So we make a deal

Eric stared at the woman standing in front of him and tried to swallow. Her deep voice even conjures up fantasies of fire, demanding and ... full of rumbling. He let out a curse and took another sip of coffee, trying to buy time. Her whole attitude screams sex. The innocence of the past has been burned away and left to be a completely woman with purely female needs. He wondered what kind of man would satisfy those needs. He wondered how her plump breasts would feel in his hands, or what those lips would taste like under his. He wondered what she was wearing under that tight red dress.

"Eric?"

"Hmmm?"

"Did you hear me?"

"Yes. Sex. I promise you'll never find yourself in an awkward situation."

"So, you're telling me you still intend to sleep with Gabriella?"

"Gabriella and I are in a relationship."

"But I won't marry her."

Tension enveloped the air around them. He took a few steps away, desperate. "It's not that kind of relationship."

"Hmmm, that's interesting. So you're saying that I can't have a relationship because I don't have the right person to have a relationship with."

If there was a pool of ice in front of him, he would dip them in one by one. Her accusation raised a strange heat on his skin. Her voice was very gentle. Her smile seemed so genuine and contagious. Eric felt like he was hovering at the edge of feminism, and he realized he had lost his ground. He struggled to regain control.

"If you had someone stable in your life, we wouldn't be in this situation. But strangers are too dangerous. I can guarantee Gabriella knows how to keep one. secret."

She smiled. A delicious, girly smile that promises fun beyond imagination and commits it all to him. His heart stopped, waited, then pounded. Mesmerized, he waited for her next words.

"No way, honey."

He fought to stay focused as the words of rejection slipped from her delicious mouth. "What?"

"No sex for me. No sex for you. I don't care if it's Gabriella or a stripper or the love of your damn life. If I don't have any fun. , neither do you.

You'll just have to kick me out of that marital property and build my own buildings.” She paused.

I understand. Decided not to accept it. And realized this was the game, the rounds and the whole game, and he needed to win. His smile showed commitment, understanding, and the money she needed. "Carina, I understand this seems unfair. But men are very different. Gabriella also has a reputation to maintain, so you'll never be put in a bad situation. Do you understand? "

"Have."

"So, will you agree to the terms?"

"No."

The annoyance is increasing. He narrowed his eyes and studied her. Then decided to go back closer. "We agreed on everything else. We made an agreement. It's only for a year, and then you can go and enjoy your crazy fun."

Pale green eyes stared back at him with absolute stubbornness and iron determination. "If you can have your own fun, I have mine too. If you want to be single, so can I.

I don't care about your nonsense about men or women or the difference between them. If I had to sleep alone for 364 nights, so would you. And if you want to argue, then you'll have to find another wife for you."

She jerked her head up like a horse that had just come out of the stable. "And since we know we're not attracted to each other, you'll just have to find a way to relieve the pressure. Use a little creativity. Single life opens up new experiences. " She smiled. "Because that's all you'll get."

Apparently, she hadn't known he was a real poker player, and having spent several years relaxing in matches where night turned to day, he'd pocketed a ton of money with ease. Like his old smoking habit, poker tempts him and he plays it for fun, not money.

He couldn't let her defeat him, and he felt close to victory. He targets the opponent's weakness. "You want to be reasonable? Okay. The deal is over. Kiss your money goodbye. I'll just have to put up with the board for a while."

She slid out of her chair, slung her purse over her shoulder, and stood straight in front of him. "Nice to see you again, Lovely Boy."

A direct hit.

He wondered if she knew her adorable taunt had irritated him and made him want to shake her until she retracted it. Even as a child, he had hated it, and the years had not blurred the sharp edges of that insult. Like he did when he was young, he gritted his teeth and endured anger with an approachable smile. "Yes, that's great. Let's meet sometime. Don't lose touch."

"I will not." She stopped. "See you again."

That's when Eric knew he was wrong. A fatal mistake. Carina Scodelario was able to win a poker game – not because she lied, but because she was willing to accept defeat.

But she is also just a dumb chicken.

She turned. Go straight to the door. Twist knob. Afterward...

"OK." The sound escaped his mouth before he had time to think. Something had told him she was leaving and not coming back to say she had changed her mind. And damn, Carina was his only candidate. A year of his life is nothing compared to the future gift that will allow him to do what he has always dreamed of.

He gave her his credit card. She didn't even gloat.

She turned and spoke in a cold, merchant voice. "I know the contract doesn't specify our new agreement. Will you promise me you will abide by the new terms?"

"I can draft a revision."

"No need. Do you promise?"

Her figure was full of energy. Eric realized she trusted him to the same extent that he trusted her. A shiver of satisfaction ran through him. "I promise you."

"So we make a deal. Ah, and annul the marriage after a year? My family probably won't be hurt by this deception. We'll cite irreconcilable and false differences. pretend to be friends."

"I can live with that."

"Good. Come pick me up tonight at 7 o'clock and we'll go meet my family to tell me the news. I'll take care of the wedding arrangements."

He nodded, his brain still a little hazy from his decision and her closeness. Was it the delicate vanilla scent from her sweet skin? Or cinnamon? He stared blankly for a moment while she left the microcard on the cherry wood table.

"My address is at the bookstore," she said. "I'll see you tonight."

He cleared his throat to answer, but it was too late. She left.