“So youareasking me to marry you. I hate to be Captain Obvious, but if we’re married on paper and you pay me for a divorce”—she leans in and whispers the rest—“then I’ll be your wife.”
“That’s true, which is why transparency is important here. This is simply a means to an end for me. We’ll need to live together and appear enamored in the public eye, but that’s where similarities to a real marriage end. The only other thing resembling marriage will be when we fuck. However, it won’t be in my bed. We’ll have separate rooms.”
“You make it sound so enticing.” The sarcasm is dripping.
“If it sounds like I’m being a dick, then I am. I won’t have you enter this arrangement with unrealistic expectations. If you’re clear about where I stand and still interested in hearing the details, then I’ll proceed. Otherwise, we can say goodbye and go our separate ways. It’s your call, and I completely understand if it’s the latter. I realize asking for two years of your life isn’t fair, but it will be financially beneficial.”
She sits back against the booth and turns her head to the side, breaking eye contact. I signal the waiter for another round and tip back the rest of my glass.
“I don’t want to be your whore. What if I don’t want to sleep with you?”
“Then don’t. But it’ll be a long two years of celibacy.” I smirk.
She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms.
“Look, I’m not paying you to fuck me—you’re already doing that for free.” She gasps at the insult, but I continue, ignoring the offense, “Think of it as payment to live with me instead. Whatever makes you sleep at night.” Better she knows my aloof attitude won’t change with the new arrangement. I’ve given no indication of ourrelationship being anything more than sex, and it won’t be any different if we proceed.
“What about seeing other people discreetly? There are plenty of open marriages out there.”
“Not this one. I’m not willing to have the whole thing blow up in my face if it’s discovered or have you suddenly find someone you want a real relationship with and call for a divorce early. There are stipulations in the contract to discourage it, but I’m not taking chances. Are you ready to hear the terms of the contract, then? It might shed some light on that not being an option.”
“Can I still say no after having the full picture?”
“You can say no anytime before signing the marriage certificate. Although, you’d be screwing me over in the process if you wait that long since I’d be out of time to find an alternative.” Maybe I should keep searching and have a backup prepared to go, but I’d only be adding risk at that point with more people knowing the situation, which is a bad idea. That means I may need to soften up a little since all my eggs are in one basket.
“I’m not out to screw you over, Eli.”
I tip my head in acceptance, hearing her sincerity. However, I know what sheisout for, making me sigh at this no-win situation for either of us.
“I might as well hear the rest of the details,” she says with a sigh.
I slide the bottom file over. “This is your copy to take home and review, but I’ll hit the bullet points. You should have an attorney review it on your behalf. I’ll pay the bill. However, I’d like to approve of your selection first—some I wouldn’t trust to keep the information confidential. You ready?”
“How long will I have to decide?”
“The engagement would go public next month, and the documents need to be signed before that. So I’d say you have a week,giving us two weeks to finalize the paperwork with any adjustments before making it official.”
“What adjustments? I thought it was done.”
“Rebecca, this is your contract as well. If there are things you want added or changed, we’ll negotiate…. That’s how business works.” And that’s all this is.
“Okay then, fire away.”
“The conditions of the trust require me to be married for a minimum of two years after an engagement period of six months. If, for any reason, the marriage is terminated before that, an investigation into the validity of the union will take place. I’d like to avoid that at all costs. As already stated, you’ll live with me, have a separate room, and, other than not dating anyone else, carry on with your normal life. You’ll accompany me to events on occasion to maintain appearances. I’ll provide you with a ring, ensure you have everything you need financially, and make provisions for clothing and accessories typical of being the wife of a billionaire.”
She smiles slyly. “Your proposal is sounding better and better.”
“Well then, you’ll appreciate the final payment of two million dollars as a settlement in our future divorce. One million for each year of marriage.”
“Holy shit. Where do I sign?” she asks, making me laugh in response.
Perhaps the alcohol is setting in, or perhaps I’m warming up to her. “Don’t let the prospect of money make you overlook the negative aspects.”
“Remind me what those were….”
I find myself chuckling again. “There’s a firm prenup with no possibility of additional alimony, but I’d say the biggest drawback is being stuck in a dead-end situation for two years. This won’t be a traditional relationship. My stance won’t change on that.”
“We’ll see.” She winks.
