he replied with a slight frown. “We were both burned out on relationships and you said this marriage would give us both what we want.”
“I know I did, but I was wrong. A spark is missing. Not in the bedroom. In the relationship.”
“I haven’t been attentive?”
“Yes, Jake. You’re attentive and sexy, handsome, charming—”
“You expect me to walk out of your life after you tell me that?” he asked in a husky voice, leaning back to look at her. “If I’m all that to you, then stop worrying, darlin’. Life will fall into place,” he said. “If I’ve got all those qualities and we’re compatible—which we are—then love will come in time.”
“How can you be so certain?” she exclaimed in annoyance. It was impossible to get him to hear what he didn’t want to hear.
The dance ended and he took her hand. While they ate, he told her stories about his week away. She wondered when he stopped work long enough for anything else to happen to him. Or did he make the stories up to get her to laugh? After a time, he glanced at her half-eaten dinner.
“Wasn’t your lobster good?”
“It was wonderful, but I’m not that hungry.”
“Then let’s go home and have a moonlight swim,” he said, motioning for their waiter.
Jake continued to be his charming self all through the flight back to the island and the drive to the villa.
The minute they were in the living room, Emily turned to face him. He unfastened a button on his shirt as he moved around, and desire stirred. Jake was so sure of himself that it showed in every move he made. Should she just put aside her worries and accept their life? But she’d been doing that for too long.
“I don’t want to swim. I want to talk to you and I want you to listen. I’ve tried all evening to tell you. I can’t go on with this. I’ve failed you. And while you say you don’t care now, the time will come when you will. Meanwhile, I’m keeping you from becoming a father. I want out of this marriage.”
Frowning slightly, he shed his jacket, tossed aside his tie and keys and crossed the room to place his hands on her shoulders. His gaze bore into hers and she took a deep breath.
“I don’t want you to go, Em,” he said softly, his voice husky and coaxing, the same intimate tone he had when they made love. “I don’t want to find another woman. I think this marriage of ours can work. Remember how happy we were the first few months? We can get that back.”
His words thrilled her, but they also tore at her. If only she could shove aside her doubts and accept the life Jake wanted to give her!
“You’re too materialistic. Money and success are too important to you. We’re poles apart in what we want out of life,” she argued, struggling to maintain control of her emotions. “Jake, I just can’t go on like this.”
Something flickered in the depths of his eyes and a muscle worked in his jaw. Otherwise, he looked calm and relaxed as he shook his head.
“At least give us another six months together.”
“You’re just putting off the inevitable. Six months from now we’ll be having this same conversation,” she said with a sinking feeling. “I’ve thought it over constantly, and I don’t want to go on with this sham of a marriage. Six months won’t matter.”
“Maybe, maybe not,” Jake replied, gazing at her with speculation obvious in his expression. “I really want you, Em. I don’t want to lose you. You’re becoming important to me and I think we have a chance for love if you’ll just let it happen. Stop worrying about the future. I want you here with me as my wife. You took vows,” he reminded her solemnly.
Hot tears filled her eyes.
“Em, if you’ll stay married to me for six more months, I’ll give you half a million dollars to use however you want for charity. Give us that six months together to see what will happen. Our marriage is worth a six-month trial. And with half a million dollars, you can do all kinds of charity projects. Is that too much to ask?”
Two
Emily was stunned by his offer. She stared at him as silence descended. “Six months and half a million dollars?” she asked, amazed that he wanted her so much. She had no idea Jake cared that much about her or their marriage.
His offer meant he wasn’t unhappy she hadn’t given him an heir. He really wanted to give their marriage a chance. Until now she’d brushed aside all Jake’s compliments. For the first time since proposing, she had a faint glimmer of hope that he wanted her as more than a playmate in his bed.
She was shocked that their marriage was so important to him. “You’d give me a half a million dollars for charity? You want me to stay that badly? You’re not unhappy with our marriage?” she repeated, feeling weak in the knees. Her head buzzed. The possibility that he truly wanted her to stay longer was stunning, and she could only stare at him.
“I want this marriage to work,” he replied coolly, caressing the nape of her neck and consuming her with his gaze. His meandering fingers sent shivers down her spine, which distracted her and reinforced his invitation. “I don’t like failure,” he said softly, leaning down to brush her ear with a kiss. His warm breath added more fuel to Jake’s urging—he was using unfair tactics to get his way, yet she couldn’t ignore them.
“I think we have sound beginnings for a solid, satisfying union, so I’m willing to give you an inducement to stay and give us more of a chance,” he whispered, showering kisses on her temple, ear and throat. He straightened to look at her and placed his warm hands on her shoulders.
“Half a million—however I want to use it?” she asked, still stunned.
“Yes. It’s yours with no strings. Buy clothes with it if you want,” he replied with a shrug. He toyed with a lock of her hair, winding it in his fingers. She felt the faint tugs on her scalp.
He sounded relaxed, but his gaze was intense and a muscle worked in his jaw. “Help those kids you work with in that mentoring program. Give it to the children’s shelter you support. It’s yours.”
Warmth and joy poured over her. “Jake, this marriage is important to you,” she said, flustered by his magnanimous offer, tears of relief stinging her eyes as she hugged him. “I was so sure you really wished you’d never gotten into it. There are so many beautiful women you could have had! I had no idea you really weren’t unhappy!” she exclaimed, joy bubbling in her. Worries and stress vanished, replaced by eagerness.
“I think we’re going to have a damn good marriage,” he declared. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t make this offer. With this kind of money you can help others beyond anything you ever envisioned,” he said, combing a tendril of brown hair away from her face and smiling at her.
“Keep your money, Jake.” The important thing was that he had hope for their marriage. “I’m thrilled. Relieved. The future does look bright!” she exclaimed, excitement making her bubbly.
“I think we have every potential for success. I don’t want to lose you. I’m putting the money into your account, but I’m gratified that our marriage is what’s so important. You think I’ll miss
