The Dangerous Bargain

blazing sunlight made me momentarily blind. As I approached

room. I could sense their shock and surprise but I didn't allow it to

ery shocked anyone who had only seen my friends in the traditional white wedding dresses.

uit, disappointment battling with resignation on his featu

Julian Blackwood waited at the altar, tall and handsome, his unreadable e

endly smile on his face. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here tod

my mind was upon the man beside me. A shiver ran dow

Julian Blackwood to be your

. I needed Julian to bring me back to

l, Miss Monroe. Perhaps, I should remind you. You are at my mercy. At the very least, reflect on the fears in you

r in my eyes as I met t

priest the sign to repeat the questi

kiss th

Julian's. I did not want to kiss him,

omehow, he knew that kissing him wasn't what I wanted

en our lips met, something surprising ignited between u

It felt like I had been transported to an alternate universe in w

tared down my eyes as he pulled back. For a moment I stared t

friends and family, but averted each other's eyes through all

m and interlaced his fingers with mine. His fingers sent a spark though me and

 to the rhythm. I felt his warmth, his strength, and for a moment

friendly chat, man to man. But da

al her now

As Father dragged me into another dan

hat with his secretary and exit

ut him, dear" Dad saw that my ey

ome visiting, dad" I

uld miss mom, and my late sist

my girl" Dad hugged me c

me. Then our eyes landed on her. She was sitting

hing the hairstylist styling my hair. She was crying and it broke my heart for her. She does not derive the s

And those two would be sad a

nd me in a hug and buried her face into the crook of

ase I hope you don't suffer in the marriage. Time wil

of divorce. She thinks you should sta

came to look for me. He told me that Julian would be

, both Vivian and Vincent a

rted pulling on my dress and making

I said, gently stroking

oday. And that doesn't mean you'll get

head "who said he's

him. You're lucky you're married

ot mine. I'v

he asked, fingers interlaced,

e room re

Aunt A

tie go. She's running

d that opportunity to request that he looke

mise or he said it

no escaping that hurt. The agony of having had to leave my family

an was busy scrolling on his p