by Sara Orwig
“You have a nice place.”
She smiled at him as she picked up her purse. “It’s plain and small, but adequate for me.”
“If you’re ready, shall we go?”
“I’m ready,” she said, and she locked up as she left.
He couldn’t keep from looking at her. “You’ve never looked like this at the office.”
“I think the way I look at the office is more conducive to a business atmosphere and I don’t care to draw undo attention to myself.”
“I think all that might have worked to my advantage,” he said, wondering if this was going to be the purely businesslike arrangement he had anticipated.
He held the door for her, and when she slid into the seat, he glimpsed her gorgeous long legs as her dress slipped high above her knees before she pulled it down slightly.
As he closed the door and walked around the car, he was hot, intensely aware of her and wanting to get another long look at her. And that’s when he had his answer. He would never see his secretary quite the same way as he had before this evening. Not after he’d had a glimpse of the good-looking woman she actually was.
At the restaurant they sat in a secluded corner. He ordered a glass of milk for her and white wine for himself, and she laughed when he held up his wine glass. “To a fabulous, brief marriage that will reward us both,” he said.
Her eyes sparkled and her full lips curved in a tempting smile as their glasses clinked slightly.
“A glass of milk doesn’t have quite the ring that two wine glasses do when touched in a toast,” she observed.
“No, it doesn’t.” They both drank and he set down his glass. “Let’s order and then we can talk about a wedding.”
After they had given their orders, he reached across to take her soft hand into his. To his amazement he felt sparks from the slight touch. Since when did he feel any electrifying reaction from merely touching a woman’s hand—particularly his secretary, whom he saw every day? As he released her hand, he wondered how much she was going to become involved in his life in this brief, fake marriage of convenience.
He hadn’t expected he would notice her much more at the ranch than he had at the office, but he had miscalculated where his quiet secretary was concerned. He should have paid closer attention, but he was still pleased with his choice. She would be perfect in so many ways, mainly in moving on when the year was up. Plus, she needed someone and he could help her and her baby. He knew she was locked into that education and career, and neither hell nor high water nor anything he did would change it. He was completely familiar with a woman driven to accomplish something.
“Now, what kind of wedding would you like to have?” he asked. “Remember, it has to be this month.”
“I think, given the circumstances that you and I are not in love,” she said quietly, her big, blue eyes making his heart race, “I think we should have a small wedding. I’m not far along in my pregnancy and if we have a small wedding this month, by the time I have to announce that I’m pregnant, people will think it’s your baby that I’m carrying. Are you all right with that?”
“Yes, I am. That was part of this deal. I told you that your baby can have my name.”
“Marc, you’re really generous,” she said, her eyes shining.
“Just remember, I’m gaining, too.”
“Is a small wedding all right with you? Because you have all sorts of people you probably are obligated to ask. I have no idea about your relatives except what you’ve recently told me.”
“My close relatives will be there—my mom, my grandmother. My closest friends, Gabe Callahan and his wife. I’ll ask Gabe to be my best man. After the ceremony, we’ll have a big reception and invite our friends, everyone we want.”
“Since I don’t have relatives and you do, if you’d like, we could just have a small wedding at the hospital—then your grandfather could be present. If he’s able, we could have it in his room or just outside his room.”
“You’re willing to do that?” Marc asked, surprised and pleased.
“Yes, because it doesn’t matter to me, and I can marry in a week, if you want.”
His pulse jumped because he didn’t expect this much cooperation from anyone, even her. It was enough that she’d accepted his proposal. “That’s fantastic, Lara. The sooner we marry, the sooner the clock starts ticking on the year I have to stay on the ranch. Also, something could happen to my grandfather at any point and I would like for him to know that I married and did what he wanted.”
“That’s good. We need to get the license.”
“I’ll take care of that,” he said, guessing she was moving back into secretary-boss mode. They paused when the waiter set green salads in front of them, and once they were alone, they continued discussing the wedding.
“We should be able to marry Saturday, if you can, or even Friday,” he said, and she nodded.
“Either one is fine. I’d prefer to avoid missing the class I’m enrolled in. I go to Denton to school on Wednesday nights, so Friday or Saturday won’t be an interference.”
“When we move to the ranch, you’ll have a hell of a drive.”
“It’s only once a week until December. I’ll do it,” she said, and he knew she would. He gazed at her. She was perfect for this temporary marriage of convenience. She would walk away as easily as he would. For a real marriage, though, she was the type of woman he vowed he would never marry—a driven woman who put business first even though her motives were to help others and work toward a cure for illness. She would work long hours—just like his mother always had. He didn’t need her for the real thing, though, so this would work beautifully.
“I expected a lot from this job, but never marriage to the boss. Wow,” she said, laughing, her eyes sparkling.
“I’ll have my accountant contact you and set up an appointment. You need to open an account where we can deposit funds on a regular basis, so you’ll have money available. Before we part tonight, I’ll give you a check for the wedding, your dress, that sort of thing.”
She laughed again. “I cannot believe this is happening to me.”
“It’s real and it’ll get more real when you’re Mrs. Marc Medina.”
“Mrs. Marc Medina,” she repeated, shaking her head. “Absolutely impossible.”
“It’s possible and it’s happening, and we’ll both benefit,” he said.
When she turned those wide blue eyes on him, his pulse jumped. Still, he knew if they could resist going to bed together and manage to keep this relationship just like it was tonight—no desire or flirting or wanting each other—then when it came time, parting would be easy. But he suddenly had a feeling it wasn’t going to be as easy as he anticipated. His reaction to her had changed, and it shocked him how much restraint he was having to use around her. How could she cause the sexy reactions he was having?
He tamped down those tingles of awareness and focused on the business at hand.
“I didn’t talk to my mom or grandfather last night,” he said. “I wanted to wait until dinner tonight and see if you had second thoughts. You do understand that when the year is up, we’ll divorce, right? I’ll have a contract drawn up. I don’t want you to have any illusions about staying married.”
“I understand and I won’t. I’m marrying to pay for my baby and my education, not for romance,” she said and then blushed. “Sorry, that sounded very crass.”
“No, it didn’t. It sounded very honest. So am I. We have the same motives and goals so we understand each other and we’ll walk away and never look back.”
“I’m thrilled,” she said, smiling at him, and his insides clutched. In an instant she could make him hot and wanting her. Where was this physical attraction coming from? That had not happened in the office and she wasn’t causing it deliberately now. Was he getting in deeper than he
had intended? He brushed that question aside as impossible.
“I’ve been totally alone and on my own for so long. This is going to be a different world, even a marriage of convenience that is only temporary.”
“I guess that’s why you’re very independent.”
“I didn’t know it showed,” she said.
“A little. It’s not bad to be independent,” he said.
He thought about how much time they’d be spending together over the coming year. The ranch house was big. Would they naturally drift together or would they gradually drift apart and barely see each other? He hadn’t put many stipulations in his proposal, nor could he, really. But in his mind he knew what he had to do. Keep his distance.
He kept telling himself that all through dinner, whenever the urge to take her hand threatened him.
Dinner was pleasant, despite the undercurrent of tension. They talked about the wedding and life on the ranch. Finally, he took her home, walking her to her door.
“Want to come in?” she asked, smiling at him.
He shook his head. There was only one thing he wanted.
He put a hand on the door and leaned down till his mouth was a breath from hers.
* * *
He was about to kiss her.
She backed up quickly, resisting the urge to place her hands on his chest and push him away. She didn’t need the physical contact.
“We agreed to avoid sex in this union. We might as well stick with that tonight,” she said, feeling he was on the verge of changing their relationship. “We both have to remember this marriage of convenience is headed for a divorce in one year. Let’s pass on kisses.”
He looked amused as he nodded. “That’s the smart thing to do.” He took a step back. “I’ll talk to my family and get back with you about when you can meet them.” He looked down into her eyes. “Lara, you’re right in that we’ll both be better off to leave kisses out of this. You and I want to walk away someday and it’ll be a lot easier if we keep this relationship somewhat like what we’ve had this past year.”
“I agree. Now, you may have certain expectations, since I’ve been your secretary and at your beck and call every work day for almost a year. I think we need to establish right now that that’s over.”
“Are you going all independent woman on me?”
“I might be. After all, this isn’t a boss-secretary relationship we’re entering into. We’ll have adjustments to make. You’ll have adjustments to make, I’m sure, because I won’t be your secretary any longer,” she said. “What’s far more standard now, if I’m your wife, is for me to start giving you some orders.”
His smile grew. “Have you ever been hiding yourself. You’re a whole different woman,” he said, his gaze drifting over her.
“This is a brand-new situation. We’re just getting started in our new relationship, and of course, there will be adjustments, but I will not be at your beck and call as I have been.”
He looked amused as she leaned closer and patted his arm. “Whatever we say and do, when the time is up, the marriage is over. You want that and I want that and we both should keep that goal in sight.”
“You have an agenda that evidently you don’t think can include marriage and a husband.”
“I think it’ll work better without a husband. Mostly, I know you don’t want to stay married, either.”
“You’re right. That’s almost enough right there to make me fall in love with you—you have an agenda you’ll stick by, a bargain we made that you’ll keep, and I can trust you completely to do as you promised. I can’t say that about any other woman I know. Don’t think you aren’t greatly appreciated.”
“I can be even more appreciated,” she said in a sultry voice, flirting with him. Instantly, she stepped back. “Oh, Marc. I take that last remark back. That’s a line I don’t want to cross. Let’s keep this relationship as much like it has been as possible.”
“I agree, Lara. That’s the sensible thing to do and it’ll be best for both of us in the long run. I have to tell you, though, I’m appreciating you more by the second right now,” he said.
“Then I’ll just say goodnight,” she said. “It was a fun evening and we’re moving along.”
“This is going to be good for both of us. You’ll see. I’m happy with it,” he said, meaning what he was saying. “I’ll see you tomorrow. It was a fun evening, Lara.”
“I had a wonderful time.”
“I feel very fortunate to have you for my secretary and to have the wits to propose to you. You’re perfect for this and you won’t fritter away a lot of the money on clothes and jewelry. And you’ve agreed that we’ll avoid sex, which we easily did this past year.”
“I should hope I wouldn’t have sex with my boss. As for clothes and jewelry, there is enough money coming that I can get some new duds if I want them,” she teased, and he smiled again. Impulsively, he hugged her.
“Wait, let me get a picture to show Mom. I want to tell her about you before I take you to meet her.” He held out his phone and took Lara’s picture. He then stepped beside her, slipping his arm around her waist to take a picture of the two of them.
“There,” he said, showing the pictures to her.
“Will she approve of me?”
“Of course. If I’ve proposed to you, she’ll trust my judgment. We’re close. We’ve always been a close family. I was close with my dad.”
“Do you look like your dad?”
He laughed. “Not at all. He was much shorter and had straight black hair. He had brown eyes, too. That’s about the only similarity. I look a little like my mom, but she’s short. I don’t know where I get this height. My grandfathers aren’t tall.”
“I’m glad you’re close with your family. I look forward to meeting your mother. Tell your mom you didn’t get me pregnant. She’ll think this is your baby and her first grandchild. I don’t want her to be upset when the marriage is over in the fall.”
“I’ll tell her the whole deal. But I’m warning you now. My mom will get attached to your baby. She miscarried several times and she loves babies. No matter what we tell her, she’ll treat this baby like her first grandchild for sure.”
“She’ll always be welcome to come see us. I’ll be in the area.”
“We don’t have to worry about that now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She stepped back and her eyes were wide as she gazed at him. “Dinner was delicious. I had a fun, interesting time and I’ll see you tomorrow evening. Thank you for dinner.”
“We’re off to the best possible start,” he said.
“As long as we aren’t stirring up trouble.”
“No. You have your eye on your agenda and my heart is locked away.”
Her expression changed and she looked solemn. “That’s right, Marc. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She opened her door and stepped inside. “Good night,” she said.
“Night, Lara.” He turned and walked down the steps and headed to his car. In minutes his taillights disappeared around the corner.
* * *
It was early in the evening and Marc drove from Dallas to Downly where his mother still lived and had her successful restaurant that drew people from Dallas daily in spite of the distance.
He turned into the house his mother had built when he was in college. By then, the money problems had vanished and her restaurant was a success; his grandfather was a help and Marc was on a scholarship. The one-story house was set back on a landscaped lawn with flowers still blooming in the warm Texas fall.
He had called her and when he circled the white stucco house to the back, she stood in the doorway waiting for him.
Pilar Medina was short with thick black hair and brown eyes, and he loved her and appreciated all she had done for him as he grew up. He hurried to the house,
and as soon as he stepped inside, he hugged her and kissed her cheek.
“Come in. Have a drink. We can sit and talk and you can tell me what you’re doing.”
“How’s Grandpa today?”
“He had an easier day and the nurses are so good to him.”
“Good. I’ll have a beer and I’ll get it. What can I get for you?”
She waved her hand. “Nothing, thank you. I’ll just listen.”
He smiled, knowing she would do more than just listen.
Out of habit, they sat at the kitchen table and she placed a bowl of pretzels in front of him. She sat and gazed expectantly at Marc.
“I want to do what Grandpa wants. I’ll marry this month.”
“Marc, I don’t know about this pushing you into a marriage. He keeps telling me to stop worrying. He says he knows what he’s doing and he says he knows his grandson and what’s best for you.”
Marc had to laugh as he shook his head. “Sometimes I don’t think he realizes I’m a grown man now.”
She smiled and patted Marc’s hand. “He loves you with all his heart. He’s been a good father to me and a good grandfather to you. And he stepped in when we lost your father.”
“What Grandpa doesn’t know is that when the year is over, I’ll end the marriage. I’ll have papers drawn up that the woman I will marry will sign, agreeing to my terms.”
Pilar rubbed her forehead. “Marc, I still worry. This marriage of convenience—Grandpa should not be forcing you into that.”
“I want to make him happy. I want to do what he wants and I want his last days to be happy, without worries about me and you and, above all, about Grandma and the ranch. He wants me there to run the ranch and he knows I’ll see to it that she’s taken care of and can live in their house where she wants to stay.”
“You’re a good son and a good grandson, but this worries me.”
“Stop worrying. I’ve already worked it out. I’ve proposed to someone, Mom.”
“Aye, aye, aye. Who is she?”
“The perfect person. She’s Lara Seymour, my secretary.” He pulled out his phone. “Here’s her picture. She has a master’s degree and wants to go to medical school. She has no family. The dad walked out years ago. Her sister died when she was young and her mother died just a few years ago and it’s because of her mother she wants to study medicine so she can go into medical research to work toward finding cures. I’ve made her a good offer, enough money to cover her expenses for her education.”
