Sloan looks away, but not before I see the hurt in her expression. “That doesn’t mean you have to marry me. So why do it?”
“Because I want to.” I lean closer, palms braced on the island. “And let me be clear, Sloan. This will not be a chaste business arrangement.”
Shock flashes across her face. “You’re going to force me to spread my legs for you? So you can fuck me whenever you feel like it?”
She’s doing her best to goad me, trying to position this in the ugliest way possible. I refuse to rise to her bait. “Given our chemistry, I don’t think I’ll have to force you to do anything.”
“You cocky asshole. That night in your hotel room, I was acting.”
I smile. “No actress is so good that she can make her pussy spasm on cue when her leading man puts his mouth on it.”
She flushes red. “It’s a physiological response. Any man could have done that to me with enough stimulation.”
Oh, she’s daring me to prove her wrong. And I will—in my time. In my way. I can’t get sidetracked now. “Yes or no, baby? It’s a simple question.”
“To a ridiculous proposal. Insisting we get married… It’s draconian. It’s antiquated. It’s—”
“Inevitable if you want to save Reservoir.”
“Get out.”
My gut tightens. “Is that a no?”
Sloan looks like she’d rather spit out her teeth than answer me. “I need time to decide.”
“You have until morning. If it’s a yes, I expect to see you tomorrow at eight a.m. in Reservoir’s lobby wearing your engagement ring. If you’re not there by then, I’ll proceed as if the company will wend its way to an inevitable demise next week—when Evan and I will buy it outright for a fraction of its worth. Your choice.”
I grab my stuff and head for the door. There’s nothing left to say, and staying will only infuriate her more. I’m hoping that if she has some time to herself to reflect, she’ll see I’m the lesser evil. If not… Fuck, I don’t want to think about that.
As I turn the knob, she calls after me. “I’ll bet you’re gloating on the inside about how you used your rival’s ambitious, gullible, woe-is-me bastard daughter to your advantage. You’re probably enjoying it, too. But while you’re relishing your underhanded victory, think about the fact I fucking hate you.”
April 19
By seven fifty the following morning, I’m pacing. Admittedly, I reached the office early, but Sloan is usually here. The fact she isn’t yet makes me antsy.
What do you mean yet? She may not show up at all.
That’s a possibility I’d rather not consider.
You’re being stupid. She fucking hates you, but you can’t wait to marry her?
Love has never been easy for me. The mess with Becca was complicated as hell, but if Sloan and I say I do, I suspect our relationship will be a whole other level of difficult. Good thing I relish challenge.
In my pocket, my phone buzzes. Why is Evan calling me at two o’clock in the morning, Hawaii time? “Hey, what’s going on? Why aren’t you in bed?”
“Can’t sleep. Too keyed up. I knew you’d be in the office. Things happening there yet?”
Either my boss or my best friend could reasonably ask that question and expect an answer. The fact that Evan is both, and I haven’t leveled with him… There will be consequences down the road. I’m trying not to think about them now. One catastrophe at a time.
“No, but it’s about to go down. I should be able to give you specifics in the next”—I glance at my watch—“half hour.”
“I’d like to be asleep by then.”
“Sure.” But I doubt he will be. “Good luck.”
He sighs. “You’ve seen the most recent draft of the Reservoir contract? It’s in your inbox.”
“Seen it. Read it. Made a few notes. Overall, it looks good. Rawson insists we insert a clause that gives them an out if they manage to come up with alternate funding before next Thursday. If anything else comes up this morning”—like Sloan agreeing to marry me—“I’ll make adjustments as necessary.”