Billionaire's Marriage Deal

's Point

n that gnawed at me. It was frustration. I had vetted many women-most beautiful, smart, and driven. But none

ve the time or desire for. I wasn't a man built for love. I was built for power,

st temporary pleasure. But each morning, I woke up to the same problem staring me in the face: this deadline

ice. But beneath it all, there was the barest flicker of something new-doubt. I hated it. I wasn't a man who second-guess

this without turning my life into some sort of romantic circus. The very thought of faking affection, of playin

ce door snapped me

my voice more irrit

r pulled tight into a neat bun, her expression serious. She moved around my office like part of the furniture, greasing the wheels of every aspect of

ut so much as looking up. Always professional. Always detached. It was one of the things I appreciated most about Chl

head. A thought that hadn't occurred to me, really. I watched her, my

ofter this time, but

o face me at the do

solutely no romantic interest in me, and I-most definitely-did not have any feelings for her. It was simply a professional developme

riage?" I asked as I clos

usion. "Marriage?" she echoed, her voice hesi

s never strayed from hers. "I mean, what are your

silent gasp, before she regained her poise. "I have nev

. "I'm going to be straight-forward, Chloe. The one condition that my father has in his will for me to inhe

weight of my words finally sunk in. "An

'm willing to give. I don't need love or romance. I need someone practical, some

ctionally. "And you think

est in my personal life, and I've never crossed that line with you. This would be a contract, Chloe. A busi

search for hidden motives. "Financial security

I know her medical bills are growing. I could see that they're all taken care o

as intelligent, prudent. She wouldn't say yes to such a thing without giving it some

o, we get married, I pretend to be your wi

nt. A year later, you are free to leave, and w

wheels turning in her head, the weight of my proposition settling onto her shoulders. Torn was what she was-I knew that m

raised her head-her eyes finally stead

give her space. "But don't take too

nd disappeared out of the office, q

r the job-no emotions, no drama, just business. That was the only way I would

n of time before she came round. She would agree to the deal-I

*

e again, but this time, her expression

she said, he

d my face into neutrality. "Great. We'l

ng up to catch mine. "It's just a business arr

o feelings applied. I

breath and nodded.

ement. The wheels were in full motion. A year from now, I

ould g