Читать книгу A Diamond For Del Rio's Housekeeper - Susan Stephens - Страница 3

‘I think we should get married.’

Xavier’s eyes widened. ‘I beg your pardon?’ he said faintly. ‘Am I imagining things, or did you just propose marriage?’

‘That’s exactly what I said,’ Rosie confirmed.

He looked incredulous.

‘It would solve all our problems,’ she said. ‘Yours especially,’ she hurried on, ‘So it seems to me to be the sensible thing to do—’

‘Sensible?’ He raked his hair with exasperated fingers.

‘You need an heir, or you’ll lose your half of the island to me, and unless you’ve got someone in mind—’

‘I don’t.’

‘Then...’

‘Better the devil I know?’ he suggested grimly.

‘You can’t buy me out—you should know that by now—and if we marry you get to keep your share.’

‘What’s in it for you?’

‘Everything,’ she said bluntly. And nothing, she thought. ‘A secure future for the islanders and the island,’ she insisted, ignoring the chill in his eyes. ‘So will you consider my suggestion?’

She had no idea what Xavier was thinking as he stared into the fire. Her best guess was that this was Xavier the businessman, weighing up the odds.

‘I can’t believe you’re serious about this,’ he said, looking around at last.

‘You’d have my full cooperation,’ she stressed, sensing the faintest of possibilities that he might say yes.

‘I would certainly expect your cooperation in bed.’