Phoenix Even if we’re docked, nothing beats spending time on the yacht. The sun, the open air and the lull of the water against the boat help me forget everything else––even if it’s for a brief moment. Suggesting this meeting place isn’t only about seeking privacy, it’s a refuge where I can leave my COO-slash-CEO hat at the door. After a satisfying meal, an assortment of delectable desserts and the finest wine money can buy, Michaela sits across from me at the small dining table, her back facing the window, and the sun washing over her. She radiates. I take another sip of the red Bordeaux, examining her over the rim of my glass. She’s watching me watching her. We’ve been sizing each other up since we sat down. A penny for her thoughts... Mine aren’t virtuous. She’s fuckable. My cock hardens for what seems like the thirtieth time since she st epped out of the Bentley as my gaze falls to her pretty lips. They’re as tempting as the rest of her. Her nude lipstick is long gone, revealing soft pink flesh. What I would do to that mouth... With my cock between her lips, she wouldn’t be able to spit fire. I stifle an evil laugh. There’s no shortage of gorgeous and willing women in LA. Until Dad’s recent health scare, I made sure to take full advantage of the plethora of beauties the city has to offer. But I’ve never met anyone quite like the woman sitting across from me. Michaela Knight is in a league of her own. I’m not sure I’d say I have a type. However, I’ve never been with a woman with short hair. Perhaps it’s because I’ve never met a woman as striking as Michaela. There’s nothing detracting from her exquisite beauty. And then there’s the knockout body that gets my blood pumping like the turbines of a fucking submarine—breasts that would fit perfectly in the palms of my
hands, a slim waist, curvy hips, and that perky ass I want to bite. She looks delectable and utterly feminine in a bright yellow dress that accentuates her best assets. The dress from earlier screamed business. This one sends a more subtle message. One I like a lot. The V-neck isn’t pronounced, but that does little to rein in my less than holy thoughts. The bottom part of the dress hits below the knee like a fucking tease. Lace, silk, or satin? I’m dying to know her preference in lingerie. Scratch that. I’m dying to rip whatever she’s hiding underneath with my teeth to get to the good stuff. If you’re the lucky bastard to crack Michaela’s tough as nails armor, I’m certain you’ll discover honey sweetness hidden between her legs. She’s flawless and pretty in a way that doesn’t require ten pounds of makeup and revealing clothes that leave little to the imagination to stop traffic. Something tells me she’s oblivious to the effect she has on the opposite sex. I like this pretty new toy. “Thank you again for the delicious lunch,” she says, breaking the palpable sexual tension between us. “I can’t take credit for anything other than ordering my favorites. Our exc eptional chefs did all the hard work.” “Well, thank you for ordering so well.” “You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked it.” So far, the conversation has been casual and pleasant, but that’s about to change. Let’s get down to business. I drop my wine glass on the table. “After speaking to your father, you must have a lot of questions for me.” Her eyes snap to mine and she inhales a sharp breath. “I do.” “Ask away. I’ll answer them all.” “There’s one thing I’d like to say first.” “I’m all ears.” Her mouth twists in indecision. Like she’s considering backtracking. “There aren’t any questions that are off the table, Michaela.” “It’s not a question.” “What, then?” “I want to say thank you for not firing my father,” she says. That’s the last thing I expected. “Daddy likes to say he’s more right brain than left, and Mom was the financial mind, but the hotel means everything to him. He’s been working at the Villiers Grand since he was twenty-one. I doubt he
could’ve handled losing the hotel and his purpose.” “Your father has a great rapport with the staff,” I say. “I need him and I need your loyal staff to turn things around. In the grand scheme of things, a year isn’t that long. A complete staff turnover would be like shooting myself in the foot. I’ll have a team of top-notch directors and managers, but your father is an essential part of the hotel. We’ll figure out what’s the best role for him, but I have no intentions on giving him his walking papers.” “Daddy is so passionate about the hotel, you’d never know he married into the family business, as he likes to say.” She laughs a little. “I’m sure you know my mom’s great-grandfather started the hotel.” “I do. You can’t buy that kind of heritage.” She nods. Niels Knight and Charlize Villiers are from opposite sides of the track. He’s from a working-class family. Charlize was the only daughter of a wealthy hotelier. Niels started working at the concierge desk at night to pay off his student loans. The moment he met Michaela’s mom, it was love at first sight. When Charlize Villiers-Knight passed away seven years ago, he inherited the management of the hotel until Michaela turns twenty-seven, at which point she’d become the sole owner. Like me, Michaela—born with the double-barreled surname Knight Villiers—has the responsibility of carrying the torch of her family’s name and legacy. “Your dad mentioned until your st epmom came into the picture, you used to manage the marketing and social media for the hotel.” “Yes. I have a bachelor’s degree with a double major in art history and business. Once it became clear Thana and I would never get along, I needed an out. Until my trip to N epal, I was working for a r eputable art buyer as his assistant. He promised to ke ep the door open. I haven’t gotten around to calling him. As for my role at our hotel, I wouldn’t say I was a whiz at marketing. I knew the right people, I hung out at the right parties, and I rubbed shoulders with lifestyle content creators and socialites who document every aspect of their lives on social media. It was free publicity. Evidently, it wasn’t enough.” “Your father was in
over his head, which caused him to make a string of bad decisions.” “You mean like Thana?” She rolls her eyes. “I’m not going to comment on that.” That marriage was a fucking bad decision on Niels part. “Did Daddy tell you about her lover?” I nod. “He did, but I always do my due diligence.” Michaela lets out a sarcastic laugh. “At least now I understand why Thana was praising the virtues of holding onto my virginity,” she says. “I never trusted her. And I was right. She’s nothing but a con artist, a thief, and a pimp. How dare she give me life advice?” It’s a given I’d hire a team of investigators. I didn’t want to leave any stones unturned. Along with a thorough background check on Niels and Thana, I also did one on her lover. I wanted to understand the implications of the upcoming FBI investigation. Thana’s lover, Dean Plimsoll, owns a sleazy virgin auction site. The asshole sells women’s virginity to the highest bidder. From my understanding, he’s on the FBI’s watchlist for facilitating sex with minors. Even though his website claims all the girls he r epresents are at least eighteen and willing participants, that might not be the case. Michaela’s st epmother was using personal data from guests to flag prospective girls. She’d then feed the information to her lover for a cut of the profits. As if that wasn’t enough, Dean was meeting many of his bidders at the Villiers Grand. I hope the two lowlifes get what they deserve. “Do you think the investigation is going to tarnish the hotel’s r eputation?” Michaela plays with her napkin. I consider her for a beat. I’m normally a straight shooter, but she’s had a deluge poured on her today. Still, lying to her won’t change the facts. “Yes, I do. I have a stellar PR team, but they’re not miracle workers. Given the situation, there’s only so much we can do. Rebranding is the only way to go.” “We’d lose the Villiers family name?” Her tone is sheer panic. “Yes.” “Oh God,” she says. “We’ve lost everything. Mom must be turning in her grave.” The woman sitting across from me is nothing like the spitfire that torpedoed into my office. I reach across the table and place
a hand on top of hers. “No, you haven’t. I know the name means a lot to you—” “It means everything.” I nod. “You either want to save your legacy or you don’t.” Her lips twist. I soften my tone. “The building is still standing, the façade is classified as heritage architecture, and the hotel is located in a prime area of Manhattan. We still have a lot to play with.” “What’s in it for you. Why are you sinking two hundred million dollars into a hotel with a shaky r eputation and bleak finances? There must be thousands of other investments for you to choose from. And, how do I fit into your illogical plan?” I knew the question was coming. I remove my hand from hers and bore my eyes into hers. “You mean, why did I acc ept your father’s far-fetched request of a merger-marriage?” “Yes. I don’t understand. You can have any woman you want.” She frowns. “Why me? I don’t have anything to bring to the table.” “You have a lot more than you think, Michaela.” The line between her eyebrows de epens as her gaze darts between me and the napkin she’s torturing. “Please explain, because I don’t get it.” I hide nothing. I’m honest and transparent about my need for a fakewife to secure the CEO position. She listens, her expression unreadable. I conclude by r epeating what I told her earlier. “Two hundred million dollars to bail out your family hotel. In exchange, you become my wife for a year—” “Why one year?” Her eyebrows knit together. “You said the board wants to appoint a new CEO within six months.” “We’ll raise eyebrows if we get divorced right after I’m appointed. We’ll wait it out for an extra six months to appease any suspicions. At the one-year mark of our blissful marriage, I’m willing to forget all about the bailout money you owe me. We get a quiet divorce and you get to walk away with a hotel reshaped and debt free.” She lets out a long sigh. “I understand more than anyone on this planet your desire to want to ke ep control over your family business, but why not hire an actress or a model? Those women are groomed and trained to play a role. I’m not.” She’s astute. “Because
it’s too obvious, and well, too fake.” The more the board made it their mission to prevent me from claiming the position that’s rightfully mine, the more my mind concocted crazy scenarios. I ran down the list of possibilities of women I could approach, but none of them were suited to play the role. Most would end up becoming a headache to get rid of, and none of them had a nice piece of real estate I could hold over their heads. Desperate, I even went as far as contacting a few agents to scout an up-and-coming actress looking for the role of a lifetime. Nothing was going to stand in my way. Niels’s demand was my golden ticket. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Could this plan backfire and explode in my face? Possibly, but I have something Michaela desperately wants. Pride runs through her veins, and I’m certain we can make this work. It’s all about leverage. “But we’re strangers. We have nothing in common,” she says. “I disagree. We have a lot in common.” She lifts her chin up in defiance. “Name one thing. And us being humans doesn’t count.” “Off the top of my head, we have five things in common.” “This, I have to hear.” She sits back against her seat and crosses her arms over her chest, giving me an eyeful of the tempting swell of her breasts. It’s an effort to pull my gaze up to hers. “One, our fathers survived massive heart attacks.” The edge in her expression vanishes. “Thank God for that.” “Yes. Dad isn’t a hundred percent, but he’s alive and in many ways, he’s still the same stubborn man he always was.” I can’t help my smile. “I can relate. Daddy is the same way.” “Two, we have the same middle name.” “You’re lying.” I shake my head. “You’re Michaela Kennedy Knight Villiers and I’m Phoenix Kennedy König.” Her eyes widen. “Seriously?” “Your search fell short.” “I was pressed for time. You decided at the last minute to turn dinner into a late lunch.” “Fair enough,” I say. I ke ep going. “Three, our last names not only sound regal, but we can trace our roots back to royalty––yours British, on your mother’s side, and mine, German.” She cocks an eyebrow. She’s
impressed. “I’m guessing you did a background check on me.” “I have a large box filled with all your dirty secrets, Michaela Knight.” She shoots me a doubtful side gaze. “If that’s the case, you need to demand a refund from whoever conducted that shoddy investigation. You got robbed. And duped. My life isn’t that exciting. Some might call me a goody two shoes. Until my trip to N epal, I was.” Michaela’s background is impeccable. She’s as squeaky clean as they come. No bad publicity with her name on it. No drug arrests. No lewd behavior. No drunken foolishness caught on camera. No string of questionable and unsavory photos on social media with her private parts exposed. She’s not a bad business decision waiting to happen. Dean and Thana’s actions will cast a dark cloud over her name, but we can handle the punches when they come because she’s not in the wrong, therefore she won’t drag our family name to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. She’s perfect for the role of my fake-wife. “I wanted to get a reaction out of you,” I say. “Congratulations, König, you did. So, let’s hear the rest of the things we have in common.” She gestures with her hands, coaxing me to continue. The defiance in her tone... as present as her feistiness. I lift a hand, flashing her four fingers. “Although my king will always trump your knight, our last names are also chess pieces.” “Good one.” She laughs. “Do you play?” “Not well. And you?” “I do. Mom taught me. Some people meditate. Others exercise. Mom played chess to cope with stress. She was such a good player. I could never beat her.” “And that brings me to the fifth thing we share in common.” I take in a de ep breath. “We both lost our moms to cancer.” Her head jerks back, a shock-filled stare fixed on me. “I didn’t read about that...” Her voice comes out faint. “With enough money, anything is possible. Dad worked hard to ke ep it out of the press for privacy reasons. Any donation to cancer research is also k ept quiet. And, there’s so much information about our company, Dad, and the four of us floating on the internet, any old articles about Mom are most
likely buried de ep in the search results.” “How long ago did your mom die?” “It’s been four years. My older brother died a year before she did, of a drug overdose.” “Oh my God. I am so sorry, Phoenix.” “I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s not your fault.” She offers a shy smile. “Mom died within six months of being diagnosed for pancreatic cancer,” I say. “Had it not been for the diagnosis, we would have believed she died of sadness. Barron’s death of a massive drug overdose broke her, casting a permanent shadow of sadness and despair over a woman who was happiness personified.” Michaela places both hands against her heart. “Oh, Phoenix, it was so sudden.” “It was. Barron was seven years older. From the day he was born, he knew he’d st ep into our father’s shoes.” While he was shadowing Dad and taking the company to new heights, my three younger brothers and I were following our dreams. After we laid our brother to rest, we gave up the limelight and joined the family business. Losing a family member shifts your priorities. Losing two, even more so. She closes her eyes for a beat. “Seven years after losing Mom to breast cancer, it’s still so hard. The pain never seems to go away.” I shake my head, a lump rising in my throat. “No, it doesn’t.” For a few long seconds, we’re both silent. “So, you see, Michaela, we have a lot more in common than you think.” She considers me. “Phoenix, maybe I’m being naïve here, but is that enough to fool everyone?” “My father and my brothers are one hundred percent behind me. The board bought my story... for now. My staff doesn’t know much more than what’s printed in the media. For the first time since my grandfather started this multinational company, a König might not be at the helm. That’s a risk I’m not willing to take. If we allow an outsider to wedge himself—or herself—in that position, we’ll have relinquished our power. As much as I hate it, the board has a strong say in the succession. They hold me by the balls.” The transition from pop star to hotel magnate was brutal. But here I am, the default first born, vying for a position I never in my life expected to want with
this much ardor. The board is dead set on appointing a new CEO to r eplace Dad. They’ve made it clear they don’t think I have the chops—or the model-citizen lifestyle—for the job. They’re determined to ke ep me in my current position of COO and hire someone above me. Fuck that. I’m not going down without a fight. No way am I going to let an outsider reign over what’s rightfully ours. “I see,” she says. “Do you have a boyfriend in New York?” Her eyebrows hit her forehead. “I didn’t say yes.” If she wasn’t interested, she would’ve decamped out of here, flipping me the bird like she did earlier. But I’m not going to point out the obvious. I soldier on. “If you’re seeing someone, you’re going to have to put an end to it. The sooner, the better. It’s best to avoid any drama.” “I’m not seeing anyone.” I already knew that. I wanted to hear it from her. “Good.” “It seems you’re quite the player,” she says. “How is your current flavor of the week going to take the news?” “If you’re referring to a woman I might be in volved with, rest your mind at ease. I’m a free agent.” “What about your weekly escort bookings? Won’t they miss you if they don’t hear from you for a while?” She flashes me a triumphant grin, like she one-upped me. “I don’t have to pay for sex, Michaela.” Her cheeks flush. “No little König babies running around or baby mamas looking for alimony or child support?” “The media would’ve been all over that scandal,” I say. “To answer your question, I always wrap it up and I always buy my own condoms to avoid surprises.” She grimaces. “Too much info.” “You asked.” I shrug. “All right, we’ve established we’re both single and neither of us have kids we know of.” She giggles. “Two potential roadblocks we can scratch off the list. I know your father never divulged his plans to Thana or your uncle Ian––” “My father told you that?” “Yes. He was pretty forthcoming.” “Wow.” “He has a vested interest in seeing this through. So do I. Are there any liabilities on your end I need to know about?” “What do you mean?” “Is there anyone who might become a whistleblower and tip off
the media about our fake marriage?” “Well, my friend Keira knows the truth.” I groan. “I’m staying with her and she read the news before I did.” Shit. “That could come back and bite us in the ass.” “She wouldn’t say a thing.” “You’re sure?” “I’m certain.” “People can turn on a dime when money is in volved or the prospect of their fifteen minutes of fame.” “Trust me, Keira has a hate-hate relationship with the media.” “You trust her that much?” “I do. We were both running away from our reality. We met in N epal. We were roommates at the monastery where we stayed. Since then, we’ve been tight, even though we live on opposite sides of the country.” “I’m sure she’s going to have questions when you get back to her place.” “I’m staying at her boyfriend’s place.” Fuck. “Does he know?” “I’m not sure if she told him or not. He’s in Las Vegas on business for the next two days.” “What’s his name?” “Rhys Hartford.” I laugh. “What’s so funny?” “I know him well.” “You’re kidding?” “I’m not. We’re both members of the same... club. I also hang out with Rhys Hartford outside of the club. Her eyebrows knit together. “What kind of club?” “Let’s talk about it another time,” I say. “Okay.” Thank God she doesn’t press for more. “We’re going to have to deal with Keira and Rhys,” I say. More loose ends. Every person who knows this is all smoke and mirrors is a potential leak, and if the board ever finds out, I can kiss the CEO position goodbye. “Keira has known Rhys since she was a kid. He’s her older brother’s best friend. He comes off as trustworthy. Not to mention, the man runs a multibillion-dollar company. I’m sure he’s no stranger to discretion. I don’t see Rhys being a problem. The same for Keira.” I nod. “And you’re sure she won’t talk?” “I’m certain of it.” I hate not being in control of every aspect of this charade, but I’m going to have to trust her. “What about a best friend in New York?” Her lips twist in disdain. “She decided to sle ep with my boyfriend. So, we’re not on speaking terms.” “Your ex is a cheater, your best friend is a backstabber, and you weren’t getting along with your st epmother.” A grimace graces her beautiful features. She has
the worst poker face. “Pretty much.” “N epal was your es cape?” “Yes. I was suffocating in New York.” “And you found what you were looking for in N epal?” Her expression turns amused before she nods. “I found my voice. I don’t take crap from anyone anymore.” Without thinking, I reach out and stroke my thumb along her bare forearm, appreciating the silky softness of her skin under my touch. She shudders. I expect her to pull away, but she doesn’t. Instead, her green eyes hold mine. “Were you forced to cut your hair to stay at the monastery?” “No.” She runs her free hand through her hair. “I wasn’t trying to become a nun. It was my own decision. However, Keira gave me the courage to do the big chop. She’s also rocking a pixie cut, but she’s a blonde to my jet-black hair.” She lets out a small laugh. “It’s the second most rebellious thing I’ve ever done.” “Seems like you’re still wearing your rebellious badge with pride.” “Today, I am.” We exchange a complicit smile. Her demeanor changes. “What is it?” She worries her lower lip. “Come on. Talk to me.” Glancing at her empty glass of wine and back up at me, she looks as if she’s weighing her options. “What about the press? How are we going to convince them we’re so in love we have to get married? I mean, there aren’t any photos of us together —no history of us even knowing each other. It’s pretty hard to hide in the digital age.” She might not have formerly agreed to our merger-marriage, but her question tells me where her head is at. “That’s where the PR team comes in. They’ll come up with an airtight story. As long as we follow the script, everything should be okay.” “This sounds very Hollywood. It’s like we’re actors.” “In many ways, we are. We’re playing a role.” “Right.” I detect a tinge of nervousness. Dare I say, self-doubt? She’s quiet for a beat. Hesitant eyes meet mine. “Not that I had princess dreams of a regal wedding, attended by thousands, but I never imagined a merger-marriage would be the first time I walked down the aisle. And, I most definitely never imagined tying the knot with a multibillionaire.”
“I never imagined walking down the aisle, period,” I say. “I love my freedom way too much to put a noose around my neck. Luckily, the countdown starts right after we exchange the I do’s. Something tells me we’ll both be rushing to the divorce court when the year is over.” She nods. “Let’s hope we survive the year.” After this morning, I have to wonder. But my eyes are on the prize, so I’m more than willing to put water in my wine. “The incentive is strong for both of us,” I say. She nods again. I seek out easy, no strings attached hookups with women who aren’t looking for a forever guy. Sacrificing my freedom, and therefore cockblocking my ability to sink into a warm pussy whenever I want, will be an unbearable challenge. I’d never dream of entering a ball and chain arrangement unless it was well worth it. Securing the CEO position is the ultimate reward. “Today was about us getting acquainted with each other,” I say, “We can go over the contract and the prenup––” “Very romantic,” she says. “Let’s not pretend, Michaela. We both know what this is. I’d be an embarrassment as a COO if I entered a deal without an airtight contract. I highly recommend you hire your own legal counsel. I’m not going to blindside you, but you need the guidance and blessings of a lawyer on the terms of our arrangement and what you’ll get out of it.” Given my legal powerhouse, I could screw her and Niels ten ways to Sunday. Her father is in the hole. Other than his house, he doesn’t have a dime to his name. If I wanted to take advantage of them, it would be easy. That’s not how I operate. “Okay,” she says in a small voice. I can’t read her mind, but I’m willing to bet she’s still struggling with her new reality. “Once you’re okay with everything, we’ll set the ruse in motion. You’re the kind of smart and sophisticated woman everybody will believe I’ve settled down with long-term. The PR team will start working its magic. The media gets a story we control. The board is thoroughly duped. I’m one st ep closer to my goal. Everyone wins.” “That’s a lot of pressure,” she says. “Wouldn’t a quick Vegas wedding be easier to handle?”
“No one will believe a man in my position would settle for a Vegas wedding, unless you were knocked up. The board will see right through me. In order for this to fly, we have to put on a good show and play the part like we’re campaigning for an Oscar.” A gap of silence stretches between us. We should wrap this up. “Is there anything we haven’t covered?” She clears her throat. “There’s one thing we haven’t discussed.” “What’s that?” “After the wedding...” “Yes?” “I wanted to know—” She lets out a sigh. “I’m listening.” Her teeth dig into her bottom lip before releasing it. She then clamps her lips together and looks up to the ceiling as if calling for strength. It’s like she’s having a conversation with herself. “If you have a question, ask.” Twin blotches of color appear high on her cheeks. What’s up with the sudden shyness? It hits me. I pull her hand into mine and fix her with my gaze. “You want to know about our wedding night?” She nods. “You want to know if I’m going to bury my big cock de ep inside your sweet pussy and fuck you like no man has ever fucked you before?” Her jaw drops, her eyes widening so much, I fear they’ll take over her face. “Only if you ask nicely, Michaela.” I promised myself I’d behave, but I couldn’t resist. I didn’t think it was possible to render this woman mute. Good to know. A second ticks by. Then another. And another. She’s still staring at me. She’s not balking at the idea, though. I cock my head, studying her in amusement. “Something tells me you’d enjoy it as much as I would... if not more.” She remains quiet. I add fuel to the fire. “Tell me this, Michaela. When was the last time you were fucked by a real man?” A veil of lust coats her green eyes. “Someone who knows what you need. Someone who’ll tame that dragon roaring inside you. Someone who will take control from you, forcing you to surrender and submit. Someone who can give you what you crave, but didn’t even know you desperately needed.” Still nothing. “If you beg, I’ll give it to you.” The heat burning in her eyes dissipates. She snatches her hand away from mine. “In your
dreams, König. Hell will freeze over before that ever happens. And begging for it?” She rolls her eyes. “Puh-lease.” No one’s been taking care of her like she deserves. I’d bet my fortune on it. “Care to make a wager?” She shakes her head. “I owe you enough as it is.” “Consider this a bonus. You wouldn’t owe me anything extra for the pleasure.” She bats her eyelashes a mile a minute. I’m on a roll. “I can assure you, Michaela, you wouldn’t hesitate to beg for it.” She flinches, but regains her composure, lifting her chin in the defiant demeanor I’m getting used to. “Don’t get any ideas about our wedding night. This is a fake wedding. We will not be consummating said fake wedding. I was curious about our sle eping arrangements.” I fight a smile. “We have time to figure it out. I haven’t decided if we’ll stay at the penthouse or the mansion in Malibu. Don’t worry your pretty little head. I wasn’t planning on touching you.” Something flashes in her eyes. Disappointment? “I hope it doesn’t mean you plan on cheating on me,” she says. “I wouldn’t want to be humiliated or made to look like a fool.” How am I going to live with this beautiful woman for one year without my balls exploding? Chances are I’ll jerk off so much, I’ll injure my wrist. “I’m not a cheater.” “If you’re not going to get it from me... where are you going to get it from?” She ke eps talking without giving me a chance to answer. “Are you telling me you’re going to live a whole year without sex? I can’t see that happening.” “I could ask you the same question,” I say. She blushes. Turning her cheeks that lovely shade of pink is becoming my favorite pastime. “I’ll do whatever it takes for the sake of the hotel,” she says. Nice way of skirting the question. “I’m a big boy. Don’t worry about my needs.” Before meeting Michaela Knight, that wouldn’t have been a problem. Now? Well... it’s going to be a little more complicated. My brain knows better, but my body...? Not so much. My cock wants nothing more than to seal this damn merger-marriage with a good, hard fuck. I’m desperate to release my cum inside a pussy instead of the
palm of my hand. Hers would do nicely. Five months of celibacy will do that to a man. Even before Dad’s heart attack, my schedule was so jam-packed, I couldn’t even think straight. But this meeting isn’t about my cock. It’s about her legacy and mine. Michaela isn’t a mail-order bride. This is a business deal. Therefore, this arrangement comes with certain self-imposed restrictions. But damn if I’ve gone from needing her to wanting her. I want to tame this firecracker more than I want my next breath. If she’s this explosive, I can imagine what it’s like in the bedroom. Sending her running for the hills wouldn’t do either of us any good, König. I coax the beast raging between my legs to behave. She’s staring at me with a cocked eyebrow, indicating she remains unconvinced. “I will respect the boundaries of our fake wedding and I’ll ke ep it in my pants,” I say. “I’m glad to hear we’re on the same page,” she says. “The timeline is tight,” I say, changing the subject. “Sle ep on it and let’s talk early tomorrow. How does that sound, Michaela?” “Okay,” she says. “By the way, you can call me Mikki. Everyone else does Do you have a nickname?” “I much prefer Michaela,” I say. “I don’t particularly like nicknames, so don’t ever get it in your head to call me Nix.” “Suit yourself.” She shrugs. “I was trying to create a rapport between us.” “There are much better ways of doing that.” She squirms in her seat. I bite off a smile. “Three hundred and sixty-five days, Michaela, and you’ll save your family’s legacy.” She offers a shy nod. “The meeting is adjourned.” I pause for effect. “But I’m too much of a gentleman to flip you the bird.” Her face drops. She didn’t see that one coming.