Marriage At Any Price. Lauren Canan

went to a lot of unnecessary expense,” she commented. “The ring is beautiful.”

      Seth shrugged. “I guess I’m a bit old-fashioned. I couldn’t see not giving my bride a ring for the ceremony.”

       My bride.

      “Well, I’ll certainly return it to you before you leave.”

      “I’m not worried about it.” He sat back while the waitress placed glasses of ice water on the table and took their order. “So...where are we going to spend the night?”

      “Excuse me?”

      “Your place or mine?”

      “Ah... I thought we would each go back to our own previous living arrangements. You at your hotel and me at the cabin.”

      “Not really indicative of a newlywed couple. Remember, this has got to look as real as it is on paper. For all intents and purpose, as far as anyone knows we are in love. Any doubts someone might raise as to the legality of our union might challenge my rights to be considered in the will. In which case, all bets are off.”

      Ally could feel the irritation like a slow burn inside. Regardless of what she’d agreed to on paper, she’d never given thought to having to spend the night...nights...with this man. “You never said anything about sleeping together.”

      He looked at her, dumbfounded. “I didn’t think it necessary. We are, in fact, legally married. Why bother to tie the knot if you live on one side of town and I stay on the other?”

      “Did you or did you not tell me we had to put up a good front when we’re out in public? That does not hold true behind closed doors.”

      “Why?”

      She leaned over the table toward him. “You know why,” she shot back.

      “Do most married couples not stay together? Share living arrangements?”

      The waitress set their plates down on the table. The steak appeared cooked to perfection, but she knew if she tried to eat at this moment, she would choke. Her throat was closing until she could barely breathe.

      “Yes,” she hissed. “But we are not most couples!”

      “Ally, you’re getting upset over nothing. Just because we share a home doesn’t mean something will necessarily happen between us. Don’t get me wrong—” he began to cut his steak “—I’m on board if it does. You’re a very beautiful woman. But it’s your call.”

      “Share a home? You mean you intend to move into the house on the ranch?”

      Seth looked at her as though she’d told a really bad joke.

      “Fine. We can go to my cabin. It has a twin-size bed and a sofa.” He had to be at least six foot two, with broad shoulders. There was little doubt that if he tried to sleep on either the bed or couch, his head would hang off one end and his feet the other. “You can take your pick.”

      “When do you have to be out of the cabin?”

      “I have it as long as I keep my job, which I intend to do.”

      “That doesn’t make any sense.”

      “What do you expect me to do? Live in a tree?”

      “I expect you to give your resignation and move to your ranch. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

      “I can’t move to the ranch until you close on the property.”

      “Which is the day after tomorrow.”

      “Regardless, in the meantime I need someplace to live. Plus, I need my salary. Jobs in this area are not plentiful.”

      “You don’t need a job. I can supply anything you need. Which reminds me, we are going to need some furniture for the house. In the meantime, we’ll stay at the hotel. Or, if you prefer, we can go on a short honeymoon.”

      “That’s ludicrous.”

      “It’s expected.”

      “Not by me!”

      The simmer was back. He expected her to act like the blushing bride and go off to some strange place with him? Not happening.

      “Look, Masters.” She quickly looked around them to ensure they weren’t being overheard then lowered her voice. “I’ll play this game only so far. I have zero intentions of getting into bed with a man I’ve known less than a week. You flatter yourself if you think I can be coerced into such a thing. If that’s what you believe, you picked the wrong woman.”

      “Mrs. Masters, I never said anything about sharing a bed. That was your own idea. One I’m not opposed to but not one I suggested. We will, however, share accommodations. If you want to explain to your friends and cohorts why we spent our wedding night in a cabin that’s barely large enough for one person, so be it.”

      “I had no intention of telling anyone about this sham marriage. That’s your thing, not mine.”

      “I don’t care if you spread the news or not, but this is a small town. Sooner or later someone will recognize you and ask about the man you’re with. What are you going to say then?”

      Why hadn’t she considered all of this before she signed that stupid contract? Suddenly the ranch didn’t seem all that important. A fleeting picture flashed in her mind of her lying on a feather-soft bed with Seth’s strong arms around her. Of snuggling there, warm and protected. A flare of heat bloomed in her lower region, and she crossed her legs to fight off the sensation. It didn’t help.

      “Fine. Have it your way. We can go to your hotel and I’ll take the couch or the floor.”

      He smiled and put a bite of steak in his mouth. “It’s not a very big couch.”

      “I don’t care.” She sprinkled some salt over her baked potato and began to eat.

      “You might after a few nights.”

      “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. Just keep to your side of the room and do not come into mine.”

      At that he smiled then pursed his lips as though to keep from grinning outright.

      “Whatever you say, Mrs. Masters.”