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Derrick looked away at Taylor’s words and sipped his coffee.
I just need it to be clear, Taylor told herself.It isn’t being bitchy.
But now there was an awkward silence. “Okay, so clothes, boat, trip, who is the tip-off?” Taylor asked, trying to change the subject. Because she wanted to know, she wanted to feel like she hassomesay. And if no one saw them sneaking around, this whole thing would be for naught.
Derrick reached for a coaster and set down his mug.
Taylor gawked at him. A coaster?WTF, he cares about cup rings? Who the hell is this guy?
But Derrick was too absorbed in the plan to notice her reaction. He started counting off on his fingers, “The marina is crawling with celebrity yachts and boats, so a boat going out after hours is going to call attention. Once it is leaked I was seen going out, Marty will be asked while we are away, and though I told her not to—well, probably because I told her not to—she will say I am with someone, or at least allude to it, and then people will try to spy on us during the day, while we are anchored.AndI also plan to ask for discretion from the manager when we leave, and that will tip him off that I am up to something. Once someone greases his palm, he will spill that I left, and he may even recognize you.”
Taylor nodded. .This is good,she thought,all the secrets will cause more attention, create more of a stir.
“So I think they should release Cedric’s death while we are out,” Taylor said, dropping the bomb from out of nowhere. It had been only a fleeting thought in her mind for a while, and she wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. But she realized, as much as she hated to admit it, she wanted Derrick’s opinion.
“You can’t, Taylor,” Derrick said.
“Why not?” she said defensively, forgetting all about wanting his thoughts on it. She was really getting tired of people trying to tell her how this was all going to play out. God damn it, she was in control.
Derrick sighed and spoke calmly, “If he is gone, then you have to take over. But you can’t take over and make any legal anythings without being married. It’s in the—”
“Decree,” Taylor finished, “yes, I know.” His calm reminder and the fact that he was right pissed Taylor off. She wanted him to be on her side; it was a test of sorts to see if he would just go along with her, his friend. But clearly things really had changed. The old Derrick would have gone along with her plan. This Derrick was developing plans of his own.
“Yes. So, if he is gone no one is available to run Preston Corp. At least with him out of the picture but still presumed alive, Charlie and Todd are allowed to make some decisions.”
“Well then why the fuck do they need me?” Taylor shot back. She felt the blood pump harder in her temples from annoyance.
Derrick grinned as Taylor swore and lost her temper. “Because, there is a statute of limitations on how long they can do things and make major decisions—buying, selling, acquiring, they can’t do that. Only the CEO can.”
Taylor groaned and rolled her head back to look up at the ceiling. “This is a mess.”
“Unless you want to get married while—”
“No!” Taylor answered quickly.
Derrick raised his brows and tilted his head to the side. He opened his mouth, hesitated, and closed it again. After another couple of breaths he finally said, “You do realize that was the deal, Taylor, right?”
Taylor was so totally not digging his tone, the one that screamedduh. “Yes, I know that was the deal. But if you want the truth,Derrick, I am hoping to buy enough time to find a loophole.”
Derrick gaped at her.
“What?” Taylor snarled at him, and still Derrick just continued to stare. “This is for both of us, okay? You don’t want to marry me, Derrick, you just need to look responsible, and we don’t need to get married for that,” she informed him. When Derrick just kept gaping at her, she rambled on, “And it is 2015, the decree is beyond antiquated, it is entering obsolete territory, so, yeah, I want to not go through with a fake and loveless marriage.”
“Why wouldn’t I want to marry you?” Derrick asked quietly.
That was what he picked out of that whole thing? “Please, Derrick,” Taylor said, exasperated. She closed her eyes and thought about how great having pants on would be so she could leave the roomandthis conversation. That’s when inspiration struck. “Why would you?”
“Because … because …” Derrick sputtered and stuttered over his rebuttal. “Well, why not?”
“Exactly,” Taylor acknowledged, his non-answer only solidifying her point. “You can’t come up with a good reason, not even one good reason that doesn’t relate to a business association. And that’s not good enough for me.” And just to make sure she was clear, she added, “Besides, I don’t want to marry you.”
Derrick recoiled, looking highly insulted. “Why?” He asked, truly offended.
God, why is he pushing this?Taylor asked herself. He was a natural playboy, no-commitment, frat guy. He was not marriage material. And the last time they interacted, it ended badly, very badly. So how could being tied to her be anywhere on his radar?
“Derrick, come on—”
“No,” he cut in, “give me one reason why we shouldn’t?”