Page 55 of The Holiday Clause

She searched her mind for any argument that might throw him off course. “What about kids?”

“What about them? I’ve always pictured myself with a family.”

“You have?”

“Of course. I’d like four.”

“Four?”

“Sure. Or three.” He shrugged. “Two seems too few, and five might be pushing it.”

“You think?” Maybe she needed something stronger than champagne for this conversation. “So, let’s say you get the company?—”

“Only one way for that to happen.” His gaze dropped possessively to her lips.

“Don’t stare at me like that. This is a hypothetical.”

“Fine. I get the company—and a hot wife.”

“Give me strength,” she mumbled into the champagne flute. “Who’s taking care of all these children you plan to father?”

“My wife. I want a traditional dynamic. I’ll be the provider. She’ll be the nurturer.”

“See, we’re already having issues.” She reached for the bottle, swatting his hand away when he tried to beat her there. Dumping more champagne into her glass, she swirled it under her nose before sipping. “I’ve got The Haven.”

“Yeah, but you’d be in a different position. Once you have the capital backing, it wouldn’t take long to finish the property plans. Then you could hire people to run it for you. You’d have plenty of time to do the things you really love.”

She scowled at him. “I’m already doing the things I love. I like being the manager, Soren. The Haven is mine. I don’t want someone else to run it.”

“Fine, you could stay involved, but you’d have enough staff to delegate the parts of the job you don’t enjoy. No one loves their job one hundred percent, Wren.”

She did. Even the challenging parts, like investing in ads and figuring out how to get a lucrative return on her investment. Every challenge motivated her to some degree. It was hard, but that made it that much more rewarding.

“Listen, Wren, I love seeing your dreams come to life. We all knew this was your vision since our moms passed. You’ve done what you said you would and made an incredible tribute to honor her life. People from all over the country travel to Hideaway Harbor just to stay at your place.”

“Thank you.”

His praise meant more than he realized. The Haven wasn’t only named after her mother, it was designed to share all the things she loved with the world. She’d lost her life too early and hadn’t had time to create a legacy, but Wren created one for her.

“I respect that you’re an independent woman, Wren. But, if we were to actually do this, nothing would stop me from spoiling you.”

“I don’t need to be spoiled.”

“I realize you don’t. No one does.” He took her hand again, this time not letting her go when she tried to pull away. “I know you can handle the work. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to make your life a little easier.”

Thankfully, the waiter returned before she figured out a response.

After placing her order, she excused herself, needing a few minutes to find her bearings. Unfortunately, the champagne was already hitting her, making the world softer around the edges. By the time she wobbled back to the table in her fancy gold heels, she acknowledged she should probably stop drinking, but there Soren sat, waiting with that same intense stare, so she decided to have another glass.

Soren continued to push her boundaries throughout the meal, holding her gaze a few seconds too long, unapologetically flirting, taking any chance he got to brush his hand over hers. The more the champagne went to her head, the more she found herself enjoying his uninterrupted attention, basking in the heat of his focus like a cat in sunlight.

By dessert, she was completely drunk. “I think I drank too much cham—” She hiccupped. “—pagne.” She giggled and wagged her finger at him. “Don’t try anything funny on the way home.”

“I make no promises.”

“You better. I need you to be Protective-Soren, now.” She cupped her hand at the side of her mouth and whispered a fake cry for help, “Save me! I’m smashed, on a date with a very determined man who thinks I’m pretty.”

Leaning back in his seat like a king occupying a throne, he chuckled. “Very pretty.” Holding his jaw in the V of his forefinger and thumb, he eyed her carefully. “Don’t worry. I’ll always protect you from bad boys.”