Read Online Required to Wear the Tycoon's Ring by Maggie Cox - Free Book Online Page B

to entertain the idea of another relationship—at least not one where we put our hearts on the line. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life alone. I’d like a companion, if nothing else—someone I can share my life with but who wouldn’t be beholden to me emotionally. Such an undertaking would also help me in my business dealings. People immediately view men like me as more trustworthy and honourable if they are married. To cut to the chase, I’m asking you if you’d consider being that person, Imogen.’
    The atmosphere had suddenly grown tense, as if an impending storm was on its way . Seth honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d experienced being so unsettled.
    Shifting in her chair, Imogen took her time answering him. Just when he’d convinced himself she was going to refuse, one corner of her pretty mouth lifted in an amused smile.
    â€˜It’s funny, but I was thinking about getting myself a companion earlier. I decided that I would get a kitten.’
    He frowned. ‘A kitten? Is that really all you want to share your life with?’
    â€˜It would undoubtedly be a lot less demanding than a man.’
    â€˜But it would hardly help support you, would it?’
    â€˜I don’t want anyone to support me. In any case, I’m hardly going to trust a man to help me, am I? I certainly wouldn’t risk giving up my independence to one.’
    â€˜I don’t blame you for feeling that way, but I’m not the idiot who didn’t show up on your wedding day, Imogen. If I give my word I keep it. I’m a very wealthy man, and if you agreed to my proposition I’d take care of everything financially. You’d never have to worry about where you were going to live or how you were going to manage again. It goes without saying that I would give you a generous allowance.’
    Taking a deep breath in, Seth breathed out and studied the brunette. So far he couldn’t gauge what she was feeling. There was no longer any suggestion of a smile. Instead, her expression was carefully guarded. He decided to carry on.
    â€˜In return...I’d like you to come and live with me. That would mean that whenever I travelled abroad for work, or simply when I wanted a vacation, you would go with me as my companion. It wouldn’t mean you couldn’t do other things. I like to think that I’m a reasonable man. But I would never tolerate you bringing my name into disrepute. It’s not too onerous, but I have a somewhat public profile because of what I do, and I’ve already entrusted some very personal information to you. I wouldn’t want to risk my story being sold to the newspapers. It goes without saying that I would never reveal what you’ve told me to anyone else. What we’ve shared is just between the two of us and private. To sum up—if you’re in agreement, I’d like to make our arrangement official.’
    Seth saw the colour in her face drain a little.
    â€˜What do you mean, exactly?’
    â€˜I’m suggesting that we do things legally and get married.’

CHAPTER FIVE
    I MOGEN WAS STUNNED . So stunned that she couldn’t think , let alone speak. In a bid to engage her brain with her mouth, she gulped down some coffee. When she glanced up and saw that Seth’s blisteringly blue eyes were all but eating her up as he waited for her answer, she murmured, ‘You’re serious?’
    â€˜Yes, I am. I don’t have time to play games, Imogen. I’ve been on my own for a long time. It wouldn’t be a one-sided arrangement. As I told you before, it would benefit us both.’
    â€˜And how do you work that out? Isn’t your work mainly in the States? I live and work here , Seth.’
    â€˜I’m opening a new dealership in London, so it’s very likely I’ll be based here for a while. If I have Evergreen renovated and refurbished we could