Page 61 of Temporary Vows

It allows you to do whatever dark, twisted, fucked-up thing you desire, no matter the cost.

In his world, this is just another ploy.

I let out a short, disbelieving breath. “I’m a little…”

“Surprised? Yeah. I can see that.”

I search his face for any crack in that impossible composure. “Why… me, Dorian?” He must have one hell of a reason. And I already know it’s not love. Dorian Vale didn’t suddenly catch feelings for me from one very expensive kiss.

“Because I need a wife. And I’d rather marry someone I know.”

My pulse kicks harder. “Wait, youneeda wife?”

He actually looks uneasy. It’s a new look for him. “Yes, need.”

“That sounds like there’s more to this offer than what you’re saying.”

“Because there is.” He pauses for a moment and breathes out a sigh. “My father is demanding that I get married because of a recent scandal.”

He gives me a look, as if he’s trying to figure out what I might know about this scandal.

He won’t find anything. I was too busy worrying about my life to follow whatever scandal he’s talking about.

“What was the scandal?” I may not have been aware, but I for darn certain want to know what scandal happened to push him to marriage.

“How about we save that for another time.” He cocks his head. “The real problem is, it damaged my reputation, which makes Vale Global look bad, too. My father thinks marriage will fix it. I don’t really care about my reputation. I care about my legacy in the company. My father is threatening to give the COO position to someone else if I don’t get married.”

“Are you sure he was serious?” That didn’t sound like his father at all. Then again, what do I know? It’s been years since I saw his parents.

“He is dead serious, so I need a wife. And I need to find one in the next two weeks.”

I just realized this little discussion is the most Dorian has ever told me about himself. The fact that he even went into details about his problem—with me—speaks masses.

“So, you thought of me?”

Dorian shrugs. “It’s an offer. If it interests you, you’re welcome to ask for more details. If you want to pass on it, no problem.”

Business. All business. How sad that something as special as marriage is just another business transaction to him.

Whereas for people like me… it still means something. I’m the girl who loved the romance stories in books likePride and Prejudice,Romeo and Juliet, andWuthering Heightsso much she became a teacher. I was so in love with love I wanted to have a reason to immerse myself inallthe books.

But maybe I’m looking at this all wrong.

Perhaps marriage can easily be just another business to Dorian because he lost the one woman he actually fell for.

Catherine.He’d loved her.

If he hadn’t, finding her cheating with my brother wouldn’t have created such a storm.

Now we’re here. Or ratherIam. I am here, and he is offering marriage as a way to repay him. I’d be a damn fool if I didn’t admit that being free ofthat debtwould change my life.

A hundred and twenty thousand dollars is a lot of money. The candid look in Dorian’s eyes tells me he knows exactly what being debt free would mean to me, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

The point is, he knows I am desperate. I know it, too.

“Maybe I am interested. Tell me more, so I can think about it.” I don’t know another way to say it to make myself sound less desperate.

That inkling of a smile threatens to crack his cool composure. “If you accept that offer, the debt disappears, you’ll have a better home to go to,”—he motions around the room—“you’ll own everything I have in equal parts, and you’ll want for nothing ever again.”