Brianne bit her lip as she considered what he said. Gabe’s gaze lingered on her mouth, on the straight, white teeth pressing into her full lower lip. A bolt of hunger pierced right through him.
“And your dad?” she asked tentatively.
He hissed out a heated breath even as he wondered how she would taste if he took a sip of that lush mouth.
“My biological father is out of the picture.” He knew that in no uncertain terms. “Apparently Malcolm put Liam at the helm of the company a few years ago and McNeill Resorts started to falter, which is some of what prompted all the new emphasis on the next generation and inspired the unorthodox terms of the will. Liam never placed any importance on family.”
“So Jason will be introduced to his great-grandfather, three new uncles, plus their wives.” Brianne ticked them off on her fingers, putting the size of the family into perspective. “Are there any cousins in the mix yet?”
Gabe noticed the rose-colored stone on her pinkie ring was facing the wrong way and couldn’t resist reaching over to rotate it a quarter turn, letting his fingers brush hers for a second longer than necessary. He wanted to touch her more.
And often.
The awareness between them wasn’t going away. If anything, it increased every hour they spent together.
“Cameron’s wife, Maresa, had a daughter coming into their marriage. And you heard that Damon and Caroline now have a son, Lucas?” He looked at her for confirmation. Damon lived in Silicon Valley these days, but he’d made an appearance at the family compound in Martinique a few weeks ago. Caroline hadn’t even known she was pregnant when she was kidnapped a year ago, so Damon had been shocked to discover they had a son when she returned from her captivity after a bout of amnesia. “Plus Jager and Delia are expecting their first child this summer.”
“Jason will be surrounded by cousins.” Smiling, Brianne reached up to adjust the vent near her seat. The cool air wafted a soft hint of her fragrance his way, a single fragrant note. “No wonder you’d like closer ties to the family.”
She understood. Family was important to her, and now she recognized how deeply significant it was for him. The knowledge eased the last of his worries about his plan even as the traces of her scent heightened the urge to get closer.
“I want to strengthen that bond.” He knew Brianne would appreciate directness. But he’d definitely never envisioned himself making this kind of appeal. “That’s why I’m second-guessing myself about my approach with Malcolm.” Sensing the time was drawing near to make his pitch, he retrieved the carafe from the small table in front of them. “More water?”
“Sure.” She lifted her cut crystal glass and held it out to him. “What do you mean? I thought you were going to try and convince him to remove the marriage stipulation from his will?”
Gabe’s hand touched hers briefly as she passed him the glass. He couldn’t deny that touching her more often was a definite benefit of his plan. Brianne fascinated him, from her down-to-earth beauty to her easy way around his son. She had values he shared. And yes, she was a sensual, appealing woman.
Just thinking about her made him remember the need to top off his own glass. A cool drink would be a wise idea right about now.
“It occurs to me I’m the odd man out when all of my brothers and half brothers have already fallen in line with Malcolm’s wishes.” But Gabe knew even that could change, since there was a whole other branch of the family that Malcolm had only revealed to them a few weeks ago. Liam’s older brother, Donovan, had disavowed his father long ago, and refused to acknowledge McNeill Resorts or any of the McNeill legacy. No doubt Donovan had started over again in Wyoming, making his own fortune, and no doubt there were potential heirs out there whom Malcolm would try to draw back into the fold. But considering the way Donovan had shunned the rest of the family, Gabe wasn’t sure any of those cousins would be interested.
“I thought that was one of your biggest reasons for going to New York?” Brianne’s dark eyebrows furrowed as she accepted the glass from him, the gray cashmere wrap sliding off her shoulder when she moved.
“No. My main focus is learning more about their business and strengthening ties with the McNeills for Jason’s sake.”
“Because you can’t allow Jason to be left out of the will. It’s not fair that he can’t inherit because Theresa chose to walk away.” She sipped her water, the ice cubes clinking against the glass. “No one could have foreseen that.”
He couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you for being defensive on my son’s behalf.”
“He is your son,” she said simply. “He deserves all the privileges that come with the McNeill name.”
“I couldn’t agree more. But there may be a better way to secure those rights. One that won’t put me at odds with my grandfather as soon as I set foot in New York.” He set aside the water pitcher and his untouched glass. The jet would be initiating descent soon and he wanted to secure an answer from Brianne before they reached their destination.
“How?” She set her drink aside, too, curious.
Unsuspecting.
“I could do what the rest of my brothers have done.” He watched her carefully. “I could marry.”
Her eyes went wide, jaw dropping. “Seriously?” Then she shook her head, as if none of what he’d said made any sense. “I thought you said you would never marry again?”
That had been before he acknowledged the danger of Theresa deciding she wanted to revisit the custody terms they’d already settled upon legally. Yes, she’d been glad to give him full custody at the time of their divorce. Grateful, even. But if she suddenly decided it would be a marketing hook for her career to have a baby in tow, might she try to convince a judge to overturn the agreement? As much as Gabe wanted Jason to know his birth mother, he wouldn’t allow it to happen at the expense of a stable home. Being married could give Gabe an extra edge legally.
Not that he would complicate matters with Brianne by dragging all that up.
“This marriage would be very different,” he said instead. “A practical arrangement to serve a particular need.” He meant that. But damn. As soon as he’d spoken the words, his brain conjured very different practical needs that might be served if he wed in name only.
And had Brianne in his bed.
“A marriage of convenience?” The words came out on a horrified half whisper almost drowned out by the drone of the plane’s engines.
He’d managed to scandalize her. Not quite what he was going for. So he concentrated on laying out the terms the same way he’d sketch out a plan for a building, helping her to see the final product before she dressed it up with landscaping.
“A legal union for twelve months and a day. Just long enough to ensure Jason can inherit his share of the McNeill legacy.” He studied her, surprised she hadn’t made the connection yet about where this was headed. About her role in it. But he knew she felt the spark of attraction that he did, even if she ignored it as studiously as he had.
He needed to get past that careful facade now. Acknowledge the heat for what it was—a sensual connection that could make the next twelve months incredibly rewarding for both of them. Reaching across the leather armrest between them, Gabe took her hands in his. Her skin was cool to the touch. The pale pink paint on her short nails shone under the dome light.
“Brianne.” He slid his thumbs over the insides of her palms, stroking light circles there before he met her dark gaze again. “I want you to marry me.”
*