Yours for the Taking by Robin Kaye Read Free Book Online Page B

don’t spend of the housing fund into a trust for you. That seems fair, doesn’t it?”
    Gina shook her head and blew her bangs out of her eyes. “It’s insane. I never said you had to spend that much. Heck, I’d be happy staying in Rosalie’s place.”
    Ben pulled her over and sat on the bed. She flopped down next to him. “I need to buy a home and spend the expected amount of money if we’re going to make this marriage look real. That’s the point here, Gina.”
    She shrugged and chewed on the side of her thumb. “Then buy it. I guess I could live in one of the attic rooms. It would be about the same as staying in an extremely nice fifth-floor walk-up.”
    “Nonsense. Why stay there when you can stay in this room?”
    “You don’t get it, do you? You saw where I came from. Tina and Sam’s apartment is the nicest place I’ve ever lived by far. Going from a small two-bedroom in Spanish Harlem to a mansion in one day is disconcerting.”
    Ben smiled. “Yeah, but in a good way.”
    “Ben, I think this whole marriage thing was a mistake. Look, why don’t we just get it annulled and you can marry someone like that Realtor who’s been making eyes at you all afternoon.”
    Ben raised his eyebrows. “Are you jealous?”
    Gina laughed. “Hardly. I just think it’s funny because her gaydar is on the fritz. She obviously didn’t get the upgrade. What does she think, there are no gay guys from Iowa?”
    “Idaho.”
    Gina waved away his correction. “Whatever.”
    “We’ve been married all of four hours and you’re already trying to get rid of me? This is working out better than I expected.”
    Gina wanted to wipe that smirk right off his too-pretty face.
    “Let’s see if we can buy this place with the furniture and then I’ll be out of your hair for the foreseeable future.”
    “Is that the only way for me to get rid of you?”
    “Either that or let’s get a penthouse in the city.”
    “Are those my only choices?”
    Ben stood, took his keys out of his pocket, and tossed them in the air. He caught them and thought about it. “Yeah, pretty much.”
    “Fine. Buy it then. But if you don’t get the furniture with it, I can easily live with one furnished room.”
    “If we don’t buy it furnished, I’ll have a decorator come in and take care of it. She’ll want your input though.”
    “Don’t be too sure of that. I’ve never furnished anything in my life.”
    ***
    Two weeks later, Ben watched as Gina stared at her suitcases lying on the same king-sized mahogany sleigh bed they’d sat on while Ben railroaded her into buying this mansion. He knew exactly what he’d done at the time and he didn’t regret it. He’d even compromised; a penthouse in the city would have looked better for him and would have been a much better investment for her, but for some reason Gina insisted on Brooklyn. She still looked unhappy, not that he could figure out why. After all, he’d caved in and bought the place in Brooklyn, and was even able to get it furnished. For someone who supposedly had a great mind for finance, she certainly hadn’t used it while making this decision.
    Ben stood in the doorway watching Gina. It was becoming a habit. He couldn’t help it. The woman fascinated him. Most women he knew would be thrilled to be stuck living in a mansion. Not Gina. He wasn’t sure if his interest was simply because of her obstinacy or in spite of it. The fact he studied her didn’t surprise him. He seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time staring at his wife, and when they weren’t together, he was thinking about her. No matter what he did, he couldn’t seem to stop himself. He was just glad he was heading west in a few hours. Maybe if he put most of the country between them, he’d have better luck getting her out of his mind.
    “You look good here, Gina.”
    She laughed. “Oh, yeah. I look as if I were born to live the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Robin Leach and me. All we’re missing is the