for a board meeting set for just two people, with enough distanc

was made of shadows. Sebastian was already there, head buried in his tablet, n

he looked up, eyes traveling over her with

t pure, molten rage. She remained still, h

Sebastian reminded her, hi

asonable requests regarding phys

h every movement, Olivia t

ough the thin fabric, he traced a finger from her chest down between he

walking back to his s

irst course-some fancy scallop thing with foa

n't have you passing out at the G

u've just hijacked my entire life, and you expe

ntract. That includes public appearances as my wife. Our marriage license will be finalized tomorro

id, forcibly unclenching her jaw. "Pe

mple: we met at the Metropolitan gala last year, kept our relationship private due to the sensitive business

"And what do I say when they ask how you prop

hat's what most infuriates me about you, Olivia-you've never simpered or giggled or tried to please. That fire in your eyes wh

made Olivia's skin crawl. She forced he

Sebastian continued, all business. "T

d against her plate. "

glass. "Section 8, paragraphs 3 through 7 spell it out pretty

. "I need time," she said, ha

ughtfully. "Fine. One week. After the Garner Gala, we consummate thi

y what that meant. One week before she had

u," she f

rously. "Use the week wisely. Read your contract again

if he was joking

d, unable to take another bi

. "Remember-you don't leave th

d I'll do if I leave? Run to the press? Make

replied with ice-cold confidence. "But you should b

air between them, inv

ck in her room, she locked the door, knowing damn well it was

the privacy to finally break

r chest. She gripped the bathroom counter, watching water droplets race down her r

ny to cuddle with, sneaking out for novels, making calls to no one. Sebastian's gilded cage? Pure hell. All her nee

Blac

ade her jump. He ne

you're

t. For days he'd treated her like furniture-coming and going from the pent

e. Gosh! Olivia couldn't help the moment but observed how