For The Sake Of His Heir

“There are worse reasons to marry, I promise you.” The dark resentment in his voice reminded Brianne of how devastating marrying for love could be. “And the reason I thought of you, Brianne, is not just because this marriage would benefit you. But also because I trust you.”

Her gaze snapped up to meet his.

“Yes,” he said, answering her wordless question. “It’s true. This marriage would place a tremendous amount of power in a woman’s hands for the next year. It also gives my wife access to my family, which means more to me than anything. I can’t think of anyone else I would trust the way I trust you.”

“Why?” She shook her head, not understanding. “We only just work together. I mean, we share a few laughs and things, but—”

“Two reasons. One, you’re good with Jason. I see how gentle you are with him. How your eyes smile when you look at him. You can’t fake that kind of warmth or enjoyment of kids.”

She opened her mouth, but snapped it shut again; she wasn’t sure what to say. “Everyone loves babies.”

“That’s not true. Not even close,” he said with unmistakable bitterness. “But the second reason I trust you is this.” He took her hand again and held it. Firmly. “There was a spark between us from the moment we met.”

“No.”

“Don’t deny it. We both ignored it and that was good. That was the right thing to do.” He squeezed her fingers gently and that warmth trickled through her veins again, like an injection of adrenaline. “Not many women would have ignored that spark. At the risk of being immodest, Brianne, the McNeill wealth attracts way too much feminine attention, and I haven’t always done a good job of appreciating the women who wanted me for my own sake versus the ones who wanted to get close to the lifestyle our world affords.”

She’d never thought about that before, but knowing what she did of human nature, she wasn’t surprised, either. Had Theresa been one of those women? She didn’t dare to ask; she was too overwhelmed by this shocking outpouring from Gabe.

“You, on the other hand—” he tipped up her chin to see into her eyes, and the warmth of his touch there made her mouth go dry “—you respected my marriage and my family, right through the day it all went up in flames and long afterward. That’s how I know I can trust you.”

“Gabe.” She couldn’t find the right words, was still stunned by his admission. He’d known about the attraction all along and hadn’t said a word. Hadn’t acted on it. “If what you’re saying is true, that there is a...spark—”

“Do you doubt it?” He loomed closer.

Her heart beat faster.

“Just, let’s say that there is an attraction.” The word scraped her throat. “It would be playing with fire to get married and play house. I can’t throw away my job—my future—for the sake of one year. I wouldn’t be able to work for you anymore.”

The fact that she’d tossed out an excuse rather than outright saying “hell, no” made her realize she was actually considering it in some corner of her mind. She guessed that he sensed as much since he leaned forward, a glint in his eyes that she recognized from when she’d seen him close a deal. He spotted an advantage.

“We’ll have a prenuptial agreement. You can name your terms for a settlement so you don’t need to concern yourself with work.”

“I like my job.” It was more than just a paycheck. She lived at the Birdsong. The gardens were a work in progress she hoped to develop for years to come. “I had plans to make the grounds an attraction people would visit there just to see.”

“So we’ll add in job security as part of the settlement.” He shrugged like it was such a small concern.

The plane dipped on a patch of turbulence and her belly pitched along with it. Gabe’s arm went around her shoulders automatically, steadying her.

She didn’t even realize that she’d grabbed him—his thigh, to be exact—until the plane was sailing smoothly again. Releasing him, she peered up into his eyes and tried to regain her equilibrium.

The heat glittering in his gaze didn’t come close to helping.

“We’d have to keep ignoring it.” The words slipped from her lips before she had time to think them over, making her realize she was already mulling over how this crazy idea might work.

“What?” He tensed, his arm tightening a fraction around her shoulders where he still held on to her.

“The attraction.” She plowed forward, knowing she might regret it but unable to turn down the offer of help for Nana. The level of help that Gabe could give her—the comfort his wealth could provide for her—was the kind of thing her selfless grandmother deserved in her late years. There was nothing Brianne wouldn’t do to repay Nana Rose. “We would have to keep a lock on any attraction, the same way we’ve always done.” That was nonnegotiable. “I don’t want to feel like I sold my soul for the sake of Nana’s care.”

His eyes dipped to her lips. Lingered for a moment, then came back to hers. “I would respect your wishes, of course.”

Did he know how much his heated glance sent her pulse racing?

“And I would need to trust you. You’d have to promise not to use that attraction to...” She’d never been a woman who minced words, but this was new territory. “What I mean is, you can’t try persuading me to go outside my comfort zone, even if you see I might be caving. Especially if you see I might be caving.”

Instantly, he removed his arm from around her shoulders.

Already, she mourned the loss.

“Done.” He nodded. All business.

And shouldn’t that be a lesson to her? Gabe McNeill was well versed in sensuality. If he could shut it down that fast, no doubt he could apply it when necessary, as well. She needed to be wary around him.

“Then, if you’re really serious about going through with this—”

“I can have our agreement drawn up by noon. We can apply for a marriage license tomorrow before the offices close for the day. Assuming you retained your U.S. citizenship?”

He was serious all right. She nodded.

“So did I. And New York only requires a twenty-four hour waiting period after we apply, so that makes it simple.”

So for Nana’s sake, she would find a way to make it work.

Before she could second-guess herself, she blurted, “In that case, you have yourself a deal.”

And with one look at his heat-filled eyes, Brianne had the feeling she was in over her head even before she said “I do.”

Four (#u9945bf98-7f25-52d8-b020-e0731532b2bf)

She’d said yes.

An hour later, Gabe had to remind himself of the fact as he peered over at Brianne beside him in the limousine. Her expression was tense. She didn’t look like a woman who had any reason to celebrate as the lights from the bridge flashed on her face while they crossed the East River and headed into Brooklyn. The drive from the airport had been quick thanks to light traffic, and Gabe had sent Nadine and Jason ahead to the apartment in midtown Manhattan in a separate vehicle so the baby could have some rest after the long trip.

Which left Gabe and Brianne alone for this next leg of the journey. Their first trip as an engaged couple.

The drive into Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood was a far cry from how he’d celebrated his first wedding proposal. He’d taken Theresa to Paris to propose over dinner—a romantic night he’d wanted for a woman who adored being romanced. In the long run, what had it meant to her? While he regretted that he hadn’t even given Brianne a ring with his proposal, he still felt relieved that this marriage agreement was nothing like the first one. They both knew what they were getting into. There would be a prenuptial agreement. Clear terms for the future. He’d messaged his attorney’s office from the plane after Brianne agreed to his plan and she’d seemed content to let him make the arrangements.

No one needed to be disappointed. On the contrary, they could both enjoy the peace of mind that came with knowing their interests were well protected. That they were helping one another.

So why did Brianne’s dark expression make her look like she’d just made a deal with the devil?

“Are you okay?” he asked, laying a hand on her arm hidden inside the cashmere wrap she’d worn in place of a jacket.

The clothes were plenty warm for Martinique in February. Not so much for New York. He’d have to see about having a winter wardrobe delivered for her. He wished he could put her at ease, but maybe she was just keyed up about her grandmother. No doubt she was worried.

“I didn’t realize how strange it would feel to come home.” She stared out the limousine window into a dark and silent park as they sped deeper into Brooklyn. “I was so sure I didn’t miss this place, and yet now...” She shook her head. “I have so many memories here. Not all of them bad, though.”

“You’ve never really said why your grandmother sent you away.” He hoped maybe talking would help her relax. Or at least distract her from worrying about her grandmother. He’d called a private health-care service to meet them at the Brooklyn address in case Brianne needed help moving her grandmother. She hadn’t protested when he made the call now that they’d agreed to the marriage deal.