Page 78 of The Rancher's Wedding Deception

“But in return...”

His heart pounded against his chest.

“For as long as she’s away—”

Every instinct he possessed told him he was setting himself up for defeat—

“I want you to be with me like you’re in love with me.”

But it was just too late.

The words were out, the chink in his armor exposed, and he might as well have given her the keys to hurt him for good.

What the hell did I just do?

Paul could feel her staring at him still, and a muscle started ticking in his jaw.

Should he take it back?

Tell her that it was just a joke even though they both knew it wasn’t?

The limo cruised to a stop, and any moment now, Butch would be opening the door—

“I...I h-have two conditions.”

His gaze snapped to her. He hadn’t expected her to answer this fast, and he didn’t fucking know how to feel about it.

“Name it.”

“I don’t need you to pay ten times what Joyce offered. I just need fifty-five thousand dollars, that’s it.”

“It’s yours.” A part of him wanted to ask what it was for...but when the words refused to leave his lips, it was at that moment Paul was forced to acknowledge just how much this girl mattered to him in so short a time.

Because her answer...

It could make or break him, and that was why he would rather not ask...for now.

In the corner of his eye, he saw Butch approaching as he spoke, and he didn’t hesitate.

Click.

The door was locked by the time the other man tried the handle.

His new driver tried to open it again.

Waited.

Then turned around and clasped his hands behind his back like security awaiting his next set of instructions.

Smart man.

Paul turned his attention back to Andromeda, who was looking at him like she couldn’t believe he had said ‘yes’ so easily. “I...I need it right away.”

“Do you want it in cash?”

“I...I...no, but...”

He handed her his phone. “Type your bank details. I’ll send it to my assistant.”