The M Word Read Online Free PDF

had the time.”
    She still couldn’t believe his
generosity.
    He said, “Consider it a gift. Between
friends?”
    Could they become friends?
    She took a deep, steadying breath, then
asked, “Would you like to marry me?”

CHAPTER THREE
     
    Marius threw back his head and laughed.
Brenda Williamson wanted to marry him? How marvelously
convenient .
    She flushed. “I didn't think it was that
funny.”
    Marius wiped the corners of his eyes. “No,
you're right,” he said politely. “Forgive me. I forget how blunt
American women are. You surprised me.”
    She rushed to explain. “I haven't fallen in
love with you. I'm offering you an arranged marriage: a chance to
get your green card.”
    Of course. What else could it be? He
watched her carefully, to gage her response. “Why?”
    “Your student visa is expiring. If you marry
me, you can become a permanent resident.”
    He shook his head. “No,” he said clearly. “I
don’t need it. My student visa was extended.”
    Brenda felt oddly letdown. “But it will
expire eventually.”
    “Yes, and there are other ways to become a
permanent resident. Thank you, very much for your offer, though.
You have a tender heart.”
    “You’re turning me down?”
    No doubt she’d thought he would jump at her
offer like a starving dog for bone.
    He hesitated. He should turn her down, but he
was tempted, none-the-less. He asked, “Why do you want to marry
me?” Did she expect him to pay her? He’d heard of such arrangements
since coming to the United States.
    She picked at a loose thread on her skirt to
avoid his scrutiny. She said, “Ever since I read the article about
you, I keep thinking how unfair life is. Because I was lucky and
born here, to my parents, I have freedom, a comfortable life and
endless opportunities. And here you are, on the brink of being
deported.”
    “Not really. It was a simple matter of filing
the right paperwork. I am fine.”
    She glanced at him briefly, then away. “But
that's not the only reason.”
    He waited.
    “There's a man. An old boyfriend.”
    “Ah.” He knew a woman as lovely as Brenda
would have a man in her life. “He is bothering you?”
    She looked embarrassed. “Yes, that's it
exactly. I've told him I don't want to see him again, and he
doesn't believe me. And I ...” She stopped, then blurted out, “And
I'm afraid I'll take him back.”
    So she still loved him. Warning bells rang in
his mind, telling him not to get involved with this beautiful woman
and her troubled life. She will only bring you sorrow, he thought,
but already it was too late.
    He'd looked up into her beautiful blue eyes
nearly a year ago at the park and known that he would never be the
same. Something about her had pierced his heart like no other woman
before her. He had come to the bank regularly, just to see her,
just to hear her speak.
    But he had nothing to offer her, so he had
waited. And now, she wanted to marry him.
    God was generous.
    She continued, “I thought if I was married to
you, it would prove to him that I was serious.”
    He smiled wryly. “Marriage to another man
would tend to do that, yes.”
    “Besides that, you're big and strong.”
    “You want me to beat him?”
    “Would you?”
    He clenched his hands into fists, surprised
by the wave of possessiveness he felt. “I've never beaten a man
before, but if necessary, yes, I would do it.”
    Her eyes widened at the fierce note in his
voice, and he knew he'd frightened her. Whom did he think he was,
Alfredo confronting the Baron? Times had changed since the 1850's.
These days, one couldn't challenge another man to a duel. Not
without legal repercussions.
    “I'm sorry,” she said quickly. “It was a
crazy idea. You probably have a girlfriend, anyway. Forget it.”
    He took a deep breath, forcing himself to
relax, and smiled to reassure her. He said quietly, “No, I don’t
have a girl friend and I don't want to forget it.”
    She hesitated, wary.
    Trust me , he thought, looking into