“This is ridiculous. You’re trying to pay me to marry you. Have you no pride?” She asked, exasperated. But she couldn’t stop thinking what the million could do for the children in her school. Books. Computers. Supplies. Damn it, why did he have to put that in there? “Why charity? Why now? You could have donated at any time.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I checked you out on the Internet and saw how little funding these children get.”
She held up a palm. “Hold up. You Googled me? Really?”
“Actually…I used Bing.”
She dropped her hand to her lap. “Oh for the love of—”
“But I saw how much they need help. All this time, I’ve been blind to the needs of others. I’ve had my head in the sand for too long. I want to help people—starting with the kids in your school.”
Did he really, or was he just trying to win her over?
“So…you actually care? Or you’re just bribing me?” She raised a brow. “Which is it?”
“Honestly?” He let out a loud sigh. “Both. I want you to say yes, and I want the children to have more books, and more supplies for the teachers.”
“If I say no, will you still donate the money? Or is it dependent on my agreement?”
“If you say no, and I don’t find anyone else to marry me, I won’t have any money to donate. It’ll go to some distant cousin in France that I’ve never even met.”
“You could have anyone else you wanted for a lot less, I’m sure.”
“I don’t want anyone else. I want you.” He clasped her hand. “If I have to do this, I want to do it on my terms. In my way.”
“I think it’s a horrible idea. Not to mention a waste of money. You could probably get someone to marry you for free.”
“I’d pay even more to get you to say yes.”
She shook her head. “You’re insane. I’m going home now.
My answer is—”
“Shh,” he said, pressing a fingertip to her mouth. “Think about my proposition. Sleep on it. Don’t answer me yet.”
“It won’t change anything.”
“Maybe not. But I need you to say yes. It’s the only way I’ll make it through this mess intact.” He took a deep breath.
“We’ll both know what to expect from the beginning. No secrets. No surprises.”
When put that way, he sounded so…so right. Damn it.
And the kids… “I’ll think about it.” She hesitated, blushing. “This would be a marriage in name only, right?”
“I’d like to have a real marriage, in the bedroom. If you did. If not, we can work around your objections. Maybe.” He grinned lopsidedly. “But I’d rather not.”
She sighed, extricating herself from his arms. “I’m going home.”
“I’ll take you.”
They headed outside into the cold. She couldn’t help stealing a glance back at his house as he led her out the door.
She loved the architecture, the stones, and the windows.
Everything, really. Snow drifted from the sky. Damon cradled her hand in his, leading her to the car.
Her head spun, and she couldn’t help but dwell on his proposition as she climbed into the car. It felt like a fairy tale.
Too good to be true. But the things she could do with the money… She could open a recreation center for underprivileged kids. Help get the school out of debt and into budget. The possibilities were endless.
When they were almost to her apartment, she looked away from the window to find Damon staring at her, smiling widely.
“You’re thinking about us, aren’t you?” he asked, scooting closer. “I can see the wheels turning.”
She hesitated, not meeting his eyes. “Are the terms negotiable?”
“Of course,” he answered immediately. “What do you want? More money?”
“Yes. No.” She bit her lip, looking out the window. “I want to reverse the numbers. Three million to charity. One to me.”
He sucked in a deep breath, his hands tightening on his knees. “Let me get this straight. You want less money? That’s your bargaining chip?”
“Mmhm.”
“I don’t think there is anyone in this world who has a cleaner conscience than you. You’re incredible.”
She flushed, waving a hand in the air. “No, I’m not.
Anyone else would—”
“Anyone else would ask for more. For them, not others.”
“Whatever. I’ll marry you.” She felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She’d be helping kids with the money he’d donate for charity. He’d have a wife so he could keep his money.
“Thank you!” He captured her hand and pulled it to his chest. “I’m going to make you a very, very happy girl for the next year. I promise I’ll make you feel like a bloody princess.”
“I already do.”
A hollow feeling crept into her gut. She needed to remember this was temporary. Short term. She must, at all times, guard her heart. With a Glock, if need be.
The car pulled to a stop in front of her building, and he swept her into his arms, his lips closing in on hers with alarming speed.
“No kissing,” she reprimanded, pulling out of his embrace.
“This is business, not pleasure.”
He nodded, his eyes dropping. “I’ll do all the planning. Do you want a real wedding, or a small justice ceremony?”
“Small. The wedding’s not real, after all.”
He set her down and ran a hand through his hair. His voice was brittle. “Right. Of course.”
“When will we get married?”
“I’ll draw up the contracts tomorrow. Make sure all the bases are covered, and then we’ll do it. Sound good?”
“Mmhm.”
“Good. Until tomorrow…” He shook her hand, his eyes searching hers. “Please tell me this won’t be a marriage in name only.”
“Fine. I won’t tell you.” Shrugging, she headed inside. She stole one last glance at him before she shut the door. “Good night, Damon.”
“Good night, Johanna.”
Chapter Five
Damon stood beside the justice of the peace, his palms sweating and his mind racing. In minutes, she’d become his bride. He couldn’t believe he’d gotten her to agree. He had a sneaking suspicion that if he hadn’t added in the charity donation, she’d have laughed her way out of his office—and out of his life.