Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“Your mother and I go back a long time, and I’m afraid it’s hard for me to reconcile the man before me with all the stories she’s told me about her darling boy.” Julia smiled and relaxed back into her seat.
“I can only imagine,” I replied drily.
“So, let’s leave all of our previous notions at the door and get to know each other with a fresh start. Why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for?”
I mirrored her relaxed pose but steepled my fingers in front of me, watching her thoughtfully. I’d spent the day wrestling with the notion of cancelling, but in the end, I had decided that maybe my mother and I could come to a compromise. And Julia was just the person to make that happen.
“I’ll be honest, I have no desire to get married and settle down. A wife and kids aren’t in my plans. I intend to take our business and build an empire. That doesn’t leave time for other pursuits.” Julia raised a brow but didn’t interject. “However, I love and respect my mother and when I look at things objectively, I can see the merit in her suggestion. A wife would keep away the gold diggers and other unwanted female attention. It would allow me to find a release when needed without the fear of leading a woman on and getting into an uncomfortable situation. This would be a contracted relationship in which both parties would be aware of what they were getting going in, and in the event that it came to an end. A business transaction.”
I stopped and waited for a reaction, but Julia’s face remained impassive. “Go on,” she encouraged.
“Well, I want a woman who will look sophisticated on my arm at events, someone who isn’t expecting love, romance, or, most especially, children. She should have her own interests so that she is content with my inattention, but still be available when the occasion calls for it. I expect her to be faithful and will allow her the same consideration in return. However, that does mean that she will be required to fulfil her wifely duties in the bedroom”—I couldn’t help the small smirk on my face when I added—“Of course, I have no doubt that she will find the experience satisfying.”
After I finished, Julia studied me for a moment more. Then asked, “And you have no problem with the woman marrying you for your money and power?”
I shrugged, not the least concerned with what the woman wanted from me. “On the contrary, it seems even more beneficial to our relationship if we’ll both be going in with the knowledge that we’re each getting something out of it. Like I said, a business arrangement. No messy emotions to get tangled up in.”
Julia nodded and looked at her computer, typing a few things before returning her attention to me. “I can accommodate your requirements. I have a few candidates in mind for you, so let’s set an appointment for next week for you to meet with them.”
I nodded and stood, holding out my hand. “Thank you. I’ll have my assistant contact you with my availability.”
She unfolded herself from her chair and we shook. “Perfect.” Her face was still unreadable, and for some reason it made me a little uncomfortable. But I ignored the niggling feeling and turned to leave. Then a thought occurred, and I did an about-face.
“One more thing. This is all confidential, right?”
“Of course,” she agreed with a nod. “Everyone is required to sign an NDA.”
“Good.” I didn’t need her blabbing any of this to my mother, especially considering the last stipulation I was about to give her. “I have one more requirement.”
She cocked her head and looked at me curiously. It was the first time since she brought me back to the office that I was able to read her expression. “Go on.”
“I want it stipulated in the contract that my parents are never to know that this isn’t a love match. When we’re in their presence, she’ll have to act out the part of a loving wife. Is this doable?”
Something sparked in her eyes, but her expression once again smoothed out, and I thought maybe I’d imagined the cunning gleam. “Absolutely.”
“Excellent. I’ll see you next week, then.”
As I exited the building, I took a deep breath in and reviewed everything that had just happened. I couldn’t help wondering if I’d lost my fucking mind. But I decided not to second-guess my decision. Instead, I chose to enjoy the beautiful fall day in New York City and walked the twenty or so blocks back to my midtown office.
Chapter Two
KINSLEY
“Hello?” I didn’t normally answer calls on my cell when I didn’t recognize the number, but I couldn’t afford to miss anything related to my brother. So even though I was in a rush to make it out of my car and up to my brother’s room, I picked it up. If the call wasn’t urgent, I’d just have to tell them to call me back later.