“Your hand.”
His words floor me. I feel trapped all of a sudden, like the walls around us are closing in. “That’s ridiculous,” I spit out.
“What’s even more ridiculous is that you agreed.” Lucian lowers his arms, giving me the space I desperately need.
I turn my back on him and grab the door handle. I have to get out of here.
“Aren’t you the least bit curious to hear my full terms and conditions?”
I place my chin on my shoulder. “Give me one reason why I should entertain this craziness.”
The corners of his eyes crinkle. “Why settle for just one when I can give you a billion reasons why?” Lucian’s tone, although low and controlled, is daring. Perhaps daring me to hear him out and agree. Or daring me to defy him.
“I can’t marry you.” My words tumble out.
“And that’s the beauty of it, you don’t have to.” His breath is warm against the side of my face, causing a shiver to skate the length of my spine.
I don’t move, and when I say nothing, Lucian continues. “All I ask is that you take up residence here with me for one month. You can live in a separate wing of the estate if you wish. Think of it as a mini-holiday of sorts.”
This is beyond ridiculous, but I will humour him. “Why a month?”
“That is how long my father has given me to prove I am the right candidate for the housebuilding company. After one month has elapsed, we’ll amicably separate and you can resume your normal life. With only one difference—you’ll finally be able to open your salon.”
Lucian is offering me the funds I need to open my salon in exchange for a month of my life. It doesn’t sound so bad.
I can’t believe I’m even considering this. I shake my head, rational Chelsea returning.
I spin around and jab Lucian’s chest with my finger. “Let me get this straight, you’re going to pay me a hundred thousand pounds to be your fake fiancée?”
Lucian nods. “I guess that is the sum of it, yes. We will be expected to attend several charity functions together.”
I let out a high-pitched laugh. “You expect me to leave my life and move in with you for an entire month? What about my job? What am I meant to tell my family, my friends and my sister?”
“You can tell them we’ve fallen madly in love and you’ve decided to move in with me.”
That comment earns him an eye roll. “Amber wouldn’t buy that for a second.”
Lucian pauses for a beat, as if in thought. “Why don’t you tell her that you’ve decided to join Tyler in America for a few weeks?”
I narrow my eyes. It is as though Lucian has this all planned out right down to the finest detail. “You’re crazy. Insane. I’m sorry, I can’t be around this madness.” I clasp the door handle and push it down. “Have a nice life.”
I inch the door open, and Lucian leans into me. His firm chest presses into my back and without hesitation he pushes the door closed. “This is a bit of a pickle we are in, because my family have received news of our engagement.”
I narrow my eyes. “Oh, I bet you couldn’t wait to tell them the good news.”
Lucian shakes his head. “I haven’t breathed a word to anyone. Someone close to me has big ears and an even bigger mouth. I can of course tell my family they have been misinformed.”
“So do that,” I quip.
“I could, but I’d like to think you’d at least consider my proposal. Or rather myfakeproposal.”
As much as I want to throw his offer back in his face, I don’t. I stop for a moment to consider that this may be the only opportunity I have to re-open my salon. I draw my lower lip between my teeth before sighing heavily. “I need time to think.”
“Time is not a luxury we have. You see, I’m expecting my sister any moment. and her sole purpose for visiting here today is to meet you.”
I squeeze my eyes tightly together, shutting out this craziness I have woken up into. “You can’t expect me to decide on a whim.”
Lucian rubs his palm over the back of his neck. “I will stall her. You have one hour until I tell Farrah this is one big misunderstanding. Think about my offer, Chelsea. I mean really consider what that kind of money could do for you.”