The CEO's Reluctant Bride

a slow, deafening drum in her ears. The towering skyscraper loomed above her, its s

rk streets, but the chill settling in her

what lay ahead, the

us R

who now

, but there was no turning back.

ove, each step heavy as she crossed the poli

ked up as she approached, t

urora said, her voice cool, stead

gaze flicked

the sound o

eadable cross

sity,

p

couldn'

am

a Thom

nist's posture straightened sligh

dded. "Take the privat

cou

vat

ucha

toward the sleek, black elevator

in her pocket...a message she ignored. Nothing matter

ack at her from the glossy black walls. Her

trembled faint

to pull up Marcus Ryder's profile one last

headlines, pr

cand

onal de

in the

im more d

evator

face t

ttan stretched beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sunlight poured in,

cold. C

n seated behind

us R

d it. She had expected someone older. Hardened.

ybe. Dark-haired, sharply dressed, with the kind of

t bother

't s

and assessing, like she was s

're

neath the polished surface w

show even a flicker of discomfort. "

his eyes,...amusement, maybe, but i

it

word. Not

oved forward, lowering herself care

e stre

ws resting on the armres

dn't

't b

issecting every inch of h

oice low. "Do you kn

she kept her tone even.

the corners of his mouth. "Blun

er palms. "I don't c

mirk

long moment, dark eyes

heavy, charged with someth

g," she said, voice sharp. "Why would a man like you agree to

shift almost impercepti

know what I need

stare. "Then

them moved. It felt like sta

ard, folding his hands

e to this marr

eath s

ha

"Your father and I made a business arr

. The floor seemed

re ly

umor in his eyes. "Do I strike you as th

throat

was saying

r had lie

rms. Manipulat

trying to mak

hat?" she whispere

"Because James Thompson o

the edge of her chair. "And

n hung heav

ment, Marcus

he window behind him. His hands slid into

ce was quiet, but it c

alty," he said si

nable to suppress the chil

voice soft but steel be

r his shoulder, ey

d without hesitation

painfully, but sh

one last time, something u

d, his voice almost a whisper. "

er pulse thunder

his gaze,

said softly, "I'll

ost a smile...but it n

ht not have want

ither

.two unwilling players in a game

thing was

dn't tru

ho had just told h

pecial

t deal did her father actually make