A Marriage On Paper

‘I know you were joking, but it wasn’t a bad idea.’

‘Except that a computer can’t analyse feelings—’

‘Or sexual compatibility.’ Dex reached to take her hand and turned her to face him. ‘I’ll have to do some further research into it.’ He studied her silently for a few minutes.

Her lips were soft and inviting, her eyes misty with uncertainty. For all her bravado she was scared; he knew that. He bent his head and gently kissed her.

Her lips were sweet and trembling for a moment, then his kiss deepened.

She clung to him, responding hungrily to his touch. Maybe he was right. Marriage was a good solution.

He released her then, and smiled down at her. ‘We’ve certainly got the latter in abundance.’

‘The latter?’ She couldn’t think straight now.

‘Sexual compatibility.’ He grinned as her cheeks flushed a bright red.

She pulled away from him, her heart pounding. ‘But that isn’t enough to sustain a marriage, Dex, and you know it.’ Her voice was unsteady.

‘It’s a good start.’ He was unrepentant.

‘You can’t plan a marriage like a business campaign. Any relationship, whether it be living together or marriage, needs love to sustain it.’

He noted the shimmer of tears in her eyes now. ‘Oh, sweetheart, don’t look at me like that. It breaks my heart,’ he said softly. ‘I care about you so much…more than any woman in a long, long time.’

‘And I care about you.’ She lowered her eyes away from him. ‘But it’s not enough, is it?’

‘Look, we’re both tired; we need to sleep on things.’ His voice was infinitely gentle. ‘Let’s discuss this over dinner tomorrow night. I’ll book a table at Romanio’s.’

‘I don’t know.’ His closeness confused her. ‘I think we’ve said all there is to say.’

‘Now you know that isn’t true.’ He traced a finger over the trembling softness of her lips. ‘Come on, Alli. I’m just asking you to have dinner with me…please.’ His voice was low and huskily inviting. It sent her blood surging through her veins in a way that sizzled.

She nodded. Tomorrow night would be good. Vicky usually went straight to her friend’s house on a Friday night. Sometimes she slept over. It would give them time and space to sort something out.

‘Thank you.’ He bent and kissed her briefly on the lips.

‘You won’t say anything to anyone, will you, Dex?’ she asked him suddenly. ‘I mean about the baby. I’d rather wait until further into the pregnancy.’

‘That’s fine by me.’ Dex smiled at her. ‘See you in the morning.’

CHAPTER THREE

ALICIA was dealing with an irate phone call from a company who wanted to buy Dex’s new computer game. She was being polite and firm, telling them they were launching the product themselves.

At the same time she was filling in a form and running off a letter on the computer.

Dex came out of his office with Maddie McDowell at his side. He smiled at Alicia. ‘Fielding nicely,’ he murmured as he heard her tell the company that they would keep them in mind for next time.

Alicia put the phone down and grinned. ‘Got to keep everyone happy.’

‘You could get a gold medal for that,’ Dex said, a slightly husky note creeping into the words.

Alicia tried not to blush, aware that Maddie was listening, and said briskly, ‘I need you to sign this form when you have a moment.’

‘Fine.’ Dex reached across and turned the form, signing it with his usual flourish.

‘Shouldn’t you read that?’ Maddie enquired smoothly.

Alicia opened her mouth to tell her that Dex had already vetted it once, but Dex answered before she could get a chance. ‘No need. Alicia is a brilliant secretary.’ He straightened and smiled. ‘Competent, efficient. I trust her implicitly.’

‘Really?’ Maddie’s voice had a slightly wary edge, but her smile didn’t falter. ‘Good, then we can leave this list in your capable hands.’ She put a piece of A4 paper down on Alicia’s desk.

‘What is it?’ Alicia looked down at it, then up at the woman.

Maddie’s appearance was as perfect as ever, she noted Her suit was a pale lilac, cool and feminine. Her lipstick, a vivid sweet-pea-pink, seemed to match her perfume, a flowery yet overpowering scent. Her dark hair, as always, sat in a perfect shining bob. Did Maddie never have a bad hair day? Alicia wondered dryly.

‘It’s a vital list of potential customers that we have to get back to,’ Dex answered. ‘I need you to put the information on the computer for me.’

Alicia nodded. ‘I’ll do it straight away.’

‘Great. All right, Maddie, we’re on track for Tuesday, and our meeting with the accountants, it seems.’

The woman smiled. ‘Indeed it does. I’ll look forward to it.’

The phone rang and Alicia snapped it up. ‘Oh, yes. Hold on a second, I’ll see if he’s free.’ She covered the receiver. ‘Your accountant,’ she mouthed to Dex.

He nodded. ‘I’ll take it in my office. See you Tuesday, Maddie.’

As the door closed behind him, Maddie lingered beside Alicia’s desk.

Alicia looked up at her.

‘Do you think I could have a glass of water?’ the woman asked. ‘I’ve got a terrible headache…must be the heat outside.’

‘Yes, of course.’ Alicia got up and went over to the small room that led off her office, where she made tea and coffee. She took a bottle of mineral water from the fridge and poured a glass. Then brought it back out to Maddie.

The woman smiled at her. She opened a packet of aspirins that she had taken from her handbag and took one with a sip of the water.

‘That’s much better, thank you.’ She put the glass down on the desk, and as she did so her fingers caught on a stack of paperwork sitting there, causing them to fall to the floor in a jumbled heap. ‘Oh, no! I’m so sorry.’ She bent to try and retrieve them.

‘It’s OK,’ Alicia said soothingly. ‘I’ll sort it out.’

‘Well, if you’re sure. I’m really sorry.’

‘It will only take me a moment,’ Alicia assured her. ‘I’ve got them all numbered.’

‘Fine.’ The woman stood up, and with a sugary-sweet smile left the office.