Page 6 of His Weekend Wife

“A reality show? Finding true love?”

“I need love as much as I need another hole in my head,” he groaned. “I’m talking about a weekend wife, except I’d need her services for a week or two.”

Todd crossed his legs and thrummed his fingers on the arm of the chair. “Don’t we all.” When Declan didn’t crack a smile, the man’s grin faded. “You’re serious?”

“What other choice do I have?”

“Oh, I don’t know…maybe telling Hannigan the truth is a start. Admit to the man that the very idea of long term commitment makes you break out in hives.”

Declan lifted a brow. “And lose the deal? I’m sure people have pulled this off before.”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“I just need the perfect woman to be Mrs. Declan Knight.” He thought at one time he had her.

“And which lady from your past do you see fitting into the role? The bikini model who recently posed for Girls Are Dirty, or maybe the actress who was caught in a very suspicious position with a married politician?”

“Todd, it seems you follow every scandal.”

He shrugged a thin shoulder. “I just follow the news, sir, so you don’t make any bad choice for a second time.”

“Are you saying that I make poor decisions when it comes to female companions?”

“Do I need to say that?”

Declan sniffed loudly. “I wasn’t planning on marrying any more of them.”

“Exactly.”

“Just because they’ve been caught in a scandalous situation doesn’t make them bad people, but Melynda really posed in a porn magazine?”

“Yes, she did.”

“She had a promising career as a swimsuit model. Anyway, what do you propose I do?”

“To stop this silly notion.”

“Outside of that idea.”

“You really want to know?”

“Yes, I do,” Declan said.

Todd folded his arms over his wide chest as he did when he was taking lead in a serious conversation. “I have a friend who can help. Her name is Miss Rox. She has owned and operated an exclusive escort service that caters to many rich and well-known customers for over twenty years.”

“An escort service? Have you used the services yourself, buddy?”

“Miss Rox and I go way back. That’s another story.” He picked off a hair from his otherwise immaculate jacket.

“You’re suggesting I use an escort to become my wife? That’s what you want me to do?” Declan blew out a long breath like the deflation of hope in his mind.

“No, I don’t want you to. You asked and I’m giving you my two-cents. There are a lot of men, many like yourself, that use Miss Rox’s services when they’re between a rock and hard place. There are lonely men who love the idea of an uncomplicated woman entertaining him, no expectations, no promises.”

Declan shook his head. “Todd, I’ve never met a woman who didn’t have at least one complication. That’s why I’ve found myself in trouble many times because I can’t resist a challenge.”

“Depends on what you consider a challenge, sir. The brain and the bed are two different matters. Have you dated any woman who you find conversation with her as sexy as her naked body?”

He tried real hard to find one woman from his past that fit that description, and up came Ash. She was smart. Challenging. Independent. Things had gone downhill since. His gut twisted, remembering how he’d accused Lucy of picking the same men over and over, knowing it would only last temporarily. It wasn’t that Declan didn’t appreciate a woman’s mind, because he did, but when it came to intimacy, his usual choice had been big breasts, a raging libido, and, well, not much more. He was certain these lust interests had ambitions, but he’d never asked. In fact, he couldn’t remember having many conversations beyond, “What do you like for breakfast?”

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