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“I’ her hands “I hate this, and I didn’t want to be part of it It’s awful that we have to coerce you into doing so you’re not ready to do”

He believed her Unlike him, she was a romantic, a dreamer shattered by her second divorce

“Arianna and I will leave you to it” Rebecca stood

“I haven’t agreed to anything” He refused to be railroaded

“You’ll do what you need to” Hisdown

She closed the door with a decisive click, sealing him in with the enemy Hope was a beautiful, seductive temptress, but the enemy, nonetheless

“You’re a matchmaker”

“It’s an honorable profession”

“Is it? Much like operating an escort service I hire you I will end up paying to fuck a woeable with any number of other candidates”

“That’s as insulting as it is crass” She set her chin and didn’t sever the connection of their gazes, er with cool, aloof professionalism

He wanted to shake it from her, strip her bare, discover what lay beneath the surface to leave nothing but aching, pulsing honesty between them

Either not noticing the tension or ignoring it, she continued “Throughout history, faes all the tioes on Today, there’s a bigger need for my services than ever before I have clients all over the world, froes Often, men in your position don’t have time to meet women in the traditional way You’re far too busy, important, insulated”

“Spare me the sales pitch”

“It makes sense to select someone I’ve interviewed, a woman who suits the needs of a ht teoals, ious preferences A wo to assume those responsibilities”

“A business arrangement”

“If you like”

Rafe took his seat and left her standing It was undoubtedly rude, but justified His e, but Hope had been part of the early- intervention She could have refused, but she hadn’t That lance at the folders “Ayour pardon, candidate—who understands what she’s getting herself into?”