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"It’s true, though." I won’t be able to stay on and watch him marry someone else. Because marry, he will. He won’t risk losing Serene’s legacy.
"Here goes." Harper starts to toss the coin, but I grab it from her. "Don’t. I know what I have to do."
36
Tyler
"Are you busy?"
I glance up from where I’ve been engrossed in the latest paperwork related to a takeover the Davenports are planning. I lean back in my seat and beckon her to come inside.
She walks in and comes to a halt behind a chair. She doesn’t sit. Instead, she clasps the back of the chair. My gaze is drawn to the ring on her left hand. She hasn’t taken it off. Each time I spot her wearing it, my heart feels lighter. As does the tension in my shoulders. I have managed not to remind her to give me her answer over the past five days. Only one more day to go. Tomorrow is the deadline for her to let me know, though I’d prefer not to wait until then. By the look on her face, I’m pretty sure she’s come to a conclusion. My muscles seize up. My shoulders turn to stone. Fucking hell, if she says she’s not going to marry me… I… I’m not sure how I’ll get over it.
I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to love her the way she deserves to be, but I also can’t let her go so she can marry someone else.
Seeing her with Knox brought home how much I hate that idea. I’m being petty and selfish in keeping her for myself, while unable to put her first because Serene will always be first.
The money, I hope, will help take the sting off my proposition. I can only hope she sees the benefit in what I proposed. And then, there’s Serene and their relationship.
She grips the chair with such force, the skin stretches across her knuckles. She looks so tightly wound up, sympathy squeezes my chest.
"I’m sorry I put you in this spot. If it weren’t for the fact that this is what’s best for Serene, I might have talked myself out of it. But I know this will benefit Serene the most.
She nods. "It’s why I’m saying yes."
"You’re agreeing to my proposal?"
She tips up her chin. "I’m agreeing to marry you. To be a mother to Serene. But not to any of the money that’d come with being your wife."
I still. Place my fingertips together, slowly. "You don’t want access to my money?"
"When I marry you, I will no longer be her nanny. I become a mother to her. And your wife. And you said the marriage is real. And for it to feel real for me, I don’t want any money in the equation, at all. Which means, yes, I don’t want access to your fortune. You should leave it all to Serene.”
Something hot slices through my chest. This woman—she can strike me dumb. Not something that normally happens.
"So, you’ll marry me. And you’ll take care of Serene. But you don’t want my money?"
"I’ll be living here under your roof. No doubt, you’ll be taking care of all living expenses. I’ll ask for a monthly allowance, so I have my independence and am not dependent on you." She names a figure that’s a little over what I’m paying her as a nanny. "This is more than enough for me to take care of my spending needs and also, saving. In no time at all, I’ll have enough set aside that I won’t need to be dependent on anyone else. The vast amounts of money you mentioned?" She lifts a shoulder. "What would I do with that?"
I realize, she’s serious. What she’s saying is not what I expected at all. I rise up from my chair and walk around to stand next to her. I hold out my hand, and she slips her palm in mine. Overcome by an emotion I can’t quite put a name to, I bring her fingers to my mouth and kiss them.
She draws in a sharp breath. "What was that for?"
"You’re spectacular." I look into her eyes. "You’re the most genuine person I’ve ever met. I knew there was a reason I couldn’t forget you. And it wasn’t only because you were the subject of many X-rated dreams."
She flushes and tries to pull her hand from mine, but I hold onto it. "There was something so authentic, so real about you, it hit me right away. It was your heart, your soul, which stood out. And of course, your beauty."
Her lips curve. “Are you saying that I’m beautiful?"
"You know I am. And to be clear, whether you want my money or not, you will have access to everything I own. What’s mine is yours, you feel me?”
Her entire face softens. “You’re stubborn.”
“I am.”
“And bossy.”
“You bet. You should also know that I think you’re ravishing, and irresistible, and curvaceous, and stunning."