He stiffened at that. “I was born into this lifestyle and am not going to apologize for it.”
“Of course not. Have you ever apologized for anything in your life?” she asked him sweetly.
He glowered at her and opened his mouth and then clamped it shut. “We're going to have to come to some sort of agreement. As I said before, we're in this together and I'm asking you to go along with it. We could announce the engagement this coming week and then prepare to have the wedding before Christmas.”
“Oh? Are your mother and sister on board?”
He shrugged and avoided her eyes. “They will be.”
“And how will this work? I live in the manor and we have separate suites?”
“Yes,” he told her tightly. “We live separate lives when we are in private and pretend that we are a happy couple when we're out. You'll be required to attend functions with me as the board will be watching closely—as will the press.”
“I'm not very good at pretending.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that I'm really not cut out for all the façade and fabrications of your society. I am simple a gal, Mr. Hoffman, and no one is going to believe that I'm your type.” She spread her hands. “I'm a size sixteen African-American woman and happen to proud of it. Your type runs to emaciated white women who simper and tell you everything you want to hear. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to pull it off.”
He stared at her for a moment and then got to his feet abruptly, going to the window to look out, his shoulders hunched. Donna stared at the broad back and felt her pulse skittering, her heart racing. He dwarfed the small room with his imposing presence. His thick hair was slightly tousled and the green sweater he had on was an exact match to his eyes. His cashmere jacket was opened and reached past his knees. He was wealthy and entitled and it showed. She also knew that he was ruthless and cynical. He turned to face her and their eyes met. “I have never begged for anything in my life, but I'm begging now. The company is my sweat and blood and I stand to lose it if you don't marry me. I will try to stay out of your way as much as possible during the year we're married, and I promise to make it as painless as possible.”
She inclined her head. “What about work?”
“What about it?” he asked with a frown.
“I have a job at the company.”
“You'll be my wife and as such you won't be expected to work.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “I will continue to work and that isn't negotiable,” she told him firmly.
“It will not look good for a wife of mine to be working.”
“I don’t give a crap how it looks! I don’t much care for the way people think, Mr. Hoffman.”
“I do,” he said tightly. “I'm asking you to reconsider.”
“And I'm telling you that my work is a deal breaker. I have to work.”
“You will not need the money.”
“I don’t need the money now,” she pointed out. “I'm going to continue to work.”
“As you wish,” he told her coldly. “So, you are agreeing to the wedding?”
“Why the hell not? I think you're the best person to run the company anyway and this fake marriage will be a good run for when I do the real thing.”
His look was scathing as he stared at her. “I'm happy to accommodate you.”
“Thank you.” She got to her feet. “Is that all?”
“Yes,” he bit out. “I will iron out the details with Clint when he gets back and I guess I will see you tomorrow in the office. We could announce our engagement a week for now.”
“How do I behave around you at the office? Considering that you've never given me a second look since I've been there, people aren't going to believe that you suddenly started noticing me and even more have feelings for me.”
“I will damn well do whatever it takes to keep the company, Ms. Nichols,” he told her grimly. “I'll start by sending for you to come to me.”
“And you had better start coming to my sanctum as well,” she told him caustically. “Makes it look real.”
He nodded. “I will do that. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon, Ms. Nichols.”
“One more thing.” She stopped him as he moved towards the door.
“What is that?”
“In order for this to work, you're going to have to start calling me Donna.”
He nodded. “And you must call me Thomas.”
“Like the rest of the crowd?” she scoffed. “What about Tommy?”
His mouth tightened. “No.”
“Tom as in the cat?” she prodded, hiding a smile at the horrified look on his face.
“No.”
“I have to call you something endearing.”
“Thomas will have to do.”
“Are you sure?”
His eyes skimmed over her body, taking in the simple burgundy sweater dress and the way she'd piled her thick dark hair on top of her head with tendrils escaping. Her full round face was dominated by large dark brown eyes and long lashes. He settled on the full lips before going back to her eyes. “I'm positive. Have a good evening.” He strode swiftly towards the door and let himself out. Donna went and locked the door, leaning against it for a moment and closing her eyes. She had one year to convince him that they belonged together.
*****
“Darling there must be something the lawyers can do to get you out of this dreadful situation!” Rosalee Hoffman remarked as she cut into her veal. They were having dinner in the smaller dining room this time and the maids had finished serving the meal and made their way discreetly from the room. The shroud of grief still surrounded the house, which was to be expected.
Thomas’ lips quirked into a smile. “It might not be so bad,” he said with a shrug as he reached for his wine glass. “The year will go by swiftly and I'll be able to get out of it quietly and without much fuss.”
“What if she doesn't want to let you go?” his sister asked.
Thomas stared at her for a moment and then shook his head. “She finds this as despicable as I do.”
“Why? You're quite a catch for someone like her. You're handsome, incredibly wealthy, and any woman would be proud to be your wife. What are you going to tell Caroline? She's been looking forward to becoming Mrs. Thomas Hoffman.”
His mouth tightened grimly. He was certainly not looking forward to the conversation he was going to have with her. “I'll tell her that I met someone else.”
“You aren't going to tell her the truth?” Talia asked him incredulously.
“I'm trying to minimize the number of people who know.”
“Darling, you've been seeing this woman for the past several months and led her to believe that the relationship will turn into something much more. Do you honestly think she'll believe you when you tell her otherwise?” his mother asked.
“You're right.” He finished the wine. “I'm going to have to tell her the truth and assure her that I'm not on board.”
“I think that's the sensible thing to do.” Rosalee nodded. “And both Talia and I will do our best to tolerate that woman.”