“Your majesty, would youpleasedo your humble servant the great honor of joining me in—”
“Are you freaking nuts?” she hissed. “Get up.”
I held her stare. “Please.Please. I beg of you. Ple—”
“There’s something very, very wrong with you.” With a sharp shake of her head, she sidestepped me and headed for my office.
Grin stretching wide, I pushed to my feet and followed.
“Marry me.” The words were out before my door clicked shut.
She whirled from where she stood in front of my desk. “What?”
“Marry me,” I repeated.
Even from across the room, it was impossible not to spot the fury burning in her eyes. I had this urge to close the distance, shove my fingers in her hair, and find out if her kiss would taste as angry.
Shit. There I went again. These thoughts and damn urges had to stop.
“Listen.” Sliding my hands into my pockets, I took a few tentative steps toward her. “This is the easiest way to ensure we both get what we want.”
She made a noise that sounded a lot like a growl. “Easy? I don’t think being married to you would be easy.”
Ouch.I rubbed a hand over my sternum. “Ah, come on, Kitty Kat. Say you’ll be my pretend wife.”
Shaking her head, she rolled her eyes. “No.”
I crossed the room in a few strides. My fingers curled around her wrists before my brain could even issue the command. Much like the night of the dinner, I was struck with how damn soft her skin was.
“It’s not forever,” I told her. “Only until I make partner, and a judge tells whatsherface to go to hell.”
“Well,” she drawled. “When you put it like that…” One hard tug was all it took for her to shrug out of my hold. “No.”
My hands shot to my hips. “Why are you being so fucking stubborn? All that’s standing between you and me reaching our goals is one little trip to the courthouse.”
Her rage returned full force, reminding me once more how sick in the head I was when all I could think about was bending her over the desk and screwing her until she saw reason…or stars.
I’d settle for either.
“It’s notjustone trip to the courthouse,” she spat, thankfully oblivious to my thoughts. “It’s divorce papers later. It’s upending a little girl’s life not once but twice. Have you even stopped to think about what this would do to her?”
Shit. I hadn’t. Shame coated my skin.
An apology sat on the tip of my tongue, but Kate wasn’t done.
“I don’t want to marry you, Tristan. Not even a pretend marriage.”
Those hazel eyes stayed trained on me for a few heart-stopping moments before she shook her head and turned toward the door.
“Kate, wait.” Catching her by the wrist again, I drew her to a stop. I didn’t miss the wild way in which her pulse thrummed against my fingers. I had a similar beat rattling inside my chest. “I thought you’d do anything to keep Millie.”
“That’s low,” she whispered, her tone full of disappointment.
She was right. That was low, even for me.
“I’m…” I started to apologize then stopped. Why did I want this so bad? It was just supposed to be an idea to strengthen our chances, when had it become this urgent matter?
“I’m sorry.” Uncurling my fingers, I stepped back, allowing her to leave.
