Page 15 of Forbidden Bastard
“I cry so easily sometimes and I’ve never developed a poker face which makes me a horrible business person—either way, I'm sorry.” Sandi sniffed and then gave him a huge smile. “I’m glad you both had each other then. Clara sounds like a wonderful woman.”
Wonderful didn’t begin to describe her. Getting Clara regular treatment for her heart disease was now a weekly appointment for both of them, and the real reason he’d accepted the title. More money meant better treatment, not that anyone had ever asked his motives. With Sandi he was able to say, “She’s why I accepted the title and lands in Avce. It comes with the ticking clock until I meet all legal requirements.”
Her eyes dried as she asked, “Like having a wife?”
“Yes.” How he wanted to kiss her.
She slowly pulled her hand free and adjusted her rose necklace. “Thank you for telling me.”
Trusting people never worked out. He sat back, a chill of warning racing down his spine that he’d been vulnerable tonight. “So, my number one requirement in a woman…”
His lips tingled to kiss her and he stared at her rosy mouth.
She blinked and sat forward as she asked, “Yes?”
Right. He'd accepted the title and lands and if he married, he'd keep the money. He sucked in his breath and told the truth. “All I truly need… is for Clara to approve. She’s the only one that matters.”
Sandi strummed her fingers on the table like she was playing the piano keys. “What did she think of your Sheena?”
Interesting question. Sheena had been his choice until Clara had shared her doubts. He might not be her son, but she was the only family he had. “She didn’t think Sheena and I were suited. She was right even then.”
He’d chased after Sheena because she had money. Clara'd had her stroke and he'd been warned it could happen again without proper care. Not that it explained his behavior, but quick cash had been the number one reason he’d pushed so hard for her.
Sandi’s cheeks had a blush as she asked, “So you want me to bring women to meet Clara?”
If Sandi talked directly to Clara, and Clara approved, then he’d follow the order from Antonio. It would be impossible for him to not accept Sandi as his wife, even though she didn't want to be.
That was for the best. Yes. She needed to go back to America fast and let fate destroy him. He’d marry someone else, who didn’t dig the truth out of him. He picked up his drink and gulped it. “That’s probably the smartest way to find me a wife as that’s the real requirement.”
Sandi downed the last of her sparkling white wine, then they each stood like their tête-à-tête was over. She picked up her pocketbook. “So why did you agree to marry me with my parents over email, as I certainly never met your Clara?”
He placed his hand on her lower back and led her out to the street. Perhaps one more day with Sandi might cure him of his sudden interest in her, but he also knew he was throwing a fire cracker in the air that might burn him if he did. He’d get her a cab and see himself home. “A story for tomorrow it seems. Breakfast?”
Her eyes widened. "Sure." She adjusted her necklace like it was a nervous gesture. “Then you can take me to meet your Clara. Where would you like to meet?”
Charles walked her to the group of cabs that waited for passengers and said, “Your hotel lobby? We’ll go from there.”
“Good night then,” she said as a cab pulled up beside her.
Again the impulse to taste her hit him. He probably shouldn’t. It was a bad idea, but he wrapped his arm around her waist and she pressed her chest into his and parted her lips.
They closed their eyes and he kissed her.
She was better than wine. She was warm and her sighs made him forget the world.
Sandi was sweeter than any crème-filled dessert.
As the kiss ended, she swayed.
He pulled back and hoped she hadn’t had too much to drink when he let her go and opened the car door for her. “Good night.”
She slipped into the back seat but stared at him the whole time like she had more to say.
Her green eyes haunted him as the car drove away, but for once in his life, he’d done the right thing. He’d let her go.
Chapter 5
The tiny hotel shower the size of a shoe box hadn’t washed away Charles's kiss and Sandi was glad for that.
