Adrian's POV

I don't believe in fate or destiny.

What I do believe in, though, is power, control, and cold, hard logic.

Which is why that morning, upon seeing an email from a stranger in my inbox, I didn't even have a second thought about opening it.

I had much bigger issues at hand—more specifically, *the board's ultimatum.

Bluntly put by them: "You have to get married within three months, or you will have to leave the post of CEO."

My jaw clenched in frustration, and my fingers drummed on the surface of my mahogany desk within the walls of my office at Livingstone Enterprises. Behind me, the tall floor-to-ceiling windows framed a pretty view of the New York skyline-a reminder of all the hard work building this company had taken.

But now, through some sort of silly clause in my late father's will, everything I had achieved could be taken away from me.

The subject line of the email glowed at me incessantly again.

A Business Proposal.

I clicked it open with a heavy sigh and read on.

Mr. Sinclair,

I know all about the tough situation you are in regarding your CEO position-well, you do need a wife and I do need protection.

I am suggesting a contract marriage-this would be strictly a business deal. There would be no feelings involved, and no complications at all.

I promise to be the perfect wife in public, and I will keep my distance in private. In return, you will see to my protection.

If this interests you, let's meet in person.

Lillian Hawthorne

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my forehead in confusion.

Who on earth is Lillian Hawthorne?

Nathaniel leaned on my desk, smirking while reading the email over my shoulder. He was a very nosy character.

"You're seriously considering this?" he asked, and I could hear the amusement in his voice.

"No," I muttered back at him.

But even as I said it, my hold was tightening on the mouse.

Nathaniel gave me an accusing look. "You really should give it a thought. You do need a wife, Adrian. This one may have saved you from having to go out and date the whole town."

I looked at him derisively. "And what a coincidence-just about the time she happens to need protection? Sounds to me like the setup for some kind of scam."

He shrugged, looking quite unbothered that I had my doubts. "Maybe it is a trap. But still, it seems like a good deal. No strings attached, no feelings involved, and the best part is you get to stay CEO."

I really didn't like the feeling of being backed into a corner like this. But I had to admit, Nathaniel was making a valid point.

If I didn't find a wife soon enough, the board of directors would see to it that I stepped down from the position. In one swift turn of events, everything I struggled for would become the possession of people who wouldn't know what to do with it, and that too because of the buzzards circling over the head of a dying animal.

I blew sharply, clearing my head.

Fine. I'd agree to meet her.

But if this Lillian Hawthorne thought she could twist my words or manipulate me in any way—

She had no idea who she was dealing with.

******

The coffee shop was completely different from the fancy hotels and nice restaurants I was used to. It was *small and quiet, tucked away in a part of the city I didn't go to often.

When I entered, all eyes seemed to glance in my direction. They always did. It was due to my suit and the presence I carried, but also the power that came with being Adrian Sinclair. I spotted her instantly. She was sitting near the window, clad in a plain white blouse and jeans. Her brown hair cascaded in soft waves down her shoulders.

She was gorgeous, yet different from the usual women that just threw themselves at me.

There was something. haunting her.

It was as if she were hiding something.

This is getting good.

I strolled over and eased myself into the chair across from her. She looked up at me, her black eyes locking with mine.

For a split second, I saw it.

Fear.

But in a moment, it was hidden and her face a mask again.

Smart girl.

"You're quite brave," I said, leaning forward to rest my elbows on the table. "Most women wouldn't dare propose such a thing."

Lillian merely cocked her head. "I'm not most women."

I couldn't help but quirk my lips up a little.

I appreciated her confidence, but wasn't one of those men that was easily intimidated.

"Who are you really, Lillian?" I asked, his eyes trained right on her. "Because women don't just email billionaires asking for a contract marriage. Not unless there is a really good reason behind it."

I saw a quick flicker of something cross her features-may be pain. But it was gone just that fast.

"I already told you. I need protection."

"From who?" I pressed further.

She hesitated and said, "That's not important."

I knew right then that she was fibbing.

She was running from something.

But to be frank, I really did not care.

Over the years, I had learned to read people quite well. And with this woman, I could tell from day one she was not a gold digger.

She did not do this for love.

She was desperate.

And the desperate seldom cause any problems.

I'm not looking for love," I said coldly, "and if you think that I'll fall in love with you and this whole thing gets real, then you are wrong."

Lillian did not get upset; she kept calm.

"That works for me because I don't want anything from you either. I don't want love. I don't want romance. All I want is a contract.

I kicked back in my chair, my eyes never off hers, but in no particular hurry.

Maybe this thing could just very well work after all

"Five years," I said, "is what the length of this contract shall be."

Lillian nodded once. "Agreed."

"No intimacy whatsoever," I said categorically.

Her swallowing was exaggerated, and then I saw the white-knuckled tightness of her fingers on the cup. "Of course not," she echoed.

"We'll attend public functions together. You will play the part of my perfect wife. And when we're alone, you won't bother me," I said.

She replied serenely, "Understood."

I smiled very slowly so she could feel how serious I was about everything.

"Then let's make it official," I said.

Lillian took a deep breath, and just for a moment, her mask of confidence flickered.

For the tiniest second, I saw the flood of relief that came over her face.

Then I saw another thing.

It was wordless-a warning.

Lillian Hawthorne held secrets from me.

And not necessarily the only one not on-the-level was her.

She wasn't simply getting married.

She was into my world.

And with little did she have an inkling about exactly just how precarious a move this may be.