Married by mistake to the billionaire

the air-conditioning hummed with precision. Talia Monroe sat on the edge of a velvet chair that probably cos

a fidget. Just stillness calculated and predatory. He turne

" he said with

ed, voice sharp enough to

sed. "Dange

you. I'm allowed a few thoughts befo

ry about his gaze no visible emotion at all. Just steady, analytical focus, lik

aid. "I didn't ask

muttered. The romance ver

people pretend to be charmin

t most

kidd

m. His wrist flicked once - a quiet, controlled gesture

"Six months. Mutual benefit. Public appearances

e the paper, then sto

y things I

cold sort of curiosity in the way his eyes tracked every movement she

despite her effort to look unbothered. "Six months,

th your name inta

ittle. "You realize t

ink. "Only if you

been engaged for five minute

she aske

head slightl

s good on magazine covers. Why a stranger wit

mile. "Because you're inconve

nveni

easy to control. The press w

re," she said, a bitt

deny it.

aren't you, you glorious idio

The air in the suite felt too structured, too

ous," she said.

ging paparazzi if you walk out of here. They'll hound you for every tear you shed at th

a fr

tly, as if he knew exactly

dded in her ears.

lift of his shoulders. "Yo

im so much it's starting

look intimidated. "You don't even

ne flat, "are liabiliti

if he'd flinch. He wouldn't. He was too controlle

he added quietly. "But powe

arder than she

ord every headline would strip away tomorrow. Adrian was offering it back - not ki

alized this wasn't sur

to hide. She was si

tepping forward. "Six month

nt interest, maybe even amus

his mouth wa

e a deal?"

ed hard. "You'

arel

f course. The kind of pen people used to wri

dn't thank her. Just tapped once on the signature li

ur new life,"

raise if I

his jacket. "Surviva

her phone wa

ions. Calls from Maya

sWed

achelor Secretly M

n Adrian walked out of the ensuite, hai

is," she sa

ublicist released it at

? You pla

s cufflinks without looking

ld've wa

contract, not

dropped.

"Efficient. You

nally frozen congratulations,

lievable," s

e temperature dip. His cologne was subtle ceda

ce low, "you're standin

ch his calm. "Yo

eyes steady on hers. "Go

ched too long: "Obedience, ho

eath c

ward the door without another glance. "S

r w

public ap

I don't

nd. "Then I'll find

shut behind him,

half a laugh,

s whispered. And he didn't even have to sell