The Wedding Pact (The O'Malleys #2)(69)
Not to mention he hasn’t asked.
Shut up.
She sipped her wine, trying to get her head on straight. “I don’t expect a love match.”
“Nor should you. I respect the woman you are, Carrigan. I find you beautiful and I like the passion I can see in your eyes, even though you try to hide it. I think our marriage could evolve into genuine affection.”
Somehow, she didn’t think so. This man was so cold, she doubted he had genuine affection for anything. Except for power. He seemed to like that well enough. “And the sex?”
His eyebrows rose, and he laughed. “You do cut right to the chase, don’t you?”
“I like to have all the cards on the table before I make a decision.”
“Carrigan, you’ve already made the decision and you know it.” He motioned with his wineglass, every inch the waiting predator. “But, by all means, let’s discuss the sex. I mentioned last time we spoke that I require an heir and at least one backup.”
“I remember.” The thought of bringing children into the world solely to serve as political pieces made her nauseous, but it wasn’t a surprise. Children were an expected part of her future, no matter what her personal feelings on the matter were.
He smiled, and while it wasn’t his shark’s smile, there wasn’t any real warmth there, either. “It doesn’t have to be all bad. I’ll leave sex on the table at your discretion once the required children are established. It’s not necessary, but I think we would both enjoy it.”
He didn’t really want her. He might say all the right things about her being beautiful, but he could take her or leave her. There was no passion there. Carrigan hadn’t really expected it to be there to be but…the lack still stood out. “I’ll consider it.”
“Perfect.” He sat back. “Now, on to less pleasant things. This affair you’re having with James Halloran has to stop. Immediately.”
She blinked, her mind taking several seconds to catch up to and process his words. James. He was talking about James. “How could you possibly—?”
“How I know isn’t the issue. Your choice in bedmates is. Certain things must be kept up for appearances’ sake. I’m not keen on being cuckolded in general, but I’ve reconsidered since our last conversation. I’m now willing to look the other way as long as you’re discreet.”
Holy shit, is this guy for real? “How generous of you.”
“That being said, your willingness to lie down with the enemy, as it were, puts a less-than-desirable shade on you.” He sat back. “And before you claim it’s none of my business, I’ll remind you that considering marriage to you makes it my business.”
Technically, he was right…but still. She set her glass aside. “Are you planning on remaining faithful?”
“It’s a moot point. I’ll ensure there are no bastard children running around. That’s enough.” His dark eyes saw too much. “But I won’t be sleeping with the enemy, either.”
There it was again. Everyone loved to remind her that James was the enemy. What they couldn’t explain was why he was the only one who seemed to have her back—the only one who asked nothing of her but her time. It was the ones who claimed to be concerned for her who demanded the most. Marry this man. Do this thing. Don’t touch the one person who actually makes you feel alive. She met Dmitri’s gaze. “And if I don’t give him up?”
“You don’t have a choice. Your father requires you to marry, and you’ve already decided on me. Give Halloran up.” His gray eyes didn’t so much as flicker. “If you don’t, I’ll have him removed. Permanently.”
Chapter Nineteen
James spent all Tuesday in a foul mood. It was his own damn fault and he knew it, but not knowing what was going on with Carrigan—and knowing he’d been the one to put her in that position—drove him nuts. So he did the only thing he could do and put his frustration to good use.
He took Michael and went on rounds. If his time at Tit for Tat was anything to go by, it had been too long since he’d done them. Really, as soon as he realized Ricky was taking advantage, he should have touched base with the managers of his various businesses. Should have, but didn’t, because he was too busy chasing Carrigan. Even when he wasn’t with her, he was thinking about her, and it threw him off his game at a time when he needed to keep shit from falling through the cracks.
Sure, Ricky had said he’d follow orders like a good little soldier, but James didn’t believe him for a second. His brother would do whatever he thought benefited him best—including stabbing James in the back when the opportunity popped up.