The Tycoon's Proposition

“Then I think your dream could be destined for failure down the road.”

“Would you care to explain that remark?” Though he’d asked the question in a civil enough way, she’d heard the underlying steel in his tone.

“This may be a floating city, but it needs babies and old people so it won’t feel like some governmental experiment in outer space.

“I noticed there was no nursing home listed. What will happen if someone is diagnosed with Alzheimers and needs round-the-clock care? Or is there a rule that at sixty-five you have to sell your condo?”

His face closed up. She’d made him angry.

“I’m sorry, Ben. I didn’t mean to get so carried away, but you did ask. I’m only giving my input from a woman’s point of view. Have you presold all the condos?”

“No.”

“Are sales up or down?”

“They’re coming along.”

“Maybe they would move faster if you didn’t have those limitations. I know if I had the kind of money it took to buy a condo on the Atlantis, I wouldn’t consider it if you couldn’t have babies and pets. Without them it would feel like a giant country club. One night out is fun, but not a steady diet.”

His eyelids lowered to half-mast. “Does this mean I can expect you to leave the ship for long periods of time?”

She got up from the bed. “No. Of course not. I’m your wife and agreed to be your working assistant. I’ll stand by you no matter what.”

Shadows darkened his face. “Meaning even if I lose my shirt on this venture?”

“No!” Terri groaned in pain. “That’s not what I said. You’re twisting my words. How can you even ask that?” she blurted in pain.

Devastated because her outspoken remarks had hurt him, she realized she’d ruined what had been the most beautiful day of her life. Somehow she had to make him understand it hadn’t been intentional.

“Only a few hours ago I vowed to stay with you for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. If you think I made them lightly, then you don’t know me at all.”

Heavy tension crackled between them like a live wire.

“After we’re at sea I’ll call a board meeting,” he murmured. “You’ll be first on the agenda. Tell them what you’ve just told me.”

“I—I don’t want to alienate them right off.”

He made a strange sound. “You had them eating out of the palm of your hand a few hours ago. It ought to be an interesting experiment for everyone involved.”

“Ben—” Her voice trembled. “I’m afraid I’ve hurt you in a way you can’t forgive. Please believe me when I tell you I wasn’t attacking your dream. It’s so fabulous, I still can’t find the words.

“All I was trying to do is offer a few suggestions to make it so perfect, people will clamor to live here. I’m so proud of what you’ve achieved. To be honest, I’m in awe of you.”

He raked a hand through his dark hair. “If that was awe, you’ve redefined the definition for all time.”

Her eyes glistened with tears. “Tell me I haven’t ruined everything,” she begged. “I couldn’t bear it.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Terri. I knew what I was doing when I asked you to marry me. You’ve just reinforced it in an indelible way.”

She shook her head. “My father used to warn me I could get into trouble trying to fix everything for everybody.” By now tears were dripping off her chin. She wiped them away. “This is one time I wish I’d taken his advice.”

Terri had no idea how Ben made it to the bedroom door ahead of her but he did. His hard-muscled frame barred the exit.

“Mrs. Herrick? We’ve just weathered our first storm. I have to tell you I found it more exciting than anything I’ve experienced in years.” Before Terri could say a word, he cupped the side of her moist face with his free hand. “Don’t ever change, or you wouldn’t be you.”

In the next breath he pressed a tender kiss to her lips. It told her everything was going to be all right.

When he lifted his head, a moan of protest escaped her throat. He’d heard her. She couldn’t recall it. But this was a time for honesty.