Are you sleeping with her?

He leaned closer to her, examining her. "Damn big money. Gambling debts huh?"

An invisible wall fell between them. "No."

"Or shop for a family?"

Anger flared in her eyes. "They're none of your business. Part of the deal is that you can't ask me about the money or how I intend to use it."

"Hmmm, is there anything else?"

"Where do we live?"

"My home."

"I'm not giving up my apartment. I'll pay the rent as usual."

Surprise shot through him. "As my wife, you will need a proper wardrobe. You will receive an allowance and be able to use my costume staff."

"I'll wear what I want, when I want, and pay my own damn way."

He fought against a smile. He almost enjoyed mind games, just like he did in the old days. "You will be the mistress of my business relationships. I have a lot of contractual arrangements in the works, so you have to show off to the other wives."

"I can handle keeping my elbows off the table and smiling at their stupid jokes. But I need to be free to run my own business and enjoy a social life. mine."

"Of course. I expect you to continue your personal life."

"As long as I don't embarrass you?"

"Exactly."

She tapped her thumb in the same rhythm as the rest of her fingernails. "I have some problems with this list."

"I'm a flexible person."

"I'm very close to my family and they would need a real reason to believe that I'm suddenly getting married."

"Just tell them we found each other after all these years and decided to get married."

Carina rolled her eyes. "They're not supposed to know about this arrangement, so they need to believe that we're madly in love. You'll have to come over for dinner so we can make an announcement for them. And it needs to be. convinced."

He remembered that her father had abandoned them with alcoholism and abandonment of the family. "Are you still talking to your father?"

"Yes."

"She used to hate him."

"He made amends. I chose to forgive. After all, my brother and sister-in-law and niece and twins are living with my parents. They're going to ask a million questions and you have to. really convincing."

He frowned. "I don't like trouble."

"Unfortunately. That's part of the deal."

Eric pretended to give her a small victory. "Fine. What else?"

"Well. I want a real wedding."

His eyes narrowed. "I'm thinking about the magistrate here."

"And I'm thinking about a white dress with my family in attendance and Anna as the bridesmaid of honor."

"I don't want the wedding."

"Like you said. My family will never believe that I ran after boys. We have to do this for them."

"I married you for work reasons, Carina. No family for your family."

She lifted the handle. He had especially noticed that gesture of hers. It seemed like it was a warning sign before she prepared for battle. "Believe me, I'm no happier with this than you are, but we have to play our part so people will think this is real."

2.3

His expression scowled but he managed with a nod. "Okay." His voice was completely sarcastic. "What else?"

She looked a little worried as she shot him a glance, then stood up from her chair and started walking around the room. His focus shifted to her perfect back, swinging back and forth, and the zipper of his pants stretched uncomfortably.

The rational thought that crossed his mind had left his vision behind. Cut your losses right here and now and walk out the door. This woman will turn your life upside down, and you've always hated a fun house.

Eric fought against his growing fear and waited for an answer from her.

...

Oh, it's damned.

Why does he have to look so gorgeous?

She peeked at him as she paced back and forth. A vulgar curse was about to fall from her lips, but she held it back. In the past, she used to mock him and call him Cute Boy because of his blond hair. The old curls had been tamed into a short, conservative haircut, but there were still some unruly strands that fell on his forehead in his stubborn rebellion. The colors had darkened with time, but they reminded her of Chex cereal, which ranged from honey yellow to wheat yellow. His features accentuated his tough look – his jawline was now sculpted. Perfect white teeth revealed in a brief smile. Deep chestnut eyes, as if keeping secrets firmly hidden behind a wall. But what about your body...

He had always been a man of action, but as he crossed the room his elegant oat-colored pants moved and curved with the muscular coils of his long legs and tight butt. . That V-neck sweater is perfect for the street and the office on a Saturday.

Some parts don't fit at all. The long veins of his arms. His broad shoulders and chest stretched like a molded shirt. The deep copper color of his skin looked as if he had been lying in the sun for hours. Soft lines in his movements. He had grown up, and he was no longer the cute boy he was. Eric Swann is all man now – and still looks at her as if she were his baby sister Anna's playmate. When their eyes locked, there was no recognition, nor appreciation. Just a distant friendliness enough to give someone from his past.

But, she would be an idiot if she let her tongue lick around her mouth just because he looked attractive. His personality is still very bad. Big B for Boring (bland). Big D for Dull (dull). Letter...

She pushed that thought out of her mind.

Carina hated the fact that his presence had strained her nerves and wobbled. A week ago, she cast a love spell, and Mother Earth listened. She had money and was able to save her family's house. But what happened to your list?

The former man she put her trust in. This is a loveless marriage. No, this is work, pure and simple, and so it is very cold. While her memory of their first kiss was pulled from the depths of her mind, she bet he had completely forgotten about that moment. Humiliation crept through her. No more. Did Mother Earth really not agree to give her the number one request on her list? She took a deep breath and spoke. "One more thing."

"Yes?" he asked.

"Do you watch baseball?"

"Of course."

Her stomach was heavy with tension. "Do you have a favorite football team?"

He smirked. True to the nature of a smirk. "A New York team."

Carina fought against the nausea and continued to ask. "Which team?"

"Of course, the Yankees. It's the only team that wins. It's the only team worth watching."

She took a deep breath into her stomach, which she learned in yoga class. Will you marry a Yankees fan? Will she give up all her dignity and morality? Can she bear to be married to a man who rationalizes his God and thinks monogamy is a woman thing?

"Carina? Are you okay?"

She kept silent with him and paced back and forth, desperately searching for answers. If she left now, there would be no choice but to sell the house. Can she live with herself, knowing she is too selfish to make a sacrifice for her family? Does she have a choice?

"Carina? "

She turned on one heel. Impatience was etched in every feature of his face. This man has no tolerance for any outbursts of emotions. You look so hot, you can become a big trouble, just like in the past. He seemed to be able to schedule every minute of his day. You probably don't know what the word impulsive means. Can they live a year in the same house? Will they separate before 365 days are up? And what if the Yankees get into the World Series this year? How would she deal with his lousy arrogance and that smug smile. Oh my god...

He crossed his arms across his chest. "Don't tell me you're a Mets fan."

She shivered at his tone. "I refuse to talk about baseball with you. You won't wear any Yankees while you're with me. I won't care what you wear when I'm not there. See?"

Silence enveloped the room. She risked a straight look at him. He stared at her as if her hair had sprouted Medusa snakes. "Are you kidding me?"

She shook her head with amusement. "No."

"I'm not even allowed to wear a Yankees hat?"

"Exactly."

"You're crazy," he said.

"I suppose so. Tell me now before we waste any more time."

And then he did something she'd never seen her argue with the neighbor, or bully him off his bike and burst into tears with the tears that silly women do.

Eric Swann laughed. Not a glimmer of amusement, or a smile circling his lips. This is a relaxed, deep, and manly laugh. The sounds fill the room and promote life. Carina fought against her own smile, especially when his humor was aimed squarely at her. Damn, he looks great when he drops his arrogance.

He finally calmed down, seemingly rethinking his options, and course of action. "I won't wear any Yankees outfits, but it applies to you too. No Mets junk. I don't even want to see a coffee mug or keychain lying around the house. mine. Understand?"

She restrained her anger. Somehow, this deal came back to hit her. "I disagree. We haven't won a Series since 1986, so I'll be wearing mine. You've got enough of the glory - you don't need it anymore."

His lips twitched. "Try, but I'm not one of the Twinkies you usually date. No Yankees, no Mets. Accept it or delete it."

"I'm not dating Twinkies!"

He shrugs. "I do not care."

She jumped from foot to foot and almost tried to keep her hands from forming into fists. He is damn cold. How could he look so good, but it reminded her of the poisoned apple Snow White ate?

"So? Do you want to sleep with it or whatever women do when they can't make a decision?"

She bit her lip, helpless, and forced to speak. "Okay. I have a deal."

"Anything else?"

"I suppose it's fine."

"Not completely." He paused for a moment as if to approach a delicate subject. Carina swore she would stay calm no matter what he said. Two people can play this game. She would be an ice queen, even if he verbally abused her. She took a breath and slid back into the chair, then lifted her coffee cup to prepare it.

He examined his fingers and took a deep breath. "I want to talk to you about having sex."

"Sex?" Words escaped from her lips and shot into the air like a gunshot. She blinked, but refused to show any change in her expression.

He jumped up from his seat and they switched positions, as he paced back and forth on the plush burgundy carpet. "See, we need to be extremely discreet, fennel, of our outside activities."

"Discreet?"

"That's right. I work with some very high-profile clients, and I have a reputation to defend. Not to mention the terms of the deal will be broken if our marriage is called into question. I think it would be better if you agreed to be single for a year. You can do it, right?"

"Or a lot of things aren't done."

He let out a very obvious fake laugh and she wondered if she had caught a drop of sweat on his forehead or was it just a trick of the light. He stopped and looked at her warily. Suddenly, the true meaning of his words burned in her brain with a flash of understanding. Eric wants her to be the perfect wife, which includes keeping the marriage bed as their deception.

But he did not mention his own single life. Anna mentioned all the details about Gabriella, so she knew Eric was in a relationship. Carina still doesn't understand why he wouldn't marry his girlfriend, but his choice is not in her judgment. All she cared about was her bossyness, her preference for men and her desire to sort this whole thing out.

Completely.

She shook her head with anger but kept a calm face. Eric Swann wants to cut the deal. Fine. Because when she walks out that door, Ericy will have to sign a deal for the rest of her life.

She smiled. "I understand."

His face lit up immediately. "Do you understand?"

"Of course. If this marriage is supposed to be real, how would it look if your wife got caught up in the affair rumors right after the wedding?"

"Exactly".

"And you shouldn't have to deal with humiliating questions regarding your masculinity. If your wife keeps sleeping outside, it clearly indicates a problem. She hasn't gotten enough at home. ."

He shifted his weight. He nodded half-heartedly. "I suppose so."

"Then, what about Gabriella?"

He fell backwards in surprise. "How did you know about her?"

"Anna."

"Don't worry about Gabriella. I'll handle it."

"Are you sleeping with her?"

He flinched, then tried to pretend he didn't care. "What is the matter?"

She raised her hand in a gesture of self-defense. "I just wanted to clarify sex. At least I filled in one of the two blanks. I'm as sure as hell don't love you, and we're not attracted to each other. You're saying that if I want a good one night stand, then I can forget about it. So, what are the rules for you?"

Carina pursed her lips and wondered how he intended to let himself escape from the grave he had just dug.