Chapter Eight

Sienna’s Pov

My eyes snapped wide open, and my heart skipped. 

I was lying right next to Dominic. My hand was resting flat against his bare chest, and his dark eyes were staring right down into mine. The sunlight poured through the giant glass windows, wrapping around us like a warm blanket. For one crazy second, I forgot all about the rules, the contracts, and the fake marriage. I just felt the heat of his skin and the steady beat of his heart.

Then my brain woke up. I jerked my hand away as if I had touched fire and scrambled backward, pulling the blanket up to my chin.

"I—I didn't mean to!" I stammered, my face burning hot red. "I must have rolled over in my sleep! I swear I didn't mean to touch you!"

Dominic didn't laugh or yell. He slowly sat up, running a hand through his messy dark hair. A strange, quiet look crossed his face, but he quickly hid it behind his usual serious mask. He swung his long legs over the side of the bed and stood up.

"It's fine, Sienna," he said, his deep morning voice sending a weird little shiver down my spine. "Get up. Today is our wedding day. Marcus is bringing the clothes in an hour."

My stomach dropped straight down to the floor. Right. Today.

I sat there on the edge of the giant bed, watching him walk out of the room. Today I was legally tying myself to a man I hated—or at least, a man I was supposed to hate.

An hour later, a knock sounded at the door. Marcus had dropped off a large white garment bag before waiting outside. I carried the bag into the bathroom and unzipped it slowly, expecting a stiff, boring dress or something meant to hide my curves like all my old clients used to make me wear.

Instead, I pulled out a breathtaking ivory dress made of soft silk and lace. I stepped into it with shaking hands, holding my breath as I zipped it up the back.

I stared at myself in the big mirror, and my jaw dropped.

The dress wasn't trying to hide my body at all. It hugged my curves perfectly, curving in at my waist and flaring out softly around my legs. It made me look stunning. It made me feel proud of the body I usually tried to cover up. 

A knot of confusion twisted in my chest. Dominic had ordered this. He didn't pick something generic; he had it tailored specifically for me. Why would an arrogant billionaire who only wanted a fake wife care if I looked beautiful?

When I finally walked out of the bedroom, Dominic was waiting by the elevator in a sharp black suit.

He turned around when he heard my footsteps. The moment his eyes landed on me, he completely froze. His breath caught in his throat. His dark eyes traveled slowly down my dress, and for a few seconds, his strict, cold mask completely melted away. He looked at me like I was the only person in the entire world.

My face burned. I looked down at my shoes, feeling completely flustered by how intensely he was staring.

"Is... is something wrong?" I whispered, playing nervously with the lace on my sleeve.

Dominic blinked hard, clearing his throat as he quickly forced his expression back into a cool stare. "No. The dress works. Let's go. We shouldn't keep the judge waiting."

The civil ceremony was held in a quiet, private office downtown. It was small and simple, exactly as Dominic had promised. Only Marcus and a couple of trusted court officials stood in the room. But even without a crowd, the heavy quiet made my heart beat a million miles a minute.

When the judge asked us to exchange rings, Dominic stepped closer. He took my left hand in his. His fingers were warm, and his skin brushed against mine, sending a strange, uncomfortable spark shooting straight up my arm. I swallowed hard, sliding the simple platinum band onto his finger. He did the same for me, his touch lingering for a second longer than necessary.

"Do you, Dominic Kane, take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife?" the judge asked.

"I do," Dominic said, his voice deep, steady, and entirely too serious.

"And do you, Sienna Brooks, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?"

My throat felt tight. I looked up and met Dominic's dark gaze. For a second, the whole room vanished.

"I do," I whispered.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Relief didn't wash over me like I thought it would. Instead, a crushing wave of reality hit my chest. I had actually done it. I was a married woman.

The photographer stepped forward, telling us to pose. Dominic stepped in close, his heavy hand sliding firmly around my waist. The warmth of his palm burned right through the silk of my dress.

"Kiss her cheek," the photographer instructed. "Make it look natural."

Dominic didn't kiss my cheek. Instead, he tilted my chin up with his fingers, and his lips met mine.

It wasn't a cold, fake kiss for the camera. His lips were soft, warm, and demanding. A sweet, electric shock rushed through my entire body. The kiss lasted for several seconds—way longer than a fake wedding photo required. My eyes drifted shut, and for a crazy moment, I wanted to lean into him.

When we finally pulled apart, the room was dead silent. Both of us pretended like nothing had happened. Dominic cleared his throat, staring straight ahead at the camera, while my face burned hotter than the sun.

"Great shot!" the photographer beamed, lowering his camera. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Kane."

We walked out of the building and climbed into the back of a waiting black car. Marcus sat in the front seat with the driver, tapping away on his tablet. As the car pulled away from the curb, Marcus turned around with a polite, apologetic smile.

"Mr. Kane, just a quick update on tonight," Marcus said smoothly. "The reservation at the Grand Hotel is confirmed. Your uncle Victor and the rest of the Kane family board members are looking forward to the dinner celebration."

I frowned, turning my head to look at Marcus. "Dinner celebration? What dinner celebration?"

Marcus blinked, looking slightly confused before glancing over at Dominic.

Dominic didn't look at me. He stared straight ahead out the window, his jaw tight.

"My family arranged a formal dinner for tonight to celebrate our marriage," Dominic said, his voice entirely too calm.

My eyes flashed with sudden anger. I crossed my arms over the gorgeous ivory dress. "We never talked about a family dinner! Our contract says a one-year business arrangement, nothing about playing happy families with your snobby relatives!"

"It's mandatory," Dominic replied coldly, finally turning his dark eyes toward me. "If we don't show up tonight, my family will start asking questions we don't want to answer."

"What kind of questions?" I snapped back, my temper flaring up. "They know it's a contract! They know it's just for business!"

Dominic stared at me, a heavy, dark shadow crossing his face. The car grew so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat ticking in my ears.

Sienna looks at Dominic in disbelief when he says, “My family doesn’t know this marriage is temporary.”