Page 27 of The Devil's Bargain
He stood, moving to pour them both brandy. “I’m intrigued.” Coming behind her, he placed the glass in her hand, letting his fingers brush hers. “What did you have in mind?”
“Marriage.” She tilted her head back to look up at him, exposing the length of her throat. “Think of it, Devlin. I could convince Caroline to sell hers, and you can have control over the company while I host parties on your behalf.”
“Marriage is quite a leap from our business negotiations.” He chuckled at the irony despite the aversion he felt as his hand settled on her shoulder. “Though I admit, the idea has... merit.”
“Has it?” Her voice took on a breathy quality.
“But first, the shares.” His fingers traced her collarbone. “Sign them over, and we can discuss more permanent arrangements.”
“Promise me.” She caught his hand. “Promise you’ll consider marriage once the shares are yours.”
Devlin smiled, letting her see what she wanted to see. “Melissa, with the thought of you in my bed, how could I consider anything else?”
“Then yes.” She pressed herself against him. “Yes, to everything.”
“Wonderful.” He brushed his lips across her knuckles. “I’ll have the papers drawn up immediately. Shall we say tomorrow morning? Best to conclude business early, leaving the afternoon free for... celebration.”
Her eyes gleamed with triumph as she stood. “We could start our celebration tonight.” She stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Gently, he untangled her arms. “Business first. Pleasure second. It’s bad luck to blend the two.”
“Is it? All right. Until tomorrow then.” She reluctantly turned away and paused at the door. “Don’t keep me waiting too long, darling.”
After she left, Devlin poured himself another brandy, washing away the taste of her perfume. By this time tomorrow, he’d have Hampton’s shares and could proceed with his real plan. Caroline might resist marriage, but with proof of her forgery and control of Hampton’s half of the company, she’d have little choice.
He almost felt sorry for Hampton. Almost.
“One last item.” Caroline stood at the window of Devlin’s study, her spine rigid as a steel rod. The late hour lent an air of indecency to their meeting, though propriety was long past saving. “The marriage will exist on paper only. I won’t share your bed.”
Devlin paused in the act of pouring brandy. The negotiations thus far had been brisk, business like. Her continued control of patent development, separate financial accounts, freedom to pursue contracts independently. But this...
“No.” He set the crystal decanter down with deliberate care.
“I won’t be manipulated into your bed.” She turned from the window, moonlight silvering her profile. “You’ve forced this marriage through blackmail. Don’t expect me to warm to you like some besotted bride.”
“And what of an heir?”
“An heir?” She laughed. “I’m five and thirty. You shall have my patents, not my person.”
He moved toward her, watching her tense but hold her ground. “I must have both.”
“What you want is irrelevant.” Her voice remained steady despite their proximity. “These are my terms. A marriage of convenience only.”
“Unacceptable.” He caught a whiff of her subtle lavender scent, so different from Hampton’s cloying perfume. “I have certain... appetites. I won’t live like a monk while my wife sleeps in the next room.”
“Then find your satisfaction elsewhere, as Edward did.” The words seemed to cost her, her fingers clenching in her skirts. “I’m sure Miss Hampton would be happy to oblige.”
His hand shot out, catching her chin. “I want only what’s mine.”
“I’m not yours.” She met his gaze unflinchingly. “This is a business arrangement, nothing more.”
“Is it?” His thumb brushed her throat. “Shall we discuss what happened in your bedroom that night? How you responded when I kissed you?”
Colour flooded her cheeks, but her eyes were ice. “A momentary lapse in judgement.”
“One you shall repeat.” He released her, stepping back. “Frequently.”
“Then we have no agreement.” She moved toward the door.
