Page 57 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

“No, she won’t fit the part,” he continued as if I hadn’t just referenced him naked. “You, on the other hand, will. And I won’t have to worry about you stripping me naked.”Fuck, another blush.“We can help each other. I will ensure Brandon is never taken away from you.”

He was serious. And I knew if he said that, he would ensure Brandon was indeed never taken away from me.

“You are pretty powerful,” I started, my heart racing, thundering in my ears. I figured I had nothing to lose. “Why not ensure he is never taken away from me without the marriage? You could make it happen.”

He watched me now, his gaze guarded. Again, I wished I could read this man.

“If I knew about it before, I could have helped,” he told me in his deep voice. “The hearing is already scheduled. Short of bribing the judge, and with the daycare’s recommendation on record it will be too hard to wipe it all out without raising flags. Also, it won’t help matters that you are not a British citizen and Brandon is.”

“I didn’t even think about being a British citizen.” Why didn’t Lena’s lawyer bring that up? Maybe it wasn’t his area of expertise. “That sucks,” I muttered, wishing I knew earlier he would have helped me. But I didn’t realize before today I was failing so miserably in the eyes of the system. “This is not my year, I swear.”

His lips quirked again. “Maybe we can make it your year.”

I shook my head.

“This is crazy,” I told him. “The fact that I am even thinking about your offer is ridiculous. First, I’ve got a kid. And now, I’m thinking of getting married to make sure I can keep him, and you can get your grandfather’s business.”

I kept rambling, and he let me. Finally, I took a deep breath. “Don’t you have enough businesses as it is? What kind of business is your grandfather leaving you that you want it enough to consider marriage?”

“It is more sentimental,” he replied and I raised my eyebrow.

“You? Sentimental?” Luckily for me, he ignored my comment.

“And it is a publishing house,” he continued. And that piqued my interest.

“What kind of publishing house?”

“The one that publishes books,” he answered calmly, like I was the biggest idiot on the planet.

I couldn’t believe we were discussing marriage like a business transaction. “Okay, whatever. Keep your publishing house a secret. I don’t care anyway.” There were so many feelings brewing inside me… hope, fear, surprise, and desire. It was hard to deal with all of it unprepared.

I wished I understood his motives better. I felt like I was missing something here. “Doesn’t it bother you to marry a stranger just for the sake of getting your grandfather’s business?” I couldn’t understand this man at all. I’d kill to keep Brandon safe but I couldn’t understand Alexander going through all this pain just to get his grandfather’s company.

“We both have a problem and we have an opportunity to help each other. Why wouldn’t we take advantage of this opportunity?”

“You make it sound so simple,” I muttered under my breath.

“It is very simple,” he replied matter-of-factly. While I considered his words, we watched each other. Then he continued, “You and Callen McLeod,” he started and I instantly sat up straight.

“Whoa, whoa,” I cut him off. “Why are we talking about Callen? He has nothing to do with any of this.”

He regarded me as if trying to decide whether I was telling him the truth or not.

“He is a competitor to one of Caldwell’s businesses,” he finally stated, and I couldn’t help, but raise my eyebrow in surprise. “I want to make sure there is no fraternizing with the enemy, so to speak.”

“Callen only owns one publishing house,” I told him. “And I don’t fraternize. What kind of condition is that anyway?”

“I want it to be clear, I won’t tolerate any communications with him or any of his staff,” he stated, nonchalantly. His tone held no emotions.

“I have no idea what you are trying to say,” I retorted back dryly. “But assuming I agree to this charade, I will not be told who I can or cannot talk to. I mean, you don’t hear me telling you that.”

“So what is it going to be?” he inquired, ignoring my comment.

“I have to think about it,” I told him. I couldn’t decide something like that on the spot. It was a huge deal. “Getting married is a pretty big deal. To me, anyhow. It’s not something to be decided in minutes.”

“Ok,” he agreed. “Think about it and let me know tonight.”

“Damn, aren’t you pushy,” I argued.

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