“It clearly states that until you’re married, the business will remain in the hands of his closest friend, Walter Johnson. You will keep your position, however you won’t take over all the finances and management of the company.”

Fucking Walter, the scheming prick. He’ll run it into the ground before I get the chance to do anything. He’s already in the head chair, making me work my ass off, and the fucker will make sure he stays there if I don’t do something. He’s rolling in money now, after all. I’m the only one who holds any passion for this business. The only fucking one. It’s my lifeline; I’ve been in it since I was twenty, and I’ve got a solid lifestyle based around it.

In a scratchy tone, I mutter, “You’re sure it says I’ve got to be married?”

“I’m sure, sir. You have a period of twelve months to do this, before it’s signed over to Walter.”

Fuck.

I love women. All women. But I don’t like ’em hanging around. If you’re looking for commitment, you won’t find it here. I’ve done only one woman in my life more than once, and it was simply for convenience. Love isn’t for men like me. I don’t have the time or the interest. Love is for the weak. Women are too difficult and I’m too much of an asshole. I don’t hide this fact and I certainly don’t pretend to be anything else. I’ve seen where relationships go wrong, and I want no part in them.

“Anything else you want to stab me with?” I grate out.

His eyes flicker, and he swallows. “There are conditions. You can’t just marry and then divorce. . You have to be married for a period of two years. If in that time you divorce, the company automatically goes to Walter.”

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

That sick son-of-a-bitch.

He knew — he fuckin’ knew it was one thing that would challenge me. He had a sick mind when he was alive and it would appear that has continued, even after death. He’s testing me, pushing me to the limit like he always did. I walk away, losing everything I’ve worked for in the last ten years, or I fight and I own what’s been mine all along. The business is my life, and the fuckin’ bastard knows it.

“Anything else?” I growl through clenched teeth.

“One more thing, sir. If it’s found out you, ah—” He swallows, “—paid for a wife, that will also be enough to sign the business over to Walter. The woman must be there willingly, and live with you during that time.”

That piece of shit. He knew me better than I thought. He knew the first thing I would do was go and snap up a stupid woman who I could pay off. My jaw tightens and my chest expands with rage. I can already see the look on Walter’s face if the company is signed over to him. He’s always hated me. He won’t fuckin’ win this.

Damn the old man. He’s wanted me to settle down for years, always hating my bachelor lifestyle. He often told me that even if I didn’t want it, to run a business and hold a respected name in society, then I had to grin and bear it. He was married from the age of twenty to a raging bitch that died two years ago. Even after that, he went ahead and acted it up for the sake of the papers. It doesn’t surprise me he would go to these kinds of lengths to make sure I’m stuck with a woman.

“Very well,” I say, standing. “I’ll be sure to get right on it.”

The lawyer gives me a disgusted look. “And how do you suppose you’ll do that?”

I smirk at him. “Simple. I’ll find a wife.”

CHAPTER 2

THEN

Katia

Click, click, click.

My heels are only one sound on the bustling street as I make my way towards my best friend, Dusty’s, birthday bash. Voices chatter noisily around as people excitedly head to their Saturday night destinations. I can’t help but smile at the people I pass, excited to finally be out of work and into the world of relaxation.

I’m a personal assistant to an overbearing boss that runs a large shipping company. My days are hectic and the only down time I get is on the weekend. Even then, I’m not guaranteed complete peace. Take today for example, where I was called into work to help my boss with a presentation when all I wanted to do was stay in bed.

“Girl!”

I smile as I near the bar I’m meeting Dusty at. He’s already standing out the front, dressed all in black, looking suave and super handsome. He grins, rushing forward to throw his arms around my body. I laugh, letting him lift me and spin me in a big circle.

“Happy Birthday, Dust.” I giggle when he places me on my feet once more.

“Girl, you look fine!”

Dusty is the nicest, friendliest, sexiest gay man I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. We became friends a little more than five years ago, and have been tight ever since. I met Dusty in a bar, crying into his drink, so to speak, because he’d been dumped. We got chatting, we got drunk, and a friendship formed. He called me the next day and now here we are.

“I had to work all day.” I frown.

He scrunches his nose up and waves his hand around in disgust. I giggle as his dark blue eyes dance with amusement.

Dusty gathers an equal amount of male/female attention. Upon first glance you want to rip his clothes off and lick every inch of his body, he’s that good looking. He’s got black hair, black as the night, and this brings out his dark blue eyes. His skin is a cross between pale and light olive, not quite either. His body is tall, muscled and exceptional.