“And Skylar Butler fucked your best friend.”
I sucked in a breath. “How do you know that?”
“You told me.”
“I never told you his name.”
Van’s jaw clenched. “Do you want to fuck him back?”
I took a step away and walked toward the window, looking out on snow-blanketed Ashland and a frozen Chequamegon Bay. The snow globe had settled over a quaint community. “I told you, we never—”
Van was behind me, his warmth on my back and his breath at my collarbone sending chills over my skin. “Figuratively, Julia. I have the answer. Marry me.”
I spun around until my breasts were against his strong, solid chest. Tilting my chin upward, I asked, “What?”
“It can be in name only. You’ll live with me. Sex will be...discussed. I made some inquiries and called in a few favors. As of this morning, I own twenty-one percent of the shares of Wade. Marry me and send Skylar and Marlin Butler into bankruptcy or at least out of Wade Pharmaceutical.”
“I don’t know how you know this. Did you save me for this reason?”
He laughed. “I had no idea who you were, just as you didn’t know who I was.” He lifted my left hand. “I’m well aware that you don’t need money, but you do need controlling interest in your family’s company. Without that controlling interest, you’ll need money. Your father’s paranoia is justified, the threat just not coming from the direction he believes. Marlin Butler has been in negotiations with two large pharmaceutical companies. He has plans for Wade. He’s been biding his time, waiting for his son to marry you to make himself very wealthy at the expense of your family’s company.”
I couldn’t believe what Van was saying and at the same time, I did. I imagined a grand scheme orchestrated by Marlin Butler. I knew deep down that the man who claimed to be my father’s best friend was capable of what Van suggested.
Does Skylar know? Is he part of the plan or an unknowing pawn like myself?
“Marry me, Julia. You don’t need the money, but together we’ll secure controlling interest in Wade Pharmaceutical, and as a bonus, I’ll enjoy watching the Butlers squirm.”
“Van, I...I don’t know you.”
“You know what it’s like to have me inside you.” His voice dropped an octave, twisting my core. “You yourself said you and Butler never went that far. You were going to marry a man you didn’t really know, one who fucked your best friend. Marry one who you know can satisfy you.”
Still holding my left hand, Van turned mine palm up and laid something light in my grasp. When his hand moved, I saw it. A white ribbon.
“Say yes. Say the white ribbon brought us together.”
My heart beat against my breastbone as I stared down at the coiled ribbon in my hand. When I looked up, his emerald stare was on me.
“Come, Miss McGrath, I require an answer.”
“If I say yes, is that my invitation to you?”
“Are you asking if the rest is up to me, if from now on I’m in control?”
I nodded, remembering what he’d said as he joined me in the bed.
“Do you regret following that rule in the cabin?”
“No, but even you said that rules have exceptions.”
“Not that one. My rule hasn’t changed.” He grinned. “That doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy your plays for power. Let’s see where this ribbon leads. Marry me.”
“Will I regret it?” I asked, recalling Van’s warning from before.
“Maybe.” When I didn’t respond, he added, “Less than you’d regret marrying Butler.” His eyebrows rose. “Your answer?”
It was the most insane thing I’d ever contemplated doing, and I’d contemplated more than a few less-than-sane things over my twenty-four years.
Seeing Van with my smaller hand in his, for the first time, I felt the flutter that was supposed to accompany this question. With his intense gaze shining down on me, it was only the two of us as it had been in that cabin. There was no large hall filled with people and no big presentation. My answer wouldn’t incite cheers and applause. No one would hear it except the man who proposed.