For The Sake Of His Heir. Joanne Rock

The words slipped from her lips before she had time to think them over, making her realize she was already mulling over how this crazy idea might work.

      “What?” He tensed, his arm tightening a fraction around her shoulders where he still held on to her.

      “The attraction.” She plowed forward, knowing she might regret it but unable to turn down the offer of help for Nana. The level of help that Gabe could give her—the comfort his wealth could provide for her—was the kind of thing her selfless grandmother deserved in her late years. There was nothing Brianne wouldn’t do to repay Nana Rose. “We would have to keep a lock on any attraction, the same way we’ve always done.” That was nonnegotiable. “I don’t want to feel like I sold my soul for the sake of Nana’s care.”

      His eyes dipped to her lips. Lingered for a moment, then came back to hers. “I would respect your wishes, of course.”

      Did he know how much his heated glance sent her pulse racing?

      “And I would need to trust you. You’d have to promise not to use that attraction to...” She’d never been a woman who minced words, but this was new territory. “What I mean is, you can’t try persuading me to go outside my comfort zone, even if you see I might be caving. Especially if you see I might be caving.”

      Instantly, he removed his arm from around her shoulders.

      Already, she mourned the loss.

      “Done.” He nodded. All business.

      And shouldn’t that be a lesson to her? Gabe McNeill was well versed in sensuality. If he could shut it down that fast, no doubt he could apply it when necessary, as well. She needed to be wary around him.

      “Then, if you’re really serious about going through with this—”

      “I can have our agreement drawn up by noon. We can apply for a marriage license tomorrow before the offices close for the day. Assuming you retained your U.S. citizenship?”

      He was serious all right. She nodded.

      “So did I. And New York only requires a twenty-four hour waiting period after we apply, so that makes it simple.”

      So for Nana’s sake, she would find a way to make it work.

      Before she could second-guess herself, she blurted, “In that case, you have yourself a deal.”

      And with one look at his heat-filled eyes, Brianne had the feeling she was in over her head even before she said “I do.”