Gabriella sat up in the bed her robe tied shut around her waist as she looked down at the pages of her book for the fourth time without being able to read the words on the page. The sounds of his fingers racing across the keyboard kept her aware of his closeness. Unlike the last three months this hotel room was the first time she been actually forced to cohabitate with him. Normally whenever she was alone, she was quietly lounging in her bedroom and even then most of her time was spent talking to Charlie or reading a book. Looking up again her eyes drifted to the hall towards the table left ajar from the wall.

The sound of him clearing his throat made her look back at him as he leaned back from the laptop and stretched before standing up and walking across the room. Gabriella eyes followed him, his muscles shifting under his shirt as he moved gracefully. It was as if she was watching him through a glass, he was content with the quiet, content with working nonstop. He filled a glass with water before returning to his desk draining it as he sat down and placing it behind the laptop on the table. His phone buzzed and he picked it up to read across the screen his thumb scowling through it.

"What do you do when you answer e-mails?"

Troy fingers jerk as if he hadn't been expecting her to speak. Looking up at her he let out a sigh, "Why?"

"Because you spend a lot of time doing it," she said motioning to the laptop and phone. "What do people e-mail you about?"

Troy pushed his glasses up over his head as he placed his phone off to the side, "Mostly legal issues, getting the permits, payroll questions, insurance matters, inventory, exporting and importing goods, business consultations, planning, buying, or selling," he didn't look over at her as rattled off the items he just seemed to be going over a mental list. Troy shifted in his seat, "Do you want ice cream?"

Gabriella raised a brow, "What?"

"I have an odd craving for ice cream," he said looking at her with small hint of a smile.

Gabriella looked over at the clock on the night stand, "It's almost midnight? I doubt anyone is serving ice cream right now."

Troy picked up his cell phone as he began walking towards her, "What's your favorite ice cream?"

Gabriella arched her brow it was as if he hadn't even heard what she said, "I like cookie dough," she said with shrug as she watched him pressing numbers into his phone.

Troy brought the phone up to his ear, "Hello," he said listening to the phone, "I'd like a two scoops of cookie dough ice cream topped with whip cream and gummy worms please."

"What?" Gabriella said with a wincing expression as he made the order.

"Room 216, thank you," Troy hung up his phone placing it on the side table as he came over to the bed and sat down at the edge.

"Who eats gummy worms on top of ice cream?"

"The proper question is who doesn't?" Troy said climbing up the length of the bed to where she was and hovering over her. "You'll like it."

"Does everyone just do what you tell them too?" she said leaning back as he came up to where she was taking the book from her hand and slipping her bookmark between the pages. There was something about the control and authority that just came naturally to him that made her insides twist. She wasn't entirely sure she liked it but there was comfort in someone else taking charge.

"I have my ways," Troy said with a smirk as he placed the book on the night stand, then shifting her body he nestled his hands so they were underneath her and he rested his head on top of her breast letting out a sigh as he relaxed. "Has anyone ever told you that you have perfect breast."

Gabriella held her hands up not really sure what to make of his sudden actions. His weight on top of her felt good, so did his hands wrapped around her. Biting her bottom lip she looked his glasses as they rested on top of his head. Reaching for them with a light hand she removed them and placed them on the nightstand with her book. "No, I can't say that anyone has ever said anything like that to me," she said shifting a little to make herself comfortable.

"It's a shame, your body is temple that deserves to be worshipped." Troy said then turning to look up at her. Gabriella breath caught when his blue eyes looked up in hers with such intensity. "I'm going to make sure your body gets what it deserves," he said using his chin to nudge her robe loose a little.

Gabriella's breathing picked up as she nodded watching the intensity in his blue eyes shifting from shade of grey, into blue. His lips pressed softly on the exposed skin between the folds of her robe, there was no doubt in her mind that Troy would give her body nothing but what it deserved and that's what made it all the more tempting. "Do you ever stop?"

"Not till I get what I want," he smirked.

"And you want me?" she said a little out of breath at the thought.

"I've already got you," he said shifting so he could pulls his hands out from under her. Slowly using his arms he push himself up until their lips were only so far apart without touching. "Now I just have to keep you."

"Keep me?" she couldn't help the intake in her words the breath that felt like it had been kicked out of her lungs. His smell was over powering; then again everything about him was over powering. She found herself feeling so small in contrast, so meek and feminine against his hard edges, so safe and content to be there. Her brown eyes searched his blue ones for any reminisce of truth, meaning or doubt when she didn't see one she braced herself for the conversation. "What are you talking about?"

"David," he said quietly.

"Are you jealous?"

Troy's smirk fell for a second and was back before she could register the frown. "Let's call it … possessive," he said quietly as he bent to place a kiss on her lips.

Gabriella was taken aback by his admission, he could call it whatever he wanted. Bottom line he was jealous, which sent up a red flag so high she could barely keep up. His kiss was smoldering like he working to distract her and that was when she pulled away. "Wait,"

Troy stilled as he looked down at her, "For?" he said with a playful smile.

Gabriella moved to get up from her position underneath him, closing her robe more securely over her body, clutching at the panels as she held it tight. Getting out of the bed she moved four good feet away from it until she was sure he couldn't reach for her. "What does that mean?"

"Come back to bed," he said laying down on his side lazily.

"You want to keep me?" Gabriella repeated.

"Yes," Troy said pushing himself up as he adjusted to watch her reaction. ""There is a significant social element in my business, and I want a wife who can help balance the conversation. Playing hostess and accompanying me as needed for whatever comes up. Dinners, parties, charitable events. No more than a couple of times a week." Troy paused for a moment, "as for our children, as many as you like, my only requirement is that they come first. They need to be your number-one priority."

Well wasn't that the proposal every little girl dreamed of, Gabriella's brow furrowed as she went over what he said in her head. "Children?" Gabriella said feeling her stomach suddenly become hollow. "I am not some kind of a property to be owned."

"I believe that is exactly what you are," he said lying flat on his back now looking up at the ceiling. "Think about this Gabriella, you won't be lonely with me. I know what I'm suggesting, it doesn't follow the traditional courtship and promise of love but we aren't the most traditional people and this isn't a traditional relationship."

"Speak for yourself. You brought the restaurant, you wrote out a check and you brought it. You don't own me."

"I also bought your mother's house and paid off your student debt," Troy said with a deep breath, "In return I get a wife."

"A two year marriage," Gabriella corrected.

Troy looked over at her and let out a sigh, "Why are we going over the terms of the contract and not half way into our orgasmic bliss?"

Gabriella eyes widen as she took a step further back, "Because sex isn't part of the deal, neither is keeping me," Gabriella said firmly.

"You're right," he said with a sigh, "Well if you want the restaurant back you better start saving your pennies," he said with a wince as he pushed himself off the bed. "Now if you don't mind I'm going back to work."

Gabriella watched in confusion as he got up, "Just like that? Like everything you just said doesn't change everything?"

Troy stopped in his tracks and turned around to face her, an arched brow over his features as he measured her up. "Why do you want the restaurant? Why not let me sell it? Why not go out there and get a real job as a chef and stop playing pretend in your daddy's kitchen?"

Without missing a beat she lifted her chin as she took deep breath. "Why do you want the restaurant? Why do you want me? Why not stop playing pretend with me and go get a real wife, someone who isn't sticking around because they're contracted too," she spit out.

There was a knock on the door, "Room service."

"This conversation is over," Troy said in lowered tone as he walked towards her.

Gabriella shifted uncomfortably as she held the ends of her robes tighter as he came close to her and then gasp as he shifted to walk past her. When he was past her she let out a breath using a hand to sweep through her hair as she took a moment to sort out her thoughts. She was still as she heard the exchange between Troy and the man at the door.

"Here you go Mr. Bolton, please let us know if there is anything you'd like us to do for you this evening."

"That will be all, thank you."

The door clicked shut and Troy waited by the door with the bowl of ice cream in his hands. Closing his eyes he let out a deep breath. He had to keep it together, the cold feel of the bowl in his hand made him look down at the creation with foolishness building inside him. Turning around he began to make his way back to where she was standing.

"Here," he said handing her the bowl, "Enjoy."

"What? You don't feel like ice cream anymore?" Gabriella said with a little more anger than she intended.

"I have work to do," Troy said reaching for his reading glasses on the night stand, "Some of us have to actually work for living."

Gabriella gawked in response as she watched him walk past her again to the area where his laptop sat. In an overwhelming urge she crossed the room walking up to him as he settled in his seat. Before she knew what she was doing she tipped the bowl of ice cream over onto his key board. Her hand coming down to smash it in and spread it as much as she could before making a final show of slamming the laptop shut.

Troy looked up at her in disbelief, "Well that's just… real mature."

"Screw you," Gabriella said slamming the bowl down on the table top beside his laptop Sunday. "This conversation is not over."

Troy stood up from his seat with a fierce annoyance building up side him. "Are you insane?"

"No, but you are," she said jabbing her finger into his chest. "Answer my question!"

"Answer mine," he said his voice coming up a little more than he intended.

"I promised my father I would take care of his restaurant," Gabriella said as she stuck out her chin. "Unlike you I have gratitude to my parents and all that they have given up for me. The least I can do as their daughter is help them when they need me."

Troy was quite was he looked at this woman standing barefoot in front of him her hair was wild, her bathrobe loosely hung over her and her eyes were glowing with fierce passion he wished he could see more often. "I don't trust very easily," Troy admitted dryly, "I found out at very early age that people will only stick around if you have something over them."

"Well," Gabriella shoulders fell as she looked down at her bare feet then back up at him, "I'm terribly sorry that you feel that way but believe it or not some of us aren't out to screw you over."

"You don't know how much I wish that were true," Troy said with a low voice.

"You can't keep me," Gabriella said brining a hand up to the side of his face gently almost afraid to touch him. The contact from that mere touch was like a direct current to an outlet, everything inside her softened and she felt a pulse run through her. "I don't belong to you anymore than you belong to me. If you wanted me, you'd get to know me, you'd find out what I like, and you wouldn't treat me like a business proposition."

Her words were soft as she looked up at him, her brown eyes filled with so much and Troy felt his heart clench. He sighed and held her close feeling her trembling heat through the cloth robe. Something inside him unfurled, warming him from within. It was something he'd never felt before: part protectiveness and part desire. He wanted to shelter her. He also wanted to join his body with hers. As he held her the two urges merged into something unique and strangely powerful. So this is what it feels like to love a woman. The words came out of nowhere taking him by surprise. "No."

"No?" Gabriella jerked back a little caught off guard, his hands rested on her hips and she watched the blue waters in his eyes become ice. His emotions always seemed to be controlled as if he were flicking on and off a switch.

Troy's hands came up and took hold of hers, "I have to go out."

"Out?" Gabriella watched as he walked past her, "Troy it's the middle of the night."

"Yeah well, back home it going to be morning soon," he said reaching for his pants, "I have to go get another laptop because mine is currently covered in ice cream." After shifting his pants on over his boxers he reached for his socks and shoes. "Hopefully I'll be able to salvage my day with the bare minimum until we can get back and I can have the IT department get me back up to speed."

Gabriella was quiet as she watched him continue to get ready. Before leaving he came over to her and placed a quick swift kiss on her cheek, "Shouldn't be too long," he mumbled before heading for the door. When he left she was still standing in her spot, still lost as to what just happen and not having a clue about where they stood or what 'no' meant? Her head was beginning to throb, she was so confused. He'd been the one to suggest the honeymoon. The romantic destinations. But of course that was before she'd offered herself up on a platter. Gabriella stared back closed door.

Troy who made his way blindly onto the elevator stepped out into the lobby. Everything was quieter down here, the air didn't smell like mangos. There were no brunettes down here to touch him and make him feel things. Troy let out a sigh as he fell down into a nearby chair, his hand came up to his chest feeling his own heart beat under his palm. That had been close, too close. Troy clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white on the arms of the chair as images of Gabriella stricken face came flooding back to him.

Damn it, he'd known better. He needed to get his head straight. He needed to get perspective. But first things first, the office, that was how it had always been. How it always would be. Time to get his focus back where it belonged before this marriage cost him more than he bargained for.