“Wait, wait, what interview?”
“You want to make this marriage convincing, don’t you?”
Annalise slumped in her seat. “I guess so.”
He scanned the schedule. “I think that’s about it. Once we get through the initial hurdles, the rest should be smooth sailing.”
Somehow, she didn’t share his excitement. “What if I totally screw up and drive the company to the ground? I’m not cut out for this kind of job.”
Sven steepled his fingers and looked amused. “Dune Industry would probably force you out and compensate you with a ridiculous amount of money, and then another giant company would probably want to hire you as their CEO with even more ridiculous amounts of money and benefits. I can name five people who ruined the companies they worked for, and they still get hired after they left. The whole system is shady. Sad thing is, this practice is not only happening in the private sectors, but in the government circuit as well.”
“Why do people still hire those CEOs?”
“Nepotism, mostly. Those people usually know a member of the board of directors in another company, so they vote for each other for their own benefits. These days you rarely see a person at management level who devoted himself to the good of the company or his subordinates.”
“So, are you a good guy, or a bad guy?”
“Depends on the person you ask. My assistants think I’m a slave driver.”
“Hmm. Ice King.”
“Pardon me?”
“That’s my first impression of you.”
“Ice King?”
“When you enter the room, everything freezes. But now that I’m getting to know you, I think you’re a kitty cat.”
“I take it that means I’m cute and adorable?”
She grinned.
He studied her. “I bet you’re tired.”
“Huh? Yes, I am. There was so much going on today.”
“Shall we retire for the night?”
“Can we? I really want to take a shower. No, a bath. A long hot bath.”
“Naturally.” Sven get up from his chair. “I had Sebastian collect your bags and deliver them to our room.” He opened one door near the bookcase and breezed in.
Annalise stopped in her tracks. Wait, did he said “our room?” She hurried after him.
The room clearly belonged to Sven. It was spacious, drenched in luxury. The décor was masculine, modern and slick. Dark walls paired with monochromatic draperies and beddings. Expensive-looking furniture. Marble flooring with sable-colored rugs. Abstract paintings graced one wall, above a gas fireplace. She found her suitcases and bags had been placed near a tall dresser.#p#分页标题#e#
“Please don’t tell me we’re sharing a room,” Annalise said.
“Is that a problem?” Sven’s tone was pure innocence.
“You’re taking this too far!”
His shoulders shook with silent laughter.
“Sven, I understand you want to make our marriage look as genuine as possible, but this?” Annalise brandished her hands in exasperation. “I can’t do this. I just met you this morning. Besides, there’s a lot of married folks that don’t even share a bed.”
“Anna, it is my understanding that now we’re married, you’ll be my only sexual partner from now on.”
“I, what-what?”
“Are you planning on having affairs with other men behind my back?”
“I wasn’t planning on sleeping with anyone.”
Sven cocked his head aside. His eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me you’re a virgin.”
“No way. I’ve had a boyfriend before. We did stuff. But that’s none of your business.”
“Then you shouldn’t be so immature about what two adults do in the bedroom. When I married you, I pledged my fidelity to you. You and you only. I won’t have sexual relationships with other women. I expect you to do the same. No. I insist you do the same.”
“Why do we have to have sex at all? The girls at the diner said that’s the point of being married. Once you wear his ring, you stop having sex with him.”
Sven burst out in laughter. “I must assume you’re being sarcastic.”
“Whatever.” She huffed. “But I’m not sharing a bed with you.”
“Are you sure you’re not a virgin?”
“No!” Her face went hot.
“You’re acting like one.”
“Am I?” She thought of her first and only boyfriend in high school, Cole. They both didn’t know what they were doing. Cole insisted on putting his thing inside her, and it hurt like hell. She ended up crying, making Cole frustrated. Their sex attempt failed miserably. She started avoiding him, and Cole promptly dumped her afterward. “I don’t think I like sex. Sex is overrated.”