‘That’s a bit cold-blooded, isn’t it, Mike? Even for you.’

Mike shrugged. ‘The end justifies the means. After all, what right does that hypocritical old buzzard have to insist on such a ridiculous requirement? Being married has nothing to do with being a good businessman. I’m proof of that.’

‘Maybe, but that doesn’t make him hypocritical.’

‘You reckon? I did some investigating myself before I decided on Comproware, delving into its owner’s professional and personal background. Did you know that Chuck’s on his third wife, a woman, I might add, who’s a good twenty-five years younger than his own seventy years? Okay, so they have been married for sixteen years and she’s given him children. Two boys. But does that make him a decent man with solid family values?’

‘I see what you mean,’ Richard muttered.

‘His wife can’t be much better. Do you honestly think she married him for his charm? Hell, no. She hitched herself to a gravy train, like lots of women do with wealthy guys. You know how it is, Rich. Money is one hell of an incentive when it comes to some members of the fairer sex. Since I became a millionaire, I’ve never been lacking for female company. I’ll have no trouble finding myself a temporary wife. I just have to wave the right amount under the right girl’s mercenary little nose.’

‘You sound like you have someone in mind. One of your ex-girlfriends, I suppose. You’ve had enough of them.’

‘Hell, no. None of those will do. The last thing I want is complications, or consequences. I need a wife who knows exactly what I require from her, right from the start. Which is absolutely nothing but appearances. This will be a marriage in name only, to be discreetly dissolved at a later date. There will be no consummation of this union. Be assured of that!’ Mike finished up forcefully.

He was sick and tired of women claiming emotional involvement with him, despite his up-front warnings. They seemed to accept his ‘just-company-and-sex’ rule to begin with. But once he took them to bed a few times, they changed. Mike couldn’t bear it when a woman started telling him she loved him. For one thing, he just didn’t believe them. Women trotted out those three little words all the time to manipulate men. And to try to trap them.

Little did they know that telling Mike they loved him was the kiss of death.

That was the reason for his many exes. As soon as they began to get clingy, that was it. His latest ex had been a dedicated career girl. A lawyer, chosen because he’d thought she might be different. But no…she’d soon become just as possessive as all the others.