For a moment, the determination in Ruby’s eyes was overshadowed by lust. Was it lust for a life of luxury? Or lust for something else?

Someone, perhaps?

Ruby pressed her lips into a line, her resolve returning. “What I desire is eight million dollars.”

“Two million,” Yvonne said firmly. “And you’ll get your own credit card to spend as you please. Within reasonable limits, of course.”

“I’m not going any lower. A whole year of my life is a long time to give up, even if I’ll be living it in luxury.”

Ruby was right. If Yvonne was going to exploit someone, she might as well compensate her fairly. And what was a few million in the grand scheme of things? If Yvonne played her cards right, she’d have millions at her disposal soon enough. And that wasn’t counting the billions she already held in assets.

“Five million.” Yvonne held up her hand, forestalling Ruby’s reply. “And I’ll sweeten the deal. The fine print of my inheritance states that I get half of it after being married for three months, and the other half after a year. I’ll make you the same deal. You get two and a half million at the three-month mark. Make it to a year, and you’ll get the rest.”

Ruby hesitated.

Yvonne had her. “Five million. That’s my final offer.” She didn’t give Ruby a chance to speak. “And in exchange, I expect you to play the part of my wife to perfection.” Yvonne leaned in closer to her. “You will be my wife in every sense of the word.”

This time, the lust that flashed behind Ruby’s eyes lasted long enough for Yvonne to know she hadn’t imagined it. And this time, it was no clearer whether it was about the money or Yvonne herself.

Yvonne sat back. “To the outside world, that is.”

Ruby glanced away, chewing her lip in thought. Yvonne waited in silence. She already knew Ruby’s answer. She already knew she had Ruby hooked.

And she couldn’t deny the satisfaction it gave her.

Finally, Ruby spoke. “Five million dollars. Half at three months, half after a year. I’ll be your wife. I’ll be more than your wife.” Her voice fell to a sultry whisper. “I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”

Yvonne ignored the twinge of desire she felt at Ruby’s words. “Just so we’re clear, I don’t want anything from you except for you to act as my wife in public. That’s all. This is purely a business arrangement.”

“Sure, I hear you.” But Ruby’s smile suggested otherwise.

Was that going to be a problem? Yvonne hoped not, because she didn’t have any other options.

“We have a deal.” Just to drive home the point, Yvonne held out her hand for Ruby to shake.

But when Ruby slipped her hand into Yvonne’s, it had the opposite effect. Her soft touch was electrifying.

Yvonne broke off the handshake. “I was planning to fly out in a couple of hours, but we’ll catch a red-eye later tonight instead. That will give you time to pack. Only the essentials, of course. I’ll buy you everything you need when we get back home.”