Chapter Three

I looked around, pleased with the outcome. I didn't want to make any extra effort to see Veronica, but I couldn't help it. I had instructed my secretary to clean up my desk and rearrange my office.

The contracts were neatly laid out on my table, along with an elegant silver tray containing tea, coffee, and various pastries that she liked. I made sure to make every look simple and professional.

I ignored the voices in my head that warned me I was doing too much. Or maybe I felt extremely guilty for what I did to her years ago.

I wondered how she’d grown. The stories Aria shared with me painted a picture of a reckless, impulsive woman.

I initially opposed Aria's suggestion because Veronica didn't fit the image I needed.

I knew she didn't love me, but we shared an unforgettable past.

Worse, I didn't know if I was still attracted to her. I had ended things with her because I feared I was falling in love.

I didn't want to lead her to believe we could ever be together. But I knew she would try to convince me to fight for what we had. So I shut my heart and shattered her fragile, loving heart.

I wondered if she still hated me as she did five years ago. If she did, she wouldn't consider marrying and spending a year with me.

She may not be my ideal wife, but she needed money fast. Aria didn't tell me her reasons but painted her as desperate. But I was ok with that.

It was going to be a deal sealed with financial desperation. It had nothing to do with love or lust. I could live with that.

I reached for the intercom to call my secretary, but the heavy door swung open and closed with a solid click. I lifted my gaze to the door.

Deep blue eyes met mine without hesitation, and I froze in my position. I recognized her eyes, but the colors had faded to an unsettling mix of blue and green.

Certain images came to my mind, such as our first kiss and the night in Los Angeles when we made love to each other till dawn.

Her eyes stood out against the inky black of her hair that tumbled past her shoulders and framed her face. High cheekbones highlighted her lush mouth, and they looked even fuller.

As teenagers, I used to ask if she'd been stung by a bee and then burst out laughing.

But the joke was on me now.

It had nothing to do with bees because hot male fantasies were built around a mouth like hers. Simply honey. Warm, sticky honey, preferably poured over those plump lips and slowly licked off.

Oh, dear.

I kept my cool and finished my inspection. I remembered torturing her when I found out she had to wear a bra. It was no longer amusing.

Her breasts matched the curve of her hips and were as lush as her mouth.

She was tall, almost as tall as me, and her package of female temptation came in a fiery red tank dress that showed off her cleavage, skimmed over her hips, and fell to the floor.

Scarlet toes peered out from beneath gleaming red sandals. She stood still in the doorway as if waiting for me to finish analyzing before speaking.

Veronica Kane had grown up well—a little too well for my taste. But there was no need to

let her know.

I offered her the same neutral smile I’d offer any business associate.

“Hello, Veronica. It’s been a long time.”

She smiled back, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She shifted her feet and fisted her hands.

“Hello, Bryn. How are you?”

“Fine. Please sit down. Can I pour you coffee? Tea?”

"No, Thank you.”

She slid into the cushioned chair with grace, swiveled away from the desk, and crossed her legs. The slinky red material crept up, revealing her olive skin that was smooth and athletic.

I focused on the coffee. “Napoleon? How about an apple fritter? They're from the bakery down the block."

"No, please."

“Sure?”

“Yes."

I was a little disappointed with her reaction. The Veronica I remembered was usually warm and bubbly with me. I guessed she must have really changed.

We studied each other for a few moments, and the silence lengthened. I was usually in control when speaking with other people or women. But everything about her felt different.

She plucked at the delicate gold bracelet encircling her wrist. “I’m sorry about your Uncle, Albert.”

“Thank you. Did Aria fill you in on the details?”

“Yes, she did.”

“Uncle Albert believed in family, and before he died, he was convinced I’d never settle down. Therefore, he decided to put me in such a tight position."

“You don’t believe in marriage?”

I shrugged. “Marriage is unnecessary. Two people can't be in love with each other for such a long time.”

"It may be impossible for some cold power-hungry playboys, but it's quite common amongst normal people." There was a hint of accusation in her words.

"I don't believe in long-lasting love and trust."

She drew back in surprise. “You don’t believe in making a commitment to another person?”

“Commitments are short-lived. Do you know anyone who is happily married?”

She parted her lips, then lapsed into silence. “Of course I do. They are still people who walk around with their hearts and know how to treat their partners right.”

“Maybe.” My tone contradicted my partial agreement.

“I guess there are a lot of issues we don’t agree upon,” she said and shifted in her seat, then re-crossed her legs. “We’ll need some time to see if this deal will work. I don't intend to spend a year with a man who has a frozen heart.”

“We have no time because the will expires at the end of the week. It doesn’t matter if we get along. This is strictly a business

arrangement. You don't have to have a heart to cooperate.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I see you’re the same overbearing man who sees everyone as a pawn in his game. Some things never change."

“I guess you’re right. Some people remain the same. You should have known that before you decided to see me today or think about marrying me for a year.”

Her breath caught at the jab, but she surprised me when she smiled.

“I may need your filthy money, but I am not going to spend an entire year enduring your terrible attitude. I'm not that desperate."

I almost sputtered in my coffee but managed to set the cup down with calm dignity. She wasn't as desperate as I thought. She could walk out of the door, and I would be left with no choice but to lose the inheritance.

"I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, Veronica," I said. "Trust me, everything will go fine with this marriage."

"Trust you? Like I did five years ago?" Her eyes were fixed on mine.

"I did that to protect you," I confessed. "I didn't want to hurt you."

She chuckled. "You didn't want to hurt me by hurting me?" She shook her head. "Can I see the contracts? I don't want to go back to the past anymore."

I motioned to the papers in front of her. “Aria told me you needed a specific amount of money. I kept the figure open for negotiation.” An odd expression crossed her face. “I know you’ll need your lawyer to look it over.”

“No need. A friend of mine is a lawyer, and I learned enough.”

I slid the papers over the polished wood. She reached in her purse for a pair of small, black reading glasses and pushed them up the bridge of her nose.

Minutes passed as she studied the contract. I took the opportunity to study her. My strong attraction irritated me.

She was too curvy, too direct, too—real. Even when Alexa became upset, she always handled herself with control. Veronica scared the hell out of me.

Something in my gut whispered she wouldn’t be easy to handle. I released the monster inside her, and now, it was back to devour me.

Could I really marry Veronica? Could I face my past?