Before signing those papers, she’d been honest when he asked again about her past relationship…minus the cheating part. He didn’t need to know about that. And when she’d added, “I know I mentioned my influence before, but do you mind if it’sdelayedinfluence?” his brows had lifted, something she’d started noticing he did often. “I have something to get done within a few months before then. It involves Jake, and you’ll understand when the time comes.”
I can’t be publicly married to you and be dating Jake at the same time.
“And what’s this ‘thing’ you have to do?” he’d asked.
“It’s nothing that affects your end of this deal,” she’d promised. “You’ll know when you need to.”
And for some reason, while looking into her eyes, he’d simply nodded. As if he was spellbound. As though he couldn’t help himself, couldn’t back out. But he could have. He could have found someone else that would announce their marriage to the world the next day instead of her.
He hadn’t.
“Five months,” Nicolas stipulated. “By February—my thirtieth. I’ll announce it publicly then. I’m not giving you more time than that.”
Emily had no objections. She didn’t need more time than that. The contract for this marriage was set for oneyear. Five months under the radar was perfectly manageable. After the next seven months they would’ve been together publicly and long enough to justify a divorce. People in their world got stuff like that done after one night of fun, so it wouldn’t bethatscandalous. As long as they both achieved their goals, the timeline worked.
Nicolas had offered the option of a renewal if both parties were satisfied with each other’s “services,” but Emily doubted she’d ever consider such a thing.
He’d just have to get himself a new wife.
The tiniest sting came after that thought.
“You’ll also have to temporarily move in with me as written in the contract.”
She’d read as much.
“As much as it may come off as forward to you, I don’t like having what’s mine, contract or not, left unprotected. I have many people who would revel in stepping on my feet or doing even worse. Unfortunately, this now extends to you.”
As an actress, of course Emily knew the negatives of being high-profile. It must have been worse for a business tycoon like Nicolas. He probably had more people lining up to drag him down than she did. Now he was saying they were in the same boat.
He must have read the look on her face.
“What I’m trying to say is I’ll have to know your whereabouts at all times. I’ll give you a week to pack all your belongings and move into my place. My personal assistant will be in touch with you. He’ll help you with the move.”
Emily looked through the interior mirror at said assistant, David, whom she’d met earlier. He was about the same age as Nicolas’s lawyer, John, but fitter. Nicolas must trust him a lot to speak so openly around him.
Speaking of Nicolas, she hadn’t expected concern from him, not after he’d gotten her signature on the dotted line. His demand was…reasonable. Thoughtful, even. He was trying to ensure her safety, a luxury she’d learned not to take for granted given her past.
But being under one roof with a man like him…wasthatsafe?
Knowing she’d have to take the necessary precautions, Emily agreed for now. “Got it.”
“Good,” was all Nicolas responded.
This time, when his hand reached out to her, it was slow. He gave her space to react, unlike the earlier touch. “Have we got ourselves a deal?”
Was a handshake necessary? They’d already signed on this. But there was something different about his eyes now, a hint of understanding.
Her hand lifted, apprehensive at first, then steady as it met his, which dwarfed hers in comparison.
“Deal.”
6
Nicolas knew something was off about Emily’s proposition, but he convinced himself he’d been too desperate to dig further. Well, he wouldn’t do it right now.
He’d managed to uncover most of her sins and mercies. The awards, interviews, dating, even charities and art programs funded under pseudonyms.
He leaned back in his office chair, eyes zoning in on the New York City skyscrapers over the horizon. It had been two days since he’d returned and every hour of them had been filled with thoughts of her.
