Without missing a beat, Jacob advised her that her best route was to walk away gracefully before he held out the check. Marissa eyes had rounded to saucers in surprise when she read the amount he’d signed away. At that point, she tucked the checkin her purse, got up calmly and headed to the door. However, it seemed she was not pacified as she warned him, “You will regret your decision, mark my words,” before slamming the door hard enough that he wondered if the wood had splintered.
When he’d left Sierra’s side, his ex-wife still sleeping soundly, he realized that the thoughts he’d been having in Vegas showed him that she still had a hold on him. Even though he and Marissa were still in the early stages, only dating, and they hadn’t slept together yet, Jacob knew he couldn’t continue with their relationship. Ignoring her blow-up just now, he knew Marissa was a sweet woman. But as he’d noticed during the bachelor trip, any time he thought of putting a ring on her finger, the idea had given him pause.
He cared enough for Marissa to let her go and not lead her on anymore. And it angered him that he was still vulnerable to his ex-wife. He did not like it one little bit, because Sierra’s presence being here ruined the chance he had with Marissa and helping his brothers out.
He now had no other prospects and time was running out, so he was about to do the unthinkable.
A knock on the door broke his train of thought and Sierra poked her head into the office. “What just happened? Marissa stormed by me like her heels were on fire, glaring at me like I was the devil.”
“Come in, I need to talk to you.” He gestured at the chair in front of him.
“Ah okay, where is Kaitlyn?” Sierra shut his door before she made her way into the office. She was dressed in leggings and a big white sweater that hid her curves. Sierra had gone out to one of her AA meetings, which Marissa had explained when he came home early. Even with all of the tests and visits withKaitlyn, Sierra had kept up with her meetings since returning to Boston. He could see now much effort and dedication she was doing to continuing her sobriety and getting help.
“She is with Colin and his fiancée, Coco.”
“Okay.” Sitting down in the chair, Sierra crossed her socked feet and looked about the room. “Why do I feel like I just got pulled into the principal office?” She joked; he could tell she was trying to lighten the mood.
His lips curved, seeing the humor in it because with her chosen outfit and wearing no makeup, she looked youthful, but what he sampled last night was definitely all woman.
And while he craved taking her again, his mood darkened because he didn’t want to be vulnerable to her all over again. It wasn’t hard to recall images of her giving herself so freely to him, the way her eyes gazed into his, so dark and sultry. She resembled a sexy goddess, presenting herself to him with her white tank top, not hiding the plump flesh of her breasts and her dark areolas, down to the flesh-tone shorts she’d chosen as underwear, displaying the hard curves of her buttocks and shape of her pussy. He had not been able to control himself. Him wanting to help her with her leg pain was genuine, but as he massaged her leg, his will fell apart. The feel of her supple skin made him want to continue touching her and the rise of her scar on her leg. He’d wanted to rain kisses on it to make all better. In the end, he succumbed to the heat and passion brewing between them.
When he got up in the morning, he had tried to blame his weakness on him being tired from the long flight. But he could not get her out of his head; finally he came home when he kept looking at the same numbers accounting had provided for the month-end revenue.
Sitting in the car parked in the driveway, he’d come up with a solution to all of his problems.
“You want us to remarry so that you can placate a dying man’s wish. Am I hearing you correctly?” Sierra now looked pale and angry, her fingernails gripping the fabric of her leggings.
“Yes, it is a win-win for both of us.” Jacob kept his voice calm and professional, just as he would do when negotiating any sort of contract. “You get to stay and be a part of Kaitlyn’s life after the operation is over, and as my wife you will have back the financial support you lost when the accident happened.”
Distaste flashed across her eyes and she spoke through a measured breath. “And after your grandfather dies, then what?”
“We can say we tried for a second time, and it didn’t work out. This happens all the time and we can co-parent after.” He shrugged, certain this explanation would satisfy anyone who asked. It didn’t need to be a complicated matter.
“Wow, so generous.” He expected the sarcasm from her, but he didn’t care.
“Yes, I am being very generous, Sierra. If it wasn’t for last night, I wou—”
“You’re blaming this on me?” Sierra interrupted him, her tone icy. Now he could see her hands trembling with anger. He remained silent. “You coward, you were right there in between my thighs, licking my pussy for all it was worth.”
He glared, now hard again from her just mentioning the previous night. However, he couldn’t let himself be distracted.
“Yes, well, we will share the same bedroom and what comes with a marriage, but this time you have matured, and you will hold no illusions about us.” He shrugged as her gaze narrowed on him.
“Our first marriage was based on delusion and this one will not be. We will operate in name only and to provide for Kaitlyn as her parents.”
Sierra looked indignant at his sedate tone; he ignored it. “And when the time comes, we will go our separate ways. We will file for divorce if you or I meet someone that we want to be with.
“So basically, I am getting the same package as last time. Got it.” She got to her feet. Though she still faced him, she refused to meet his eyes. “Is that all, I need to go and rest.”
“Do you agree?” He pressed, not willing to let her leave without confirmation on his plan moving forward.
“I’ll think about it.” She paused, shifting her weight from one leg to the other. “When do you want this engagement and marriage to happen?”
“We can attend the charity dinner and ball, as your father had asked. We’ll arrive as a couple and everyone will see you wearing a new engagement ring.” Jacob couldn’t read her expression. “I will make an announcement when I accept the donation on Kaitlyn’s behalf.”
“Wait.” Sierra gasped in surprise. “That’s this Friday!”
“No one will be surprised as you have been here for a couple of months and just recently moved back in. I am sure the rumors and speculation have already been flying, and people love a romantic comeback story.” He said sardonically and watched her as she just gave a nod; the only telltale sign of her distress was her hands were balled into fists.
