Stewart opened the container that held grapes and popped one into his mouth. “I can, and I will, but not tonight. My turn to ask questions. Why didn’t you run? Why did you stay here tonight?”
“I don’t know. I’m scared and intrigued. I’m trying to not make a rash decision. After all, this will be the biggest decision of my life.” I sat straighter. “Can I believe you?”
“Implicitly.”
“So everything you told me about Randall and about his debt is true? His life is truly in danger?”
“That’s the reason for the deadline. If he doesn’t come up with the money by tomorrow afternoon… well, I suppose technically it’s this afternoon. He needs the money by this afternoon.”
I reached for the grapes, feeling the rumbling of hunger. When I did, Stewart pulled the container from my reach. “Let me,” he offered.
“I’m capable—”
“Shush, let me…” Taking one grape from the container, he held it near my lips.
Obediently, I opened my mouth. The grape was sweet and juicy as I closed my lips and bit through the skin. By the time I swallowed, he had another one waiting.
As I opened my mouth, he spoke, “Tori, I didn’t know how this would work. I still don’t. I didn’t plan on truly wanting you, but since you walked out of my office this afternoon, you’re all I can think about.”
When I closed my mouth on the next grape, his finger and thumb lingered between my lips. Instead of moving away, I sucked them, pulling them into my mouth and licking them clean. The groan that came from deep in Stewart’s throat told me what I’d suspected: I had power. Over this wealthy, older man, I had power. The realization gave me strength.
“You didn’t expect to want me?” I questioned. “Then why would you offer to marry me?”
He ran his finger over my lips. “I expected to want to fuck you. Who wouldn’t? But that was all, as I said, to have you available, to not have to mess with the uncertainty of buying companionship, or the annoyance of dating.”
Shaking my head, I tried to comprehend. “You would choose marriage over dating?”
“I told you that I didn’t want to talk about specifics of the contract, but you did read both of them, didn’t you?”
I nodded.
“Dating requires time and commitment. I don’t want to do that. If you sign the contract, our future is secure for at least the next ten years. You can get mad at me, I can piss you off, or…” His words slowed. “You may be happy and content. The point is, for ten years, it won’t matter.”
“There was a clause to void—”
“Yes, there is a clause that gives either one of us the right to void the contract and our marriage. However, as I’m sure you read, it comes with serious repercussions. While we’re married, you’ll have access to my wealth, more access to more wealth than you can imagine. If you decide to void our contract before the ten-year benchmark, you forfeit everything: everything you’ve accumulated during our marriage, anything you stand to gain in a divorce, and anyone else who benefits personally from your generosity as a result of our marriage will be subject to terms of repayment.”
I’d read that part. “Like Randall?” I asked.
“Yes, and your sister if you choose to pay for her continued education.”
My eyes widened. “I can do that?”
Stewart brought another grape to my lips. “As Mrs. Stewart Harrington you can do almost anything you desire.”
The almost floated in the air as I swallowed the sweet juice and accepted another.
Stewart continued, “After ten years, you’ll have claim to a quarter of my fortune with no clause for repayment by any of the benefactors of your generosity.”
“You keep saying my generosity. It’s your money.”
“As long as we’re married, it will be our money. I have no deep-seated desire to help your family. If helping them makes you happy it benefits me. The decision to help them will be solely on you.” Another grape brushed my lips. “After twenty years of marriage, you’ll be entitled to half of our accumulated fortune. If I void the contract before ten years, you’ll automatically receive fifty percent.” Stewart leaned forward. “My darling, that is more money than you can even comprehend. I assure you that I will not be voiding the contract.”
“Tell me more about Val, Marcus, and Lyle—mostly about Val. As long as we’re married, I can pay her undergrad and graduate school?”
“Tori, we have already spent more time than I wanted discussing the contract. However, if it eases your mind, I’ll repeat: once we’re married, you’ll have access to enough wealth to allow your siblings carte blanche at any university they desire. Now…” The flickering candle reflected in the shimmer of his heavy gaze as his finger lingered on my lips. “…tonight I want to learn more about my possible future wife.”
His touch was cool and tasted sweet from the grapes. While the gentle ocean breeze blew wisps of my hair around my face, I watched Stewart’s lids grow heavy, as if he were seeing me, yet imagining more than was before him. How did he expect to learn more if he didn’t want me to speak?
With only the hum of the waves stories below, the silence on the balcony grew louder until the only sound I heard was the swish of my pulse resonating in my head. Without my realizing it, Stewart had moved from his chair and was mere inches away: his cologne lingered in a cloud surrounding both of us with the masculine scent. Moving his finger from my lips, he traced my cheek and a line along my chin. Without thinking, I inclined my face toward his soft touch.