“Sterling . . .” I grip his shoulders and push him back. “We need to stop.”
As hard as it is, I make myself climb off his lap. At the far end of the couch, I pull my knees to my chest and take a deep breath.
“You’re not dating anyone, are you?” he asks.
“I wouldn’t be here doing this with you if I was.” Pushing my hands into my hair, I release a long exhale. “I shouldn’t be doing this, anyway.”
He leans closer and rubs his thumb across my lower lip, his expression amused. “I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not.”
Smiling at me, he chuckles. “You’re right. I’m not sorry. There’s no denying we have an attraction.”
“We can’t let ourselves get carried away,” I correct him, using my sternest voice. “And I’m serious this time.”
“Aye-aye, captain.”
His attempt at being funny only endears him to me more. Because, us keeping our hands to ourselves? The struggle is real.
I excuse myself to the restroom for a few minutes, and when I emerge, I find Sterling standing in front of the windows, looking out at the traffic that never seems to slow.
“Can I ask you something?” I’ve been wondering about this since we started our special project; I just haven’t had the courage to ask until now.
“Sure,” he says, turning to face me.
“What are the qualities you’re looking for in a wife?”
His gaze moves from mine to the floor. “That’s tough to answer. Never thought I’d have a wife. I never wanted to get married.”
“But you’re still going through with this, right?” I ask, suddenly feeling unsure.
“Of course. I told you, I have my reasons, but I have to go through with this.”
I nod. “I remember.”
“I suppose the qualities that are important are someone honest. Someone who gets along with my mum. It would help if we had compatibility inside and outside the bedroom.” He smirks.
“Yes, that would help.”
“I haven’t put as much thought into it as I should have. I’m sorry.”
I shake my head. “What about Rebecca . . . have you thought about her? You guys already know each other; obviously you did share some common interests.”
He clears his throat. “Our shared interests were work and that we both liked fucking.”
My eyes widen. Okay, that wasn’t what I was expecting to hear. The thought of him with someone else makes my palms sweat, and I get that dizzy feeling that comes right before you get sick.
“I’m sorry.” He takes my hand.
“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”
We’re still learning about each other, feeling out this whole unique situation. But it’s moments like this where we share real conversation that I discover more of the man he is underneath.
“I’m no saint. I’m sorry to disappoint you. If you want to walk away now, I totally get it.”
I force a sad smile onto my lips. “And miss all the fun? I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thank God. I need you if I’m to survive the next six months.”
I walk him to the door, then take two steps back so I’m not tempted to contort my body around his muscular one, or steal another mind-blowing kiss.
Sterling releases a sharp exhale, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This is just fucking bollocks. There’s someone I genuinely like right now and I have no idea where it might lead, but I have this time bomb ticking in the background, deciding my fate for me. Talk about the worst fucking timing ever.”
Butterflies tingle inside my stomach. “Then you should find a way to show her how you feel.”
We share an intense moment where his eyes don’t leave mine, and I find myself swaying forward the tiniest bit.
“Show her?”
I nod. “Actions speak louder than words.”
“Right.” He rubs the back of his neck. “You’re absolutely right.”
“Night, Sterling,” I say as he steps into the hall.
“Night, gorgeous.”
I close the door and press my back against it, then immediately sink to the floor. My legs are mush, and the only thing that’s going to cool me down is a cold shower.
Chapter Twenty-One
Sterling
After spending the weekend thinking about Camryn, I’m back at work on Monday, and doing my best to throw myself into the cases piling up on my desk. Technically, I practice family law, which means I spend my days drafting prenuptial agreements, and handling divorce proceedings as well as alimony and child custody.
Very rarely, I also handle a personal bankruptcy, or help with an adoption. I’ve also been asked to speak at conferences about family law or ethics. But ask anyone I work with what I’m known for, it’s divorce. The big D is what I’ve lived and breathed for five years now, and what I’ve built my reputation and career on.
So color me fucking surprised that the man known for divorce now has to get married.
The irony is not lost on me.
And the craziest part is that I’ve started to fall for my matchmaker. I know she’s interested in me physically—but she’s given me no reason to believe she wants to throw her name into the hat for a shot at becoming Mrs. Sterling Quinn.
Needing a break from the mountain of work on my desk that only seems to mock me, I’ve asked Noah to meet me for lunch. At ten to noon, I walk over to the restaurant where we’re supposed to meet.