On The Dotted Line by Kim Carmichael

of her. “I didn’t mean to blindside you
with Stephanie.”
    Fine,
he used her word, surely the tactic of a businessman. Still, she wanted to see
his reasoning. “How so?”
    “That
is not the way you should have found out about my past relationships. I know it
must be hard.” He reached forward and put his hand on her knee. “I assure you
it’s completely over.”
    She
crossed her legs forcing Randolph’s hand off her, but stayed silent.
    “I
don’t want you to think I would ever cheat on you.” His voice lowered.
    “Randolph,
I need to ask you something.”
    “It
was over before I ever thought of marrying you.” Again, he held the rose out to
her.
    “Okay,
that wasn’t my question.” She glanced at the flower but didn’t accept the token
of affection which represented a different kind of relationship.
    “Ask
me anything.” He placed the flower on the arm of the chair, taking a moment to
balance the blossom before sitting back.
    “Let’s
say you didn’t have to get married and you weren’t with anyone, would you have
asked me out on a date?” Whether she would have accepted the date was another
question, but she needed the answer.
    His
face went blank. No smile, no frown, nothing. “I don’t understand.”
    “It’s
simple.” She tilted her head. “Would you or would you have not asked me out? Would
you have seen me and thought, that is the girl I want to take to dinner, kiss
goodnight, make love to?”
    A
slow smile crept on his face. “I think you are beautiful and we are married and
I would love to make love to you again. Last night was nothing short of
spectacular. More than I could have ever dreamed of.” He extended one finger
and traced her kneecap.
    At
his touch shivers consumed her. Unfortunately, she was privy to what the man
could do with those fingers, his tongue, and his body. Deep down she knew if he
had ever been nice to her she would have accepted a date with him and kicked
herself later. She slapped his hand away like an unwanted fly. “When you
dreamed, did you dream of me?”
    Once
more his face went blank. “We’re married.”
    “I
signed a contract as did you,” she corrected.
    “You
were upset, but I want you to know Stephanie is over. My mother made it seem
like more than it was.”
    “Randolph,
let me make something perfectly clear.”
    He
continued staring at her.
    “I
could care less about your past relationships, who you loved, who you didn’t.”
    “I
didn’t love her.” He held up his hand.
    “It
doesn’t matter.” She shook her head. “What matters is when you enter into a
business agreement with someone there needs to be full disclosure, something
you did not give me and therefore you made me look like a fool. That’s something
I will not tolerate again.”
    “I
don’t want to hurt you. I told you, it’s over.”
    “You
can’t hurt me because we are only connected by a contract.” She flicked the
papers. “Don’t think I don’t know it’s completely over, and you will stick by
your fidelity clause if you end up with red, raw palms before this year is out.
For a man to fight as long and hard as you did and almost lose, I have no doubt
it’s over, and I have no doubt you won’t cheat on our fictional relationship.”
    “Willow.”
He ran his hand through his hair.
    She
almost smiled when his curls bounced right back into position as if they were
trained. Instead, she handed him back the rose.
    “Anyone
ever tell you that you would have made a great negotiator?” He took the flower,
put it aside and rubbed his neck.
    “Maybe.”
For the most part they called her stubborn, but she would never admit it. “Why
don’t you go take a hot shower for your neck?”
    “Incredible.”
He tilted his head toward the cake. “Would you like a few bites?”
    “No,
I think I’m going to go say goodnight to Nan.” She got up.
    Like
every time she stood, he did as well. “Remember, we’re still married and we
share a bed.”
    “It’s
all