Sincerely, Your Inconvenient Wife (The Harder They Fall, #2)(21)

His hands balled into fists as I spoke. “That’s utter bullshit.” Then he shoved his fingers into his hair. “That’s the last time I complain about my situation.”

“They can both be bad, Luca. It’s never fun to have strangers pry into your private life.”

“Right.” He nodded hard, then smoothed out his ruffled hair. “I’m going to level with you on why I asked you here. I’ve been told being married will make me something like seventy-five percent more trustworthy. My sister, Clara, has given me a list of acceptable women to date with the intention of marrying. I tried to pick one or two out that sounded interesting, but they were all basically clones of Clara, and I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

I stayed silent, waiting on tenterhooks for the other shoe to drop.

“We were photographed together yesterday, and the pictures were published this morning with conjectures you and I are dating. That, along with the story you told your mother, led me to the best possible solution for both of us. Marry me.”

A loud laugh popped out of me. “I know you’re joking, but you really had me in the first half.”

He shook his head. “I’m not joking, Saoirse. I’d like us to enter into a temporary marriage contract. It will take the pressure off us both.”

“Stop it, Luca.” I swatted his knee. “I’m not falling for this.”

He nodded toward my purse. “Check your email. You should have a preliminary contract from my lawyers you’ll want your own counsel to review.”

Just so this stupid ruse would end, I took out my phone. When I saw the very official-looking email from a well-known law firm sitting at the top of my inbox, I nearly tossed the thing across the room.

“You’re serious.”

Luca’s gaze never left mine. “Completely. We can discuss the terms and details as much as you’d like to be comfortable, but I’ve thought it through, and I see this as mutually beneficial. You won’t have to lie to your mother again, and I’ll be able to focus on my job rather than my personal life.”

“You said temporary. How long would we be married?”

I couldn’t believe I was even entertaining this idea, but now that it had sunk in that Luca was serious, my curiosity had been sparked.

“At least a year, but more likely two. It can’t be shorter than that, or it will make me look unstable, which is the opposite of what I’m going for.”

“Two years is a long time. What if you meet the woman of your dreams in that time?”

He huffed. “I’m not worried about that.”

I wondered if he’d thought of anything other than the bare facts. My mind went to the logistics of being married for two years to a man who was little more than a stranger.

“What do you see our marriage entailing, Luca?”

“We would be seen together at events. You would accompany me to business dinners and conferences. We would obviously live together too.”

“And what about our family and friends? Would they be in on it?”

“No. To everyone but us, it would be a real marriage.”

I crinkled my nose. “I’m a terrible liar.”

“You won’t have to lie. We will be legally married.”

“You’re speaking like it’s a foregone conclusion I’ll say yes.”

He raised a brow. “Weren’t you the one who told me you say yes when there’s the smallest chance you’ll get something out of it? I’m surprised by your hesitation.”

I had to laugh at that. “You’re asking me to marry you, Luca. I may be spontaneous, but even I need to think this one through from all angles. Besides, what would I be getting out of this marriage?”

His lids lowered, and he slanted his body toward mine. “Me, as a husband.”

Oh, he was turning on the charm. He must’ve really wanted this.

“Is that supposed to be an incentive?”

“I do have a really nice condo.”

“You do, although I love living with Elise.”

“She’ll be moving in with Weston before you know it.”

A thousand questions battled for first place in my mind. The most inappropriate one claimed victory. “What about sex?”

“I like it.”

“Shut up, Luca.” I couldn’t stop myself from grinning. “I mean, are you going two years without getting laid? Or will you be bringing home random women?”

“Are you taking yourself off the menu?”

“This is your idea. Surely you’ve thought about this.”

“What about you, Saoirse? Can you go two years without getting laid?

“Sure. I’ve done it before.”

He winced. “Why?”

“Despite what you may think based on our first meeting, I don’t like casual hookups. That’s one thing I rarely say yes to.”

“Won’t you get anything out of it?”

I chuffed. “Not often.”

“Then why did you say yes to me?”

I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth. “Because I was pretty certain I would get something out of being with you.”

He blinked slowly. “And you were right.”

We exchanged a long look, but I didn’t have to say anything. We’d both been there. He knew exactly what I’d gotten out of being with him.