Chapter5 The Sudden Kiss

Scarlett’s POV

My mind went blank. I couldn't have heard him correctly.

"What did you just say?"

Preston's expression didn't change. His voice remained calm, measured. "I said you'll be my wife. That's my condition."

I stared at him, searching for any sign that this was a joke. There was none.

"Why?" The word came out sharper than I intended. "What could you possibly get out of this?"

He tilted his head slightly, studying me. "Isn't it obvious?"

"No, actually. It's not obvious at all. You're Preston Beaumont. You could have anyone."

"Could I?" Something flickered in his eyes. "I've been in this wheelchair for five years, Scarlett. Do you know how many wealthy socialites have suddenly lost interest in me since then?"

I shook my head. "I don't believe that."

"It's true."

"You're successful. You're intelligent. You run one of the most profitable companies in the city." I gestured around his office. "And you're not exactly hard to look at. There have to be plenty of women who'd jump at the chance to marry you."

A sad smile tugged at his lips. "So you think I'm attractive?"

Heat crept up my neck. "That's not the point."

"Then what is the point?"

"The point is that your disability doesn't define you. Anyone who can't see past the wheelchair doesn't deserve you anyway."

He wheeled closer, his gaze intense. "So you don't mind? That I'm like this?"

The vulnerability in his voice caught me off guard. For a moment, he wasn't the composed CEO—he was just a man asking if he was still worth something.

"Of course I don't mind," I said quietly. "But Preston, I can't marry you. I'm focused on my career right now. Marriage is the last thing on my mind."

"Actually, marriage to me would help your career significantly."

I crossed my arms. "How do you figure that?"

"Gray Industries has major stakes in sports management and athletic equipment manufacturing. We sponsor three professional hockey teams." He leaned back in his chair. "I can provide you with the capital and connections you need to launch your sports management company."

I felt my resolve wavering. "Preston..."

"You've been trying to get funding for over a year now, haven't you? Six different investors turned you down. Said it was too risky, too niche, not enough experience in the business world."

"How did you know that?"

He ignored my question. "I can give you everything those investors refused. Startup capital, office space, industry connections. I'll introduce you to team owners, equipment manufacturers, sponsorship directors. Everything you need to build a legitimate business."

"And what about my credibility? People will say I only succeeded because of you."

"Let them say whatever they want. Once your company starts turning profit, once you start signing clients and closing deals, none of that will matter." His eyes held mine. "Pierce never took your business ambitions seriously, did he? He thought you should focus on being his wife instead."

The accuracy of that statement stung. "He said professional sports management wasn't a suitable career for a woman."

"He said that because he's an idiot with no vision." Preston's voice hardened. "The sports industry is evolving. Women's sports are exploding right now. The investment opportunities are incredible. But Pierce couldn't see that because he was too busy playing house with Madison."

I looked away, the mention of them twisting something painful in my chest.

"I also heard about your business plan," Preston continued. "The one focusing on women athletes and emerging sports markets. It's actually brilliant."

My head snapped back toward him. "How do you know about that?"

"I make it my business to know things." He steepled his fingers. "Your projections are solid, your market analysis is thorough. Those investors were fools to pass on you. With proper backing, your company could dominate that sector within five years."

"Thanks for the reminder of my failures," I muttered.

"I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm trying to help you. Marry me, and I'll provide the capital you need. Full funding, no strings attached beyond our agreement."

"There are always strings."

"Not with me." His gaze was steady. "I believe in your vision, Scarlett. I think you could build something remarkable."

I wanted to believe him. God, I wanted to so badly. But something still didn't make sense.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked again. "Why me? Why now?"

Preston was quiet for a moment. Then he reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a folder. He slid it across the desk toward me.

"What's this?"

"Open it."

I flipped open the folder. Inside were photographs—Madison at the ice rink, talking to someone I didn't recognize. Madison handing over an envelope. More photos of her and Pierce at various hotels, restaurants, private locations. Timestamps on everything.

"How long have you been following them?"

"Long enough." He pulled out another document. "That's a full record of Madison's sabotage. The tampered equipment, the bribes to officials, everything she did to undermine you at the rink."

I stared at the evidence, my hands shaking. "This is..."

"Proof," Preston finished. "Concrete, undeniable proof of what she's done. And I have more on Pierce too. His business dealings aren't as clean as he pretends. There are offshore accounts, questionable partnerships, tax irregularities."

"You could destroy them."

"I could," he agreed. "And I will, if you want me to. I can make sure their affair becomes public knowledge. I can tank Pierce's company. I can have Madison blacklisted from every social circle in this city."

My pulse raced. This was exactly what I needed. The ammunition to fight back, to make them pay for everything they'd done.

But still, that nagging question remained.

"Preston, I need you to be honest with me. Why are you helping me like this? What's really in it for you?"

Something shifted in his expression—a flash of pain, quickly hidden. He let out a soft sigh.

"You really don't remember, do you?"

I frowned. "Remember what?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. It doesn't matter."

"It clearly does matter. Preston, what are you talking about?"

"Forget I said anything."

"I can't just forget it. You're asking me to marry you. I deserve to know why."

He looked at me for a long moment, and I thought he might actually tell me. But then he seemed to change his mind, his expression closing off.

"Here's what matters," he said instead. "I help you destroy Pierce and Madison. I provide funding for your company, access to top tier training facilities, and connections that will launch your career to levels you've only dreamed of. In return, you marry me within three months."

"Three months?" My voice came out high. "That's so soon."

"Do you want revenge or not?"

I bit my lip. Everything he was offering—it was more than I'd hoped for.

More than I could achieve on my own. With Preston's resources and connections, I could actually win.

I could make Pierce and Madison pay for what they'd done.

But marriage. That was such a permanent step.

"What about after?" I asked. "After we're married, then what?"

"We maintain appearances publicly. Privately, you're free to live your life however you want. Focus on your career, your team, your company. I won't interfere."

"And if I want a divorce eventually?"

"Then we divorce. I'm not trying to trap you, Scarlett. This is a business arrangement. One that benefits both of us."

I studied his face, trying to read him. There was something he wasn't telling me, something important. But I was running out of options and time.

"Okay," I heard myself say. "I'll do it."

Something flickered in Preston's eyes—triumph? Relief? I couldn't tell.

"You won't regret this."

"I better not."

He smiled then, a real smile that transformed his entire face. "I promise you won't."

Before I could respond, Preston suddenly moved. His wheelchair rolled forward quickly, closing the distance between us. His hands reached out, pulling me toward him.

"What are you—"

And then his lips were on mine.

The kiss was nothing like I expected. It wasn't gentle or tentative.

It was claiming, possessive, like he'd been waiting years for this moment. His hand cupped the back of my head, fingers threading through my hair as he deepened the kiss.