Page 69 of The Reluctant Wife

She lowers her chin. “Are you saying you’ll invest in Verenza?”

“I’m saying, I’m on the board of directors, and my recommendation to invest a billion dollars a year over the next five years in your country will be taken seriously.” And when Arthur, no doubt, adds his voice to mine, the rest of the board will agree.

She rubs at her temple. "That’s…much more than what Gavin’s family would have done. And their investment timeline was in months, not years."

“Don’t speak that asshole’s name in front of me,” I growl.

She nods, then locks her fingers together. “What you’re offering will mean a great deal to my country.”

I stay silent, allowing her to process my suggestion.

Then the crease in her forehead deepens. “I assume you want something in return?”

I rise to my feet and begin to pace. “That latest note you received indicates that whoever is behind the threats is escalating. I’m concerned about it. To ensure your safety I need to be by your side. And there’s only one way I can do so without any questions being raised about my presence.” When I face her again, she’s looking at me with a strange look in her eyes.

“I... I’m trying to follow what you’re saying, but”—she laughs nervously—“I’m afraid my brain’s not able to keep pace with the conclusions my mind is drawing.”

I walk over to her, and when I drop down to one knee in front of her, her eyes widen. I take her hand in mind again and look into her eyes. “Marry me.”

34

Aura

“What?” My jaw drops. “You want me to marry you?” I whisper.

He nods.

There’s no denying the intensity in his eyes. He’s not joking. He’s serious about this proposition.

My heart begins to race. My pulse flutters like the wings of a hummingbird.

First, he offers to invest the kind of money which will help my father pay off the country’s debts and invest it in the future of the citizens. But to marry him in return?Holy shit.

I was sure I was headed for a marriage of convenience where I’d hate my spouse. But for Ryot to be my husband? My head spins.

I’ve been attracted to him from the moment I met him. He’s the only man I’ve ever wanted. To be his wife, to share my life with him, to share his bed... It feels too good to be true.

I pull away from him, and instantly miss his touch. I ignore that and search his eyes. “Why would you do this? What’s in this for you?”

Say it’s because you love me. Say you proposed to me because you want me to be your wife in every sense of the word, because you want me. You need me. You can’t live without me. Please.

Something flickers in his eyes. Surprise? Confusion? It’s banked at once. He rises to his feet and sits next to me. “Would there need to be something in it for me? Could I not do this because I want to?”

Butwhydo you want to? Couldn't you just say it's because you love me? No…because he doesn’t love me.My heart sinks. My stomach heaves. I fold my arms about my waist, as if that’s going to help me contain my disappointment. “Given how you’ve blown hot and cold with me. Given how you’ve insisted on maintaining a professional line between us, I’m not sure what to make of this change of heart.”

Also, it’s clear you’re not over your wife’s death.Not that I’m going to say that out aloud.

“Isn’t it enough that I care for you? And I can help you?” he asks slowly.

Yes, he cares for me, but he doesn’tloveme. Likely, what he feels for his dead wife is holding him back from committing completely. And I’mnotgoing to be second in his affections. I’mnotgoing to compete with a ghost for his attention.

When I stay silent, he stares at me intently, as if trying to read my thoughts. “What if I told you that this is a good business opportunity for the Davenports? With Verenza’s economy the way it is, there are bargains to be had. I have no doubt, The Davenport Group will more than recoup what we invest in your country. Besides, it’ll get Arthur off my back.” He half smiles. “When he finds out that you and I are getting married, he’llthrow his weight behind my proposal to get The Davenport Group to invest in Verenza.”

If I needed further proof that he’s not doing this because he’s fallen for me, here it is. He doesn’t care for me the way I do for him.

My head hurts trying to make sense of everything. “You’ve made it clear thus far that there’s no future for us. And now, you spring the prospect of my marrying you. It feels...too sudden.”

Exasperation flits across his features, then his expression shuts down. The hard planes of his face don’t allow me to read whatever he’s thinking. “I’m offering you a chance to save your country from the brink of financial disaster.”

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