The Billioniare's Bought Bride (Contemporary Romance) by Michele Dunaway Page A

“I’m sure you’ve realized by now that I’ve decided to accept your offer.”
    Dylan laced his fingers together and rested his chin on his hands. She flushed under his appraisal, and she bent her head, hiding beneath the cascade of loose blond hair.
    “No. Don’t hide. I want to see your face.” His left hand shot out and he lifted her chin. His touch seared and she jerked away, inwardly cursing her sexual inexperience. Maybe if she’d learned about a female’s power and mastered how to use it…
    Hindsight was so twenty-twenty.
    “Do you know how beautiful you are?” He stroked her cheek before allowing his hand to drop.
    “You don’t need to flatter me. I have no other choice but to be here. Summerhaven is all I have. I don’t love you.”
    A muscle in his cheek twitched. “Love has nothing to do with my proposition. Love causes men to make poor decisions. I am neither foolish nor weak.”
    “I never thought you were.”
    His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “There were those like your brother and grandfather who did.”
    “I’m not like them.”
    “No, you’re not.” Dylan ran his forefinger across her bare right arm and up to her shoulder. She wished she could scoot her chair away without making a scene.
    “I want a wife, Madison, and there’s chemistry between us. Look at your skin, all covered with goose bumps from only the briefest of my touches. I can feel your desire in the way you tremble. Your whole body cries out. You cannot deny that you want me.”
    No, she couldn’t. Her body was on fire, and she’d clenched her legs to stop the sensation spreading there.
    “But now it’s different, Maddy. No older brother to interfere. No grandfather to threaten to disown you. You’re all grown up and free to touch. We can enjoy each other completely.”
    He fingered her earlobe, sending wantonness down to her toes as he rubbed his fingers over the small diamond studs Maddy’s mother had left her. The earrings had sentimental value and were the only pieces of jewelry she hadn’t sold.
    Dylan leaned over, his breath a hot whisper. “Don’t worry, we’ll be wonderful together. I’ll bring you more pleasure than you’ve ever known. I know exactly how to touch a woman.”
    She had no doubt of his mastery, but the thought of him with another female made her stiffen. The past could not be undone. She twisted her head away.
    “Don’t flatter yourself. What we had ten years ago was pure and innocent. This is sordid. I’m selling myself, period. It’s an exchange and no matter how much desire or chemistry,” she practically spit out that word, “either of us has. It’s a business deal. Let’s leave it at that. I’m enduring your touch. While my body may want yours, know that my mind hates every moment.”
    His lips thinned. “Just let your mind dream about Summerhaven. Although, no one is to know the truth behind our marriage, that you’re only marrying me for convenience.”
    She gave a defiant shrug. “Fine. I’d hate for anyone’s illusions and overrated emotions to suffer.” The words tasted bitter on her tongue, and no amount of water could wash them away.
    Dylan straightened and pressed his back against the chair. “Bitterness does not become you, Maddy. But while we’re on the subject of our marriage, I’ll expect you to remain faithful, as I will be to you. I’m very possessive of what is mine, and when you marry me, you will be mine. Mine and mine only. Those are my terms. My word is my vow, Maddy. It’s all or nothing.”
    His ultimatum leveled, Madison seethed while he relaxed. The Dylan she’d known ten years ago had been so caring, so different from the cold, calculating man in front of her.
    How had she thought she was ready for this? “You only think you want me. In fact, as soon as you have me, I’m betting you’ll be bored. Half the fun of the hunt is the chase, isn’t it? That’s why you warred with my grandfather and you sell companies after you revive