The Billionaire's Ruthless Contract Bride

You kissed me to humiliate me," I hissed, pushing him away.

Julian didn't even look up. "No, I kissed you because you kept looking at me the way you wanted to."

A soft sound let the elevator doors open, and I shakily walked into Julian's apartment. The heavy quiet wrapped around me like a cold wind as my heels clicked on the marble floor.

He was already there, taking it easy on the couch like he owned the place. He most likely did.

Though he had a glass of scotch in his hand, he said, "I see you made it home, fiancée."

I mumbled, "This isn't my home," as I set down my small bag. "Just temporarily crazy."

He gave a soft laugh but still didn't turn to face me. "You can call it whatever you want, Aria." The news says it's not, though.

I meant to hit him with something. I took a slow breath in and looked around instead. It was sleek and modern, with black leather, steel, and glass. Power was everywhere. Everything yelled his name.

I blew my nose. "Where is my room?"

"Left the hall." The first door. "Guest suite." He got up and walked toward the kitchen. "Unless you want to sleep with me in the master."

"I'd rather sleep in a grave."

He turned a little, and that evil grin curled on his lips. "Be careful. I might think you care if you show that much emotion.

I didn't say anything back as I left.

The guest room was very big, even bigger than my old place. The sheets were fresh and clean. Not any special touches. Just cold, useful pleasure. Like the man I agreed to pretend to marry.

I leaned my back against the door and closed it. God. What did I do?

That night, I went into the kitchen late at night, hungry and not sure if I could touch anything. Julian was cooking while he stood at the stove.

Before I could stop, I asked, "Do you cook?"

He gave a shrug. "A man has to stay alive." Plus, my cook isn't working tonight. Are you hungry?"

"Yes."

He set down two cups of wine and a plate of pasta in front of me.

I told them, "This doesn't make us friends."

"All right. I already have enough friends. "Just a fake fiancée who can play the part."

There was more quiet between us. I nibbled on the food. He looked at me.

I asked Julian, "Why are you doing this?" I finally asked. "Why me?"

He leaned in. "Because you need help badly." And I plan ahead. You need cash. I need a wife. It's easy."

"No," I said with a stern tone. "You could have picked anyone." You picked me since you knew I'd say yes. You think you can control me.

His eyes were very hot on mine. "Don't be too nice to yourself." You were just... easy to reach.

I didn't want to accept how much the words hurt.

When I got up, the chair hit the tile and made a noise. "Okay, let's be clear." We only share a roof.

He smiled like the task was fun for him. "Okay. But that mouth of yours could make things harder.

"Who is it harder for?" I asked.

It wasn't an answer.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the guest bathroom that night. My dress was tight, and the makeup I used at the gala was still on. I seemed like a woman from another world. But my eyes told me the truth. Quite worn out. Mad. Not sure.

I put my lips together. His kiss was still there. Why did that happen to my body?

My phone rang. Julian's message: Tomorrow we'll have breakfast with the board. Put on something nice. Act like you're in love.

I looked at the screen. Act like you're in love. That's not funny.

We were both dressed like power couples and sat across from each other in his sleek dining room the next morning. As he passed the coffee, his hand touched mine.

"Too much?" he asked in a normal way, even though he knew it was on purpose.

I pulled my hand away. "Don't touch me."

He sipped his coffee and said, "You agreed to this, sweetheart."

"I agreed to do something." "Not my soul."

His eyes sparkled. "Are you sure?"

In the evening, when I walked into the living room, Julian was already there, with his shirt half-unbuttoned and a drink in his hand. Behind him, city lights were spilling out.

I put my arms down. "I found the picture."

He slowly looked up. "So?"

"You cared about her."

"She's gone." "Don't bother her."

"You keep things secret."

"And you keep going."

There were sparks of fire in the air as we looked at each other.

"Mary, why do I think you're keeping something big from me?" I asked.

He came closer to me by one step. "Because I am."

His voice was low and scary as he leaned in.

"Ariana, don't open doors you're not ready to walk through. What's on the other side might not be what you want.

As I walked by him in the hallway, I said, "You're impossible."

Julian took hold of my wrist. "Aria, you're the one who lives in that tiny robe." "Who is pulling a fast one here?"

I pulled free. "You believe everything is about luring people in." "Grow up."

He moved closer, and his eyes got dark. "You're on my top floor." "My rules."

I didn't give up as I looked up at him. "Okay. "First rule: don't touch me."

He laughed. "Take note... but not promised."

It hurt my heart so much that I turned to leave, but then I stopped.

His voice got weaker. "Never tell yourself that you didn't want that kiss," she said.

I turned around. "You kissed me to make me look bad" "No," he said in a rough, low voice. You looked at me like you were hungry, so I kissed you. "Because I was"

We were both very quiet.

I didn't like how my breath got caught. I didn't like how my body responded. I didn't like him.

He moved closer, but I didn't move. I didn't even blink when his hand touched my cheek.

He said in a whisper, "Say the word, and I'll stop."

I didn't say anything.

The front door buzzed right then. Julian's face turned serious.

He spoke in a stern voice, "Stay inside."

I asked, "Who is it?"

It wasn't an answer.

He did, however, grab his gun.