Million Dollar Christmas Proposal

Audrey shrugged. “It is what it is.”

The flat line of her lips and the hardness that briefly masked her features said Audrey was not as insouciant in the face of her family’s betrayal of the youngest child as she appeared.

“Is this also the reason your parents cut you off financially halfway through your junior year at uni?” He’d been trying to figure out the dynamics that had led to that set of circumstances.

She’d been attending one of the most prestigious and one of the few remaining female-only institutions of higher learning in the country. Her grades had been good. Her behavior exemplary. Her known associates had all been from good families with no hint of scandal to their names.

There was no record or even hint of inappropriate behavior on Audrey’s part that might have caused such a move on the part of her parents.

“Yes.”

“You were forced to get a job?” At his family’s bank. For some reason the fact that his bank had given her the means to support herself and her brother pleased Enzu. “You had to transfer from Barnard to the state university in your final year and pursue your degree part-time?”

“Yes.”

“That could not have been easy.” In any aspect. “And still you chose to take Tobias in.”

For a moment anger burned in her dark gaze. “He would have ended up in foster care or living on the street. Would you have let that happen to your younger brother?”

“No.” He’d tried to protect Pinu even from himself. Grief pierced Enzu.

“I’m sorry.” Sincerity and honest sympathy infused her tone and demeanor. “I should not have said that.”

“It is truth. Tobias is a lucky young man to have you for his sister.”

“Toby. He hates Tobias.”

No doubt because it was their father’s middle name.

Enzu allowed his lips to curve in a half-smile. “Duly noted.”

“Toby is my family.” Her tone implied an only in there.

He could not blame her for the sentiment. “I find your loyalty and tenacity in the face of the many challenges you’ve faced admirable.”

“Just how detailed is that dossier?” she asked with an edge of annoyance.

“Very,” Gloria answered for him as she placed tea things on the table beside Audrey. “Tomasi Enterprises employ only the best. The investigative firm we use knows how exacting Mr. Tomasi’s standards are.”

Far from looking impressed, Audrey was clearly disgruntled. “I don’t suppose it occurred to you to simply ask me about my life?”

“You might lie. My investigator has no impetus to do so.”

“I guess most men as high up on the corporate ladder as you are cynical.” Again, Audrey didn’t sound particularly impressed by that observation.

He took his coffee, already prepared to his specifications, from Gloria. “In my experience, that is true.”

Audrey opened her mouth to reply and then seemed to think better of her words. She focused on putting sugar and just a dash of milk into her teacup before pouring the hot beverage.

“What were you going to say?” he asked, curious.

If nothing else, he had not yet found himself bored in this woman’s company. He could not say that about a great many people he was forced to spend time with in the name of business.

Her brow furrowed in thought. “It’s just that I’m not sure I see the point of this interview if you already know all the answers to your questions.”

He almost smiled, but held the expression in. She had no idea how much a simple meeting could reveal, even if the only thing discussed was the temperature outside.

“You do not think it is important to establish whether or not there could be a possible rapport between us?”

“Well, if you had the children here, that particular consideration would make more sense.”

“You do realize that being their mother mandates also becoming my wife?”

Or hadn’t she?

Was it possible that, however she had learned about the position, Audrey had not been made aware of that particular aspect? The stunned expression on her lovely features implied just that.

She jolted, setting the teacup down without taking the sip she’d planned. “What?”

“Surely you can see that you must be my wife in order to actually be their mother?”

“I hadn’t thought about that.”

“Does the knowledge mean you would like to withdraw your application for the position?” he asked, with no doubt about the answer.

Who would not want to be married to a billionaire?

To his chagrin and grudging appreciation, Audrey took several moments to consider the question.

Finally she said, “Not immediately, no.”

He frowned, less than pleased.

“I’m sorry if that offends you. I just hadn’t considered...”

Her voice trailed off and he realized Audrey was seriously rattled.

“Yes, well, consider it.”

She nodded, still looking a little dazed. “You’re not looking for a real wife, though? Right?”

“The woman I choose will share my home, my family and many aspects of my life. In what way is that not real?”

“Oh, I...uh...I just thought...” Her lovely features went an interesting shade of pink before something seemed to occur to her and they paled to an alarming level.

Nonplussed that the idea of becoming his wife was more daunting to her than parenting two small children, he asked, “Are you all right?”

“Y-ye...” She cleared her throat. “I mean, yes.”