Dash

I know Lark is close to my age, but it's hard not to see him as just a kid. Sal and Sylvia told him the plan and the poor guy seemed relieved. He did make me promise to take care of his sister, but nobody knows this won't be a real marriage. I'll be marrying the girl under a false identity, so as soon as she is safe, she won't be my problem any longer.

"You will reside in the quarters available in the east wing. It'll be similar to an apartment and give you a little more privacy." Sal said.

"Why would you want me further away? I'm supposed to protect you." I said.

"Maybe the threat will be gone, but there's one more agreement you need to make before I allow you to marry my daughter." He said.

"What's that?" I asked.

"I give you three months to make her pregnant. Once you take her virtue, she's ruined in this world. I need a grandson." He said.

"No!" Sylvia stood up.

"Who says she has to give her virtue to him?" She asked. "This could end up just being temporary."

He shook his head. "I guarantee it'll last longer. You can't put two young people together and expect them to have those kind of clear boundaries." Sal said.

Holy shit, I didn't think this part through.

"What if she doesn't get pregnant? Maybe there's a medical reason." I asked.

"Then we will hire doctors to fix it." He said.

No fucking way!

"Why? Why bring a child into this life?" I asked not even thinking.

"It's the life we chose, and I need an heir. Our youngest can never take over, and you met Lark." He said.

"What's wrong with our other daughter?" Sylvia sounded disgusted.

"She will marry," Sal said. "Women don't become bosses and you know it." He said.

I can't agree to a child, but maybe I can have this over before the time comes.

"Fine." I stood and buttoned my jacket. "Get it planned," I said as I walked out of the room and left them to argue. Not only will it be a false marriage, she may find herself a widow anyway.

I went to my room and I could feel a presence, but I also smell perfume. "I know you're here," I said and flipped on my light. There she is sitting on my bed.

I pulled off my suit jacket and flung it on the chair before walking over to my dresser to take off my cufflinks.

"You do realize what you've done." She said.

I looked at the beautiful girl through the mirror and she's wearing black lace. "Hopefully saved your life and gotten myself closer," I said.

"You'll be my husband." She said.

"It won't be real, so don't get any ideas," I said.

She moved further into my bed and sat on her knees. "If I do this, you'll act as a husband in every way." She said.

I paused.

"Say that again?" I turned to face her.

"I've lived as a virgin for 25 years. It will be your duty." She said.

Not that she's not tempting as hell, but I'm not here to get my thrills. The last thing I need is this child that looks like a woman tempting me and throwing me off my game.

"I'm sure any of the men here would be glad to take that job," I said, knowing I'll have a hard time fighting if she really pushes it. I'll be here for months, and those women in the basement disgust me.

She scrunched her nose. "You're kidding, right?"

I pulled my shirt from my pants and started unbuttoning it. "The thing about girls like you.." She interrupted me.

"I'm not a girl." She said.

I sighed. "Okay, a woman like you, is you'll form an attachment. That can't happen." I said as I pushed the shirt off my shoulders.

"So, you don't find me attractive?" She asked as one of the straps to her pajamas fell off her shoulder and exposed half her breasts. Jesus, she's tempting.

"What happened to your grandma pajamas?" I asked as I studied the lace top and satin that ran down to her ankles. She got up and walked toward me without fixing her strap. She has her hair fixed up exposing that gorgeous neckline.

"Answer me." She said just as she stopped right in front of me.

"Doesn't my skin look soft enough?" She asked as those blue eyes looked up at me.

"You need to go," I said, and she gave me a sly grin.

"I could let the other strap fall so you know exactly what you're marrying." She said.

"I know exactly what I'm marrying," I said as she stepped closer and got on her tiptoes to whisper in my ear.

"No other man has touched me, do you have any idea how tight I am?" Her breath grazed my ear, and I couldn't hide what she's doing to me.

"Do you know the pain I could inflict on you?" I whispered, and smiled when she shivered.

"Is that a promise?" She whispered back, and my body betrayed me and shivered in return. She's actually breathing a little heavier, and I can tell this is affecting her too.

"I'll make you a widow," I said back.

"No, my life depends on yours. This may be my only chance to feel what's it's like to be touched by a man." She whispered.

Dammit.

"You're gorgeous, but not my type," I whispered back, and leaned forward as she got off her tiptoes.

"Your body says something different." She said as hers is now pressing against mine.

"Go to bed, Danica." I backed away and walked past her to my bathroom, shutting the door. Making sure it was locked before I started the cold shower.

I got in under the cold water and cursed myself. I did this to myself, not anyone else. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a gorgeous body, and I sure as hell can't imagine touching that girl. She's going to drive me insane. I can understand her curiosity at 25 years old, but holy shit, I can't open that door.

I finished my shower and dried off before cracking the door open to make sure she's gone. When I saw the coast was clear, I threw on some sweats and went to bed, but curiosity got the best of me. I fell asleep watching her toss and turn in her bed. This may just be the most challenging part of my assignment.