The soft crash of ocean waves drifted through the open balcony doors, mingling with the scent of salt and expensive cologne. Ivanna Blake blinked her eyes due to the bright morning sun filtering into the hotel suite, her head aching.
She tried to sit up, but a heavy arm was draped across her waist.She panicked then slowly turned her head — and nearly gasped aloud.
The man beside her was devastatingly handsome, even asleep. His black hair framed a perfectly chiseled face with sharp cheekbones.His bare chest rose and fell with calm, steady breaths.
Her eyes darted to her own hand, and her heart stopped.
A diamond ring shinned on her finger, mocking her with its size and clarity. She yanked her hand away, but the ring didn't disappear.
She didn't remember saying vows. She barely remembered arriving at the island resort, desperate to escape the hurt of her ex's betrayal. But memories of last night were a blur of laughter, stolen kisses, and too many drinks.
The man stirred. His gray eyes flickered open, icy and assessing — yet strangely familiar.
"Good morning, Mrs. Stone," he said , his voice low and smooth like aged wine
Her mouth dropped open. "Mrs. what?"
He sat up with all the effortless power of someone used to commanding boardrooms and breaking hearts. "Mrs. Stone. Or should I say… my wife."
Ivanna's pulse roared in her ears. "This is a mistake," she whispered, clutching the sheets around her. "I don't even know you!"
A ghost of a smirk touched his lips. "Oh, but now you do. My name is Adrian Stone. CEO of Stone Industries." He paused, eyes narrowing with dangerous amusement. "And as of last night, we're legally married."
She scrambled for the nightstand, finding a crumpled marriage certificate stamped with the resort's logo. Her signature was scrawled next to his — proof of her worst nightmare.
Adrian's expression hardened. "I suggest you calm down, Ivanna. The press will be here in hours, and neither of us can afford a scandal."
She glared at him, chest heaving. "What do you want from me?"
He reached out, tracing the diamond ring on her finger. "A deal. Six months. Be my wife in public. Play your part. And when it's over… we walk away."
But as his fingers lingered on hers, a spark ignited between them — and Ivanna realized she might have just stepped into something far more dangerous than a marriage of convenience