I shook my head. “It would probably be the first time in my life that they wanted to be around me. So, no fucking way. They want to sell me off to save their asses—that’s their business. But if they think I’m going to welcome them with open arms into this new crazy-assed life, they’re dumber than I imagined.”
Reaching across the table, Stewart secured my hand as his expression morphed. No longer did I see the business tycoon in a designer suit. His countenance softened, eyes widened, and he leaned toward me. “Tori, I’ve decided to make a change to the no file.”
My heart raced and body tensed as I awaited his explanation.
“I’ve changed my mind. If you chose to walk away today, I’ll double the amount of the check. You’re right: your parents have put you in an incredibly unfair position. One hundred thousand dollars should help you and your sister. As a matter of fact, if you keep your word, maintain your silence about what occurred here yesterday and today, and you ever need more money, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll give you my private cell number.”
The immediate excitement over the increase in money quickly faded. “I-Is that what you want me to do? Do you want me to leave? Is that why you keep calling me Miss Conway?”
He exhaled, leaned back, and resumed his businesslike tone. “I’m calling you by your name. Until the time that you choose to marry, Miss Conway is your name. This is a business deal. Formalities work best in business. Emotion clouds the real issues.”
I pulled my hand away. “So what was that last night? Was that clouding the issue? Because, to be honest, I was pretty clouded when I made my way back to my room.”
“No, Miss Conway, you were not clouded. For the first time in your life you were satiated. And if you make the right decision, it won’t be the last.”
“You just said to walk away.”
“I said it’s an option, one that just doubled in appeal.”
I squared my shoulders and straightened my neck. “Are both offers still on the table, or have you removed the second offer?”
His jaw clenched as he eyed me suspiciously. “Is it your intention to make me beg? Do you intend to hear me specify that I want you to take the offer of marriage so that you can turn it down?” His arms crossed his chest. “Miss Conway, let me make myself clear: I don’t beg.”
My façade of a smile remained unwavering yet inside, I wanted to scream. What the hell was this guy’s problem? If there were an award for sending mixed signals, he’d definitely be in the running. Hell, I’d nominate him myself. Finally, prying my pursed lips apart, I said, “Well, Mr. Harrington, neither do I.”
Stewart looked at his watch. “Your time is ticking. You have almost twenty minutes before it’s time for your decision. Do you want to ask any of those questions?” He tilted his head toward my paper.
Did I? Or was I ready to tell him to fuck it? I looked down at my writing, scanned the questions—those that last night seemed of monumental importance—and replied, “No.”
“No?”
“No,” I repeated with confidence.
Stewart uncrossed his arms and leaned forward. “Interesting. That’s all it took?”
“What do you mean?”
“It only took an extra fifty thousand dollars for you to walk away and stand up to your stepfather?”
My mind spun. “I haven’t said I’m walking away, although you seem to be pushing me in that direction.”
“You just said no.”
“I said no, I don’t want to ask any of those questions. Instead, I want clarification.”
Stewart exhaled.
It may not have been begging, but it was the closest sign of his desire I’d seen during our morning discussion.
“Clarification on what?” he asked.
I fought the urge to pace, instead busying myself by smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from my jeans. Summoning courage from some unknown source, I began. “I’m eighteen years old. I don’t want to be held prisoner in your home. You have a lot of shit in that contract about my obligation to sex. What are my other obligations? If I marry you, will I have a life? What about my contact with my sister and brothers? What about school? What about work? I want to know what I’m signing up for today. Tell me there will be more to my life than sex.”
He grinned. “Oh… if only my time permitted me to say no, but alas, I too have work and obligations. Therefore, you’ll have plenty of time for other activities. As long as you present yourself in all situations in the decorum I know you’ve been taught to maintain, there’ll be no restrictions on your activities. I have no intention of monitoring you or your communications. School is done; your graduation is this Saturday. Work is unnecessary, and Lisa will help you integrate into the world of the elite. She’ll help you find proper activities. Who knows, you may become friends with some of the uptight bitches who grace the arms and beds of my associates.”
“Are we arranging playdates now?”
His hands slapped the table. “Miss Conway. That bitchiness is not welcome when it’s directed toward me.”
Ignoring his rapidly disintegrating demeanor, I concentrated on his earlier answers. “If I marry you, I won’t be at my graduation?”
“No. We’ll be on our honeymoon. That doesn’t make the graduation any less valid.”
“Honeymoon? Do you have this all planned?”