The Billionaire's Substitute Bride

e mirror, her breath

delicate lace and flowing satin, she looked flawless-too flawle

nside, she w

e man she had secretly loved for over ten years. The ma

wasn't he

re

s her twin sister, Karel. But here she was, standing in her

ight of the diamond ring on her finger felt more

ing about needing more time. Their parents had turned to Karen, begging her to step i

he documents had already been si

wife-in name, on pape

itement, but dread. Bryan had no idea who she

piral of thoughts-the low p

od turn

as h

t have time to think. She quickly touched up her curls, smoot

e whispered. "Just pr

floor, her stomach twisting with every step. The front do

was. Br

the slight misalignment of his tie and the unmistakable scent

ile fa

" she said softly, tr

idn't r

eavy, his expression unreadable. He ignored the slippers

him up the stairs, the silence

wed, revealing the hard lines of his chest, the defined muscle across his abdomen. But it wasn't

said quietly,

y, his eyes dar

our name?

nked. "

name?" His voice was

oat clo

? She w

ut nothing truly prepared her for the way h

l," she

ile tugged

loser. "Because Karel doesn't have

p instinctively to

o play this g

beneath her. "I d

he snapped. "So you ac

because-because... I didn't

umor in it. "Of course. The ob

st, but he cut her off w

know? You think I'

loser. His breath was warm against her face. "You stood there

e said, voice cracking. "I didn't e

truth. That she had said yes not out of duty-

and something flickered behind his e

and brushed a loose curl fr

o stop," h

eath c

coul

to get out, to never touch her again. But in

neck, his touch still firm-but now

locked on hers. "If you

wallowe

ant this?

Yes," she whispe

oft. It wasn't gentle. It was the kiss of a man who felt betra

ted her easily, carrying her to the b

ands explored her skin with heat and possession. She gasped beneath his tou

, but somewhere in between. Like a man desperate

ling as their breaths tangled. She

g to erase s

gave him

ruly saw her, she would re