Page 14 of Craig

“Yes,” he said tightly. “You mentioned a few times while we were… intimate, that your dream is to open a modeling school-”

“Agency.”

“What?”

“An agency. Why?”

“I could make that happen. I have money of my own, a trust fund with several million dollars that I inherited from my mother.”

He picked up his glass and took a gulp. “We could sign an agreement and as soon as we’ve entered into this fake marriage, two million dollars could be yours.”

Regina went still, her heart racing, palms sweating. It was like an answer to her desperate prayers.

Two million dollars could buy her the building, plus the equipment and everything she needed to start up the business. It could also give her enough left over to hire a couple of people.

And all she had to do was to pretend to be married. “Wait.”

She held up a hand.

“You said your grandfather wants to ensure that you’re really married. How do you plan on pulling it off?”

A smile touched his lips and hope sprang inside him.

“I’ve got that covered. A friend of mine, he’s prepared to perform the ceremony.”

“And this friend is a what? Pretend priest?”

“He was a marriage officer who lost his license because of some shady dealings with a certain gang member. He’s willing to do it for a price. After which he’s planning on going to the Cayman Islands to spend the rest of his life snorkeling or some crap like that.”

Regina stirred her drink slowly. “I’m assuming your grandfather is very smart.”

“Wily like a damn fox.”

“Won’t he find it suspicious that you managed to pull a wife out of a hat?”

“I told him we were involved at one point.”

Her brows lifted. “You were that sure I was going to say yes?”

“You always said that money makes the wheels turn.” The touch of cynicism and the look in his jade-green eyes could not be mistaken.

Regina could not blame him for his low opinion of her. She had deliberately led him to believe that she was all about the money.

“That’s right.”

He stared at her for a moment before looking away, trying to ignore the fact that her answer had disappointed him.

“Well? What do you say?”

“I’m guessing we’ll have to live together?”

“I’m afraid so. Another stipulation is that we live at the manor.”

“I see.” She sipped her drink and considered.

“I’m going to have to tell my brother.”

“I don’t think-”