Bound by the Billionaire's Terms

ia's

===

he said and I thought for a second about running just like the kind of dramatic running they do in movies, where th

nt of me. "I told you I'll be back soon with a car," he said, a

ut I didn't mind at this point as my curiosity to reall

tepping into a trap. The interior smelled like an expensive leather and faint cologne-Damon's, probably. He did

ms, staring out the window at the city lights streaking past. I

of an upscale restaurant, I blinked. I'd expected an office, may

asked, my voice sharp

g the door open for me. "It's better to discuss b

ly lit and impossibly luxury. Chandeliers casted soft light over polished floors, and the low hum of conversation buzze

the back. Getting there, I slid into the seat, and I couldn't help but notice ho

myself and I leaned forward to ask. "

ing me. "I like to get to the point, bu

fin

poured himself a glass of

I here, Damon?" I asked as he swirled the wine in his glass, his gaze as s

der," I snapped, my e

glow of the candlelight catching the sharp planes of

nditions?" I questioned him and at that point, he sat ba

thought I'd misheard

get married. One year, strictly business. In exchange, I'll pay off

stunned. "You can

" he replied, his ex

fore I could stop it. "This is insane

"It's about mutual benefit. You get to keep you

ctly do you n

ly. "That's irrelevant. All you need to know i

ists under the table.

he said bluntly, and his

aid, though the words felt h

cussing the weather. He stood, smoothing the lapels of his suit. "I suggest you t

leaving me sitting there, with my

===

op pacing. Damon's words played over and over in my he

eplaced by an eerie stillness. I ran my fingers along the edge of one

under my breath. "What the

agenda, which was known to everyone in the country, and I knew his presence in my gal

couch in the office, my head in my hands. That's when I noticed it-a s

in my father's unmistakable handwriting. My stomach twisted as I opened it

as brief, but it chil

Especially those

. Had he known this would happen? Had he known someone like Damon would c

fist, as a wave of anger surging through me. This was my life-my gallery, my

bank's final warning was pinned to the bulletin board behind

n? Or was Damon right-was I out of optio

ning. And when I finally drifted off, my dreams were haunted by images of Damon-his shar

as already streaming through the window, as

d little to calm my nerves. As I straightened a stack of flyers near the entrance, a

ut my heart wasn't in it as I expected the worse which eventually happened. They did buy anything and this got me e

letter again as Damon's offer lo

lanced at the wall clock at my seated direction, which made me reali