The sleek black Bentley purred to a stop in front of the Cole Mansion, a sprawling estate that looked like it had been pulled straight out of a movie. Marble pillars, iron gates, chandeliers glowing from inside it screamed money, power, and danger.
Elena Carter stepped out of the car, her heels clicking against the stone driveway. She folded her arms across her chest, staring up at the palace-like mansion with a frown.
"This looks less like a home and more like a trap," she muttered under her breath.
Damien Cole, who had been scrolling through his phone the entire ride, finally looked at her. "It's where you'll live for the next year. You might as well get used to it."
Elena turned to him sharply, her green eyes narrowing. "Don't speak to me like I'm some pet you just bought."
His jaw tightened, but there was the faintest flicker of amusement in his cold gaze.
"Feisty. Good. Just don't mistake defiance for freedom, Elena. Once you sign, you'll be mine in every legal sense of the word."
Her heart skipped at the way he said mine, but she raised her chin. "I'll sign nothing until I see the contract."
"Of course," he said smoothly. "You'll find I'm a man of details."
Inside the mansion, a butler handed Elena a thick document bound in leather. She sat at the long mahogany table, scanning the pages quickly. The rules were absurd.
1. She must attend all social events by Damien's side.
2. No contact with the press unless approved by him.
3. No dating, no relationships, no scandals.
4. She must live in his mansion under his roof for the entire duration of the contract.
5. At the end of one year, the marriage will be annulled.
Elena's lips curled. "So basically, you want me to be your well-behaved doll."
Damien leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. "I prefer the term wife. The world doesn't need to know it's only temporary."
She slammed the papers shut, meeting his eyes with fire. "I'm not signing this until one condition is changed."
His brow arched. "You're negotiating with me?"
"Yes." Her voice didn't shake. "You said no dating, no relationships, no scandals. But you forgot one thing." She leaned forward. "There will also be no… intimacy. You will not touch me. Ever. This will remain a business arrangement, nothing more."
For the first time, Damien Cole actually looked startled. Then, slowly, dangerously, a smile tugged at his lips.
"You drive a hard bargain, Miss Carter." He stood, walking around the table until he was right beside her. His cologne was intoxicating, his presence overwhelming. He leaned down, his lips almost brushing her ear. "But don't make promises you can't keep. Because one day… you might beg me to break that rule."
Elena forced herself not to shiver. She met his gaze with steady defiance. "We'll see about that, Mr. Cole."
And with a flourish, she signed her name.
The game had officially begun.