Page 11 of Ruthless Financier
The terms matched what we’d discussed. I initialed and signed as I went, but the last page caught my eye with the title,Sex addendum.
I skimmed the standard legalese, but a few key elements demanded my attention.
Though this is not legally binding, my client, Mr. Jacob Donovan, expects willing sexual intercourse at will… Well, that sent a shockwave through me. I blinked and read more.If Ms. Indigo refuses, her reasons must be legitimate… That lacked definition. I chuckled and continued.And frequent refusals can constitute a separation of bed and board… That sounded super old-fashioned. I shrugged and read more.Consequences of divorce from either an affair or refusal of the bedroom act, twenty-five million will be fully returned to Mr. Jacob Donovan immediately.
There it was. In simple black and white. That’s what I’d traded. I’d get my business if I signed the contract and waited out the marriage.
My heart raced like it wanted to tell me something, but I ignored it and signed.
Done.
I stuffed the papers in the envelope and closed my eyes. If I hired my own lawyer, I had a feeling half of this wouldn’t be legal. But I needed the clarity, and this was fine. If that kiss of Jacob’s was any indication, maybe I’d find out if the whispers about good sex were true—as well as get the money.
I had a feeling Jacob would be different.
Goosebumps grew on my body, everywhere, and my breathing quickened while I remembered that soul-searing kiss.
No other guy had ever made me forget myself for even a moment.
I jumped up, like the chair was on fire, and decided to get on with my day. I had plans. I spotted Ajax standing by himself with a cup of coffee and I walked over and handed him the signed paperwork.
I said, “Ajax, please return this contract to his lawyers and find out where the wedding is to be so I can dress.”
“On my way,” he said. He gulped the rest of his drink and passed me a paper.
Good. I headed to my room as he bolted past me.
My stomach was actually full of butterflies. Maybe Jacob had backed out. Maybe this was all some bet like I’d initially guessed. Or maybe it was real and I was about to be a real goddamn bride.
I walked on air, as if I believed in fairy tales or nonsense like that right now. My sister Stephanie and her habit of watching romance movies twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
must have snuck into my skull despite my complaining.
I read the note Jasmine had sent me and nodded. She’d gone to the room with the bags, intended to write a schedule for me, and said she’d find me and supervise everything in an hour, as she needed a nice dress too.
The hotel was big and I was in a bubble of my own as I made my way to my room.
I let myself in and saw the schedule she’d drawn up.
Jasmine was amazing. She must have walked and talked to get this done. I could see she’d set everything up. Hair. Makeup. Dressers who could work fast with the dress. Everyone was to come to my room. I checked the dress, which hung in my closet.
Soon I’d be Mrs. Jacob Donovan.
My hair stood on its ends and I closed the closet when I heard a knock at the door. I assumed it was my employee, confirming that he’d delivered the contract. I checked that my business suit was still in order as I opened the door and said, “Ajax.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “Jacob. I didn’t expect to see you until tonight.”
He had his hands in his pockets. I motioned for him to come inside, and he followed me into my room while he said, “Frank told me you signed.”
“I did,” I said and closed the door. Then I scanned my room to ensure the closet door was closed—which it was.
Damn. Apparently, I also had that superstition about wedded bliss and not seeing the dress before the ceremony engrained in me. I straightened. I’d not let sentiment suddenly matter when it never did before.
My knees melted a little, though. His brown eyes were deep, and the pupils so black it was like he could hide his emotion without blinking. He asked, “Can I ask one question before we get ready?”
Question. I squared my shoulders. That wasn’t in the addendum, but I nodded and pointed to the minibar to offer him something as I said, “Sure.”
He took some water but didn’t drink. We went to sit at the small dining room table that overlooked the Vegas strip and bright lights. Once I was settled beside him, he said, “Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m in agreement with the contract and you that this marriage isn’t for love or romance.”
