Page 60 of Temporary Vows

Jack didn’t care about what people said. But I did. Mostly because I knew deep down, they were right.

Dorian is right to ask me about Jack because my brother practically abandoned me to doom. He never returned any of my messages or called me. I understood he couldn’t help. I didn’t expect anyone to save me from the mess I got myself in, but he’s my brother. He could have at least checked on me.

“I have two offers for you.” Dorian sets his hands on the counter.

Every muscle in my body goes tense.

“Okay,” I say slowly, giving him a thin stare. “Twooffers?”

His gaze doesn’t move. “Yes. Let’s just say one of them will be mutually beneficial.”

I keep staring at him. “What are they?”

“The first option is simple. You pay me back,” he answers, calm as ever.

I nod immediately. “Yes. Of course. I can pay something at the end of the month.”

“You can pay it back in installments. However much you can manage. However long it takes.”

Some of the tightness in my chest eases. “Really? Because that might take a while.”

“That’s fine.”

God. It will probably take forever to pay him back, but at least it’s better than owing Marcus. And I get to keep my life.

Dorian watches me for a moment, like he’s measuring something in my face. His first offer is a good deal. But what’s the second offer? And how would it be mutually beneficial? There’s nothing I can do for him.

“What’s offer number two?”

Something shifts in his expression then. He seems almost colder as he looks me straight in the eye. “The second offer is, you marry me.”

Everything inside me goes completely still.

I stare at him, and the thought occurs to me that maybe I’m still asleep. Surely, I’m dreaming. There is no universe or reality in which Dorian Vale would ask me to marry him.

But the man before me isveryreal. So… this is really happening.

“I’m sorry… what did you just say?” I press my hand against the counter, hoping to find purchase.

“You become my wife. If you do, the debt disappears.”

I blink at him, waiting for him to tell me he’s joking. Because he must be. But there’s no smile, no further explanation, just waiting.

“You’re actually serious.” I press a hand to my chest and take a quick breath.

“I am.”

The kitchen tilts around me, and the world warps into a surreal painting where I can’t tell which way is up or down. The only thing that remains still and steady is him—Dorian Vale with his stern expression, the expectant look in his eyes, and the slight bulge of one tattooed bicep when he eventually straightens and crosses his arms.

A minute ago, I was calculating my debt repayment. Now an offer of marriage is on the table like it was the next logical step in this conversation.

How the hell did that happen?

And something about this screams fishy. What kind of person offers marriage to pay off a debt?

He does, of course.

What was that thing he said about power?