Contract marriage

Fa

aint Clair Industries with a racing heart, waiting. She had already

d escorted her to Julian's office. As soon as she entered, Julian ros

ice low and even. "I'm gla

he replied. "But I have to say, I'm a little

" he replied. "I'll walk you through it step by

rs in front of Anne. She scanned them rapidly,

looking up at Julian. "We'll be holding hands

ea," he said. "We'll pretend to be

he nodded her head. "Okay, f

t, you'll have to accompany me to business meetings and p

ion rising up within her.

with intensity. "I knew you could," he said. "N

ract, she was apprehensiv

ulian grinned and leaned over and grasped her hand, his

ly, Anne," he said,

rds, but waved it off a

replied with an affect

'm glad we were able to come to terms, Anne," he

ion in her. She was doi

n placed a small box in her hand. "Wha

on the dotted line," Julian

autiful diamond ring inside. She

she said, attemp

f our alliance, Anne. A reminder of what we're fighting for" Jul

vince everyone we're ma

ccustomed to having a ring on her finge

. "We'll have to make a few public appearances to create our

d in surprise. "To

ht. I'll have a car bring

charity gala, and the idea of acting as Julian's wife f

be going to my parents' estate f

with shock. "Your pare

my new wife. We will have to put on a

's parents. What were they like? And how was she ever

ing to compose herself. "Okay

d, his gaze

arrange for a car to pic

She a

my parents are conservative and they will expect you

like?" Anne asked in the hope

pression tu

they tend to expect alot from e

******

rity gala. She needed to be flawless, not only for

r to assist her

eous," Rachel told her,

ks, Rach. I was afraid I wou

makeup, and by the time they were do

art skipped a beat. "That will b

get 'em, girl. And do

ked up her purse and her lug

but when Anne arrived, Julian was wai

utiful," he said,

chel in her mind for mak

a flashes and inquiring gazes. She felt like she was dreaming, playi

he was filled with a confidence th

good time. It was not as hard as she thought it would be pretending to be

and handshakes and small talk. They acted the role of happy married coupl

hers in a gentle yet possessive hold. Anne felt a jolt of electricity course t

e started to notice them, and before long they w

of them cried. "We didn't know

" he replied, squeezing Anne's hand. "We're just two people who are very much in

and begin our life together," she told them, smiling up

ected a trace of doubt behind their smiles. She was aware that she and Julian would need to continue this

nned. "You were fantastic tonight," he said, his ey

urge of relief. "Thanks," she

only just started. She would have to maintain this charade for the r

suspicion that it was