He wanted to stare her down, but in good conscience couldn’t. She was right. His whole life he’d been groomed by his father to be a tough son of a bitch and heir to Pemberley Capital. In nine months, his ex-girlfriendandhis mother had entirely changed his attitude, leaving him a sappy, soft drunk when it all went to shit.
“Can I at least vacation without you?”
“And give up your once-a-month ticket to paradise?” He joked.
“Are you sure you don’t want a real drink?—because you might make a more compelling case for this ‘marriage pact of convenience’.”
“Hey, this was your idea, not mine. I’m just rolling with it, putting both our most important issues on the table. You want safety from heartbreak and users and never to live paycheck to paycheck again, am I right?”
“That’s exactly what I want, along with daily sex and the occasional vacation so I can let my hair down. Wherever, justso long as it’s far from here. Somewhere like the Darcy villa in Sorrento?”
“Yes, you can vacation alone in Sorrento, just not the house in Vermont. That’s my mother’s property, part of her family’s holdings. I’ll have Charlie spell it out in the contract.”
“And what about our children? Will they inherit your money?”
“At birth, trusts will be established in their name with financial oversight by Pemberley until their thirtieth birthdays. If they wish to pursue a career at the firm, I’ll oversee their rise from bottom to top, just as I did. After I die, they will be taken care of. It’s detailed on page nine.”
“Aww, I’m getting such warm fuzzy feelings thinking of you as a daddy. You’re so sensitive, honey bunny.” She ran her hand over his.
“Smart ass. You asked a pointed question to which I answered. Of course, I’ll take care of my children. I’m notthatvoid of feeling. I’ll love them like a regular dad, even schedule time for ballet classes or little league games, and for what it’s worth, I think you’ll be a great mom.”
“Thanks. Let’s hope I’m at least better than my parents. I do have another important question.”
“Shoot.”
“Is there anything in this pact that protectsmyinterests? You do realize, as generous as it is, I have a lot to lose. What ifyoucheat? Or miraculously find true love ten years into marriage? Guys go through mid-life crises—just look at my dad. What assurances doIhave after allmytime invested in our perfect little family and your rise to greatness? What ifyoucause a scandal or dump me for a younger model?”
He raised an eyebrow. “That is a very well thought-out and wise question, but completely irrelevant. First of all, I’m not a drunk like your father and secondly, I know myself, I know myintegrity. I’m loyal to people and my contracts. You can take it to the bank that I will not cheat, lie, leave, cause you heartache, or fall in love with anyone, including you. Besides, I know the heart-gutting pain a woman can cause.”
“… and the pleasure. I didn’t hear you complaining the other night. You enjoyed yourself hugely.”
“Did I?”
“Um, yeah. You may have been chantinghername over and over, but you were totally into it, literally and figuratively.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t in my right head. Please, I never want to hear or speak her name again.”
“Hey, I get it. My heart was vulnerable the other night, too, but after a few seconds it was all you, baby.”
He felt sick. Here, he thoughtshewas the one screaminghisname.Self-consumed dick!
“What are you writing on the contract?” she asked.
“That from this point forward we are never to discuss our misguided, drunken hook up or the woman who brought me so low as to force myself upon you.”
“You didn’t force yourself. William, I’ve known you a long time, right?”
“Fourteen years.”
“Then understand what I’m about to say is with sisterly love,” she said, reaching across the table.
Again, he cocked an eyebrow.
“You’re a complete dumbass if you think not mentioning her or wearing a suit ... dumping the booze or getting your business groove back is going to wipe her or the pain out of your mind.”
“It’s done. My heart and romantic memory bank are bankrupt. She is officially canceled, forgotten. That’s why this contract is a brilliant idea. It’s safe. I never have to go through that crap again.”
“Yeah, sure. Mark my words. Not even this agreement will erase what she did to you. You can takethatto the bank.” She rolled her eyes. “You’re so naïve about how shit works.”
