Free Marriage of Convenience by Madison Cole Page B

response to his last question had sent a little zing of excitement through him. She might have had bad experiences in the past, but she was willing to try again. With him. Only him? He didn’t see the need to push his luck here, but he thought her follow-up had alluded to the answer. He did have a lot to offer.
    “But I do understand that you may have plenty of options yourself, and so I am prepared to be put to the test, if you will.”
    He took a sip of wine, thinking that he didn’t have many options. Like her, he’d been around the block a few times and always ended up where he started: intelligent, wealthy, caring, but alone. In recent months he’d all but stopped thinking about it completely. He’d figured he’d continue with his professional goals, and his personal ones would either fall in to place or not. He wasn’t big on religious or spiritual philosophy, but in the case of his love life, he was prepared to accept that certain things just weren’t meant to be.
    “I can appreciate that with more time and the right circumstances, we’d both experience some level of success at this relationship thing. But given certain … personal matters, I don’t have that time.” Malcolm took another sip of wine. Caroline waited.
    “Without putting too fine a point on it … we know what I’ll be bringing to the relationship, Caroline. What will you bring?”
    He didn’t intend to pressure her, but to his thinking they both should be prepared for the question. She was allowing him to lead this interview process, perhaps because it had been his idea, his situation that led them to this dinner. But he thought that since they’d both be living with whatever decision was made, they had equal stakes in the process. If he beat to her to punch in asking, it wasn’t because he wasn’t prepared to answer it himself or wouldn’t review his assets with her if she asked for details.
    Sitting across from her, he had little doubt as to what she’d bring in certain areas of their new life. He could smell her perfume from across the table, and it was playing havoc with his concentration. She was fully dressed, but he could see her naked as he made love to her. He couldn’t recall the last time he felt the sort of sexual tension that had been building over the last hour. He intended to find out where it would lead.
    “Well certainly I’d bring respect, loyalty, and partnership. I’d bring professional success to match your own and personal financial security. I’d like to think that eventually I’d bring love for you and our family.”
    Malcolm absorbed her words and let his eyes lose focus as he gazed on the City below. He liked that she didn’t throw herself at him and allowed that real love would take time to develop. “And what if we’re not … compatible?”
    Caroline chuckled. “Seriously?” His gaze met hers, and he could see the incredulity in her eyes. Given the feelings he’d been experiencing since picking her up, he thought the notion absurd himself, but he wasn’t taking chances. He wanted to hear and see her response.
    “You’re a beautiful woman. I’ve found it difficult not to touch you all night. You’re intelligent; we have shared interests; you’re playful and charming. I have little doubt that you are what you say you are and everything Gloria described. But first impressions aside, how do we know we’re attracted enough to take the next step?”
    Caroline blushed at his compliments.
    “Trust me. This won’t be an issue for us.”
    “Prove it.”
    Malcolm eased back into his seat, uncrossed his legs, pushing his chair out slightly as he did so, and rested his arms on the armrests. The gauntlet thrown, he’d have to wait to see the results. He’d been thinking the words, but he hadn’t realized he intended to say them out loud until they were out. And the look on her face told him that it was too late to retract them. Surprised, yes. Interested? Definitely.
    Caroline must have heard