over me appraisingly. The unhurried scrutiny ignites a flicker of heat low in my spine. He tilts his head, shoving his hands casually into his pockets in a way that somehow makes him even more attractive. A tiny smirk tugs at his lips.

“I think,” he drawls, “you’re going to make me lookveryshallow.”

My cheeks flush hotly at the veiled compliment.

I bite my lip to hold back the ridiculously giddy smile threatening to break free. Adrian finds me beautiful. Or he’s just telling me what I want to hear to get me to agree to his proposal.

“How about me?” He theatrically sniffs the air. “Any body odor that disturbs you?”

“The jury is still out on that.” I clear my throat, trying to regain my mental balance. “Our stomachs’ recent rebellion sort of covers everything else.”

Adrian barks out a surprised laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Ouch! That’s cold.”

“But accurate,” I counter swiftly, the words sharp but my smile softening the blow.

Adrian nods solemnly, although the twinkle in his eyes is still playful.

Gosh, he makes me so nervous.

“How old are you?” I blurt out, trying to fill the silence.

Adrian arches an eyebrow. “Should I be offended by that question?” Amusement laces his words.

“No! I mean—that’s not what I—sorry.” Mortified, I stammer an apology and wish not for the first time today that the floor would swallow me whole.

“I’m thirty-nine,” he cuts in smoothly, mercifully halting my verbal floundering.

I blink. Thirty-nine. A solid eleven years my senior. Suddenly, all the men I’ve previously dated—Liam included—seem woefully juvenile in comparison. Boys playing at adulthood. But Adrian? He exudes maturity, capability and raw masculinity from every pore.

Every inch a man.

“I’m twenty-eight,” I offer even if he hasn’t asked me.

An awkward silence descends on the room. I fidget, fingers twisting together. What now? Should I say something else? Crack a joke?

Luckily, Adrian talks before I further embarrass myself with a knock-knock pun. “I know this is…unorthodox. But I hope you’ll seriously consider my proposal for…” His gaze holds mine, dark and intent. “… a mutually beneficial arrangement. No pressure, of course.”

Mutely, I nod. My head’s still spinning, thoughts tripping over themselves. Engaged. To a veritable stranger. It’s crazy. Absolutely bananas. And yet…

“Could I get your number?” Adrian produces his phone,sleek and gleaming. “To discuss details whenever you’re ready.”

“Um, sure.” I recite the digits and watch as his fingers fly across the screen. A second later, my cell buzzes in my bag.

“There. Now you have mine, too.” A hint of a smile plays at the edges of his mouth.

I bob my head again, feeling like one of those bouncy-headed dashboard dogs. “Thanks. I’ll… I’ll think it over and get back to you soon.”

“Wonderful.” His eyes crinkle at the corners. “Where are you going from here? Home, I suppose?”

“Yeah, I feel better.”

“How are you getting there?”

---