Page 70 of The Reluctant Wife

“In return for marrying you?”

He nods slowly.

ThisisRyot I’d be marrying. The man of my dreams. Only it’ll be another marriage of convenience. This time, I’m not repulsed by the man I’m going to marry, but in some ways, it feels worse because I’m in love with him, and he doesn’t reciprocate the sentiment.

How can I have everything and yet, nothing?My spirits droop. “And during the time we’re married, would we have separate bedrooms, or?—”

He shakes his head. “Afraid not, Princess. If we maintained separate lives my grandfather would never buy into our marriage.” He leans back. “More importantly, I can’t protect you if I'm in a different room. The intruder got to your bedroom in the hotel, remember?"

I look away. "So, no separate bedrooms?" I curl my shoulders inwards, trying to understand what he’s suggesting. "Does that mean?—"

"That we share a bed? Yes,” he says in a firm voice.

A frisson of heat curls in my lower belly. My thighs clench. Nope, I’m not averse to that part of the bargain at all. "And does that include?—"

"Yes.”

I whip my head in his direction to find he’s serious. "You’re saying yes to?—"

"Sex." He nods. "The chemistry between us is off the charts. I’d be a fool to think we could keep this platonic. Especially after I’ve already had you."

"We had each other," I point out.

"Indeed." His lips twitch. "And since you’re not averse to my particular brand of domination, it should make things very interesting."

Anticipation pinches my veins.Jesus, how can we be having this conversation in such a polite fashion when my skin feels like it’s on fire?

“So, what do you think?” He drums his fingers on his massive thigh.

What do I think about marrying the man of my dreams, when his proposal is not based on love?I want to laugh and cry at the same time. I want to demand that he not hide from his true feelings from me. I know how it felt to have him look into my eyes as he made love to me. And itwasmaking love.It was.If only he’d acknowledge it, I’d be the happiest woman in the world. But things are never that easy, are they?

Spine straight. You’re a princess.

Now, more than ever, I need to follow my mother’s advice. So, I fold my hands in my lap and survey him with a measured gaze. “You’re asking me to marry you, but you’re still a stranger in many ways.”

His jaw tics. I’m sure he’s going to point out that I thought I knew Gavin and look how that turned out. But he doesn’t pushhis advantage. Instead, he leans back. “What do you want to know about me?”

This isn’t the way I envisaged finding out more about Ryot, but I’ll take it. “Your wife; tell me about her.”

He seems taken aback, then resigned. He rises to his feet, heads to the bar, and pours himself a shot of whiskey. Guess he’s no longer on duty? Or perhaps, he needs the hard liquor to be able to talk about her. That sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach intensifies.

“Would you like something to drink?” he asks over his shoulder.

“The same.” I nod.

He pours a finger of the amber liquid into another tumbler, then walks over to hand it to me.

He throws back the liquid in his own, then squares his shoulders. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything. How you met. How she...died. Whatever you’re comfortable sharing with me, that is.”

35

Ryot

Touché, Princess.I don’t blame her for using this opportunity to find out the parts I would not have willingly shared with her otherwise.

I turn away, needing to retreat into that part of myself deep inside where I can shield myself from the hurt in recounting what happened.

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