“That’s wonderful.” Amie felt a sadness creep inside her body, pushing out the satisfied glow. It was a shame it couldn’t have lasted longer.

“I have a great family. It’s just that with my father getting older and my sister on her own with a kid, I take on all the extra work, personal and business, which leaves no time for me.”

He did have a stick up his ass but not an uptight stick. Well, he was a little uptight, but it was more of a puppet stick. This guy needed to let loose and have a good time. But everyone needed a partner. “I guess a wife would probably find that tedious after a while.”

“A wife? No, I don’t plan on getting married. But I would like to maybe see a movie without getting a crisis phone call from my sister. Or have a drink with a friend without my father calling about some new deal.”

“No marriage?”

“That’s what you take away from all of that?” He laughed. “Marriage is just not for me. That doesn’t mean I won’t date or let a woman ravage me in bed.” Milton looked down and winked. That wink tingled along her skin. “You’re cold.”

“What?”

Milton grabbed the brown comforter and laid it across their bodies. Stupid libido! “You just got goose bumps.”

“It’s a little chilly.” And now she was lying.

An idea began to formulate in her brain. Amie was always looking to fix people. First with Aleks, then with Maggie, and she got to do it all day long at work through the practice of holistic medicine. Maybe Milton showing up was a sign. Maybe he was the distraction she needed.

“How long are you going to be in town?” Amie hoped she would be able to convince him of her plan.

“A couple of weeks.”

“I have a proposition for you.” She sat up and leaned on her elbow, one hand resting on his chest. “What if I could offer you a chance to not think? Would you go for it?”

“I’m listening.”

“For the duration of your stay, you hand yourself over to me. I, of course, will allow you to work, work hours will be off limits if necessary but as soon as the clock strikes five…you’re mine. You will do what I say, when I say it. With no questions asked. You and I are going to have some fun.”

“You’re going to force me to have fun?”

She nodded. “Just so you know, and so we’re on the same page, I will be making all the plans. You will have no choice but to comply.” This was the greatest idea she had ever come up with. Not only did she get to flex her wild side and have a partner to take along for the ride but this partner was only temporary. Milton was leaving, and she’d heard it straight from the horse’s mouth–he didn’t want a wife. He wanted nothing to do with the happily ever after she had been searching for.

“Will any of this fun be x-rated?” He raised his hands and mimicked air quotes when he said the word fun.

His air quotes turned to a defensive position at her glare. She wasn’t even going to address his comment. “What do you say? Are you in?”

“I think that might be exactly what I need. I’m in.”

“Fantastic!” Amie jumped out of bed, not bothering to cover herself as she sauntered into the bathroom. “We start today.”

“Today?”

“Did you have better plans?” She peeked inside the linen closet and grabbed a fresh towel.

“I was going to work actually.” Milton sat up and rested against the headboard.

“Boring. You’re coming with me.” She rustled through the cupboard and found a brand new toothbrush and some toothpaste. “We just need to make a quick stop by your hotel. I assume you brought some t-shirts and shorts with you.”

“Yes.” The word came out long. He looked confused, hesitant about the direction she might be heading. “What exactly are we going to do today?”

“You just leave that to me.” Amie gave him a wink as she pointed the toothbrush in his direction.

“Is this room always prepared for guests?”

Amie laughed out loud. “I told you this room has seen action.”

She reached for the faucet, but Milton distracted her. “Hey, wait! You know about