“Would you consider the idea?” He fought down a sense of irritation that she hadn’t jumped at the chance. Most of the women he’d known wouldn’t have hesitated to accept his offer.

“This is a little fast, Cole.”

“You said you were unattached. We can make it a marriage in name only if you’d prefer.” The statement cost him every ounce of chivalry he possessed. Since he’d stood in the doorway of her darkened office, watching her work, he’d longed to have her in his arms. But once the marriage was official, he could work on the physical side of it. First, he had to maneuver himself into a position of power, then turn it to his advantage.

“I want a family, Cole. I don’t want just an empty shell of a marriage, and I don’t want to waste my time on a temporary arrangement.”

Family. The word pierced Cole’s conscience as cleanly as a well-honed knife. Little did Darci know the real reason he was marrying her. “But first, you have to gain control of the company or you’ll lose everything.”

She remained silent, the truth of his words reflected in her eyes.

“It’s the only way we can both have what we want.”

“Will I still be president, or will you take that over, too?”

“You can be president and I’ll be vice president in charge of something or other. But we’ll work together, make the decisions together and take control together.”

“But what about—”

“Darci, do you want my help? Do you want to keep this company under your leadership?” He was playing dirty, pushing her to make a decision before she had time to think, but he didn’t have any choice. His situation had turned desperate, all other options had been ripped from his hold.

“Yes.”

“For now, let’s agree on a one-year marriage. We’ll work out the other details later. Our first concern is getting the corporation back on solid ground. We need to move quickly or we stand to lose everything.”

Slowly, the color returned to her face and he risked releasing his hold on her. He held out his hand across the table.

“Deal, partner?”

She hesitated, running her tongue across her lips and leaving a tantalizing trail of wetness. Slowly, she lifted her hand and placed it in his.

The softness of her skin sent a charge racing up his arm that almost made him pull back. The desire he held for her would be very dangerous. But he’d courted danger before and won. He could do it again.

“Deal. When do we make it official?”