Chapter 4

SALVATORE

He checked his watch and contemplated calling it off. Sure, this had sounded like a great idea last night when he couldn’t sleep, but today, it just seemed insane. He’d wavered back and forth all day trying to decide if he should call her. She would laugh, and she certainly wouldn’t take him seriously anymore.

The cool September breeze was strong coming off the lake, and he considered waiting inside the café. He was early, and she might not arrive for another ten minutes.

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind Alexa walked through the parking lot tugging her long, charcoal-gray coat around her middle.

When she reached him, her nose was pink, and her eyes were sparkling in the midday sun. “Hey, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Actually, you’re early. Did you walk?”

“Yes, this is my favorite park. I walk here every weekend.”

There were so many things he didn’t know about her, and she kept surprising him. “Let’s get you something warm to drink.”

They stood in the short line at the café just inside the museum in the park. She was quiet while they waited, and he wasn’t ready to start the conversation. His nerves were still shot just thinking about it.

When they stepped back outside, the wind had died down, and the sun cast a bit of warmth over the beautiful bay. They walked slowly, sipping their scalding coffee.

“So, how long are you going to keep me in suspense?” She held her warm cup in both hands and looked up at him as they walked.

His tension had eased considerably since she’d arrived, and he wondered why he’d even worried. Alexa was easy to be around, and she would see his intentions.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what you told me last night.”

Alexa tucked her chin to her chest and turned her attention to the path at her feet.

Salvatore continued, “You see, your father’s decision is important to me too. Our partnership could suffer if the wrong successor were to be appointed.”

“I understand. I probably shouldn’t have told you something so private about my company, but you’re right, it does affect you too.”

“I’ve also been facing another problem in my personal life. Ever since Vanessa made our relationship a public spectacle, my life has consisted of sneaking around to avoid the press. They’ve painted me in a bad light, and I don’t much care, except it’s rather frustrating having to hide all the time.”

“That sounds awful.”

Salvatore huffed and his grin lifted on one side. “You have no idea. I had to change cars twice on the way here.”

“You’re kidding. Your building isn’t that far.”

“Yes, but I wanted to make sure we could have this conversation in private.”

She studied him but didn’t press.

He spotted a bench and directed her to it. The briny air held a chill and the seagulls squawked above them. When they sat, he took a moment to compose his thoughts before beginning again.

“I have a proposition for you—a proposal, if you will.”

She stared at him expectantly with those captivating eyes, and he lost his train of thought for a moment.

When the fog lifted from his mind, he continued, “I… I would like to propose a marriage.”

She blinked and cocked her head as if she didn’t understand him.

“I would like to marry you, Alexa.”

After a pause, she narrowed her eyes. “You… what? Why? Why would you want to do that?”

“I know it sounds crazy. We aren’t dating, and we aren’t in love, but we’ve both found ourselves in some unpleasant situations lately.” Salvatore cleared his throat and continued through the panic he felt at the words. “I believe that if you were married to the co-owner and CEO of Caliber’s top distributor that your father would see that you’re putting the company first, like a business alliance, while still maintaining a healthy personal life. You’re not going anywhere. And what’s better is that, if you’re my wife, your brother wouldn’t be able to fire you without upsetting his biggest customer if he were to be chosen for the position.”

She was looking at him with a blank expression, and her mouth hung slightly open in shock.

“Then there’s my dilemma,” Salvatore continued. “I’ve been painted a pitiful fool in the press lately, and it’s not something that I care too much about, but it’s not pleasant. If we were to marry, I have no doubt you and I would be happy together.”

He could see that clearly. Alexa wasn’t vindictive or spiteful like some of the other women he’d dated. He knew that she was different… in a good way.

Salvatore placed his coffee on the bench beside him, and she did the same as he moved an inch closer to her. “You and I are compatible, and those photographers who follow me around wouldn’t be the mobs that want to catch me looking lovesick and distraught. I was followed by photographers before Vanessa came into my life because I’m a billionaire, but those people would only see me in a happy relationship and move on to some new drama.”

Alexaa’s gloved hand rose to her neck, and she looked out at the boats anchored in the bay before turning back to him. “Wow, this is a shock. I’ve been wallowing in my sorrow while you’ve been forming a solution.” She pushed her blonde hair out of her face and continued, “We’ve never touched on the subject of dating.”

He reached for her hand and cradled it in both of his own. “That doesn’t mean it hasn’t crossed my mind.”

Crossing his mind was an understatement at this point. He hadn’t been able to think of anything clearly since the thought of marrying her had entered his mind.

Alexa sucked in a breath and stilled. “But our companies. What if we have a falling out and it damages our business partnership?”

“I would never let that happen. We’re adults, and we’re both mature enough to separate our personal lives from business.”

She gave him a mischievous look. “Are we really? You just made a marriage proposal as part of a business move. A business proposal.”

Salvatore gave a deep chuckle and rubbed the back of her hand. “I did, didn’t I? I just thought maybe this arrangement could work for us in more ways than one.” He rubbed his chin and turned to her with raised brows. “I’m not getting any younger.”

He hadn’t been looking for marriage, but something told him now was the time to act. He didn’t subscribe to the notion that marriage had to happen at a certain point in your life between the ages of twenty-two and twenty-eight. It wasn’t something to be forced. His parents’ relationship had been a model to strive for, and they’d always made it seem effortless, while he’d never been able to make all the parts of a relationship work cohesively.

Alexa was smiling. That was a good sign for him, right? “You’re maybe thirty-one at most, and you’re one of the most handsome and charming bachelors in the country. You’re a long way from ancient.”

“You think I’m handsome and charming?” Now he was getting somewhere.

She rolled her eyes and smirked. “I’m not the only one.”

“But you’re the only one I’m asking to marry me. I’ve made my billions. Now, I want to make a family.”

Her eyes widened and she edged back, pulling her hand away in the process. “Easy, tiger. You just jumped from marriage to babies in sixty seconds flat. Don’t you think we should take some time to talk this through?”

“Of course, that’s why I asked you to meet me.”

She laughed loud and uninhibited. “I mean, I think we both need more than a few minutes to think about it. This is the last thing I expected when you asked to meet today.”

“Of course, I understand.” He tried to mask the uneasiness he felt at her lack of a resounding yes.

“It’s just that dating hasn’t been easy for me.” She picked at her fingernails in her lap and kept her head down. “You know what it’s like being wealthy. It’s hard to know if someone wants to be with you for the right reasons.”

“I certainly understand your concern. The good news is that you and I are in the same boat. You know I’m not using you for your money.”

She nodded. “That’s true. For once, I know for certain that isn’t an issue, but I also haven’t made it very far in any relationship before because of this problem. No one has ever tried to get to know the real me, and I’ve never really opened up to someone. I never had a chance.”

He thought it was terrible that no one had taken the time to know her. Alexa was incredibly interesting and intelligent. Not to mention she was gorgeous in a classic, Alexa sticated way. She carried herself with grace and poise, and lately, he’d found himself thinking about her more often.

“We can change that. I’d love to get to know you. I already admire and respect you. I’m eager to know more about you.”

The wind lifted her hair in strands around her face, and he reached to tuck one back, but ended up stroking her temple. The urge to touch her was growing stronger with every encounter, and now he knew this was a good idea. If only she would see it too. He’d prayed for hours last night, and now, he felt a surety he couldn’t explain.

Her lips turned up in a hesitant smile. “I’d like to spend more time with you too. Let me think about it, please. I like your idea, but this is a big decision.”

“Of course. Could I take you to dinner tomorrow night?”

Her melodious laugh twined around them again. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”

“I know this would be good for us. Please give me a chance.” He clenched his teeth as he waited for her answer.

“Okay, I’ll meet you for dinner tomorrow.”

“No, I want to pick you up. Give me your address and cell number.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, ignoring the seventeen messages as he stored her contact information.

She laughed but rattled off her number and address. “I can’t believe I’m actually considering this.”

“I pray you’ll do more than consider.”

She rolled her eyes, and he noticed her dimples as she smiled. “You’re certainly a charmer, Mr. Bradford.”

“I’ve only just begun. I believe Mrs. Alexa Bradford has a nice ring to it.”

“Speaking of rings, shouldn’t you have one of those? This is a poor proposal without one.” She shook her head in mock disappointment.

“Don’t you worry about that. I’ll have one before our dinner tomorrow night.” They stood and he reached for her hand as they walked. She didn’t resist, and her hand felt right resting with his.

“But I haven’t said yes.”

He smirked and squeezed her hand. “But I’m hoping that you will.”