A Virgin for His Prize(47)

Romi’s expression took on a rare implacability. “You wouldn’t make your daughter the pawn in a business proposal.”

“No.” Though how Romi had realized that truth in the face of what he would do, he couldn’t quite figure.

Maxwell shook his head.

“What?”

“You don’t make sense to me,” he admitted.

“So you’ve said.”

Touché. “One day I’m going to figure you out.”

“Good luck with that. I’m not always sure why I do or think the things I do.” She winked and gave him a wry smile.

Now, that did not surprise him. “Archer and I both do whatever we need to get what we want.”

“No. You’ve already admitted you wouldn’t use your child, so you don’t do whatever. You do what you think is expedient and gives you the most control.”

She, on the other hand, understood him all too well.

“Some things are easier to control than others,” he informed her.

“You mean like people.”

“Yes.” Like her.

“Like me,” she said, echoing his thoughts.

“Like you.” It was something he was only beginning to come to terms with.

“Good. I don’t think I could consider marrying you if that weren’t true.”

He’d never considered his inability to control her would be a benefit where she was concerned. He should have. Which only showed how off his usual game he was when it came to Ramona Grayson.

He had to admit, if only to himself, he enjoyed the fact she was so difficult to pin down as well.

Regardless, he already knew she was considering his proposal; he wanted to know if she was going to accept it. “Have you come to any conclusions?”

“I’m going to turn down the director position for LZO.”

Okay, not what he’d been asking, but she knew that. “What is LZO?”

“A start-up environmental group.”

“And you’re turning down the directorship why?” He would have thought that kind of thing fit Romi to a T.

Romi waited to answer until she’d eaten another bite and taken a sip of her Australian Shiraz. “Maddie and I are starting a charter school for kids that need a break.”

“I didn’t know that.” And it chagrined him that he didn’t.

“Viktor is buying us a building as a wedding gift for Maddie. With the income from her trust and my Grayson inheritance and savings, we can swing operating expenses until we get the donor roll established.”

“I thought environmentalism was your thing.” Maxwell didn’t examine his annoyance at the thought of Viktor feeding Romi’s dream, even if it was one she shared with the man’s wife.

“And children. It’s all about making the world a better place for the generations to come, right?”

He wasn’t sure, but he liked the outlook. “I’m impressed.”

“Thanks.”

“I will dedicate fifty percent of BIT’s corporate giving to the school on a yearly basis.” He didn’t need to take time to think about it.

He believed in giving back and not because he was a bleeding heart like Romi, but there were very few charitable options Maxwell felt a personal connection to. Anything related to Romi would be one of them.

Romi gasped. “That’s…” She trailed off, clearly speechless.

“About three million a year.” And better than a building, even if the building cost more up front.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes.”

“It’s reliant on me marrying you?” she asked.

He couldn’t tell if the idea disappointed or upset her. Maxwell didn’t know what to think of this new ability to hide her emotions from him. He didn’t like it, though.

He shook his head, making an instant decision and taking a gamble. “No, Romi. I believe in the next generation, too.”

Which was nothing but the truth.

She stared at him, like she was trying to read his sincerity.

He lifted his brow in query. “Do you want it in writing before you give me your decision?”

“No.” She ducked her head as Mrs. K brought in their dinner plates.

When the housekeeper was gone, Romi looked up at him. “I believe you.”

She might think she didn’t trust him, but she did. And his risk had paid off because he’d made her realize it, even if only a little.

“Thank you.” Her words were soft, but the look in her eyes?

Pure hero worship.

And he loved it.

“You are welcome,” he replied. “I will have my corporate-giving coordinator contact you next week.”

“Actually, we’ve got a lot of paperwork to fill out, permits to file, et cetera, before we’re a fully functioning nonprofit.”