rry

ediately register in her mind. She stopped wa

eard. Maybe sh

she saw the serious expression on his fac

she asked in a whisper

So I can

htly shaking. "Why would you want to mar

s eyes. "Because I need a wife. And I can see that you want r

What? Why do y

near. And a man with a respectable wife appe

He was a congressman. She had heard his name countless times in the news and on socia

terness colored her voice. "Jus

mething from this arrangement. You want to show them you're not the loser. I need

to Conner. But her mind was filled with images of Benedict and Aleli-the betrayal, th

e heard Conner's deep, firm voice

ng with me?" Aliyah asked coldly, tr

way to show Benedict and Aleli she wasn't defeated. That she wasn't the one left broken by t

't stepping into another game

as if measuring her resolve. "I'm not going to ask you to sign a prenuptial agreem

m Conner. A powerful man like him, willing to risk hal

race of jest on his face, no sign that he was joking. He remai

at much for this... deal?"

t make deals that put me at a disadvantage, Aliyah. If I'm offer

what exactly are you g

as nothing left to lose is the most dangerous kind, Aliyah. Yo

from fear-but from the possibilit

f I sa

gh for her to feel his breath on her skin. "Then I'll make sure

ts again, the fire i

to all the pain Benedict

e. But I have

e was no hesitation, no fear. If this was a game, she'd

sed by her resolve. "Good. But

id immediately. "And I will sign a prenuptial agree

ious. "You're turning down wealth?" he asked, a hint of disbel

ost women, Conner. I don't need your mon

ense clash of determi

ut in those two years, you will play the perfect wife. No mistake

what we want," she rep

eal?" Conner asked, a

contract?" she asked innocently, e

ange glint in his eyes. "Yes, but

yes widene

r. Before she could dodge, he grabbed her by the waist, pullin

Wai

mly held her chin, forcing her to look up-and

ck. Conner's lips were warm-not aggressive, but not hesitant either. It w

against his chest, gasping for air as she stared at him. He, on

," he whispered, as if w

acing heart. She shouldn't let this affe

andshake," she said coldly, tryi

rmal. And besides, we ne

game. But if this was how their arrangement began, she had no