“I wouldn’t think someone like you would ever have a thought about saving money now that you have everything you want,” she finally stated.
Ethan’s face tightened, the muscle in his jaw clenched. “There was a time in my life where I watched every single dollar that came in and out. Just because I have a padded account now doesn’t mean I’m not aware of other people’s perspectives.”
Never in her wildest dreams would she have guessed jet-setting playboy Ethan Michaels cared so deeply about how others lived. But everything he suggested sounded so perfect, she only wished she had thought of the idea before.
“You’re a pretty smart businessman,” she joked.
“I refused to be anything but smart when it comes to business.”
His tone left no room for humor, and Harper had to admire him even more. There were so many layers to Ethan, and part of her wished she was at a point in her life where she could look for a husband. Eventually she did want a family and a loving man, but she had to devote her life to Two Sisters and to her child for now.
Part of her couldn’t help but wonder if this baby was a special gift. Like maybe she was being given another chance at family after her sister’s passing.
She’d never given much thought to faith or the idea of a grand plan before, but with her mother off gallivanting who knows where, her father not much of a hands-on guy and her sister gone, maybe this was just a blessing in disguise.
“I think I’ll have the concierge bring my things up later this afternoon,” she finally said, circling back to the offer. “If you’re sure you won’t get sick of me.”
Ethan’s smile widened, the naughty gleam in his eye stirring her body.
“Oh, I’m sure. In fact, I think we should get married.”
Eight
“Married?” Harper screeched.
Ethan had to admit the words that had come out of his mouth had surprised the hell out of him, too. But he wasn’t about to retract them. This was Robert Anderson’s biological daughter. No way in hell could he let this prime opportunity pass him by.
Obviously he never would’ve mentioned marriage had she not been pregnant, but why not?
“I know we both agreed that we’re not the marrying type of people,” he started as the idea blossomed inside his head. “And I’m not saying I’m ready for the whole ordeal of marriage, but think about this for a minute. We are both driven in our careers, so we get each other. We both want what’s best for this child.”
Harper blinked, then shook her head. Yeah, the idea was absurd, but the longer it was out in the open, the more he found himself wanting this to happen.
The reasons for his insane demand were mounting. His mother had been single, raising two boys on her own for quite some time before Robert had entered the picture. But his baby had a father who badly wanted to be part of its life. Given that, where was the logic in him living somewhere else and having to shuttle the kid back and forth between them? There was no way he’d want to give up any amount of custody of his own child. But the real reason he was pushing for marriage, if he were being completely honest, was that he wanted every single leg up on Robert Anderson he could get.
“That’s it?” she asked. “Because we both like to work and we want a well-rounded kid, you think we should marry?”
Ethan shrugged, not backing down, but not about to beg. “People have been married for less.”
“And divorced in no time when the marriage fails.”
“I don’t fail,” he countered. “Ever.”
Harper stared at him, but his gaze didn’t waver. The more she pushed, the more he had to see this through. This was the riskiest, most asinine move he’d ever made, but the payoff would be everything.
Dane would have already called him a dumb ass and told him to think this through, but Ethan had thought it through...for a few seconds, anyway.
“I can’t just marry you,” she repeated.
“Think about it.”
He came to his feet and started back toward the balcony. He could at least wheel the cart inside so he could finish his breakfast. Harper might pick around, too, if the food was in front of her.
“Think about it?” she mocked at his back. “You tell me to think about it and then walk away?”
He spared a glance over his shoulder. “I’m hungry.”
By the time he had moved their breakfast and drinks back inside, Harper didn’t look like she wanted to rip his head off anymore, but she still kept that questioning gaze locked on him.