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I look at the woman I’ve wanted for six months and the signature that says she’s about to become my wife.
“No, Lila.” I open the door. “Not yet.”
Her mouth drops open.
I leave before she can throw something at me.
It’s a one-year arrangement.
That’s all.
I get my land. She saves the lodge. Three hundred and sixty-five days from now, we sign another set of papers and go back to our separate lives.
Simple.
I tell myself I just bought a year.
The problem is I’m already wondering what it’ll cost me to keep her.
Chapter 3
Lila
Ibecome Mrs. Dane Miller at nine seventeen on a Wednesday morning.
It takes eleven minutes.
Which feels inadequate considering I’ve just made what may be the worst decision of my life.
“You may kiss your bride.”
My head snaps toward the judge. “That isn’t necessary.”
Beside me, Dane looks down.
The corner of his mouth moves. “Scared?”
“No.”
“Look scared.”
“I married you. Clearly I have no survival instinct.”
The judge laughs.
Dane doesn’t.
He steps closer.
My heart kicks hard enough to annoy me.
“We don’t have to,” I whisper.
“I know.”
His hand settles at my waist.
Warm. Heavy.
