Page 8 of The Billionaire's Last-Minute Marriage
‘But you’re you, Xander. You’re...’ She gestured vaguely to his body, praying she wasn’t blushing. It was much too warm in here. ‘The last woman you dated was nominated for the most prestigious acting award, for goodness’ sake.’
‘You keep track of my dating life?’
‘No,’ she said quickly. ‘What I mean is, you’ve never once dated anyone in the office. In fact, I was told when I started that you have strict rules about that sort of thing. So apart from the obvious reasons why I am entirely not your type, it’s a thoroughly ridiculous plan that nobody will believe.’
‘I’m thinking that perhaps all my rules were blown into the dust, with the power of our mutual attraction,’ he mused, stroking a hand along his jaw. ‘I only escorted that actress to one gala dinner, as a PR move. In general, I’m far too busy to date, Quinn, hence why I had to form a business plan in order to obtain a wife.’
‘You’re telling me that you don’t realise there are a million women out there who would jump at the chance?’
‘I’m a billionaire, of course there are. But an actual marriage would likely involve the kind of complex emotional entanglement that I’m not willing to give headspace to.’
‘Not a romantic, then.’ She fought the urge to smirk, finding this insight into her boss’s cool, calculating exterior thoroughly fascinating.
He frowned at her words, running an agitated hand along his jaw. ‘I need you to understand...at this very moment both of my brothers could be on their way to fulfil the terms of my father’s will. Mytikas Holdings and every one of my employees could be on the verge of having their livelihoods snatched from under them. I am the only one of Zeus’s heirs who cares about this company and the people who depend upon its existence.’
He looked tired, she realised. More tired than he’d ever let her see before. Perhaps it was that first glimpse of honesty that made her pause. As if sensing the shift in her, Xander moved closer. Just a step, but enough to bring him back into her line of vision.
‘This would simply be a business agreement between two consenting adults.’ He sat down in the chair in the centre of the safe, a reversal of the power move she had seen him make before in difficult negotiations.
‘If this was a business agreement, then surely I would have some terms of my own.’
He straightened, surprise transforming his face for a split second before he nodded and crossed his arms, the picture of the polished businessman. ‘Let’s negotiate.’
‘I have just one.’ She inhaled, the air feeling hot in her lungs as she tried to calm her erratic heartbeat. ‘You give me back that file and never ask of it again.’
He contemplated the slim folder for a second, darkness clouding his features. Then, to her surprise, he slid the folder across the floor, placing it at her feet.
‘Just like that?’ She breathed, narrowing her gaze upon him.
‘I have CCTV footage of your actions tonight, that’s enough collateral to satisfy me should you choose to cross me again.’ He emphasised the last word with finality, standing up to his full height. ‘I’m asking you for twelve months of marriage to be followed by a discreet divorce. Aside from the odd social function, we’d most likely live entirely separate lives.’
‘You’ve really thought all this through.’ Or was this the same deal he’d had this morning, with a different bride copied and pasted in? Sure, it hadn’t been a love match with Priya, but the idea of trying to step into such a pivotal role in Xander’s life that another woman had been set to play only a few hours ago still seemed wrong. This was so much more than mooning after her hot boss from across the office. They would be under the same roof. This would be personal.
She reflexively wrapped her arms around herself, tight enough to feel some of the deep pressure her body craved but as usual it wasn’t enough. She couldn’t even believe she was having these thoughts, because that meant that some tiny part of her was actually considering agreeing to his proposal...demand...threat? And that would be utter madness. Wouldn’t it?
His jaw tightened. ‘I would supply you with financial reimbursement to cover any losses incurred over the next twelve months.’
‘You’re suggesting that you would...pay me to quit working and marry you? That’s hardly an ethical way to use your boss-employee privilege.’
She was not prepared for the sudden change that her words evoked. Xander froze, seeming to stiffen and coil up like a tiger who’d had his tail pulled. The mask of calm disappeared, leaving a harshness that made her take a half-step backwards. He took two steps towards her so that barely half a foot separated her chest from his and she could smell every individual scent in his cologne.
‘I am not the kind of man to use my privilege in any manner. Unlike my father, I have very firm boundaries with my employees in that regard. You entered into a game that you had no business playing. I am offering you the opportunity to free yourself from the consequences of your own actions with the added bonus of keeping whatever is in that file.’
‘I’ll consider it,’ she said, feeling the intensity of his gaze upon her like a flame. ‘I’ll think it over tonight and give you my answer in the morning.’
‘And risk you disappearing without a trace?’ He shook his head, stepping in her way. ‘I’ve already had one potential bride disappear on me today.’
‘Okay, then,’ she said, with as much steel in her tone as she could muster.
‘Okay?’ he echoed, tilting his head to one side. ‘Is that a yes?’
‘Yes. I’ll do it. I will marry you.’
Xander had expected the knot of tension in his stomach to ease once Mina had alerted his security team to come looking for him and they’d finally been let out of the safe. He’d decided to transport his assistant to his home immediately to complete the remainder of their bargain. His team of lawyers arrived swiftly, having drawn up the relevant documents with impressive speed. The three men now idled around the conference table of the penthouse apartment he kept at the top of the Mytikas building, watching the slim blonde who sat scanning over each word with quiet intensity.
Considering she regularly translated this kind of legal contract for her work, he shouldn’t be surprised. But with every minute that passed with the pen untouched on the tabletop, he felt his impatience grow. When she finally declared the contracts satisfactory, he loomed over her, watching the smooth flourish of her signature with probably far more intensity than was necessary.
He insisted on escorting her home in his own car, the drive passing in the kind of peaceful silence that reminded him of evenings they had spent working together. She instructed him to pull up in front of a small nondescript brownstone with a bright purple door. She did not invite him inside, a fact that shouldn’t have bothered him. And yet, the fact that he had worked alongside Quinn for months and never once had he considered where she lived bothered him, somehow.
