The Billionaire's Backup Bride

NAOMI'S POINT OF VIEW

"Marry me."For a second...I simply stared at him then I laughed.Not a polite laugh.....A genuine, uncontrollable laugh.

"I'm... I'm sorry." I covered my mouth.

"That was actually funny."Mr. Kingsley didn't laugh.His expression remained unreadable.The smile slowly slipped from my face.

"...You're serious?"

"I am."I blinked twice, waiting for him to smile or admit this was some strange billionaire joke.He didn't.

"You can't be serious."

"I've never been more serious."I looked around the ballroom.Several guests were watching us from a distance, pretending not to.

A waiter nearly walked into a flower stand because he was too busy staring.Even the musicians had stopped pretending to rehearse.Heat rushed to my face.

"Mr. Kingsley..."

"Xavier."

"What?"

"My name is Xavier."I frowned.

"This isn't the time to correct me."

"No," he said calmly.

"It isn't."

"Then why are you asking me to marry you?"His jaw tightened.

"My bride disappeared."

"I know."

"I have less than an hour before this wedding is officially declared a failure."

"I'm... sorry."

"So am I."His answer came quietly.

For the first time since we'd met, I noticed how exhausted he looked.The expensive tuxedo,The perfectly tailored jacket,The polished shoes.None of them could hide the dark circles beneath his eyes.

For a brief moment......I almost felt sorry for him.Almost.

"But why me?"

"You stayed calm when everyone else panicked."I frowned.

"What?"

"You helped your coworker instead of blaming her."

"Anyone would've done that."

"No."His gaze remained fixed on mine.

"They wouldn't."I opened my mouth but closed it again.Surely...That couldn't be the reason.

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough."I laughed again, though this time it sounded uncertain.

"Mr... Xavier..."He raised an eyebrow.

"Even if I wanted to help....which I don't......marriage isn't something you ask a complete stranger."

"I know."

"You don't."

"I do."

"No, you really don't."A small silence settled between us.Then he asked,

"Do you trust me?"

"What?"

"I asked if you trust me."

"I met you less than ten minutes ago."

"Fair enough."He slipped one hand into the pocket of his tuxedo.

"I'm not asking because I'm in love with you."

"Good."

"I'm asking because I need your help."

"And I'm not qualified."

"You are."

"No."

"Yes."I folded my arms.

"You really don't give up, do you?"

"I've been told I'm persistent."

"I'd use another word."One corner of his mouth lifted.It was the first hint of amusement I'd seen from him all day.

"I probably deserve that."I sighed.

"Look..."

"I truly am sorry about what happened."

"I can't imagine how difficult today must be."

"But marrying you isn't the answer."I turned to leave.

"I'll pay you."My steps stopped.Slowly...I looked back.

"I'm sorry?"

"I'll compensate you for your time."I stared at him.

"You think I'm saying no because of money?"

"No."

"Then why bring it up?"

"Because what I'm asking will change your life."His voice was calm.

"So it should change mine too."I shook my head.

"You can't buy a wife."

"I'm not trying to."

"It certainly sounds like it."

"I'm offering a contract."I blinked.

"A... what?"

"A temporary marriage."I couldn't help laughing again.

"This gets crazier every second."

"It will last one year."

"And then?"

"We divorce."I stared at him as though he'd lost his mind.

"You've planned all this already?"

"I've had a very stressful morning."

"I can tell."He glanced toward the ballroom entrance where reporters crowded behind the glass doors.

"If this wedding doesn't happen today..."

"My company suffers."

"My employees suffer."

"Thousands of people could lose their jobs."His words caught me off guard.I'd expected him to talk about money,about reputation.Not...People.

Still...It wasn't enough.

"I'm sorry."I shook my head.

"I can't."For a second......Neither of us spoke.Then he took one slow step toward me.

"What if I offered you fifty million dollars?"Everything around me seemed to stop immediately.

I searched his face, waiting for the punchline.

"...How much?"His eyes never left mine.

"Fifty million dollars."