Yahrah St. John - His Marriage Demand

“You’re not helping me, Shana.”

“I have always been a straight shooter, Fallon,” Shana replied. “It’s what you love about me, so I’m telling you how I see it. I want you to consider what you could be getting yourself into before you make a life-altering decision.”

“Aha!” Fallon said. “You’ve given me an idea.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

“If I agree, I can stipulate the marriage is temporary. I think six months is enough time to get Stewart Technologies back on its feet with an influx of cash and cement Gage’s place in Austin society. What do you think?”

Shana shook her head. “I don’t know, Fallon. You’re playing with fire.”

“Without risk, there can’t be a great reward.” Fallon sure hoped she was right because she was banking her future and Stewart Technologies on making the right call.

* * *

Gage couldn’t wait forty-eight hours for Fallon to make a decision. He had to persuade her. All day in his home office he’d been thinking about her and he knew the only way to stop himself from going crazy was to see her again.

He picked up his cell phone and called her.

“Gage?” Fallon said. “Have you changed your mind? Did you come to the conclusion your arrangement was just as crazy as it sounds?”

“Quite the contrary. I wanted to see you. ”

“You told me I had forty-eight hours.”

“And you do,” Gage replied smoothly. “I’m going to do everything in my power to convince you to say yes. Starting with a date tonight.”

“Tonight? I can’t. I have to work.”

“Excuses, excuses, Fallon. You’re afraid to be alone with me after what transpired between us last night.”

“That’s not true.” She paused for several beats. “I admit I find you attractive.”

“Face facts, Fallon, if we hadn’t been in public, the evening might have ended differently.”

“You’re very sure of yourself.”

“I know what I want.”

“And...oh, that’s right, you want me,” Fallon finished. “Well, I’m not that easy, Gage.”

“I didn’t think you were, but I admit I’d like to know more. Last night was the tip of the iceberg. Let me see you tonight.”

“I need time to think, Gage. I don’t appreciate the strong-arm tactics.”

“I would think if you’re going to agree to shackle yourself to me, you would want to get to know the man you’ll marry. Or would you rather walk into this as strangers?”

“You seem to think it’s a forgone conclusion I’ll say yes to your outrageous proposal.”

“I’m encouraged because you haven’t said no.”

“Fine. I’ll meet you. Where and when?”

Gage shook his head. Oh, no, he wasn’t falling into this trap again. He wanted a proper date. “ I will pick you up at Stewart Manor. And, Fallon?”

“Yes?”

“Dress to impress. Because I’m taking you to the opera.”

Gage ended the call with a smile on his face. That hadn’t been as hard as he’d imagined. She was recalcitrant, but he’d convinced her it was in both their best interests to get to know one another. The problem was he didn’t have tickets, but he’d heard from Theo that Puccini’s La bohème was playing at Austin Opera and he knew anyone who was anyone would be there.

Austin society would see the former maid’s son out on the town with Fallon Stewart. It was brilliant. He would kill two birds with one stone. Cement his place in society and spend time with the woman who would be his wife. Now he had to convince Fallon there was no way she could walk away from him.

* * *

Dress to impress.

Fallon stood in front of her gilded pedestal mirror and glanced at the double-strapped, off-the-shoulder red gown with a deep side slit. The dress showed a generous amount of leg while the sweetheart neckline revealed a swell of cleavage.

She didn’t want to give Gage any ideas that the evening would end differently than it had last night with them each going home alone.

After applying some red lipstick and a touch of blush to her cheeks, she was ready for an evening at the opera. But was she really ready? The remainder of the afternoon after Gage’s call, she’d picked up the phone to cancel a half a dozen times. Yet she’d always stopped herself because maybe deep down she really did want to see him.

Fallon couldn’t understand the pull Gage had on her after all these years. He’d awakened something in her and she wasn’t sure how to get it back under control.

The doorbell rang and her stomach lurched. There was no turning back. Grabbing her matching red clutch purse and wrap, she made for the front door. When she swung it open, Gage stood there, resplendent in a black tuxedo with satin lapels. He was wearing a red tie that complemented her dress.

Fallon felt his eyes rake her up and down. It made her feel as if she was plugged into an electrical socket because currents were running through her veins. When she looked into those brooding brandy-colored eyes, her insides hummed.

“You look incredible!”

“Thank you,” Fallon said coolly and wrapped her shawl around her shoulders.

Gage took her arm and led her outside to the waiting limo. He helped her inside, picking up the hem of her dress as she slid in.

Once he was seated beside her and the chauffeur closed the door, he reached across the short distance to the ice bucket and pulled out a bottle of Dom Pérignon. He uncorked it easily and poured them a glass. He handed her one and dinged his flute against hers. “To an unforgettable evening.”

Fallon was sure it was going to be nothing but.

* * *

La bohème was everything. Gage had spared no expense. When they arrived, they were shown to box seats near the front of the opera house with a clear view of the stage. The singers were amazing and, by the end of the night, Fallon was on her feet along with the entire theater giving them a standing ovation.

“I didn’t realize you were such a fan,” Gage said from her side.

“I’ve come from time to time with my father,” Fallon replied. “Mama couldn’t be bothered. Said it was much too boring for her, but I loved it. Plus, it was something my father and I could do together.”

“Must be nice,” Gage said wistfully as he led her out of the theater and away from the throng.

“Did you know your father?” Fallon asked, turning to give him a sideward glance.

Gage’s glare told Fallon she’d made a misstep in asking something so personal. Wasn’t the point of tonight’s exercise for them to get to know each other?

Their limousine was waiting by the curb. Fallon was thankful they didn’t have to wait with the crowd lining the streets. Within minutes they were pulling away and Gage asked the chauffeur to raise the privacy screen.

“Where to next?” Fallon inquired. There had been an uncomfortable silence between them since she’d inquired about his father. It was clear Gage didn’t wish to speak of him.

“I didn’t know him,” Gage said finally.

Fallon didn’t need to ask what he meant.

“My mother never spoke of him. Only told me that he was an older gentleman who’d taken advantage of her youth and naïveté. Once she was pregnant, he turned his back on her and she never saw him again.”

“That’s why you pushed me away,” Fallon replied softly. “Because you didn’t want to be like him.”

When Gage turned to her, his eyes were cloudy. “Very insightful of you. But know this, Fallon. If you had been a few years older, I wouldn’t have turned you away.”

“You wouldn’t?”

“No. I would have taken what you offered.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted you. I wanted you then and I want you now.”