Ruby nodded, her face suddenly filled with uncertainty. Was it just now dawning on her what she’d agreed to? Yvonne didn’t have time to deal with whatever Ruby was going through. She had business to take care of.

She finished off her coffee. “I need to let my friends know I won’t be flying back with them.” She’d break the news of her marriage to them first thing in the morning at work on Monday. “After that, I’ll be in my suite. Come find me if you have any questions.”

Ruby nodded.

Yvonne left the bar. The deal was done. At the end of the year, Yvonne would have her inheritance. Ruby would have her five million dollars. They would go their separate ways.

All they had to do between now and then was convince the world that their marriage was real.

Chapter 4

Ruby stepped through the front door of Yvonne’s apartment and looked around. The apartment was huge, and it made the Vegas suite look tacky and cheap. Although it was uncluttered and plainly decorated, it didn’t feel empty. All the decor had a clean, minimalistic richness.

“This is a nice place.” Was this really Ruby’s home for an entire year? She could get used to this.

“I’ve only lived here a couple of years,” Yvonne said. “The penthouse was taken, so I had to settle.”

Yvonne tipped the doorman for bringing their bags up and headed into the apartment. Ruby followed, carefully containing the awe she felt. She didn’t want to look too impressed. That was a turn-off.

Not that it mattered in this case. Yvonne had made herself very clear that their arrangement was purely business, and they were already locked into it by the rings on their fingers. Ruby didn’t have to seduce Yvonne, didn’t have to play the perfect girlfriend. She didn’t have to pretend to be Yvonne’s fantasy. But Ruby had become so used to turning herself into the kind of person her client wanted her to be.

Ruby examined Yvonne as she followed her. Was ‘wife’ really all that Yvonne wanted Ruby to be?

Yvonne led her down a hall. “I have to be at work in an hour, so I’ll make this quick. You can have this room.” She opened a door to the right. “The housekeeper is due in today; I’ll have her make it up for you.”

Yvonne was giving Ruby her own bedroom? Clearly, she was serious about keeping their arrangement platonic. Ruby peered through the door to find a huge bedroom with a king-sized bed and an adjoining bathroom, along with a large sunny window through which the city below them could be seen.

“You’re welcome to replace the furnishings and decor to suit your tastes,” Yvonne said. “On that topic, I have something for you. Wait here.”

Ruby waited in the hall while Yvonne disappeared into another room. When she returned, she was holding a card in her hand.

“Here.” Yvonne handed Ruby the card. It was a credit card bearing Yvonne’s name. “This is yours. Use it to buy anything you need. If you’re going to live here for a year, I want you to be comfortable. Buy yourself a new wardrobe. You’ll need some pieces for when you accompany me on special occasions, but I’ll take care of those. The basics are up to you. Just make sure any outfits you buy are befitting of your status as my wife. That shouldn’t be difficult for you.” Her eyes swept down Ruby’s body. “I can tell you’re a woman of excellent tastes.”