Marry Me, Kate

With a frown, he said, “You misunderstand me, Miss O’Connor. I don’t mean a real marriage. And I do not have any...designs on your body. The marriage would be one of convenience—for both of us—and would only last one year. There would be a prenuptial agreement spelling out the terms with a generous reward to you should I break any of them.”

Will watched her as she tried to understand his words. Admittedly his proposition was unusual. And if she couldn’t read his mind, perhaps even acceptable. He’d almost choked as he’d promised he had no interest in touching her, loving her. Physically. Of course, he had no interest in any emotional commitment.

He’d learned about that mistake from watching his father’s life.

But physically, the lady was a turn-on that would be hard to resist. But he would. Drawing a deep breath himself, he waited for her reaction.

“I don’t understand.”

“You met my mother this evening.”

“Yes. And I don’t appreciate what you did.”

“What did I do? I introduced you. The only thing I did wrong was announce our engagement before I spoke to you, but I said those words to protect you. My mother can be quite vicious to people she doesn’t consider...suitable.”

“To protect me,” she said, her gaze narrowing as she studied him.

Feeling like a first-grader who had lied to his teacher, he tried to keep his features smooth and unconcerned. “Yes.”

“And your reason for the proposal? Another attempt to protect me?”

Her sarcasm shattered his pretense and his cheeks flushed. “Not exactly.”

“Then explain.”

He’d figured she would demand details. Carefully selecting the version he wanted to reveal, he said, “My mother is...an ambitious woman. She’s been trying to force me into an advantageous marriage for several years.”

“And you’re not grown-up enough to say no?”

Her scornful look angered him. “Yes, I can say no. And have, repeatedly. That doesn’t stop her from disrupting my life with her efforts.”

She frowned but said nothing.

“I want some peace. I’m starting a new project that is going to take a lot of my concentration and greatly expand my holdings, and I want her to leave me alone.”

“And you can’t find anyone willing to marry you without making them a financial offer?” Kate quizzed him. “What’s wrong with you?”

“There’s nothing wrong with me,” he snapped back, burned by her condemnation. “Just because I don’t want—I’m not interested in marriage.”

Suddenly her big hazel eyes grew even larger and she leaned forward, whispering, “You’re gay?”

Exasperation made him slump against the plastic seat as he shook his head. “No, I’m not. Damn it, woman, why can’t you just accept what I’m telling you?”

“Because it doesn’t make sense. Why would any man tie himself legally to a woman if he doesn’t want marriage?”

“To keep from being persecuted by his mother.”

“And to embarrass her, pay her back, perhaps?”

Damn, damn, damn. No, she wasn’t stupid. “You’re not exactly the kind of woman my mother wants me to marry.” He cleared his throat. “If I married a society type, my mother would expect me to become even more involved in the society life-style. I want less.”

“So you thought you’d choose a weed to grow among the lilies, knowing everyone will hate her and avoid you.”

He didn’t like what she was saying, but he couldn’t deny at least some of it. “If the men you met tonight liked you any more, this diner would be overflowing.” She raised one eyebrow but said nothing. “Besides, what do you care if they don’t like you? You’d get your money to make your dream come true.”

“We still haven’t discussed payback terms.”

He smiled, knowing she wouldn’t have asked if she wasn’t considering his plan just a little. “That’s the beauty of the plan for you, Kate. If you meet the terms of the agreement, you don’t owe me anything.”

Her mouth dropped in surprise. “You mean—you mean the money is a gift?”

“Nope. You’re providing a service, and I’m paying. One year of your life.”

“But I can work on the diner, get started?”

“I want you to work on the diner, to be too busy for any socializing,” he assured her, feeling victory within his grasp.

“And all I have to do is go through a legal ceremony?”

“And pretend that we have a normal marriage.”

Kate felt her elation subside. “What does that entail?”

“Not much A few public displays of affection, moving into my house. Things like that.”

“But not your bedroom?” she demanded, wanting to be clear about his demands.

“Not my bedroom,” he assured her.

She stared at him. His voice was firm, his gaze clear, but there was a small flicker there that made her hesitate. That and the looks he’d given her this evening. Could she trust him?

Excitement filled her as she thought about finishing the year with her plans intact, debt-free. The possibility of succeeding was greatly enhanced if she had no loans. Maggie hadn’t believed she could pull it off.

“All right,” she said abruptly, looking him in the eye. “Have your lawyer draw up the papers. If everything is as you say, I’ll agree.”

What have I done?

That panicky question was lying in wait when Kate opened her eyes the next morning. She’d tossed and turned most of the night and felt more exhausted this morning than she had when she fell into bed.

Of course, five-thirty came early every morning, but she had no choice. Usually she hit the sack early, knowing the demands of the diner. Someday, she’d be able to hire someone else to share the burden of the cooking. Right now, she handled the eighteenhour shift by cooking extra amounts and freezing them for when she couldn’t be there, leaving her two waitresses to warm up the specials.

Thinking about the future brought her right back to the weird evening she’d suffered through. And the possibilities it offered. She had to call Maggie.

Rolling over, she reached for the phone and dialed her sister’s number. “Maggie? Are you awake?”

Her sister growled into the phone. “The sun isn’t up.”

“I know. But I had to tell you. I’ve found someone to give me the money for the diner!”