He must have noticed I was wavering. “You’d have the security you want, Sara. I may not be marriage material, but I won’t hurt you. You and the child will have everything you want or need. All you have to do is follow a few rules and your challenges in life are gone.”
The mention of rules made me flinch. My parents had rules. Glen had rules. Would Chase end up being controlling like them? He certainly was the type of man who could.
“What do you say, Sara? Will you be my wife and the mother of my child in return for having the money and support you need?”
“Yes.” God help me.
11
Chase
What the hell am I doing? I was back at City Hall waiting for Sara to show up to get married. All week long, I had been second guessing my proposition to her. Not that I didn’t think she’d make a good wife or mother, but I must have completely lost my mind to think I could buy her and a child. And yet, here I was. When she said yes, I felt relieved. I knew normal people would feel happy, elated even. Then I handed her five thousand dollars to get a wedding dress and make arrangements to move into my place by Friday night. We got our marriage license, on Thursday, and today we’d be married, ready to get to work on baby making this weekend.
The whole thing was ridiculous, which was why I hadn’t told anyone. The whole purpose of this marriage was to appease my father and meet the terms of his new inheritance requirements. I should have invited him to the wedding. But for now, this was going to be our secret.
I supposed there was a part of me that didn’t like that I was turning out to be like the other men she’d run into in her life. I was going to give her something in return for sex. My stomach turned at the idea. Surely, I was better than that.
“You sure she’s coming?” my lawyer, Tom Lister said. He’d drawn up a prenup that included the terms of our deal, as well as a few other new items. She didn’t want a cheating husband, and I wouldn’t be cuckolded, so there were legal ramifications if either of us cheated. I scoffed at myself. How could we cheat when we weren’t really committed to each other? At least not emotionally.
“She’ll be here.” I said it, but a part of me wondered if she finally realized how crazy this was and went home. A part of me would be relieved if she did.
Finally, the door opened, and she appeared. My breath caught. Bright light from the outdoor sun streamed in around her. She was wearing a simple flowing white dress and her hair was pinned up, but a few tendrils hung loose around her face. She looked like an angel.
“Is that her?” Tom asked.
“Yes.” My gaze stayed on her as she walked through security and then made her way toward us.
“You sure know how to pick ’em, Chase.”
I turned my head to him, not sure I liked his comment. “What do you mean?”
“Nubile and ripe. She’s ideal.”
Fuck. I hated that he’d described her like that, but that was exactly what this deal was about. A fertile woman to have my baby.
She reached us and smiled, although I saw the nervousness in her eyes.
“Let’s get these signed and then we can head to the marriage bureau. I’ve arranged for a private ceremony and I’ll be a witness.” Tom handed the papers over to her.
She looked at them. “You sure know how to pour on the romance,” she quipped.
My lips twitched up. “We’ll get along great if you think contracts are romantic.”
She smirked at me and then took the pen and signed the prenup. We headed to the marriage bureau and stood before a judge, vowing to love and honor till death do us part. I felt sick through the entire thing, until the judge said to kiss the bride.
I pressed my palms to Sara’s cheeks. She looked so young and vulnerable, and my gut clenched with guilt to be putting her through this. “It will be okay, Sara.”
She mustered a smile and nodded.
I leaned forward, pressing my lips to hers. I intended a short kiss, but the minute my mouth was on hers, short wouldn’t cut it. So, I took my time, pleased that she allowed me to thoroughly taste her.
“Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Raven,” the judge said when I pulled back.
“Thank you,” I said, taking Sara’s hand and leading her out of the judge’s chamber.
When we got to the street, I shook Tom’s hand.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” he said, looking from Sara to me.
“If not, I have a good lawyer.”
He laughed. “I’d wish you happiness, but I think wishing you luck will be better.”