The M Word Read Online Free PDF Page B

her
beautiful blue eyes . I would never hurt you .
    “That’s not all,” she said bravely. “I want a
baby.”
    For a moment, Marius wondered if he were
dreaming. The prospect of making love with Brenda was intoxicating.
His voice lowered, “You wish to consummate the marriage?”
    Her face flushed pink. “Not right away. I’d
like to get to know you better, first, but ultimately, yes.”
    He couldn’t believe his good fortune. “Then
you are proposing a real marriage.”
    “Yes. I don’t want a fake marriage and risk
going to jail.”
    “But you don’t love me.”
    “No. I don’t believe in love. Or at least I
have a bad track record. I fall in love with the wrong kind of men.
I’m good with money; I’m good at my job; but I’m crap when it comes
to men.”
    She was so open, so vulnerably honest. He was
humbled by the trust she was giving him.
    She continued, “I decided that I should
approach marriage more logically, like they did hundreds of years
ago.”
    It was a European approach. He knew many
people who married more for convenience than passion. But what had
her bastard ex boyfriend done to make her willing to marry someone
she hardly knew -- almost a stranger?
    She said, “And as long as we’re both honest
and treat each other with respect, we can both get what we
want.”
    He did want her. In his bed. Forever in his
life.
    He would take the risk.
    “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
    #
    The words hung between them for a moment and
the silence lengthened. She’d been thinking about it, worrying
about it, and researching the ramifications of it for more than a
week. And now Marius had said yes. Brenda felt as if she were
suddenly ten pounds lighter. “Okay then,” she said cheerfully.
“We’ll have to talk and make plans. Are you hungry?”
    “A little, yes.”
    “Great. I’ll change out of my work clothes
and we can go out to eat,” she said. “We can iron out the
details.”
    “I’ll put away my tools.”
    “I’ll be right back,” she said hurried down
the hall to her bedroom. She shut and locked the door behind her.
For a moment she stood against the door. Her heart pounded and her
stomach felt as if she'd eaten a dozen hockey pucks.
    Was she crazy? Could she do this?
    She walked to her closet, unbuttoning her
narrow skirt as she went.
    There was no point in wishing she were
fearless; she must make a stand and keep it. Besides, it wasn't
fair to give Marius hope and then snatch it away.
    She stepped out of the skirt and hung it on a
hanger. You can do this, she told herself. It really is what you
want -- a way to get rid of Steven once and for all -- and do
something noble in the process.
    Have a baby.
    She unbuttoned her blouse.
    But sleeping with Marius. Could she do
it?
    He wasn’t her ideal type physically, but from
experience she knew that sex for her was more a matter of attitude
than physical reality. Once she got used to the idea, she’d be
fine. And besides, there was more to a relationship than sex.
    But did she know enough about him?
    From their prior interactions, she knew that
he was pleasant, polite, and neat. He’d never bounced a check.
Today she’d learned that he was generous and honest.
    But what if he were a mass murderer? Or
worse?
    She inwardly laughed at the absurdity of her
thoughts. He couldn't be worse than that. Besides, if she didn't
marry him, Steven would return and wear down her resistance.
    Better devil she didn't know, than the one
she did.
    She quickly donned a short navy knit dress
with three quarter length sleeves and a bateau neckline. Sandals
and chunky white earrings and necklace completed the look.
    Marius smiled when he saw her. “You look
lovely.”
    Brenda returned the smile. She could get used
to his calm appreciation. There was no hint of ulterior motives in
his tone. When most men complimented her, they were just trying to
get her in the sack, but Marius sounded sincere.
    Then her conscience smote her. “There’s one
more thing I forgot