Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
He’s right—if his grandfather knows we’re basically strangers already, it won’t even be hard. I just smile and nod and say we’re actually married even if there’s no piece of paper to prove it. Then I walk away with five grand, which won’t change my life, but it’ll be a really good start.
“What if I don’t want to marry you after this?”
His expression hardens. “We’ll figure that out if the problem arises.”
“You seem pretty confident that I’m going to be your wife.”
“I suspect you need me as much as I need you.” He tilts his head, staring at me with that piercing glare. It sends a shiver down my spine.
“You don’t know a thing about me.”
“No, I don’t, but we can change that, mon minou.”
I chew my lip, staring at the ring.
It’s just one night. Five thousand dollars is more than fair. All I have to do is be his wife for one night.
Or pretend to be his wife, anyway.
“What if I don’t want to do it?” I whisper, heart racing into my throat.
“Then take off the ring and leave. I’ll find someone else.”
I don’t move. Why am I even hesitating right now? He’s asking for a single evening when I was already seriously considering getting involved with him long-term. Maybe at the end of this, I’ll find out he’s not so bad and going through with the arrangement isn’t such a terrible idea after all.
Or maybe I’ll realize he’s a total asshole, which is what I fully expect, and walk away with an obscenely expensive ring.
“Fine,” I say, nodding at him. This is the right thing to do. I mean, I’d be stupid to turn it down.
But the smile on Julien’s face makes me wonder if I’m making an enormous mistake.
“Grandpère’s expecting us in a few minutes. We have time though, if you’d like to check one of those boxes off?” He pretends to consider as he unlocks his phone. “There’s always the chance we might get caught. Perhaps one of your voyeur fantasies.”
I glare at him, refusing to rise to his bait. “Keep making jokes and I’ll leave. You can pretend like I’m easy to replace all you want, but I think that’s not true. I think you’re a little desperate right now.”
His smile tightens. “That’s where you’re wrong.”
“Are you sure about that?”
He comes toward me, walking slowly. I look up at him and feel a chill in my spine. “Understand something. You and I, we’re doing this because we have to. You clearly don’t like me, and honestly, I don’t feel anything at all for you. That’s how we’ll keep it. If you’re smart and you stay in line, you’ll walk away from this relationship with a lot of money. If not—”
He shrugs, as if it doesn’t matter to him.
I don’t move. He stares at me, waiting for a reply. The ring on my finger feels heavy. I want to leave but he’s right—I don’t like him at all. I’m using him as much as he’s using me. It doesn’t matter if he’s attractive, Julien Moreau is a means to an end, and I have to keep my real reasons for doing this in mind.
Let him think he’s in control. Let him think this is his game.
I’m getting what I want, and he doesn’t matter.
I step toward him and ease a smile onto my face. He seems surprised when I take his arm and lean against his shoulder.
“Alright, darling, I hear what you’re saying. I hate you and you hate me. It’s a perfect situation.”
“I’m not sure I’d put it that way.”
“Maybe if you manage to stop being a dick for ten minutes, we’ll cross one of my fantasies off that list. What was number three? I believe it was deep-throat blowjob?”
He lets out a grunt of surprise and clears his throat. His tight smile and narrowed eyes are skeptical. “Don’t think you can tease me.”
“I think we can both play that game.” I press a hand to his muscular chest.
His heart is racing.
This man wants me—maybe even more than I want him. At least in a physical way. Beyond that, there’s not much between us, and I’ll be happy if we can keep it that way.
Julien laughs softly and pats my arm as he leads me into the house.
Chapter 4
Brianne
Ibury my nerves deep inside and try to wrap myself in my new role.
I’m Julien’s arranged wife. We’re strangers and barely know each other, but I’m hopeful that we can somehow make this marriage work.
Even if I really think he’s a selfish prick.
The house is beautiful at least. Antique furniture fills each room. Julien gives me a short tour until we end up in the dining room where, apparently, we’re going to be having dinner with his grandfather shortly.
A young woman serves me wine. Julien sits at my elbow, looking a strange combination of extremely bored and extremely anxious. His leg keeps jostling under the table, and I put my hand on his knee to make him stop.