Bought For Marriage

“I’m one of the front desk assistant managers at the Four Seasons.”

Hospitality. Another point in her favor. However, I was right, her job had very little flexibility and would take too much of her time and attention. “I appreciate the work it took you to get that position, Kinsley, but you’ll have to quit. My schedule won’t accommodate yours. You can find a more flexible job if you wish, or you can focus on other endeavors, such as charity. Maybe even go back and finish your degree, if you’d like. You certainly won’t need to work for the income.”

Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought she might argue with me. Another surprise…the thought turned me on even more. However, she simply nodded, her lips pressed together to form a straight line.

I had to admit, I was a little disappointed. I thought I’d seen some fire in her, and the idea had held definite appeal. Still, she was sexy as fuck and, so far, she seemed to be perfect. I wanted this woman in my bed, so I hoped she met the rest of my criteria. “I assume Julia has gone over my requirements with you?”

She nodded, but I pressed harder, needing to be sure. “While our marriage will not have emotional attachment, it will be real in every physical sense.” I let the lust I was feeling burn in my eyes as I leaned in to speak my next words. “I can promise you’ll be very satisfied in that regard.”

She visibly swallowed, and I smirked when she shifted restlessly in her seat before uncrossing and re-crossing her legs.

“You understand we will not have children?” I also clarified. I didn’t bother to explain my reasons. She either accepted the term or she didn’t.

Her eyes shuttered quickly, but not before I caught a flash of resigned acceptance. “Yes. While I will admit to a desire for children, I don’t want to raise kids in a union like ours.”

“Excellent,” I agreed with a firm nod. “One last thing. You’re comfortable with the pretense required when we are with my family?”

“Yes, of course.”

I was fighting a growing urge to see what her lips tasted like and decided to use this opportunity to give in to temptation. Standing, I quickly pulled her to her feet, tugging her against my chest. “Show me,” I whispered, then held her gaze for a beat to be sure there was agreement there before crashing my lips down onto hers.

Her hands flew to my shoulders, but she didn’t pull away. The moment my tongue traced along her seam, she moaned and opened to allow me access. Fuck. My tongue swept inside, tangling with hers. She tasted like peppermint and spice, a combination I had a feeling could become very addicting.

My hands had been at the small of her back, holding her close, but they slowly descended until I was grasping her firm ass. She felt fucking amazing in my arms, and it was clear that we were going to be explosive once I got her underneath me.

I unsealed our mouths to trail kisses along her jaw and over to her ear, where I nibbled on the lobe. “There won’t be anyone else, Kinsley,” I purred. “I will own this body, is that clear?”

“Y-yes,” she panted as her head dropped back to give me better access. Then she stiffened, and her neck and back snapped straight, almost causing us to bang our heads together. “No one else for you, either,” she snapped.

There was the fire I’d seen lurking earlier. If I didn’t back off now, I was going to throw her on the conference table and fuck her hard and fast.

“Agreed.” With one last squeeze of her perfect ass, I stepped away and took several deep breaths to help me calm down. “I think we have a deal, Ms. Taylor.”

She smoothed out some invisible wrinkles on her dress and patted at her hair while looking everywhere but at me. When our eyes finally met once more, I couldn’t help grinning at how flushed and dazed she appeared. It was hot as hell to know she was as affected by me as I was by her.

“I’ll have Julia draw up the paperwork and be in touch about the wedding details.” I wanted to kiss her one more time, but I didn’t know if I’d be able to control myself, so I pivoted on my heel and headed for the door.

“Wait,” Kinsley called, causing me to stop and turn around. “Did Julia tell you my requirement?”

I raised a brow in question, silently conveying that I wasn’t aware of any such thing.

“I’ll need access to at least three hundred thousand dollars as soon as we’ve signed the contract.”

A tiny part of the fire inside me sparked and blew out. I knew that she was more than likely going into this for the money, and while she wouldn’t have carte blanche access to my funds, she would always be very comfortable. But I was a little surprised and disappointed that she was demanding an initial lump sum. I brushed it off quickly. I knew going in what this marriage entailed and I’d accepted that my money was the driving factor, so I needed to stop acting like a pussy and get over her request.