“Hey.” Declan’s jaw ticks, and I know he’s as surprised to see me as I am him.
Neither of us says it, though. And neither of us admits that we’ve met before. It’s almost like an unspoken agreement.
“Mia, this is Declan Wild, my star client.” Ned claps Declan on the shoulder. “Declan plays for the Wild Kings.”
“You’re an ice hockey player?” I can’t believe I didn’t ask him more questions about what he did.
“He may have only joined the Wild Kings last year, but he’s got a championship cup to his name, not to mention multiple MVPs of the league. He’s going to be in the Hall of Fame one day soon. He holds so many records I wouldn’t know where to start.”
“Wow. That’s amazing,” I say with genuine admiration. “Good for you.”
“Not a big deal.” Declan shifts uncomfortably, and his cheeks flush. It’s adorable.He’sadorable. He’s also so freaking sexy with that day-old scruff and messy dark hair that I resist the urging I have to kiss him.
“So.” Ned gestures to the couch, and Declan sits back down.
I join him, trying to sit as far apart from him as I can without making it seem weird. Because this entire experience is weird. My only one-night stand is in my uncle’s office with me.
But it’s about to get a lot weirder.
“I’m sure you’re both wondering why I’ve called you here,” my uncle begins as he takes the seat behind his desk and looks at each of us.
We both nod. Well, I think Declan nods. I’m trying so hard to keep my gaze focused solely on my uncle so he won’t suspect anything. But, out of the corner of my eye, I think I detect a slight head movement.
“I’ve decided you two will get married.”
Silence.
I can literally hear my breaths as I nearly pant like an anxious dog. My palms are sweating ridiculously, and my stomach starts doing backflips.
“What?!” Declan and I finally both say at the same time.
Ned just smiles. “I’ll draw up a foolproof contract so that your marriage will end after one year. A pain-free cut where neither of you will walk away with any earnings that the other makes.” He turns to Declan. “Just to be clear, though, Mia is the opposite of a gold-digger. She has no interest in your money, and you can trust her implicitly. She will sign an NDA, of course, and she’ll need to move into the cabin with you on Wild Ranch because her place doesn’t have the security protection or the privacy that you need.”
“I’m sorry—what?” I glare at my uncle. “I’m right here, Uncle Ned! And I haven’t agreed to this yet.”
“Mia’s right,” Declan says, his voice coming out scratchy. “It’s not fair to get her roped into something like this just to help me get a job. She doesn’t need any of this.”
Uncle Ned has the audacity to chuckle heartily. “I apologize. I should have made clear whateachof you will be getting out of this. Because trust me, Declan, I would never involve my favorite niece in an arranged marriage if she hadn’t asked me for the help herself.”
“You what?” Declan shifts to face me. “I don’t understand.”
“Mia’s father won’t let her take over the family company until she’s been married for a year,” Uncle Ned interjects before I have to.
Declan’s eyebrows shoot up. “Why would he force your hand like that?”
I don’t want to talk about my mother’s passing right now. Uncle Ned and I exchange a glance, and I know he understands.
“The requirement is misguided,” my uncle says quickly. “Kind of like the stipulation that you be married to become part owner of the Wild Kings, Declan. Except unlike your situation, which is about protecting the team’s public image, Mia’s parents truly only had good intentions for her when the contract was drawn up.”
I shoot my uncle a grateful look. “That’s right.” I nod at Declan. “So I need an arranged marriage too. Small world, huh?” I break into nervous giggles.
Declan’s lips twitch like he’s fighting a smile.
“I’m game if you are,” I say quietly, so quietly I’m not even sure my uncle can hear me. “I know it’s a weird situation.”
Without taking his eyes off of me, Declan says, “I’d like to speak to Mia alone.”
Chapter Nine
