“In a good way, Maddie.” His thumb drifts back and forth on my wrist.
“Now you’re petting me?” I try to tease him as my whole body starts to warm.
“You’re soft.”
“Tell me you don’t import and export people,” I deadpan. A bark of laughter comes from him. Rodger takes off running back under the coffee table.
“No, but I do think there is something you could help me with. Do you get paid by the hour?”
“Yes,” He still hasn’t let my wrist go. His thumb continues to drift back and forth. It’s oddly soothing. I’m starting to understand why cats enjoy being stroked. I could crawl into his lap right now and fall asleep.
The hell, Maddie? Where is your mind today? Get it together.
“I want to book you for the foreseeable future. All the hours that you have available.”
“Wait, what?” I ask, confused as to what exactly he means.
“I need a wife.”
My eyes probably look they’re about to pop out of my head. “I don’t think that would be hard for you to find.”
“So you’ll do it?”
“Do what?”
His smirk turns into a full-on smile. “Be my wife.”
“I think I’m missing something.” I’ve either lost my mind or this handsome man that I just met is proposing.
“It’s simple really.”
“I don’t think it is.” I laugh. Rodger slips back out, returning for a treat.
“I just came from my father’s will reading. If I want to take over the family business, I must get married.” He says it so calmly. As if it’s that easy, as if it makes perfect sense.
“Oh, Renato.” I slip to my knees to wrap him in a hug. His whole body goes rigid for a second before he’s returning my hug, his arms around me. He pulls me right into his lap. I squeeze him tight. There is nothing like a good hug, and I intend to give this man the best one I can. “I’m so sorry about your dad.”
His mouth skims across my neck. I bite down on my bottom lip to keep from making a sound. I’d only meant to comfort him, but now my body is feeling all kinds of things it shouldn’t be.
“You’re too damn sweet. Anyone ever tell you that?” His warm breath tickles my skin.
“No.” He lifts his head. “I need a wife, and I think you could be that woman. I’ll pay you top dollar.”
“You’re serious about this whole wife thing?”
He nods as he runs his fingers through my hair. “We’d have to play the part.”
“No one is going to think we’re a couple.”
He shrugs. “Rich men marry beautiful girls every day.”
“You think I’m beautiful?”
“I never say anything I don’t mean, little bird. Ever.”
“And you’re saying you want me to marry you?”
“Yes.”
I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. This is nuts.
He keeps his gaze on mine. “There are lots of details and things we’ll need to go over, but this could work out for both of us.”
“I don’t know. Would I have to, like, live with you and stuff?”
“That is what married people do.”
I lick my suddenly dry lips. Yeah, married people do a lot of things together. It’s then I realize I’m still sitting in his lap.
“I really don’t think people will buy that we’re together.”
“You can get a cat,” he offers.
“Deal!” I shout before he can change his mind.
5
Renato
This is too easy. I have a beautiful girl on my arm, and we’re walking right into Tiffany’s to pick out a set of rings. She said yes, and all I had to do was allow her to get a cat.
“I’ve never been in here,” she whispers.
As soon as the manager sees me, his eyebrows hit his hairline, and he lets out a whistle. One of the associates hurries to the door as the others escort all the other customers out. Some complain, but most just look my way and hurry in the other direction.
Once the place is empty, the manager strides over to us. “And here is the happy couple. When your assistant called a few moments ago, I wasn’t sure if it was real. But here you are.”
“Here we are.” I glance around. “Where are the bridal sets?”
“Right this way.” He shows us to a wide case, each piece inside worth a king’s ransom. “I’m Timothy, and I’ll be assisting you today. Please let me know if I can get you a champagne. I’d be more than happy to send for hors d'oeuvres or whatever you might enjoy,” he simpers.
“Choose what you like.” I keep Maddie tucked into my side.
The manager hovers. I don’t care for it. “Unlock the case and go. I’ll let you know when we’ve decided.”
He hesitates for only a moment, then gives me one more look before doing as I say. Once he’s gone, I walk around to the open side of the case and pluck out a set. “What do you think of this?”