Page 13 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

"Drive," I tell my driver through the partition.

The limo pulls smoothly into traffic and Kiera immediately scoots as far away from me as the seat allows, pressing herself against the opposite door. It's almost cute, the way she thinks that distance will protect her.

"Okay," she says, turning to face me with her arms crossed under her breasts. Fuck, that just pushes them up higher. "Explain. Now. Are you actually crazy or is this some kind of sick joke?"

"Not crazy," I reply, stretching my arm along the back of the seat, not touching her, but close enough that she's aware of me. "And no, it's not a joke. I'm completely serious about our engagement."

"But we don't even know each other! We met once, for like five minutes!"

"Long enough for you to claim me as your fiancé in front of witnesses." I let that sink in. "I'm a public figure, Kiera. People know who I am. When you made that announcement, it became real. You can't just take it back."

"The hell I can't. I'll just tell everyone it was a mistake, that I was drunk or confused or⁠—"

"And make me look like a liar?" I lean forward slightly, invading her space. "Make it seem like I was going along with some random woman's delusion? That's not going to happen."

She stares at me, and I can see the moment she realizes I'm not backing down. Her throat works as she swallows, and I find myself watching the movement, wondering what her skin tastes like there. Wondering if she'd gasp or moan if I put my mouth on that spot.

"This is insane," she says quietly.

"Maybe." I shrug. "But you started it. Now we're going to finish it."

"I don't understand. Why would you want to marry someone you don't know?"

Time to lay my cards on the table. Well, some of them, anyway.

"Let me explain my situation," I say, settling back. "I run a large organization. Very successful, very profitable. But my council, the people who advise me, they've been pressuring me for years to settle down and get married. They think it makes me look more stable and trustworthy. Good for business."

"So get married, then. Why drag me into it?"

"Because I don't want a real marriage." I hold her gaze. "But I need the appearance of one. And then you fell into my lap, literally, and solved my problem."

"I didn't fall into your lap," she protests. "I was trying to get away from my ex."

"And you used me to do it. Publicly." I let that hang between us. "The announcement was in the paper yesterday. People are already talking. My associates and partners are all congratulating me. I can't just say 'never mind' now."

She's chewing on her bottom lip, and fuck if that isn't distracting. I want to pull that lip free with my thumb, maybe replace her teeth with mine.

"This is crazy," she says again, but there's less conviction in her voice now.

"Here's what I'm proposing." I lean forward, elbows on my knees, giving her my full attention. "We get married. Legal, official, the whole thing. But it's in name only. You keep your life, I keep mine. We show up together for important events, play the happy couple when necessary, but behind closed doors, we're just two people sharing a legal contract."

"Why would I agree to that?"

"Because I'll pay you more than you could ever make working as a secretary." I let that sink in. "You'll have access to accounts, credit cards, whatever you need. You'll live in my house, have your own space, your own freedom. All you have to do is wear my ring and show up when I need you to."

I can see her mind working, calculating. She's tempted. Of course she is. What woman wouldn't be?

"And what do you get out of it?" she asks suspiciously.

"Peace. My council off my back. The appearance of stability." I don't mention the other benefits. The fact that I'll get to see her every day, that she'll be under my roof, under my protection. That I'll be able to keep an eye on that ex of hers and make sure he never bothers her again. That I'll get to look at those tits and that ass whenever I want. That eventually, I'll have her in my bed, begging for me. "Plus, you're easy on the eyes. If I have to have a fake wife, might as well be one I don't mind looking at."

She flushes at that, and I notice the way her nipples tighten under her blouse. Interesting. She's not as immune to me as she's pretending.

"I don't understand why you'd pay me that much just to pretend to be married."

I shrug casually and lean back, studying her. "I can afford it."

She's quiet for a long moment, staring out the window at the passing city. I can see her reflection in the glass, the way she's worrying her lip again. She's stubborn and I can practically see the thoughts flinging around inside her head.