from her own as she realized her best friend was about to dan

ose, until Emilee let out a shaky breath that fel

but the words held no weight a

and shadow. Allison perched on a marble kitchen stool, a steaming cup of black coffee in her hands, her laptop screen glowing li

cles under her eyes so deep they looked bruised. She'd pulled an all-nighter hacking i

d, voice hoarse. "But Adam Kens

ofiles, no social media, only a handful of grainy press photo

nail against the trackpad hard enough to leave a

piratorial hush even though they were alone. She pulled out her tablet, p

assistants for accidental brushes. And..." She swiped, her expression grim, "the Ke

lashed to the airport-his warm, firm grip on her waist, his thumb pressing into her coat, the heat of his

he can't even stand physical intimacy." A beat passed, then she grabbed Allison's wrist. "Thi

ips. "Exactly. An impotent, touch-averse billionaire is the perfect sham husband. No messy expectations, no s

the counter. "Kip Downs-his right-hand man. They're having coffee at a members-only ca

he guest room-slate-grey Dior pantsuit, tailored to perfection, hair pulled back in a sleek chignon, e

R favor to bypass the hostile hostess, and they slid into a back booth, hidden behind tall wooden partitions that

ly on the table as she rehearsed her pitch-mutual benefit, PR stabili

e whispered. "Ad

final contract terms to Emilee, her voice low and determined. She didn't notice the faint shift on the other side o

riage? In