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‘We’ve established I’m not an axe murderer and you have zero survival skills,’ he said, taking a step towards her. His tone was lightly mocking, almost teasing, but she ignored it. She didn’t want to smile with him, as if this were some kind of big joke. ‘And we know we have chemistry that’s hotter than the sun out there.’ He jacked his thumb towards the windows, indicating the Outback.

‘That’s not a selling point.’

‘It’s something we know about each other.’

‘It’s not enough.’ She cleared her throat. ‘And for the record, that chemistry is firmly in the “con” column.’

‘Why?’

‘Because—it’s too complicated to do that, and this.’ She pressed her hand to her stomach.

‘I’m pretty sure lots of parents sleep together.’

‘Yes, but they’re in actual relationships.’

‘Romantic relationships,’ he clarified.

She nodded tersely, careful not to show how much that would have meant to her. Not with this man, but with someone she had met and fallen in love with.

‘What’s the difference?’

She pulled a face. ‘You’re serious?’

‘Sure. Why does it matter?’

‘Because…’ She tapered off, struggling to come up with a response.

‘I’m not going to cheat on you, Sarah, and I don’t particularly like the idea of living the life of a monk. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll do it, but I’m just saying, the fact we want to rip each other’s clothes off every chance we get is in my “pro” column.’

Her lips parted on a rush of awareness and secret agreement. She blinked away, hating how easily he could turn her on her head like this. One minute she knew exactly what she was thinking and feeling, and the next, he’d spun her around completely. Imagining him taking their marriage vows seriously landed somewhere in the centre of her chest, making her stomach clench.

‘How about a compromise?’ he said, slowly.

‘You? I thought we’d established you don’t negotiate or compromise.’

‘See? You do know me.’

A smile pulled at her lips. ‘What is it?’

‘I spoke to my lawyer—’

‘What? When?’

‘Just now.’

She blinked. ‘That was quick.’

‘Time is somewhat of the essence,’ he said, nodding towards her stomach.

She massaged her lower lip with her teeth.

‘We can get the usual notice period shortened to a couple of days.’

Her jaw dropped. ‘I’m not…you can’t…’

He lifted a finger to her lips and pressed it there. ‘Let me finish.’

She nodded, sparks flying from that simple, pragmatic touch alone.