Slippery Creatures (The Will Darling Adventures, #1)

by K.J. Charles

I could come round to fuck now and again, when you aren’t working for the Government or taking your fiancée to parties. No. Kim shrugged, as if Will’s silence had been agreement. “Quite. After all, you’ve got more important things on your plate.” “And you’ve got Phoebe.” “Don’t remind me. And for God’s sake don’t tell her you’ve been round or I will never hear the last of it.” “What? I thought—” “She won’t be angry, you fool, she’ll be optimistic.” He said that with despairing resignation. “Phoebe is ever hopeful that I will meet a nice man. Don’t ask me what I’m supposed to do with one.” “You two really are strange,” Will said. “Why in God’s name are you getting married?” “Because her life is not the sunny bubbling stream of joy she makes it appear, and I can at least be of some use this way,” Kim said with a bite in his voice. “Mariage blanc is convenient for both parties, and hardly unusual.” “I don’t know what that is.” “Unconsummated. Marriage for the look of the thing.” “I was taught it was a sacrament,” Will said. “Vows. Something to take seriously, not to play with. And never mind you finding a nice man, how about giving her the chance to? What’s she going to do if she falls in love with someone and she’s married to you already?” “Are you under the impression we haven’t thought about the consequences?” Kim enquired icily. “It really is not, with the greatest respect, your business.” That was pretty final. “I dare say not. Well.” Will stood. “I’ll get dressed and go...