Nailed - Opal Carew Page 0,31
he’d ever had and a part of her was delighted about that.
So all the sex she wanted with a guy who was amazing and sensitive in bed and she would have no financial worries as she built her business.
“I’d like to talk this over with my girlfriend.”
“No. I want to be absolutely clear about this. I don’t want you to tell anyone about this. As far as everyone knows, this will be a real marriage. I proposed and you accepted.”
“I can’t tell Tia?”
“The only people who will know are you, me, Will, and the lawyer who drew up the contract.”
“How soon do I need to decide?”
“I have my jet standing by to take us to Vegas and a suite is already booked.”
“Now? But—”
“Once a decision’s been made, I don’t believe in waiting.”
“But I haven’t decided.”
“What do you have to lose? If you find you don’t like the situation, you can always divorce me.”
“Again, you certainly have a way of turning a girl’s head.” She paced. “Going into a marriage with the idea of divorce as a likely outcome just seems wrong.”
Kane walked in front of her, stopping her pacing, then wrapped his hands around her forearms. Heat skittered through her.
“I’m hoping that’s not how this will end. I really am in this for the long run. I think it’s an ideal arrangement that will work beautifully if we both really try and make it work.”
“Why do you think it will work?”
He shrugged. “A lot of cultures have arranged marriages and they work. Why can’t this? Especially if we’re motivated.”
“Like making it a clause that I lose control of my company if I divorce you?”
“If you don’t agree to it, you won’t even have a company.”
His words hit home. Hard. He was right. Looking for a new job would take all her time and energy, and leave her stressed. She wouldn’t have the emotional resources left to work on building her business, let alone money for the physical resources.
She sighed.
She wasn’t willing to give up her dream.
Could she really marry this totally sexy, gorgeous guy who was great in bed … who had broken her heart?
She stuck out her hand. “Okay. It’s a deal.”
* * *
River had never been on a private jet before and it was hard to hide how impressed she was at the luxurious leather seats and the high-quality service of the staff who brought them drinks and a lavish meal, including an entrée of lobster pasta that was better than anything she’d ever tasted.
When they got off the plane, a limo took them to a lovely chapel. Not like the neon-signed, tacky ones she’d seen in sitcoms and movies. It was a charming stone building with stained-glass windows and a heavy oak door with intricate designs carved in the thick wooden door frame.
The driver opened the car door. Kane got out, and offered his hand to her. She took it as he helped her out of the limo, and he continued to hold it as they walked up the stone steps to the chapel door.
They stepped into an entryway with wooden paneling and stairs leading up. As they walked up the stairs, her nervousness increased.
Kane glanced at her. “Your hand is shaking. Are you nervous?”
“I’m about to get married. Of course I’m nervous.”
He squeezed her hand and, even though he was the cause of her anxiety, it was somehow reassuring.
“I have a surprise for you.”
They reached the top of the stairs and she gazed at him.
“You mean something more surprising than the fact I’m getting married right now?”
He chuckled. “No, I suppose not, but I hope you’ll like it.”
An older woman with a big smile and welcoming blue eyes greeted them and led them into a room with a sofa and armchairs.
“When you’re ready, let me know and we’ll start the service,” she said, then slipped from the room, closing the door behind her.
On the sofa was a large, flat box—maroon with a huge white bow.
River walked to the sofa. “Is this the surprise?”
He laughed. “You’re very perceptive,” he teased.
She just shook her head. “But I have nothing for you.”
His indigo eyes glittered. “Well, that’s not really true.”
Then her cheeks flushed. She quickly turned to the box and lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in maroon tissue paper, was a white satin gown. She picked it up and drew it from the box. It was a strapless sheath that flared below the knees. The bodice was edged with lace, sequins, and pearls. In the box, there was also