“Are you insane?!”
“No,” replied Mira evenly. At least she didn’t think so.
Temp glared at her. “I am not going to let you marry this guy just to help out my charity.”
“It’s not like that – he says it won’t really be a legally binding ceremony. Just a commitment thing.”
Branch had explained it in a roundabout sort of way. She mostly understood what he was saying. A member of his family would declare them married and then… and then… well, and then his legal problems would go away. She wasn’t sure about the truth in that. He was pretty vague about it, but it had something to do with his father’s death and him inheriting the company. She guessed it had something to do with his dad’s will, but he didn’t seem to want to talk about it. Not that she blamed him about that. She was still grieving for her dad; she understood if he didn’t want to talk about his.
Temp sniffed. “Sounds like a cult. What happens after this commitment ceremony?”
The word commitment sounded like a dirty word tumbling out of Temp’s mouth.
“After,” Mira gulped, “we live together for a while, and after a couple of months I just get to leave.”
Temp considered that and narrowed her eyes. “Sounds fishy to me. Why on earth would he want this?”
“He says it’s complicated and a work thing. We would just be pretending to be a couple.”
Her sister gave her a long look. “It’s just too weird. He’s probably planning on keeping you in a cage in his basement and feeding you rabbit food. Do not do this.”
“You know what he’s offering,” said Mira quietly.
Temp sighed. “And it’s not enough for you to do this.”
“We wouldn’t be having sex.”
“I should hope not,” said Temp primly.
Mira bit her lip. She wouldn’t have minded that much. Not that she was into sleeping with strangers, but she couldn’t get within ten feet of the man without her sex virtually purring at him that she was open for business. He was sexy – she couldn’t deny that her body wouldn’t let her.
“I don’t like the sound of this at all,” said Temp for the fourth time.
“He’s going to fund your whole charity – forever!”
Plus, he had seemed so desperate. He was a stranger, and yes this was an extremely strange request, but she wanted to help him. She didn’t know why. Usually, men like him terrified her. Gorgeous, sexy men were not meant for her. They made her feel so small and inadequate, but not him. No, everything about him warmed her, stirred her insides, made her downright quiver in a very good way.
Temp pursed her lips. She had a way about her that could disapprove at a thousand paces. She was sterner than a 1950’s schoolmistress and an Autobot combined.
Mira had to assume she got that from her father. Their mother was softness personified – selfish but soft and completely incapable of being firm. Mira’s own father had been cuddly and lovely. He was never very good at yelling or discipline either. Mira had hardly been a naughty or wild child, but whenever she misbehaved, he got Mrs. Burrows from next door to chastise her. The woman had missed her calling in not joining the army. Course, she’d probably have declared war on Australia by now if she had.
“Look, Temp, I’m going to see him today to talk about it,” to finalize the details of their strange arrangement, “and if anything seems weird…”
Temp snorted.
“I’ll say no. It’ll be fine, you’ll see.”
Her sister thawed a tiny bit – but it was just a tiny bit. “I just don’t know.”
“It’ll be fine,” enthused Mira.
Yes, it was a strange situation, but she didn’t feel worried about it. Then again, she didn’t exactly have a terrific ‘danger radar.’ She generally had to learn things the hard way. Like when she was invited to that lakeside party by the head cheerleader, and she agreed to go skinny dipping – yep, inevitably the total cow stole her clothes and Mira had to run a mile au natural before she found a washing line to raid. The evil cow just wanted to punish Mira because her captain of the basketball team boyfriend flirted a little with Mira. It was totally innocent – he thought she was a smart nerd, rather than just a nerdy nerd, and wanted her to do his homework. Anyway, she knew enough not to be too rash. She was going to be careful and not jump feet first. Nope, she would dip a ladylike toe, and then decide whether or not to make the jump.
*
Branch stared out the window. Fireworks exploded in the black night sky. He scowled. Jeez, it was only December 14th. Why was anyone celebrating Christmas yet? It was far too early. His mutilated ficus plant could testify to that. His sister threw up in it earlier – she indulged in a bottle of cider and was now paying the price for it. Ordinarily, he’d be pissed, but he couldn’t work his way up to yelling. He sent her home with Mal and set about brooding on the evening's events.
What was he doing? He thought his brother’s plan was insane, so why was he so ready to jump aboard and wave goodbye to his senses now?
Honestly, he had no idea why. When it became clear that Mira had no idea what he was talking about, he should have just let her go, but he didn’t. He made a deal with her. They would mate, and she would live with him for a couple of months… in his house… sleeping down the hall from him.
Shit. He really hadn’t thought this through. He was going to have to pretend to be in love with her in front of his family. Perhaps hold her hand, perhaps kiss her, hold her in his arms…
Nope. He could do this. He could keep this professional. In return for a charitable donation, she was willing to help save his herd – that was it. The herd… Yes, that was why he was doing it – to save them, and since everyone already thought Mira was his fiancée, he might as well use her. Cold maybe, but what choice did he have?
So if his reasons were so damn cold, why did he feel like he was on fire?