Page 69 of A Dangerous Proposal

“You want my DNA for the gene pool?”

“Your genes will have some fighting to do.”

She stared at him, ignoring his joke, and jumped to her feet. “Marriage is one thing. Having a child will tie us together for a lifetime.”

Alex rose and took a few steps until he was standing directly in front of her. “I know. You are an incredible mother who has put Jax before yourself over and over. Why wouldn’t I want someone like that to be the mother of my children?”

Her chest rose and fell, and he could see the flutter of her pulse at the base of her neck. “Youcan’tknow that about me. Know I’m the person you are describing. We’ve spent so little time together…” Madison sounded almost desperate.

Alex raised his hand and brushed her hair back from her face and then dragged his fingertips along the silkiness of her jaw. His need to touch her whenever she was close was seriously becoming a problem. He lowered his hand.

“I learned very early in my life to assess people. Who’s being sincere… Who will betray me… Who in the room is most likely to plunge a knife into my back.”

She needed to hear his reality. “I come from a dangerous and brutal world, and my instincts have kept me alive. And my instinct tells me you are a good person.”

Madison scoffed. “Not so great if I’m considering marrying you to defraud the courts.”

“You’re willing to put aside your own happiness and morals for a child you love.” He held her gaze. “That kind of sacrifice, even by mothers, isn’t as common as you would think.”

He could see the conflict written all over her face. Sheknewhe was right. Sheknewthis was her best option.

But she was struggling with what itmeant.

So, he gave her a way to understand.

“I’m not going to change.” His tone was cool, almost detached. “I don’t want you going into this marriage with any illusions. This is not a love story. We will have a partnership… One that has the added benefit of explosive sex.”

His lips lifted slightly before he blanked his face again. “You need to know that going in. I like you, Madison, and I like Jax. I think the three of us will get along well. As my wife, you and our children will be my priority. I will take care of you.”

She exhaled shakily. “But it’snota romance.”

“No.” He shook his head. “I’m not capable of it. I’m not saying this to be an asshole. I’ve never said the words, and they’ve never been said to me. I’m just not built that way.”

His admission affected her more than he expected because her mouth fell open and she stared at him, horrified.

“You don’t mean your parents? They must have told you they loved you.”

Irritation gripped the back of his neck. “Don’t social work me, Angel. I don’t need it. It doesn’t matter. It’s just the way we were raised.”

Madison’s eyes were steady on his. “What about our children? Will you tell them?”

Alex’s mouth opened and closed a few times. It had never even occurred to him, but she looked like this answer might be the key to her decision.

“Yes.” It wasn’t a lie. He would say the words to the children if she thought it was important. Fuck, she was probably right that it was good for kids to hear. Madison was the one with the education.

Her expression softened. “But you don’t believe you’re capable of romantic love.”

“I don’t believe in romantic love, period,” he said flatly. She needed to accept this is how things would be. “I expect we will be friends, and I care about you already, but the rest?” He shrugged. “It’s a fantasy.”

Madison bit her lip. She was trying to hide her hesitation. Had she dreamed of falling madly in love one day? Alex ignored the twinge that thought brought.

She looked down at where Jax was sleeping and then at her feet. Finally, she lifted her chin. “I know a lot of couples who married for love. It’s not a guarantee of even half the things you’re promising me.”

Elation soared through him. She was going to say yes.

Madison squared her shoulders. “Look me in the eye,” she demanded.

Her deep blue eyes stared into his, and he was a little surprised to see all traces of emotion gone.

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