Chapter Three

Alex Smith glanced around, satisfied with the result his conference room provided a business atmosphere.. 

The contracts were well laid out, with an elegant silver tray filled with tea,coffee and a variety of pastries. Formal, yet friendly which would reflect the tone of their marriage.

He ignored the deep pitch in his gut when he thought of encountering Maya Davis again. He wondered how she had grown, the stories his sister shared painted her an impulsive, reckless woman, she didn't fit the image he needed but his sister Olivia insisted she would be perfect.

Stubborn memories of a free spirited kid with a ponytail bobbing teased his thoughts, even though he knew she owned a flower store, hr still thought of her as Olivia's play mate, despite the fact that he hadn't seen her in years.

But time was running out.

They shared a distant past, but he could sense that Maya could be trusted. She may not fit the idea of his perfect wife but she needed the money and he needed a wife, fast. Olivia remained silent regarding the reason she needed the money, but she painted Maya pretty desperate, a need for cash he was comfortable with. 

He reached for the intercom to buzz us secretary but the door swung open, he turned around. 

Deep blue eyes cut straight to his with little hesitation and a clearness that told him this woman would lose any poker game. He recognized her gaze very well, but age had changed the color to an aqua marine. 

Her eyes were startling against the inky black hair, which consisted of curls that went down her shoulders. High cheekbones set off a lush mouth, he used to ask her if shehad been stubg by a bee when they were little,then crack up laughing. 

The joke was on him, hot male fantasies were built around a mouth like hers and it had nothing to do with the bees. Just honey. Preferably warm, sticky honey poured on those plump lips and slowly licked off. 

He reigned himself in and finished his inspection, he remembered torturing her whne he found out she had started wearing a bra. An early developer, she had been mortified by his discovery, and he used the information wisely. Now, it wasn't funny anymore, her breasts were as lush as her mouth, and matched the curve of her hips. She was in a red dress that emphasized her cleavage, skimmed over her hips, and fell into the floor. Pink toe nails peeked through shiny nude sandals, she remained in the doorway ad if to let him talein his gaze before she decided to move. 

Feeling somewhat staggered, Alex fought past his discomposure and relied on professionalism to hide his reaction. Maya Davis had grown up well. A little too well for his taste, but there was no need to let her know that. 

He offered her the same neutral smile he would offer any business associate. 

"Hello Maya, its been a long time."

She smiled back, but it did not reach her eyes. She shifted her fee and fisted her hands, "Hello Alex, how are you?" 

"Fine, please have a seat. I can pour you some coffee or tea." 

"Coffee." 

"Cream, sugar?" 

"Cream, thank you." she slid gracefully into the cushioned chair swiveled away form the desk and crossed her legs. 

They studied each other for a while in silence. She plucked at the delicate gold bracelet on her wrist. "I am sorry about your Uncle Billy." 

"Thank you. Did Olivia fill you in on the details?" 

"The whole thing sounds crazy." 

"It is, Uncle Billy believed in family, and before he died, he was convinced i will never settle down. Therefore, he decided a strong push would be for my own good."

"What do you have against marriage?" 

He shrugged, "Marriage is unnecessary. The dream of forever is a fairy tale. White knights and monogamy doesn't exist." 

She drew back in surprise, "You don't believe in making a commitment to someone else?" 

"Commitments are short lived. Sure, people mean it when they confess love and devotion, but time erodes all the good stuff and leaves the bad. Do you personally know anyone who is happily married?" 

She parted her lips, then lapsed into silence. "Besides my parents? I guess not. But that doesn't mean there aren't any happy couples." 

"Maybe." his tone contradicted his partial agreement. 

"I guess there are alot of issues we don't agree on," she said, and shifted in her seat then crossed her legs. 

"We will need some time together to see if this will work." 

"We have no time, the wedding has to take place by the end of next week. It doesn't matter if we get along. This is strictly a business arrangement." 

She narrowed her eyes, "I see you are still the same overbearing bully who teased me about my chest size. Some things don't change." 

He focused his attention on the dip of her dress. "I guess you are right. Some things remains the same and others keep expanding." 

Her breath caught at the jab but she surprised him when he smiled. "And other things remain small." Her pointed stare settled directly on the bulge in the center of his pants. 

Alex almost sputtered in his coffee but managed to set the cup down with calm dignity. A rush of heat punched his gut as he remembered the day in the pool when they were kids. 

He had been teasing Maya mercilessly about the changes in her body when Olivia snuck up behind him and yanked down his swim trunks. Exposed in all senses, he had snuck away and pretended the whole episode didn't happen. But the memory still ranked as his most embarrassing moment. 

He motioned to the papers in front of her. "Olivia told me you needed a specific amount of money. I kept the figure open for negotiation." 

An odd expression crossed her face. Her features tightened, "Is this the contract?" 

He nodeed, "I know you will need your lawyer to look over it.

" No need. A friend of mine is a lawyer. I learned enough, since i helped him study for the bar exam. May i see it?"

He slid the papers over the polished wood. She reached into her bag and pulled out small reading glasses. She started going through the contracts which gave Alex the time to study her. His strong attraction to her irritated him. Laura wasn't his type, she was too curvy, too direct, too real. He liked to know he was safe from emotional outbursts if something didn't go her way. Maya scared the hell out of him. Something in his gut screamed she will be difficult to handle and deal with. She spoke her mind and exhibited emotions without thought. Such reactions caused anger and havoc and messiness, the last thing he needed in a marriage. 

Yet..... 

He trusted her. 

One cherry red fingernail tapped the edge of the page in a steady rhythm. She looked up. Alex wondered why her skin took a pale tone, when she seemed so flushed and healthy a moment ago. 

"You have a list of requirements?" she said it as if she was accusing him of a capital crime instead of making a list of assets and liabilities. 

He cleared his throat, "Just a few qualities, i would like my wife to have." She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. She seemed to struggle to get them out. 

"You want a hostess, an orphan and a robot all rolled up into one. Is that fair?" 

He took a deep breath. "You are exaggerating. Just because i would like to marry someone with grace and business sense, doesn't mean am a monster." 

She gave an unladylike snort. "You want a stepford wife without the sex. Haven't you learned anything about women since you wees fourteen?" 

"I learned plenty. That's why uncle Billy had to force me into an institution that favors women in the first place."

She gasped, "Men get plenty out of marriage too." 

"Like what?" 

"Steady sex and companionship." 

"After six months the headaches start and you bore each other out." 

"Someone to grow old with." 

"Men never want to grow old, that's why they keep seeking out younger women." 

Her mouth dropped open. She closed it with one quick snap. "Children...a family..someone who will love you in sickness and health." 

"Someone who spends all your money and nags you every night and bitches about cleaning your mess."

"You are sick."