"You like it?" Need slips into his voice. It matters to him that I like his offering.
"Yes. Thank you."
"Thank Paloma."
"She isn't here. You'll have to pass on my gratitude."
He nods of course. Turns a few more degrees toward me.
Enough my breath catches in my throat.
He smells the same. That earthy soap.
Three years and I recognize it.
Three years and the scent takes me back to his bed.
"You wanted to talk. In person." I try to keep my voice even.
He stares back at me with a perfect poker face.
"I'm here." I fail to find the confidence to sell aloof badass. "What do you need?"
If this was a normal offer, he'd put it on paper. In an email. Something.
If it's not…
His brother is former Mi6. They co-own an information company. He knows how easy it is to find secrets.
He needs me here for a reason.
But what?
He's rich, handsome, charming.
Then there's the British accent.
Rich, beautiful, powerful women fall at his feet.
What does he want with me?
"I have an offer for you." His eyes meet mine.
I finish my last sip. Suck a breath through my teeth. Force a steady exhale.
I can stare back at him. I can mirror his power and presence.
Sure, he's a billionaire with the contacts to ruin me. And I'm a cocktail waitress in a cheap dress.
And I, uh…
God, he's so handsome.
And I'm so out of my league. "What kind of offer?"
"I need something. And I want you, Indigo."
Okay…
"I want to marry you."
Chapter Two
Ty
Indigo's deep blue eyes fill with surprise.
Her wine lips part.
She stares at me for a moment, then she turns to her mug.
"Would you like more?" I ask. "I'll call Paloma."
"Would I like more tea?"
"Yes."
Her eyes flit to mine. "You want to marry me? And you're asking if I'd like more tea?"
"Yes."
"But…" Her chest heaves with her inhale.
She's torn between her desire to fuck me and her desire to tell me to fuck off.
Who do I think I am, calling her after three years of radio silence, asking her to marry me?
It's ridiculous.
I do realize that.
But it's also the only thing that makes sense.
I stand. Take her cup. Fill it with the tea left in the pot.
Her fingers brush mine as I hand her the mug. She looks up at me as she brings the clean white ceramic to her lips.
Her lipstick marks the cup.
My cock stirs.
This is where we should be. No crowd, no pretenses, no strings.
Her body under mine. Her nails in my back. Her lips on my neck.
"Why?" She swallows a sip. "Why do you want to marry me?"
"Does it matter?"
"Of course," she says.
I have to look away. So I won't give in to my urge to touch her.
This is the best corner office in the building. One window across from the Hudson. The other looking up to Midtown.
The bright blue sky, the dark water, the steel and glass of the city.
She's a New Yorker, through and through. She loves the city. This view must entice her.
But that isn't enough. It's not even a start.
"Why would I marry you, Ty?"
"You're about to lose the apartment."
"How do you know that?" she asks.
"It's easy information to find."
Anger flares in her eyes.
She’s proud, strong, stubborn. Money isn't enough.
If she needs to understand why I'm asking her—
I can do that.
"Since Rory left, I've gained a reputation." I sit next to her. "One I can't afford."
"So you need a wife?"
"Yes."
"What about volunteering? Issuing a public statement? Claiming you're a sex addict?"
"How much do you want?" I ask.
"I'm not going to marry you, Ty."
"You need the money," I say.
She shrinks back, hurt. "Even so."
She's too proud. But she needs help. And this isn't a handout.
It's a deal.
"What are you going to do if the bank forecloses?" I ask. "Do you want to smile at rich arseholes all day?"
"That's none of your business."
"Do you want your sister following in your footsteps?"
Her cheeks flame.
I'm pushing her too far, too fast. She's protective of her sister. She doesn't want me intruding.
But this is the best card I can play.
"I have work." She stands. "I have to go." She takes a step toward the door. "Thanks for the tea."
I reach for her. "Please."
She stops. Looks up at me, studying me with those ice-blue eyes.
"I need you."
"You need someone."
"I need you."
Her gaze moves down my arm. To the place where my fingers are wrapped around her wrist.
Fuck. I release her. Take a deep breath. Get control of myself.
It doesn't matter that I want to throw her against the wall and fuck her.
I need to convince her first. "I won't take no for an answer."
She shakes her head as she moves out the door. But she only makes it halfway to the elevator before she turns back to me.
She doesn't want to marry me.
I understand that.
But she'll do anything for her sister.
And I understand that too.
Chapter Three
Indigo
My body stays tuned to Ty until I'm on the four train, on my way to Midtown.