The Boss's Nine-Month Negotiation. Майя Блейк

when I know how many female, family-orientated executives you employ. Which makes me think this would most probably be some sort of test. Why would you need to do that, Emiliano?’

      He shrugged, but the gleam she’d witnessed in his eyes last night burned even brighter this morning. ‘Perhaps the idea of coming second best doesn’t sit well with me. Perhaps I’m thoroughly bored of it.’

      Shocked laughter spilled from her lips. ‘Second best? How... When...have you ever allowed yourself to come second best? You win at absolutely everything!’

      His lids swept down, his mouth twisting. ‘That is where you’re wrong.’

      ‘Fine. Maybe we don’t know each other as well as we should, but I guess you not even bothering to give me any option speaks volumes!’

      He slashed a hand through his hair. ‘I was going to give you... Dios, this wasn’t how... I have to do this.’

      She stilled, the combination of Emiliano struggling for words and the choice of those words unsettling her. ‘You have to?’

      ‘Si, I gave my word.’

      ‘Your word? To who?’

      He huffed, a breath filled with icy frustration. ‘It’s a family thing. I don’t know enough about your own family circumstances, since you’ve never felt quite like sharing, so I will forgive you if you don’t understand.’

      That cut her off at the knees. ‘How dare you?’ She gasped, raw pain hammering her from heart to soul. ‘You’ve equally withheld your own background from me. Don’t punish me for thinking I was respecting your wishes. And, whatever my circumstances, you can’t assume that I don’t understand the concept of family.’ Being an orphan had triggered a yearning for a family of her own, a wish she held dear in her heart, the fulfilment of that dream a hope she refused to give up.

      Emiliano’s mouth thinned. ‘You mistook my meaning.’

      ‘Looks like I’ve mistaken a lot of things. Things like you neglecting to tell me you’ve been promised to somebody else all along.’

      ‘I’m not. I wasn’t.’

      ‘Then what is this?’ She indicated the paper. ‘Don’t insult my intelligence. You know her. There’s a familiarity there, so something must have been going on.’

      ‘Our families are...connected. I’ve known her since she was a child.’

      ‘And they needed a marriage, so you agreed to step in?’ she mocked with a pained laugh.

      Laughter that dried up when he nodded.

      ‘Yes, something like that.’

      She gasped. ‘You’re serious.’

      He didn’t blink. ‘I’m serious.’

      Her mouth dropped open, but no words emerged. Shaking her head, she tried to clear the buzzing growing louder.

      ‘I’m going to go out on a limb and mention that there is another scenario I was thinking about for us in light of this news.’

      He stared at her, a touch of something she absurdly wanted to label uncertainty flashing across his face before it disappeared. When her vocal cords refused to work, he continued, ‘If you want our...liaison to continue, I’m willing to discuss how we—’

      A punch of rage freed up her vocal cords. ‘I sincerely hope you’re not about to suggest I be your bit on the side while you’re married to someone else!’

      His face hardened into a rigid mask of fury. ‘Please refrain from putting words in my mouth.’

      She folded her arms. ‘Okay, I’m listening.’

      He started to speak, then clenched his jaw again and shook his head. ‘Perhaps discretion is the better part of valour here. I’ll be speaking to my lawyers this morning. You can keep the penthouse and everything in it. I’ll have the requisite deeds drawn up. Also one of the cars. Pick whichever one you please. If you want anything else, let me know. I’ll try and accommodate—’