Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

S elena

The entire world had just imploded. Or maybe in this case, it should explode. I know my mind had, my jaw slackened and my mouth open. Boy, I could only imagine what kind of insects I'd catch down in the islands. I also sensed I'd reached for my wine, trying to find something to buy me time or maybe courage.

For what, I wasn't certain.

Had I entered an alternate reality, like Survivor for Idiots? Whatever the case, as I was staring at the smug but sexy look on his face, I also knocked over my glass. Oh, the big man to the rescue. He placed his hand over mine, keeping the crystal from tumbling down, the wine splashing on every piece of food.

Instead, droplets landed on our hands. Which were tingling since he'd had the nerve to touch me. Tingling? Hell? There was an entire electrical storm going on inside the room. I could almost see sparks floating in the air.

Clearing my throat, I think I finally found my voice, although I didn't recognize it. "I beg your pardon?"

That was shit my mother would say.

"I mean, are you fucking out of your goddamn ever-loving mind?"

Valerio chuckled in that kind of way indicating he'd won the entire round. He squeezed my hand before bringing it to his lips, licking off the drops. Boy, oh boy, the man could make anything sexual.

My heart was thudding so rapidly I thought for certain I'd have a heart attack.

"Yes, my cupcake. We are getting married. Yes, my father suggested it. However, let me remind you who texted who."

"So, you're saying our meeting was simply coincidental?" I stared at him incredulously. Then again, he was right in that I'd texted him. Was it being a coincidence even possible? A little farfetched in my mind. But I wasn't certain I'd disbelieve it. But marriage? I had no idea what to think.

Or how to feel.

"I'm saying karma has a sick sense of humor."

"Interesting," I mused. "You know it's generally popular for the man to ask the woman for their hand in marriage, not demand. Now, of course sometimes it can be the opposite where the woman asks. I don't want to seem chauvinistic but never is it a demand. Unless you're some king in a third world country and I assure you that you are no king."

"You are so adorable when you're feisty. Hear me out." He sat back against his chair, wiping his mouth with his napkin before tossing it on the table. "We've learned something odd is occurring in both businesses. Yes?"

"Okay, fine. Yes. That doesn't suggest anything close to marriage!" I was becoming more exasperated as the idea finally broke through the fog. He was fucking nuts.

"Well, someone or something has decided to pit our fathers against each other. At least that's what I've come to determine. Since we've been acting like this is a game of winner takes all, bitter rivals to the end, my guess is we're falling into the scheme this blackmailer or gameplayer put together."

I took a deep breath, reaching for the bottle of wine I'd thankfully placed on the table earlier. "Okay. Let's assume you're correct; what will us getting married do to this… scheme?"

"First of all, it will throw him or her off tremendously. Totally unexpected. There was a scathing article I've yet to read by a not so nice reporter trying to discredit our firm and my family by name, including me. Our marriage would stop the playboy reputation in its tracks. Second, it will allow us to work together more closely to try and find clues. These threats aren't idle and I have a feeling you know that. They are there like little breadcrumbs waiting for us to find them."

"This is no fairytale, Valerio. And I'm no pawn. Besides, my father will never go for such a cockamamy scheme. You know it. They hate each other."

He leaned forward and I was given another incredible whiff of his aftershave. Damn the man for smelling so good. "Do they really hate each other? I think they were friends, buddies even and something happened. I don't know that for certain but it's my instinct. Think about some of the things each of them has said. Whatever the rift, this blackmailer is using it against them. Dad thinks it's a client but I think a lot of information is being fed from the real culprit or entity."

"You're assuming this is all about blackmail."

"That and taking down both companies. I'm not certain if your father has been approached by a firm out of New York, but it would be worth a conversation. It would appear they're attempting a hostile takeover with my father given the age of those on the board. We just need to figure out who has the most to lose. And gain."

Sighing, I glanced at my way too full glass and knew I'd be consuming at least one more. Maybe two. "When I worked with my dad, he briefly mentioned he could sell the firm for a profit. He acted like someone had approached him but honestly, I never asked him any questions. The firm is his baby."

"Maybe so but your father will want to retire at some point and with you insisting you want your own life, he certainly didn't have anything to lose by exploring the option of selling," he said, lifting that infamous sexy eyebrow of his. "But if your father was being strongarmed, that's something else entirely."

"How do you propose we go about finding all this out, genius boy?"

"Why, yes, I am a genius," he teased. Goddamn that sultry smirk. "We act like we're madly in love, including being seen in public together while planning a wedding. We have pictures taken, tossed out in every magazine and online newspaper that will allow our announcement. That will ruffle some feathers if nothing else, including the firm from New York. And no, I doubt they are behind the threats being made. However, bigger firms know when there's about to be blood in the water."

"Or they are tipped off," I added, starting to get the bigger picture.

"Exactly. Meanwhile, we work all the angles, searching through every record to try and find this person or persons. I assure you they will come crawling out of the darkness. Roaches always do."

Okay, I had to admit that his idea was a damn good idea but Jesus. Marrying the man? A fake marriage? As I closed my eyes, images of his naked body and chiseled face rushed into my mind. Okay, so I could do much worse. "How would this work? Name only? Getting married down here? What?"

"Well, I would prefer to have a traditional marriage and my father insists on having a huge wedding for show, but we can work out the finer details."

"Your father thought this through."

"To a point. Regardless of whether I've convinced you or not, he demanded I get married or my brothers and I lose the company and our access to the family fortune. It would appear he had the same thoughts in mind about showing off that his son was taking over, becoming the next great leader. He and I do often think alike. For better or worse. Plus, if you think about this, we will be in the control seat, grasping the power away from whoever is behind this charade. Doesn't that make it even juicier?"

"Juicier?" I chided. "You have a sick sense of humor." I thought about his idea and groaned. Damn it. He really did have a great idea. "I'll consider such a nefarious plan. However, I'd need a contract with an out clause for one thing and what do I get out of this?"

"You mean other than peace of mind?"

"Fine. Yes. What?"

How could he lean over so far that our lips were almost touching? And why was the sexual energy boosted to a million degrees? Damn if the look in his eyes didn't remain mischievous.

"I will purchase you any building in the city of San Diego for your bakery and line your bank account with two million dollars to get your bakery started as long as we stay married for a year. Half will be deposited into a new high-earning account once the contract is signed but you'll need to wait for the other half until a year has passed."

Holy crap. That man was willing to put his money where his mouth was. I licked my lips and he growled, I eased my shaking hand through strands of hair and he cocked his head. I shuddered audibly and he grabbed my jaw, planting a hot, wet kiss on my lips.

Yes, damn the man and everything about him.

He pulled away and was grinning like some loon. "So, what do you think?"

I watched as he rolled the tip of his finger around the rim of his glass.

"I'll need to think about it and give you a list of requirements." I wasn't taking no for an answer.

"I have no issue with that. It's the professional thing to do. However…" He stopped mid-sentence, pointing his finger at me. "I've enjoyed our company and plan on continuing so there is something you need to know and accept right off the bat."

"Fine, boy toy. What's that?" I couldn't help but grin. Playing with the man was far too delicious.

"First, as part of the agreement and the money you will make, you'll be required to surrender to me when and how I like."

The surrealness was increasing, a fog developing across my field of vision. "Surrender? As in sexually?"

"Yes. As far as business, we will be equals." He took a sip of his bourbon, slowly lowering the glass to the table. He was studying me intently, testing me. Challenging me.

I was hot all over, tiny beads of perspiration trickling down both sides of my face. He reached over and slipped his index finger through one bead then the other. When he slid the same finger into his mouth, I clenched my jaw until it ached.

And I'd be damned if the action wasn't sexy as hell.

"Let me guess. If I don't, no money, no building, and heaps of punishment."

"You're very intelligent but I know you well enough already to gather you can handle anything, and I do mean anything that's dished out."

If he thought continuing to ply me with compliments was going to work… I tried to act nonchalant. "Yes, I can handle anything or any man, but you do realize this is blackmail."

"Do you honestly think our master corporation would be worth billions if certain ruthless tactics weren't used? Come on now. Even your father has used them. You can't deny it."

No, sadly, I couldn't. I'd just chosen to ignore all the quirky, close to extortion acts my father had committed. "Two million, plus I get to choose the location and the building?"

"You bet. And if you don't find a location you like, I'll build you one. I won't spare any expense either."

I had to admit the deal was a damn good one. Still, I was fearful about how my father would react. "Are you really worried?"

His features softened. "The truth is, I am. I've never been close to my father, but for him to threaten me much like your father did you isn't just unusual. It's debilitating and could be disastrous. If this hostile takeover succeeds, it could crush everything he's ever built."

"And you think we can do this together, finding the culprit I mean."

He lifted his drink in a toast, waiting for me to clink my wineglass with his tumbler. "I do. I think we're going to be a force to be reckoned with."

Another sigh was bubbling to the surface. "Well, I guess I could do it but there will be some of my rules and codicils put into place."

"Absolutely. As soon as we return to the States, our attorneys will meet but that meeting will be kept strictly confidential. You and I must agree that no one outside of my family will know what we're doing isn't real."

"I'll need to tell my family. You know that."

He nodded. "Absolutely, but I think it's best if you sell it if as we suddenly got close, not that we're working together."

My father would think of it as scheming. This was a nightmare. But I couldn't see any other way. I was no fool. If threats were being made, hostile attempts as well, it was only a matter of time until everything my father had worked for became unraveled. He might hate me, but I'd never allow that to happen.

"Then fine. I'll seriously consider it and let you know in the morning." Dear God, what was I doing? Selling my soul to the devil? It was quite possible.

"Just one little thing, cupcake." He took a deep breath and I was swooning. "You can't change your mind. Period. And, as a gesture of good faith, you will agree to surrender to my needs right here. Right now. In doing so, I'll add another five hundred thousand."

The man was playing the bastard card. Well, I refused to allow him to win. I stuck my hand out for a shake. Yep, I'd lost my marbles.

Instead of shaking it, he brought it to his lips. The feel of his hot breath was exhilarating. "Excellent. I need to go prepare something special I have in mind for this evening. I assure you that with your cooperation, our marriage can be wonderful."

"What about love?" I asked, the words spilling from my mouth before I could stop them.

He paused, shaking his head as he chuckled. "You should know that there is no such thing as love for people like you and me. It's messy, complicated, and tends to destroy anything good. I certainly don't want that. Enjoyment is something else altogether."

Such a fucking romantic.

As he rose to his feet, another mixture of excitement and apprehension began to soar.

"Make no mistake, my cupcake. I will tame you because that's what you need and what you've craved. I assure you that soon you'll be begging me for more."

He walked away and all I could do was pray I hadn't just signed the termination for my father's company.

And for our relationship.