“Erica?”
She was soaked through, her dark hair sticking to her face.
“Jesus. Come in.” Instinctively I pulled her in.
“I’m sorry to just drop in.”
“Give me your coat.”
“Oh sorry. I’m dripping.”
God, did she really think I was that shallow? “Did you walk here? God you’re soaked through.”
“It’s a deluge.”
I hung her coat on a hook and led her to a small living area across from my office. I pushed the button to turn on the gas fireplace.
“Sit in front of the fire while I get you a drink.”
“This isn’t a social call, Simon.”
“You need to dry off and I won’t hold a drink against you.” Annoyed, I left the room and went to my study. I poured us both a drink and returned handing her a glass as she sat in front of the fire.
I leaned against the mantle. “What are you doing here?”
She sipped her drink and then looked up at me with those piercing blue eyes. “I’m reconsidering your proposal.”
I hadn’t expected that. Or maybe I had. Perhaps her walking out before was part of a game. She wanted me to feel like she didn’t care about the money, but now here she was.
“What changed your mind?”
She shrugged and looked down into her drink. “Your argument made sense. I’ll get more material for a story by spending time with you, and if you’ll pave the way or at least not get in the way, I’ll be able to sell the story.”
I hated that a part of me wished she’d wanted to help me improve my image in town. But she was here and that was a start.
“So what happens next?” she asked.
“We get our license and get married. We can do it tomorrow. I’ll let my people know to put out an announcement about our marriage.”
“I want our agreement in writing.”
“I’ll call my lawyer. Do you have specific wording?” I sipped my drink, a little amused and a whole lot fascinated by how assertive she was. She’d been sweet and quiet before. Sure, she’d push me to get out of my head or out of my comfort zone when we’d been together five years ago, but she’d never been so clear and decisive. She’d been loudmouthed and abrasive while doing her story, but this was different. She was standing up for herself. It was annoyingly sexy.
“I want a house in Omaha. It doesn’t need to be fancy like this, but it needs to be in a good neighborhood.”
“Okay.”
“I want five hundred thousand dollars.” Her blue eyes watched me for my reaction.
“That’s a lot of money.” At least for her. I had it. And I’d give it to her. But I was curious why she needed so much.
“Not for you.”
“No, but how do I know I’ll get my money's worth? At this point, you’re getting access to me that I know you’re going to use to skewer my reputation, a house, and another five hundred thousand. You’re talking about a million dollars here. I’m going to try and not be offended that I’m so offensive that it takes a million to convince you to marry me.”
She made a face. “This is a deal. It’s how you interact with people. Everything is a transaction for you.”
She wasn’t wrong. I just hated how bad it sounded. “So, what do I get in this transaction?”
“First, I’ll act like a wife should, at least in public.”
“We all know you’re a good actress.” The minute I said I regretted it. Not so much because it was a nasty thing to say, but because I really did want this agreement to work.
Her jaw tensed but she continued on. “I’ll write a piece about you for the local paper. Simon Stark: Misanthrope or Misunderstood.”
I stared at her.
“You made some valid points about those who accuse you of terrible things.”
“Oh?” I was pleased that she had listened to anything that I’d said.
“Except for the goons and bringing Holly St. James’ ex back, you were simply being a businessman.”
“You say almost like you believe it.” I finished off my drink.
“I’ll do better to make it sound sincere.” She finished her drink. “Do you really think this will work? I mean, once we’re married, it's more likely you’ll ruin my reputation than I’ll help yours.”
“You know I could ask Marvin to bring in a carving knife. It would be easier for you to stab me than your constant quips and barbs.”
She looked down and I thought she might actually feel chagrined. “I’m sorry.” She stood. “I’ll work on that as well.” She handed me the glass and headed to the door. “Tell me when and where to be and I’ll be there.”
“Where are you going? Maybe we could have another drink. Celebrate our engagement.”
She shook her head. “I have to get back to Omaha.”
“Jesus, in this weather. Come on Erica. I have a guest room. Stay here. I’ll have my lawyer here first thing. We’ll get married and get this thing going. I’m sure you feel the sooner the better.”
She appeared uneasy.
“What if you get a flat tire again? Out in this weather. I won’t touch you.” I held my arms up in surrender.
“Yes. Fine. Okay.”
“Come with me.” I held my hand out to her and at first, I thought she wouldn’t take it, but then she did probably so she wouldn’t look petty.
I helped her up, and held her hand as I led her out of the small living area and to the back covered porch. I left her there and went to get some champagne.
She eyed the expensive bubbly. “I’m not sleeping with you.”
I sighed. “I’m not trying to seduce you, Erica.” I found it surprisingly easy to call her that because while some parts of her were like Leslie, she was different enough that I could call her a different name. “I celebrate business deals as well as personal ones.”
She didn’t look convinced.
“I won’t say that I didn’t enjoy or that I regret what happened between us the other day, because that would be a lie and I don’t lie. But I will accept that it shouldn’t happen again. I think we both got caught up in the past and while we’ll be married, I understand that this is just a business arrangement.”
She looked away and part of me thought I’d hurt her feelings. The woman cofounded me. I’d just told her I had no expectations in the bedroom, as she told me not to expect, and now she was upset that I was telling her I didn’t want her in the bedroom. Well, that wasn’t true. I did want her in my bed. That confounded me too. This woman hurt me deeply, and yet, I yearned for her.
I poured the flutes and handed her one. “Tomorrow I’ll have my attorney deliver the prenup with your conditions, as well as a license as needed. Then we’ll get married.”
I waited for her to nod.
I held up my flute. “What should we toast to?”
She said something under her breath that sounded like Mason, but that couldn’t have been right.
“How about to a civil marriage?” I suggested.
She clicked her glass with mine. Her green eyes watching me over the rim as she drank.
Outside the wind blew and lightning streaked across the sky.
“It seems like a bad omen,” she said, turning her attention to the storm.
8
Erica
I was mad. Not mad as in angry, but mad as in crazy. I had to be crazy to go along with this nutty idea. But each time I started to call it off, I thought of my precious Mason and all the treatment he’d need. I wanted to put off this wedding nonsense until Mason was discharged from the hospital. But I also had to make sure I had the money I’d need to care for his ongoing treatment, which would likely involve heart surgery at some point, according to my research.
So, I stayed the night in a guestroom, calling my mother who was staying with Mason. I had already told her what I was doing and while she thought it was crazy too, she also knew it was best to ensure that Mason would have everything he needed.
“He
won’t hurt you, will he?” my mother had asked when I explained how Simon proposed a fake marriage.
“Physically?”
“Any way, but yes, that.”
“He’s never been violent that I know of. He was sweet with me before.” Even after all these years, it was difficult to reconcile the man I’d loved with the man I was about to marry for money.
“I don’t like it, but it’s short term. If you don’t have to live with him, and it will get Mason what he needs, then I support you.”
I hugged her, feeling so grateful to have her in my life. “I love you mom.”
“I love you too, baby. Now, go get married.”
I slept in fits, and it wasn’t because of the storm. When I woke, I dressed in the outfit I’d worn there since I hadn’t planned to stay the night so I didn’t bring a change of clothes.
I walked down the stairs and Marvin met me at the landing. “There’s coffee and breakfast in the nook off the kitchen. Mr. Stark is there already.” I checked my watch. He was still an early riser I noted.
“Thank you, ah…”
He smiled. “You can call me Marvin.”
“Thank you, Marvin.”
When I got to the kitchen, I saw Simon sitting in a large windowed room that I wouldn’t have called a nook, but perhaps compared to the size of the house, it was a nook.
He looked up and smiled. “Did you sleep okay?”
I shrugged. “Marvin said you had coffee?”
“Yes. Here.” He held up a carafe and motioned for me to sit across from him as he poured a cup. “I have the prenup.”
“Is your lawyer a vampire? How did he get it done so fast?” I sipped the coffee, and I had to concede Simon still had the best brew of any I’d ever tasted.
“My lawyer is a she, and she works when I need her to. She’s paid well for it.” He handed me a manila folder. “Read it through and let me know what you think.”
I pulled out the papers and read. The house was there. So was the money. And then there was more. A hundred thousand now, plus an extra $100,000 for each month we stayed married, with a six-month marriage required.
As much as I didn’t want to marry Simon, my spirits soared. That was over a million dollars not including the house. But then I noted the six months and the requirement that I live with him.
I looked up at him. “I have to live with you for six months?”
He quirked a brow. “Married people live together.”
“Six months.”
His jaw ticked. “I know it repulses you, but remember the goal here. People need to believe this is real. Getting married for a week or two and leaving will make me look worse.”
I looked down. “I’m not repulsed, Simon. But…I can’t live here. I have a home and job in Omaha. Family—” I stopped before I mentioned Mason.
He studied me and then took the paperwork.
Panic filled me that he was going to back out.
“Simon—”
“We’ll live in both places. I found a home that I think will suit you. We can live there when we’re in Omaha. But you do need to be here too.” He wrote something on the prenup and handed it back along with a handout of a home.
I gaped as I looked at the lovely stone home in a lake community south of Omaha. “I don’t need this fancy.”
“Remember this needs to look real. The home will be in your name and we’ll share until we go our separate ways.”
I looked at him, wondering if he was being nice or just snobby by picking a home that was over seven-hundred thousand dollars.
“Along with this house, both are big enough for you to have your own space to avoid me.”
God, I hated when he pointed out what a jerk I was being.
I took the pen and signed the papers, handing them back to him. “Now what?”
“Now we get a nice dress and some rings.”
I gaped again. “What?”
“Realism, Erica.” He stood. “Have some breakfast. I’ve called Nancy Bitmer who owns the boutique downtown. She said she’d meet us there at eight, even though she doesn’t open until ten.”
“She’s opening for you?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know why people are surprised. She’s not doing it for me. We all know what people think of me. She’s doing it because I’m paying her. Values often go out the window when money is involved.” He winked and left. I wanted to hurl my coffee mug at him because he was calling me out about money and values too. Of course, he was right, but I didn’t want money just to have a fancy house. My son’s health and happiness were on the line.
We showed up at the boutique eight on the dot, and Nancy was there all smiles and helpfulness as we looked at dresses.
“Getting married. How nice.”
I could hear the question in her tone.
Simon was all charm. “I was surprised she said yes, myself. Now that I have her commitment, I don’t want to wait.” He put his arm around me. “Isn’t that right, honey?”
I smiled broadly. “I couldn’t believe it when he asked me.” That wasn’t a lie.
“I always thought you didn’t like Mr. Stark. No offense, but this town isn’t very warm towards you.”
He waved away the comment.
I jumped in before he could, because after all, this was what he was paying me for. “Simon is just misunderstood. My work has helped me see that. He’s rough around the edges, a little bit like a feral animal who is untrusting, but deep down wants to be loved.”
He quirked a brow at me. I attempted a loving smile. He looked at Nancy and smiled. “That’s me. Feral animal that wants to be loved.”
“They say there’s someone for everyone. Now, honey, what would you like to wear?”
I found a few ivory colored dresses that were actually quite lovely. I went into the dressing room to try them on. One was an A-line tea length dress with lace and beading, but the A-line didn’t hang as nicely as I’d like over my full hips.
Next, I tried on a vintage chiffon tea-length dress that had a strapless bodice, but a filmy mesh halter. The skirt lay smoothly over my curves. I felt pretty and I had a moment of sadness that this wasn’t real. Five years ago, I’d have been giddy to putting on this dress and marrying Simon.
“Mr. Stark.” I heard a voice that sounded like Sinclair’s outside the dressing room.
“Deputy Mayor,” he said, confirming my thought.
“Oh, Sinclair, are you looking for a new dress for your debate coming up?” Nancy asked.
“I will. I was walking by on my way to the office and noticed people in here. I just wanted to make sure you’re alright.”
“Oh, we’re right as rain, aren’t we Mr. Stark? He’s getting married, you know.”
“No kidding?”
I looked through the curtain in the dressing room to see what was going on.
“Yes, to the nice young reporter lady.”
I wanted to hide in the dressing room, but this was what Simon was paying me for and I didn’t want to mess this up for Mason.
I stepped out. “What do you think, honey?” I put on a surprised expression. “Sinclair? What are you doing here?”
Her eyes narrowed as she studied me. “Just checking in with Nancy.”
I looked at Simon. His eyes were dark as he looked at me, but not with menace or anger. No, if I wasn’t mistaken, he liked this dress.
“You know it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding,” Sinclair said.
“It seemed to work alright for you and Mr. Jones,” Simon said.
Wanting to avoid a pissing contest between Simon and Sinclair, I said, “Ms. Bitmer, I’d like this one.”
“It’s a lovely choice. It looks beautiful on you. I’ll wrap it up for you.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Simon said, pulling out his wallet and handing Nancy a giant wad of money. “We’re on our way to get married now.”
“Oh!” She giggled as she took the money.
Sinclair looke
d at me. “Are you sure about this Erica?”
“Oh yes.” I leaned into Simon, pressing my hand on his chest and looking up at him lovingly. “Simon and I just rediscovered our love. I’m very happy about it.”
“Rediscovered?” Sinclair asked.
“Yes,” I said looking at her. “It’s a long story.”
Simon’s fingers pushed back a tendril of my hair behind my ear. His eyes were intense, making my breath stall in my chest. “I always regretted losing you.”
Was that true? No. This was a farce. But if it was, he was a better actor than I was.
“Well, then, I wish you both all the happiness,” Sinclair said.
Simon broke the gaze and gave out a small laugh. “I appreciate the attempt at civility, Deputy Mayor.”
“Now honey, she was being nice,” I said. I wasn’t sure that just liking him would change opinions. If he wanted acceptance, he needed to change how he behaved.
He looked chagrined. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry.” He kissed my head. “Thank goodness I have you to help me.”
“Say hello to the mayor, Brooke and Trina for me,” I said as I looped my arm through Simon’s and guided him to the door.
We made a similar stop at a jeweler. He told me I could pick anything I wanted, but it didn’t seem right to have a fancy ring for a fake wedding. Even if the antique platinum ring with filigree and two carat square diamond did catch my eye. At nearly thirty grand, it was too much even if we were having a real wedding. I was sure he could afford it, but really, people shouldn’t walk around with thirty-grand on their finger.
“I think just a band would do, don’t you?”
He didn’t fight me on that one, which made me think he felt similar to me in that an engagement ring felt too disingenuous.
He paid for the ring, and then we were on our way to city hall. As we walked to the judge’s chamber, we had to pass the mayor’s office. Trina and Brooke both stood in the open door to the mayor’s office. Trina had a baffled expression. Brooke’s was concerned.
I looped my arm through Simon’s and looked up at him. “Showtime.”
He glanced toward the Mayor’s office. He smiled and nodded to them. “I forgot what a good actress you were.”
Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set) Page 88