“If I thought I could get through airport security that way, I would,” I reply blandly, and she snorts back her laughter.
Plopping onto the couch with a sigh of resignation, she brushes her fingers through the hair at her temple before throwing her arm over the back of the couch. When she curls one long leg up under her, I can’t help but admire the smooth flesh in a pair of denim shorts.
“Typical Monahan,” she murmurs as the corners of her mouth tip up. “Doesn’t know how to take ‘no’ for an answer.”
“Willow is way worse than I am,” I defend myself.
Regan laughs, the smile going bigger at the mention of my younger sister by only a year and a half. “That’s true. But it’s your fault. You were a bad influence on her.”
“I am not taking the blame for the way Willow turned out.” I hold my hands out defensively. “She’s an unexplainable creature.”
Which is also true. Willow is fierce, bossy, independent, and a know-it-all. I fear she’ll never settle down because I can’t imagine a man alive who could hope to handle her.
“She said she’s coming back to the States soon.”
I nod. My sister is currently working as a photo journalist and travels all over the world. “Late next week. In fact, she’s coming to Phoenix to spend some time with me, so you can catch up with her.”
Another alpha, controlling move hidden by a vain attempt at subtlety. Regan reacts by raising an eyebrow at me, her lips flattening defensively.
I press forward before she can say a word. “Regan… it’s a short-term solution. A paper marriage only. You can have insurance coverage, get your treatment, and finish your master’s degree. When you’re done and get a job with insurance, we can divorce. It’s a simple solution.”
She stares for a long moment, and I can tell she’s considering what I’m saying but she’s not convinced. “I’m the closest thing to family you have now, Regan. And Lance would want this. You know he would.”
Her eyes narrow slightly, and she tilts her head. “He’d want me to marry for money and not love?”
My gaze chills and turns chastising. “You know he wouldn’t, but he’d recognize I’m making this offer out of love. It’s unconventional, sure, but there’s nothing conventional about what you’re going through. It’s a good solution, Regan. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t accept.”
Regan’s gaze slides past me and locks on what might be the front door. She nibbles at her lower lip as she considers. “I suppose it’s just a piece of paper,” she says slowly, bringing her gaze to me. “I’ve got a part-time contract nurse’s job here. I could definitely pay you back as we go along. Once I start the master’s program in the fall, we’ll just keep a tally and I can pay you back when I land a permanent job. Or I don’t have to do the master’s program. I could look for a permanent job now—”
“Absolutely not,” I cut in. “You’re staying in school, and you’re not working while in school. You’re not paying me back either.”
Once again, she straightens and levels a heated glare at me. “I’m not taking a handout.”
“Regan… I make a lot of fucking money. Let me—”
“Either I pay you back or no deal,” she says primly.
“Fine,” I grit out. “Pay me back if you want. But when you’re in school, you’re studying, not working.”
“Yes, Daddy,” she snaps with a mocking smirk.
My palm itches. What I wouldn’t give right now to land it on her backside. I push that thought aside and stand. “It’s settled then. I can stay a day out here to help you get packed up, but then we need to head to Phoenix. I have to be back Monday for practice.”
Regan blinks at me in surprise. “I’m not going to Phoenix with you, Dax. I’ll marry you, but I’m staying here.”
“Why?”
“Why?” she asks in disbelief as she shoots off the couch to get in my face. “Because this is where I live. My life is here. I have an apartment and a job. It’s where I start school in the fall.”
“Those things are easy to replace, and you can go to school in Phoenix,” I point out. “Do you have a boyfriend or something?”
Okay, that popped out of nowhere and sounded incredibly defensive at the same time. I can feel heat creep up the nape of my neck, but Regan’s shaking her head. “No, I don’t have a boyfriend, but that’s beside the point. I love California, and I’m registered for school here.”
“You can register for school in Phoenix. I already checked. Arizona State University has a great graduate nursing program. And you can come back to California as soon as we can get you on your feet,” I assure her, ignoring the stab of something uncomfortable in my gut at the thought. “But if I’m going to marry you on a pretense, we’re going to make it legit. You have to stay in Phoenix at my place. I’m not about to go to prison for insurance fraud.”