Rationale

She had to have misheard him. “Marry you?”

“Yes.”

“Like a marriage of convenience? You’ll have a ton of mistresses on the side, and I’ll be Precious’ fake-Aunt?”

“No mistresses. I wouldn’t embarrass my family like that. You will be her real aunt.” He reached his knuckles up to stroke her cheek. “I know it’s not the romantic vision you’ve probably dreamed of your entire life. I know it’s not how I ever envisioned proposing to a woman, but I’m convinced with your tenacity and my stubborn ass, we can make it work.”

“You mean marriage, marriage?”

“Surely you can imagine a real marriage with me. I’m not so ugly.”

She blinked multiple times at his comment and the bold way he looked her over, feeling her breath catch in her throat. “You want a real marriage. Like sex?” she was embarrassed as her voice squeaked like Bram’s had at thirteen.

“Why not?” he cocked his head to one side and looked her up and down.

“Because we don’t know each other!”

“Tell me you haven’t had at least one sexual drea