Tags:
Fiction,
Baby,
Romance,
Contemporary,
Adult,
Marriage,
Billionaire,
Pregnancy,
Rogue,
Marriage of Convenience,
Childhood,
bride,
collateral,
Mini-Story,
Harlequin Type,
Bitter,
Loan,
Marry,
Paid
them. The thrill is gone. You’ve always wanted me, and now you finally have a way to get me. If only…”
“If only your brother hadn’t mismanaged your money,” Dylan finished, suddenly angry. “But he did, Maddy. He used you, your naivety, and your misguided sense of justice, to his own financial advantage. He’s rich and you’re poor. You got scammed by the one you love. At least I’m being upfront about what I want.”
“Your Dom Perignon, sir,” a voice intruded. Maddy sat back. The waiter stood next to the table, carrying a champagne bottle wrapped in a white towel. Behind him, a busboy held a silver ice bucket and two crystal flutes.
“Excellent.” Dylan nodded at the welcome interruption, and the waiter popped the cork. Madison stared transfixed as expensive golden bubbly swirled into the flute.
The champagne was Dylan’s version of blood on paper. As soon as they drank it, their deal was irrevocably sealed. All or nothing.
Each moment moved Maddy closer to July thirty-first.
Would a prenuptial agreement at this point even matter? As mercenary as it sounded, she’d probably do better without one, thus not giving up her right to half his millions. She could ask the family lawyers, but they’d been zero help with her trust fund or Ted. She doubted the lawyers would do any better against Dylan. Probably time to find new attorneys.
“Maddy, will you do the honor of approving our bottle?” Dylan handed her a glass.
“Fine,” Madison agreed, taking the barely-filled flute he offered. She twirled the stem, caring nothing about the contents. What did it matter at this point if she tasted the champagne first? She would play the game only because she refused to lose Summerhaven. She lifted the glass up to her nose, inhaling a few of the bubbles and the fruity aroma. Then she brought the glass to her lips and sipped.
A metallic object hit her teeth with a click, and she held out the flute. A very large diamond engagement ring rested at the bottom.
“Allow me.” Dylan took the flute from her hand and poured the champagne into an empty glass the waiter held. When Dylan wiped off the retrieved ring on a moistened towel, it occurred to Madison that he’d been extremely prepared for the inevitable. Once again, she’d underestimated him.
“Let me have your hand, darling,” Dylan said, his loose use of the endearment done for the benefit of rapt onlookers.
He took her left hand into his own. How many times had she dreamed of this moment at sixteen? How many times had she fantasized about her wedding as she grew up and then discovered that no man could meet the Dylan standard? But, as he slid the ring onto her finger, she knew his tender touch was only for momentary show, and missing the essential promise of happy-ever-after and true love.
All they had was chemistry. And a business deal.
She heard clapping, and ingrained poise had her smiling at the diners who had witnessed her very public engagement. Within moments, after the waiter had poured more champagne into a new flute, Maddy was again alone with Dylan, as alone as one could be in a crowded restaurant where people sat gossiping about her “romantic” moment.
She gawked at the large solitaire now adorning her left hand. No one would question that it was anything but an engagement ring, and a very expensive one at that. “How nice,” she remarked dryly. “Well, you’ve gotten your first public performance.”
“If that’s how you choose to see it.” He held Maddy’s left hand up to the light. Her skin again heated under his touch and the ornate diamond sparkled and danced. “I guessed correctly. It fits.”
“Yes, but isn’t it a bit much?”
He gave a harsh laugh. “You would sell yourself for less?” He shook his head vehemently. “Don’t bother to hold back. Take me for everything and every cent I’ve got. I’ll give you a huge allowance for clothes, jewels, and furs , whatever your little heart desires. Unlike
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