Free Marriage of Convenience by Madison Cole

getting started.
    “What are you doing?” Malcolm whispered into her ear. The hair on the back of her neck stood up straight, and she clapped her hand over her mouth to smother a scream.
    Flattening her back against the building, she closed her eyes and caught her breath.
    “You scared the heck out of me!” she whispered loudly, her eyes still closed.
    Malcolm chuckled and leaned in closer to her. This close to him she could smell his cologne. It was a warm spicy scent that reminded her of exotic getaways and seductive dances.
    “Sshh!” Caroline drew her pointer finger up in front of her mouth and pursed her lips, eyes wide. “Something’s going on over there. Let’s turn around.” She slid under his arm and began tiptoeing away.
    “Wait, what is it? Let’s go see.”
    “What? No! It’s so sweet that we shouldn’t interrupt.”
    “We don’t have to interrupt. Just show me what you saw.”
    Taking his hand, Caroline led him back to the wall, and together they crept around the side ‘til the table came back into view.
    “Isn’t it sweet? A candle-light dinner, under the stars, looking out onto the City. It’s very romantic.” Caroline’s voice was wistful.
    “I’m glad you like it. Shall we eat?”
    “You planned this?” In shock, Caroline whispered the question. She hoped he didn’t find her response insulting.
    “It hadn’t occurred to me when I thought of having dinner here that you wouldn’t have been here before. That was just an added bonus, it seems.”
    Caroline took the arm he offered and let him lead her to the table. She was a little overwhelmed. Dinner on the high deck, flowers, candles? If he meant to impress, he’d succeeded. She’d expected dinner, obviously, but this required thoughtfulness, resourcefulness, and a certain dedication. Not that he didn’t have a lot riding on it. But a lot of men she knew would have simply let their money do the talking and assumed she’d be bowled over. This was different. This was deeper. This was commitment. Wow. That c-word. If she wasn’t careful, she’d lose sight of her plan and get dragged into this. Play it interested, but watch your heart, she warned herself.
    Malcolm pulled her chair out and waited for her to sit before going to the other side of the table. The table had been raised so that they had a full view of none other than the Flatiron.

Chapter Thirteen
    Caroline eyed him over the table, while smoothing a cloth napkin over her lap. “And I suppose you didn’t know that was my favorite building?” Her eyebrow rose, and she looked skeptical.
    “The Flatiron? Fantastic, isn’t it? Actually, I chose this spot because it’s one of my favorites, and I wanted to share that with you.”
    “So Gloria didn’t tell you that it was my favorite?”
    “No, I swear.” Laughing, Malcolm held up two fingers. Scout’s honor.
    “Really? So you know that when it was completed in 1910 it was the tallest building north of 14th Street?”
    Malcolm smiled at her across the table.
    “Nice try. You and I both know that it was completed in 1902, and yes, it was the tallest building in what was considered the divide between downtown and uptown.” Take that.
    “Hhhmm. Okay, maybe she didn’t betray me.” A smile played on her lips, and Malcolm thought, Another point under winner. I am on a roll!
    She smiled wider as her stomach rumbled and asked “So what are we eating tonight, Doc.?”
    Malcolm liked her playfulness. He was happy he’d put so much effort into planning the evening. She was responding well, and he felt a warmth for her already.
    When he’d left his place earlier that evening, he’d asked Geoffrey, his driver and butler, to make his way slowly over to 72nd street. Malcolm had enjoyed the ride, and the streets that far north were tree lined. Central Park was only a few blocks away. He’d been excited about the evening, but given his last date, he’d been on edge.
    To relax, he’d opened a bottle of red wine as he’d