A Family Circle 1 - A Very Convenient Marriage Read Free

As long as it's understood that if we were to get married, we'd be living in my house."
    Their gazes clashed, and it occurred to Sam that he'd never seen eyes of such a clear, deep green. It also occurred to him that he was making a production out of nothing. He really didn't give a damn where they lived.
    "I guess I could sublet my apartment," he conceded grudgingly. He ignored Max's snort of laughter at the idea of subletting the scruffy one-room studio.
    "So you'll live at Nikki's house," Max said cheerfully.
    "There is one thing I want to make perfectiy clear," Nikki said. A hint of color tinted her pale skin, but her eyes were steady on Sam. "You do understand, Mr. Walker, that this is to be strictly a marriage in name only. I don't want any question about that."
    Sam's eyes chilled to an icy blue. He let his glance go over her, from head to toe and then back again to meet her look.
    "You don't have to wony, Ms. Beauvisage. I don't think I'll have any trouble controlling my animal lust around you."
    His tone made it clear that he didn't find her in the least attractive. Nikki's flush deepened, but she nodded as if satisfied with his response. "Good."
    Sam returned his attention to the desk.
    Nikki studied the tip of her shoe some more.
    Max resisted the urge to tear his hair out.
    "So, is it settled? Are you going to get married?"
    "I want the money up front," Sam said abruptly.
    "You'll get it. I'll have to insist on a prenuptial agreement."
    "If you don't, I will," he snapped. His pride was already stung by the necessity of taking any money from her. "Other than the money agreed on, you don't have anything I want."
    "Other than your name on a marriage license, you don't have anything I want, either. Isn't it nice that we can agree on something?" she purred.
    Max chewed another antacid and considered another line of work. Something with less stress. Air-traffic controller at LAX, maybe.
    "A prenup is a given," he told them. "To protect both of you. I can have one drawn up by tomorrow afternoon. It should be pretty straightforward. I'll specify that, aside from the agreed-upon sum of money, you both give up all claims to each other's property."
    "Fine with me," Sam said, wondering what the odds were that Ms. Nicole Beauvisage would try to lay claim to his five-year-old Bronco or his collection of baseball cards, the only items of any particular value he owned. Somehow, he doubted either one would hold much appeal.
    "There is one other thing that concerns me," Nikki said slowly.
    "I promise not to play basketball in the ballroom or leave my dirty socks lying on the Louis XV," Sam offered facetiously.
    "That's quite a relief." Her smile was as icy as her eyes. "But my concern is more basic, Mr. Walker. Once you have your money, what guarantee do I have that you'll stick around for a year?''
    "You have my word."
    "I don't know you, Mr. Walker. I hope you'll understand my hesitation at staking my financial future on your word."
    He did understand. And if it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have been offended. But there was something about this woman that got under his skin and made him react in ways he wouldn't have normally.
    "Sam's word is good," Max said nastily, reading the anger in his friend's face.
    "Draw up a contract," Sam snapped without looking away from Nikki. "She's paying me in advance for a year of my time. Make sure it's nice and legal and binding. You can do that, can't you, Max?"
    "Sure. But it's really not—"
    "I wouldn't want Ms. Beauvisage to have any doubts about getting her money's worth." Sam's voice was smooth as silk and sharp enough to draw blood.
    "Thank you," Nikki said calmly.
    "You're welcome."
    The deadly politeness had Max reaching for another antacid. Maybe he should buy stock in the company, he thought, studying the wrapper. The silence stretched.
    Nikki waited for Sam to speak.
    Sam waited for Nikki to break the silence.
    Max waited for the antacids to settle his stomach.
    None of them