“This was a surprise.” She sits across from me in the dark, secluded booth in the back of the bar. It’ll suffice to provide privacy for the conversation that’s about to take place, and I’ve taken liberties to ensure no one else will be seated near us.
“I imagine it was. As will the reason for my request.” I should get a little alcohol in her first to soften the blow, but that could also backfire. Best not to muddle things.
She eyes the files on the table, raising her eyebrows in speculation. “Are we having a business meeting?” she asks teasingly.
“Of sorts. What would you like to drink?” I ask as the waiter approaches behind her. I’m facing the room to make sure no one sneaks up while discussing sensitive information.
She gives her order, and we make small talk while waiting. We’ve occasionally discussed her personal life before or after our nights of debauchery. Mine, however, I’ve avoided at all costs, making sure she knew where we stood. Tonight… that all flies out the window.
“Are you familiar with the term NDA, or nondisclosure agreement?” I jump right in as the waiter retreats from delivering her drink.
Her brows narrow in confusion. “Yes, I know what it is. Why?”
“In order to proceed, you’ll need to sign one regarding everything discussed tonight.” I remove the top two pages from the file and place it before her. “And just so you’re clear, if you violate it in any way, you will regret it. I can’t begin to stress the amount of trouble it’ll cause you if anything you’re about to hear is leaked. The repercussions will be dire.”
Her confusion turns to shock with the harshness of my words, but I won’t sugarcoat it… regardless of Sebastian’s advice.
“It’s up to you, but if you refuse, this will be our last night together.”
And from shock… to horror. Her acceptance won’t come as a surprise.
“Why?” she asks suspiciously.
“Sign the NDA and I’ll explain.”
“I wouldn’t tell anyone what you said in confidence anyway. I’ve hardly talked about you in the first place.” She blushes at the comment, giving me a good idea of what shehastalked about. “Isn’t this a little much?”
“It might appear that way, but you’ll understand if we continue. Feel free to read it over.” I gesture to the ironclad document that needs her signature.
“Ifwe continue? Like I said, I wouldn’t say anything regardless, so I’m only signing this to satisfy your paranoia.”
Without another word, she takes the pen and scrawls her name at the bottom.
“So what’s the big secret?” Her words are sarcastic.
With the document completed and safely tucked away, I’m still not entirely convinced. “I mean it, Rebecca. If you breathe a word of what I’m about to say, you’ll regret it for years to come. Understood?”
“For Christ’s sake, yes. I signed the damn thing, didn’t I? What the hell, Eli? Just spit it out already.”
I run my hand through my hair and sigh. I’ve been dreading this moment all week, and now that it’s here, I feel no more prepared than weeks ago.
Out of ways to stall, I recite the basics of the trust.
Taking a sip of my drink and bracing myself for the next part, she chimes in, “Holy shit. Did we warp back in time?”
I laugh, which is not something I expected to happen tonight. Suddenly, I realize it’s not Rebecca I’m angry with—she’s innocent in this. Her only offense is wanting more from someone unwilling to give it. The realization, however, doesn’t change the fact that I need her to understand what I’m offering and what I’m not.
“My thoughts exactly. Apparently, these things are still allowed in the twenty-first century.”
“So now what?”
“Now, I find a wife.” I sip my drink, allowing a few seconds to brace myself. “That’s where you come in.”
She jerks back in surprise. “Is this your way of asking me to marry you?” The hope in her eyes belies the irritation she portrays.
This is where it’s crucial not to glaze over the truth and risk hurting her feelings later. Scorned women tend to make stupid decisions, and there can be no fuckups, or this will all be for nothing.
“No, this isn’t a proposal. I’m merely proposing a contract. I need to be married, on paper only, for a term of two years. Then adivorce will take place, and myex-wife will walk away a wealthier woman than she was.”
