Marriage in Name Only? by Anne Oliver Read Free Book Online Page A

kept their home, with plenty left over. For once in her life she’d be the golden girl. This man could be the fabulous guy she’d told her parents about.
Win-win
.
    She shook her head. Forget fabulous guy.
What
was she thinking? This man wasn’t Stewart, nor was he ever going to meet her family. ‘I only just met you. I may be a risk-taker but I’m not stupid.’
    ‘No, you’re not stupid—you’re being cautious. We can discuss it, then—’
    ‘Discuss it …’
    His lucrative business contract.
    A fortune in cash.
    A fake marriage
.
    ‘Why would a wealthy, good-looking guy such as yourself consider such a drastic course of action with short, plain-speaking, plain-dressing Chloe Montgomery, I’d like to know? Surely you have plenty of willing candidates?’
    ‘Don’t put yourself down, Chloe, and others won’t.’ His blue eyes mesmerised her. ‘I’m sure willing candidates abound, yes, but I pride myself on reading people. I need a woman with particular qualities and you tick all the boxes.’
    She felt a strange warmth flow through her veins, as if he was paying her a compliment even though he hadn’t resorted to the usual complimentary—and often empty—words. However, she said, ‘I’m not going into this without all the facts I need to make an informed decision.’
    He nodded. ‘I have questions too.’ He leaned forward, his eyes intense. ‘Let’s be absolutely clear here. This is a business arrangement. We’ll both sign an agreement to that effect. If you decide not to go ahead, I ask that you keep what I’m about to say confidential. Are we agreed?’
    ‘Okay.’
    He talked to her about Rivergold Mining and honouring his father’s last wishes. By the time he’d finished, their starters had arrived. The fact that he seemed to be upfront with no hidden agenda was reassuring.
    Still … ‘How long would this “marriage” thing have to last?’
    ‘Just until the business deal’s agreed on and we come home.’
    She chewed on her lips a moment. ‘I want the money up front.’
    He regarded her steadily a moment, then withdrew a legal-looking document. ‘Read this fully, sign both copies and I’ll deposit half the agreed sum in your bank account. The rest will be deposited as soon as the deal’s done.’
    ‘You
were
confident,’ she murmured, almost afraid to think about how carefully he’d planned this.
    ‘I had my lawyer draw it up this afternoon,’ he said as she skimmed the first page. ‘If you’d like your lawyer to check it over—’
    ‘I don’t
have
a lawyer,’ she stated, then tapped the paper—savvy business girl now. ‘I want that first payment in my account
before
I sign.’
    He shook his head. ‘That’s a substantial sum of money. You’re not the only one being cautious here.’ He spooned salad onto her plate beside the Brie tartlet. ‘What would set your mind at ease?’
    ‘I’m not sure anything will. And I’ll tell you why.’ She cut off a mouthful of the tempting tart in front of her. ‘I trusted a man,’ she began. ‘He was a lot like you.’
    ‘In what way?’
    ‘The kind of guy women can’t resist.’
    One eyebrow lifted as he pulled his dinner roll apart. ‘You’ve resisted me. Quite admirably, I’d say.’
    She felt a smile touch her lips. ‘You don’t want to know what I was thinking when I opened my front door earlier.’
    His gaze clashed with hers and heat met heat across the table. ‘If it was anything like what I was thinking, we’re going to get along very well.’
    An image of them plastered together against her front door, bodies slick with sweat, sent heat rippling like teasing fingers through her lower regions. She almost moaned aloud and her cheeks flushed and she reached for her water. They had more to discuss here than the business arrangements. ‘Umm … where was I?’
    His eyes flirted,
Wherever it is, I’d like to be there with you,
but, ‘Mr Irresistible …’ was what he said.
    ‘Ah, yeah. Markos. Call him Mr