“I will not bring a child into the world with a man who intends to be an absent father,” she declares. “I know better than to expect any love between us, but youwilllove our child. Theydidn’t choose a contract relationship, so they deserve a present, loving father—unlike my own. Not holiday-only, not just for cameras. If anything happens to me, James, you have to make sure our child is raised in a warm, loving environment. If you can’t agree to that, there’s no deal.”
She folds her hands on the table and waits as my mind reels. Whatever I expected, it wasn’t that.
If I’m honest, I hadn’t thought far enough ahead to what it would be like when the childarrived.I only thought as far as signing the contract. Maura was the opposite. She’s thinking so far ahead that she’s imagining hypothetical situations that wouldn’t occur until years down the line.
It makes sense, though. I take for granted my own upbringing, with loving parents who never made me feel anything less than cherished. No wonder Maura, who had to grow up with a cold, work-obsessed businessman like Victor as her parent, has given it more thought. Victor mentioned that her mother died when she was young. Her life must have been a series of silent dinners, awkward holidays, and recitals with nobody clapping for her in the audience.
Her caramel eyes penetrate me, demanding an answer. An honest one.
I have no more confidence that I’ll be a good father than I do that I’ll be a good husband. All I know is that if I have a child, I owe them more than just my name.
I nod. “I’m not sure I can meet your expectations perfectly, but I do intend to try.”
Whether Maura believes me or not, I do mean it. She sucks her pouty lower lip between her teeth, considering.
“Good enough,” she says after a long moment. “That’s it. That’s all I wanted.”
I reach toward my briefcase. “Do you want your conditions in writing?”
“No. I wanted your word, not the lawyers’. Anyway, I’m the one you have to live with if you break it, and I can be very difficult.”
“I find that hard to believe,” I say dryly.
“See? You're already underestimating me. This marriage is off to a great start.” Her smile is equal parts teasing and cutting.
More contradictions. She wants money, but only so it can buy her freedom. She’s serious yet playful, wary of my intentions yet willing to trust me. There’s a fire to her that I’m not quite sure how to handle, but it seems like I’ll have time to figure it out
We both stand in an unspoken agreement that there’s no more to be said. Clearing my throat, I extend my hand to Maura. “It was nice meeting you.”
Her eyes drop to my hand. Instead of taking it, she grabs my suit lapels and yanks me down toward her, so her pouty lips are inches from mine.
I go still as she dips her face to the right and her full lips press against my jaw, a soft caress that sends an unwelcome spark through my veins.
“Optics, remember?” Maura whispers, and when she releases me, a shiver rolls over my back. “People are watching, and by tomorrow, we’ll be engaged.”
I swallow, and she pats my chest.
“See you soon, fiancée.”
2
MAURA
“Any signs of fluid retention?”
“No.”
“Any side effects from your medications?”
“No.”
No, no, no. It feels like I’ve just been repeating the word for the past half-hour. A bored actress parroting her lines. That’s what all my appointments with Dr. Markovic are like now. At least this scene is almost over.
I cross my legs, and the shift makes the paper on the exam table crinkle. When I sigh, I inhale the familiar scent of antiseptic cleaner.
“Any changes in your sleep or appetite?” the doctor asks.
“No.”
