I shake my head to clear it and pick up the drink, taking a sip but I practically melt into the leather beneath me as the flavors hit my tongue. It’s so fucking good.
“Why do you need to get married?” I get right to the point.
“This ranch belonged to my grandfather; it was always supposed to come to me after he passed.”
I nod, watching him lift his glass to his lips to take a sip. His throat works to swallow it, but he doesn’t bring his eyes back to me, instead, he looks beyond, to the doors that look out onto the ranch.
“I’ve worked my entire life for Knight Falls, but my grandfather decided to put a clause in his will that means I only get this place if I get married, and stay married for a minimum of twelve months.”
“But why?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know what he was thinking or why he put that in, but it’s tied my hands, and I don’t have time to fight it.”
“So, who gets it if you don’t marry?”
“Silas, but he doesn’t want it. I mean, he’ll take it if he must, but he has enough to worry about. You won’t just be helping me out; you’ll be helping him too.”
“I just,” I look down into the cocktail, “It’s a really bad idea.”
“Trust me,” He scoffs, “I know.”
“There are a few things that aren’t clear in the contract.” I sigh.
“Thought you didn’t read it,” He quirks a brow in challenge, which I meet with a scowl.
“What happens when we divorce?” I grind out, “What’s stopping me from taking everything from you?”
“Would you?” He tilts his head.
“Only if you came after me,” I admit, “You have more to lose than I do.”
“I’ll have it added to the contract thatneitherof us will attempt anything when that time comes. Whatever you have is yours and yours alone.”
“Do we have to live together?”
He winces. “Yes, and we need to be seen as any other married couple.”
My head snaps back. “I’m not kissing you.”
He wets his lips and grins. “Why? You afraid you mightlike it?”
“Absolutely not,” I retort quickly. “How are we even meant to sell arealmarriage when we literally only met a couple of days ago?”
“Simple — we had been dating in secret to save small-town gossip but now we’re ready to go public.”
I take a sip of my cocktail, letting the flavors wash over my tongue again. Cocktail making is one of my favorite parts of owning a bar, the flavors, the colors, the odd ingredients that tie it all together. I love watching people’s faces change when they take that initial sip, how their eyes brighten. It brings me an odd sense of pride knowing I did that.
He leans forward, resting his elbows on his desk as he catches and holds my eyes. “I picked you for a reason, Niamh. I don’t want a marriage, I don’t want a wife, and I think you feel the same way. We both need help, we both win here, like I said.”
“And there’s no catch?” I press, “To the money I need now?”
“None.” He shakes his head.
“I want permission to access the falls whenever I want, even after this is done.”
A light chuckle rumbles out of him. “You can have it.”
“I’ll have my own room?”
