Chapter Four

Matt sat in his father’s office, smoking a cigar with the man. Last night had easily been the most arousing experience of his life. He looked forward to many more nights like that during their brief marriage.

And, now this. Never did he think he’d have his father’s approval, much less that they would be celebrating the beginning of transitioning the company over to Matt’s direction.

“Son, I certainly didn’t see myself saying this, but I can’t wait to see where you take this company in the future.”

“Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me.” Everything had changed in such a short time. Who could’ve known that eloping would change his father’s entire attitude toward him?

“I don’t know about promoting Brooke, though. I mean, she deserves it and she’s very good at her job. She learned from one of the best.”

“I like to think so.” Matt had taught her how to do everything he did. If he were unavailable, he’d trust her to go to a site and find what wasn’t working within 72-hours. He’d been blind to so much about Brooke for so long. “But, I’m curious. Why the hesitation about promoting her?”

“Because the two of you should be working on making an heir to inherit this company.”

Matt glanced away, caught off guard. The two of them had certainly practiced all the ways one might make a baby last night, but they always used a condom.

Matt had no intention of staying married. It wouldn’t be right to bring a child into this world when he couldn’t offer him or her a true family. He didn’t want to raise a child in the chilliness he’d grown up with. Matt had no idea how to make a successful marriage. He’d failed miserably the first time, and he didn’t ever want to go through that again.

Much better to split amicably, both of them finding their individual needs met, than for either of them to get hurt.

“We’ll get around to that, father. This isn’t the optimum time for a baby.”

“I’m old, son. I want to enjoy my grandchildren while I can.”

Matt didn’t know what to say. There would never be any babies from this union, as it was purely a business deal.

Well, not so purely—they’d made love time and again last night. He’d gotten maybe two hours of sleep before they both had to get up and come into work today.

“Let’s discuss children later,” Matt said. He stood up, putting out his cigar in the crystal ashtray. “I should get back to work.”

A few floors down, he’d left Brooke interviewing candidates to be his new assistant. When he came back, Brooke was in his office, sorting through some paperwork. “Hello, lover.”

She looked up with a smile, a fresh blush pinking up her cheeks. He found it endearing that he could make her blush so easily. “How was your dad?”

“Better than I’ve ever seen him. He wants to discuss babies.”

“It’s a little soon for that.” She frowned at a document and held it up in front of her to read through.

“That’s what I told him. We can’t have children when we’re only going to be married a few months. Of course, I didn’t mention that detail.”

Brooke tilted her head to the side, her brows drawn down. “What did you say?”

“I said we can’t have children when we’re only going to be married a few months, but I obviously didn’t tell him that. What are you so engrossed in?” He crossed to where she sat behind his desk and massaged her shoulders. “You’re so tense. What’s wrong?”

Her shoulders drew up until his hands fell away. Why was she recoiling from his touch?

“I-I thought… you said last night that you didn’t want one night with me.” She got up and walked to the other side of the room, arms crossed in front of her. She was pale, like she might be ill.

“I don’t want just one night. We’ve got three months to enjoy one another. We should make the most of that time. What’s the matter? Are you sick?”

She put her fingers against her forehead and tugged them through her hair. “I’m so stupid. Why would I think you meant…”

“Sit down, you don’t look so good.” He went over and led her to the couch then went to his mini-fridge and got out a cool water. He handed it to her. “Drink that.”

“Matt…” Her voice shook, and her eyes were wide. “I need to go home. I just need to get out of here.”

“Well, go then, gorgeous. If you’re not well, you should go to the doctor. The car can take you to my personal physician. You won’t have to wait.”

“I’m not sick.” She stood from the couch and went out to her desk to grab her purse from the drawer. Matt trailed behind her, concerned and confused.

He put his hands on her shoulders and Brooke tensed up.

“Don’t,” she said. “I’ve got to go.”

Then she was gone and Matt was left to wonder what in the hell he’d done wrong this time.

***

Brooke had gone back to Matt’s penthouse because that’s where her clothes were now. She considered packing a bag and just going somewhere for a while, just to think, but that would’ve made their marriage look suspicious and, at the end of the day, she couldn’t back out of this agreement. She needed to put her father’s needs first.

Right now, she was soaking in the huge jacuzzi tub in the master bathroom. She’d been so foolish to believe Matt meant he wanted a future with her. He’d been actively avoiding commitment since he and his first wife split up.

She should’ve known. It was just that Brooke had secretly been crushing on him for years. She’d assumed that he meant he felt something for her, too.

Now, she realized that was never the case. Matt had a strong case of lust for her—but nothing else. She sat up in the tub, readjusted the clip holding her hair up, and scrubbed her sore body with a loofah.

They’d made love so many times last night, and every time she shifted, a sore muscle here or there would remind her of that fact. She closed her eyes as tears sprang free once more. She had to get over this. There was no use crying about it now.

Leaning over the side of the tub, she checked her phone with a damp finger. Matt would be home soon and she wanted to be dressed when they talked. She climbed out of the tub and grabbed one of the black bath sheets, wrapping it around her.

When she walked out of the bathroom, she nearly screamed. Matt was standing in the doorway. “Matt! You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

He had the decency to look sheepish. “I thought I’d come home and check on you. Come here.”

He held his arms out to her. She looked at him for a moment but finally went to him. Cradling her, he tilted her head back with a finger under her chin and studied her face. “Tell me what happened today.”

“I’d rather not.” She didn’t know what to say. Did she regret last night? Never. It had been perfect. But, now, she’d lost everything she held dear. Not just her virginity, but her future with the perfect man, one who would love her and cherish the fact that she’d waited just for him.

“Did I say or do something to upset you?”

“I need to get dressed.” She turned and walked away from him and into the closet. They’d both agreed she should keep her clothes in here so the housekeeper wouldn’t get suspicious.

Pulling a pair of panties from the drawer, Brooke dropped her towel and slid them on, only to find Matt had followed her. She yelped and grabbed the towel. Of course, he’d seen every inch of her already, but being nude in front of him made her feel vulnerable.

“That’s enough.” His voice was stern, and her gaze flicked to his face. His eyes were narrowed. “Get dressed and then we’re going to talk.”

Brooke didn’t bother with a bra. She pulled out a white cotton sleeveless gown that skimmed her calves and slipped it on over her head. She exited the closet and went to set on the bed, but Matt held up a hand.

“Over here.” He was on a couch by the window. When she reached him, he tugged her down onto his lap.

“Matt, I really don’t think—”

“Shh. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

“You’re much bossier at home than you are at work.”

“I know. You bring it out in me.” He played with her wet hair, running it through his fingers then letting it fall back to her shoulders. “Now tell me what happened.”

How could she, without sounding pathetic? She cleared her throat, stalling for time. “I made a mistake last night.”

“In sleeping with me?” His eyebrows shot up.

“No,” she rushed to say. No matter what, she wouldn’t regret that. She couldn’t. “In your intentions. When you said you wanted more than one night, I thought you were saying you wanted a future. With me.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “Which was pretty stupid, considering I know you so well.”

“Is that what you want?” He took her hand and toyed with her fingers.

She didn’t dare look him in the face. She was afraid she’d see pity there. “Honestly? I’ve wanted you for a long time. Since not long after I started working for you.”

“I don’t know how to respond to that.” He withdrew his hand, no longer touching her, and a sense of loss washed over her like a rainstorm.

“Don’t, Matt. Don’t pull away from me. Like you said, we’ve got three months.” She faced him, a hand on his shoulder.

“God knows, I want you, but if we continue sleeping together, won’t that hurt you? I don’t ever want to hurt you.”

She let her eyes drift closed and placed a kiss on his lips. After a moment, it became hotter, more daring, as he feasted on her lips. She was afraid it was too late. She’d already given him her heart. “Let me worry about that.”

Matt stood with her in his arms and carried her to the bed. He unbuttoned his shirt and shirked it. “Are you sure you want this?”

“I’m positive.”