The Billionaire's Bride of Convenience(21)
Still, Kathryn’s reaction to his proposal suggested she was not about to say yes to his offer, a realisation which annoyed the hell out of him. All his life women had fallen into his lap. Why not this one?
He should have known she was not the sort of woman to allow herself to be blackmailed into bed. Still, that wasn’t how he wanted her, was it? He wanted her warm and willing. Wanted her to look at him as he’d seen her look at that creep she’d been going to marry.
A second plan entered Hugh’s head which was infinitely more satisfying. It would need patience, of course, but the end result would be worth the wait. He’d always liked a challenge, and let’s face it, the highly complex woman sitting opposite him was a huge challenge.
He rose and moved to pull out the chair adjacent to him, then picked up her mug, saying, ‘I’ll get you a top-up. When I return I will explain my far from crazy proposal.’
He returned to find her frowning at him. ‘You can’t be serious, Hugh.’
He placed her refilled mug in front of her and sat back down. ‘Naturally, I’m not proposing a normal marriage, or a public one. It would be a secret union in name only, to be discreetly dissolved at a later date. Of course, you’d have to sign a water-tight pre-nup, promising media silence and giving up any claim on my wealth. But you’d get the piece of paper you need to secure your friend’s house. That is what you want, isn’t it? What you value most in the world?’
‘Yes, but but ’
‘But what?’
‘What do you get out of this extraordinary and rather sacrificial gesture?’
Hugh smiled. ‘Come, now, Kathryn, you of all people know I’m certainly not sacrificial. I’m selfish to the core. I get you, of course staying on as my personal assistant,’ he added, taking rueful note of the moment of shock which had flashed through her eyes.
He’d been right. She wouldn’t have let him blackmail her into his bed. This way was much better all round. She would still be in his debt. She might even begin to like him a little.
Kathryn despised herself for that brief, perversely thrilling moment when she’d thought he meant something else. Then she despised him, for being what he said he was: selfish to the core.
What other man would marry his PA, simply to keep her working for him?
She eyed him quite coldly. ‘Have you considered the possibility that I might still resign, once I take possession of Val’s house?’
His face remained annoyingly confident. ‘And do what? Sit around on your backside all day? I don’t think so.’
‘I could easily get another job up on the central coast.’
‘Not with the kind of salary you’re earning now. Or the excitement.’
‘You think working for you is exciting?’ she couldn’t resist throwing at him.
His smile was wickedly sexy. ‘Other girls would kill for your job.’
‘You really are an incorrigibly arrogant man. I should say no to all of this. I know I should.’
‘But you won’t,’ he said, still smiling.
‘Why won’t I?’
‘Because you, Kathryn Hart, are an incorrigibly pragmatic woman. You know a good deal when you’re offered it. Now, why don’t you finish up your coffee and we’ll take a drive up to Pearl Beach? I’d like to see this wonderful house for myself.’
‘But we can’t do that! At least, I can’t. Do you have any idea how many emails and phone calls come through every day to your father’s office which have to be answered?’
‘Nothing has to be answered, Kathryn,’ he pointed out with uncompromising logic. ‘Nothing is so important that it can’t wait. What would have happened if you hadn’t come in today? Any normal girl would have called in sick. If you had, do you honestly think I would have sat around here all day, twiddling my thumbs? I’d have gone and played a game of golf. Now, no more objections. I’ll inform Reception that you are unwell and I’m taking you home. It’s not even a lie. You do look rather pale today. And from what you’ve told me, the house up at Pearl Beach is more your home than anywhere else.’
Kathryn stared across the table at him. She suspected she should say no to all these suggestions as well.
But she couldn’t seem to find the willpower. She’d discovered last night that Hugh in masterful mode was a force not easily resisted
Hugh saw the moment of surrender in her eyes and took ruthless advantage of it, not giving her time to revert to her usual stroppy self, making the necessary arrangements and steering her down to the basement car park in less than ten minutes.