"Not exactly." A small smile tweaked the side of his mouth, his twinkling eyes betraying his amusement. "I think the answer to that is dependent on your interpretation of love. I don't expect love, Rhia, but I do expect sex." He closed the gap between them and positioned himself in front of her, straddling her chair, his long legs wide balanced as he looked down at her. "If you're honest you'll agree we have enough chemistry going on here between us to ignite a bonfire."
Rhia's face flamed at his candid assessment but couldn't deny what he was saying.
"I was thinking more of a mutually agreed arrangement where we share all aspects of our lives, including sex, till the year is up. Then we'd stop the arrangement." He was a mere step away.
"That sounds like I'd be a long-term whore or a mistress!" Rhia recoiled from him.
"We'd be living together legally as man and wife." Luke bent toward her.
"For a year?" She remained rooted in place, but her whole body frizzled.
"That's what it will take to fulfill the requirements of the will. Then the property will be mine."
Barely a hairsbreadth separated them now.
)
