“I don’t love her.” Even as I say the words, I don’t know if I believe them. I thought I needed only a week with Macey, that once time was up I’d wash my hands and move on, except she’s a constant thought in my mind, and now this little girl in the picture is there right along with her. I find myself wondering what they’re doing and whether they are alone. Are they safe? I remember all too clearly the type of place Macey grew up in and can’t imagine her daughter is being raised there as well. The thought sickens me.
“That’s good to hear.”
“I don’t love you either, Brandy.” Her face falls, but only briefly.
“I know, but together you and I are stronger. Together, we could be the power couple of Vegas. We could take her by the balls and make her our bitch.”
“Nice analogy.” I scoff.
“You know I’m right, Finn.”
Unfortunately, I do. But admitting it is another thing. I lean back in my chair and stare at my computer. When I told Lamar to get her a phone I should’ve asked him to put some type of tracking device on there so my perverse mind could watch her or at least see what she’s doing all day. Did she go back to stripping? God, I fucking hope not.
“What are you proposing?”
Her face lights up as if I’ve asked her to marry me. She leans on my desk and lays out her plan.
“We attend and leave functions together and when we don’t have public appearances, we go out at least two nights a week minimum, so people still see us together.” She sits back with a smirk.
“What’s the catch?” With Brandy there is always a catch.
“We have a one-year engagement before we get married.”
“Brandy.” I groan and rest my head in my hands. “I don’t want to get married.” Marriage is the last thing I want. I want the freedom I have now to roam. To look, touch and feel another woman when I want something different. The last thing I want is to be tied down, told what to do or be told to change who I am to suit another person. Besides, when I look at Brandy, I don’t see a wife. I see a trophy. If and when I get married it’s going to be because I can’t live without the other person being in my space 24/7. It’s going to be because my life feels empty without the other person in it and I can’t stop thinking about them all the time.
I let my last thought linger longer than I should. I’ve been thinking about Macey, a lot, but . . .
“Finn?” Brandy stomps her foot, causing me to bite my cheek and hold back exactly what I think of her.
“What?”
“As I was saying, Daddy doesn’t want to invest anymore. He’s starting to think it’s not worth it and I happen to agree with him. I know I could easily change his mind if I had to. And I can make sure Daddy sways Mr. Cordova away from you too.” She shrugs as if it’s no big deal. I’ve known her family for a long time and know that she gets her way. If she goes to her father, I could be doomed.
“You want to marry me so badly that you won’t care if I’m with other women?” Because that is who I am right now . . . a man who loves the company of women. Not one, but many and frequently.
Her face pales and her eyes narrow. “Don’t even talk like that. I will not have you embarrass me, Finn McCormick.”
“Right.” I fiddle with the pen on my desk, not making eye contact with her. “I have to think.”
“What’s there to think about?”
I shrug, knowing the list is long. “Whether or not I want to stop fucking half of Vegas and be tied down to your frigid vanilla ass.”
Brandy’s mouth drops open and her hands clench into fists. “If you know what’s best for you, you’ll call me by the end of the day.” With that she leaves my office. If I expect her to storm out of here, I’m sorely mistaken. I can hear her talking to Hannah, being sweet as pie.
“I need you,” I say into Lamar’s intercom. Only after I hang up do I realize how my words can be construed. Moments later Lamar comes into my office. I motion for him to close the door.
“Brandy delivered an ultimatum today,” I tell him. “She told me that her father doesn’t want to invest anymore, but he would if we were married. And she’s threatening to sway Cordova as well.”
“Fuck.”
“Yep,” I say, sighing. “When did this become my life?”
He shakes his head. The answer is when I started dating her in college and decided that I didn’t want to be my father and jump from one wife to another. And I definitely didn’t want to be married to her.