he words like they w

reement – C

arcoal gray suit, thick glasses above his nose.

bella said slowl

structed me to present this to you. He'll explain the details himself, but the c

aw dr

re ki

rancisco, I don't jok

, his tall frame commanding instant attention. He wal

t signed it yet,

me to marry you?! I thought this wa

hers. "It is a job. One that requires sacrifices.

is i

y arrangement. No strings, no romance, no expectations. You get paid. You stay in my penthouse. Y

ould hire a model or a social

Believable. No paparazzi interest. No drama.

r bank account had less than two hundred dollars. Her apartme

. Mar

ract and have financial freedom for life... or walk ou

a confusing manner. "

is bus

lid the cont

s," Benjamin said. "After

d and wa

__

hand, staring at it under dim lighting. Every page was typ

ar mar

timacy unless

ances as husb

ayment of

ollar bonus u

llion.

ent loans cleared. She could start her own business. Leave this life behi

herself to a man who saw h

ed with inked contracts, cold gray eyes

__

the office with dark circles under her

k, reading something on his tab

el

ontract on his desk. "I

usement or approval. "You'll get hal

dded s

out a black velvet box. Inside lay a diamond r

on," h

ng on her finger,

ow, Isabella Franci

own her spine, sh

__

m. A stylist and tailor arrived to "play their roles". Her inbo

ning. Too fa

took her away from her tiny, broken apartment to The Mateo Pe

ulence: marble floors, crystal, glass walls

ed two glasse

ontract,"

him, swallowing a sip

turing down the hallway. "Don't try sneaking i

r yourself,"

y. "Oh, you're

llway, hating how his v

__

enthouse balcony, watching the waves cras

wasn'

sn't ev

wer. Mone

ingly stepped in

ol her completely. She had plans of her own. One

him standing there, shirt unbuttoned, a gl

leep?" h

parted

to her, leaned down, a

to the board. So tonight... we'll