Mason

LAUREN

Marry me.

My mind was a whirlwind. I must have heard him wrong. He couldn’t have just proposed.

I was stuck, unable to look away from him. He was the picture of calm.

But it was his eyes that held me captive. I couldn’t ignore the icy glint of calculation in those silver orbs.

He held my gaze. Unblinking. Totally at ease—something I couldn’t wrap my head around.

“Very funny, sir,” I said.

His face hardened, anger flashing in his eyes.

“Do you really think I’d waste my time joking? I’m not playing, Ms. Hart.”

Irritation pushed me to my feet, and I eyed the distance to the door.

“I don’t know what your new game is, but count me out.” I made a dash for the door.

It felt like a scene from a horror movie.

He snagged me mid-stride. His fingers wrapped around my arm and spun me around to face him. I gasped as my back hit the door.

His eyes turned icy.

My body heated up.

His strong muscles pressed against me, his fingers grazing my skin.

I wanted to bolt, but his gaze held me just as firmly as his powerful arms.

His silver eyes pinned me in place.

“You’re going to be my wife,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

I was cornered between the door and Mason Campbell’s imposing, muscular frame. Heat rushed to my cheeks.

I tried to kickstart my brain. Snap out of it!

“Why would you want to marry me? This doesn’t make sense.” My words came out sharper than I intended.

“It makes sense. You just don’t need to understand it,” he said. There was a fierce light in his eyes, a light that was almost scary. “You’re the best choice.”

“Choice? Choice for what?”

“To be Mrs. Mason Campbell.”

He pulled me further into the room. He was close—so close I could feel his warm breath on my cheeks.

“You’re making it sound like a business deal, not a marriage.”

“It is a business deal, Ms. Hart. One that will benefit you, trust me. You only need to be married to me for a year, and then you’re free to do whatever you want.”

I tried to make sense of his words.

“Why do you want to get married for just a year?” I wasn’t considering it, but I was curious about his condition.

“You’ll know the reason once you accept my offer,” he said curtly.

For someone who sounded desperate, he sure was acting like I didn’t have a say in the matter.

Like he’d already decided I would marry him, and he was just letting me in on the plan.

Talk about a jerk.

“Why me? Why not someone you like? Like you always say, Mr. Campbell, there are plenty of people who would love to be your wife.”

“I don’t care about all the women in the world, Ms. Hart. I’ve chosen you, and that’s final.”

It could have been romantic, but it wasn’t. Mason Campbell was incapable of emotion. This was all cold and calculated.

I was a commodity.

A choice.

An object to be claimed.

But still, I blushed so hard I thought my face was on fire! Hearing him say that in his deep, sexy voice…

“This…this isn’t happening. I won’t marry you, Mr. Campbell. Not in this life or any other.”

“I get what I want,” he murmured, his voice as smooth and rich as the first time I met him.

“If I have to force a ring on you, then so be it. But in the end, you will be my wife.”

I shivered, my eyes locked with his. The silence was so thick it crackled in the living room.

“Is that a challenge?” I asked, my flat tone revealing more than my words.

“A challenge?” he echoed, his voice heavy. Then he raised an eyebrow. “Really? As you wish.”

I turned away from his dismissive gesture, walking the few steps to the door, my mind spinning.

Marry Mason Campbell?

Is this some kind of sick joke?

***

The next day, I still couldn’t shake Mason Campbell from my thoughts: the man who took whatever he wanted.

And he wanted to marry me.

Me, Lauren Hart, the most ordinary girl, married to billionaire Mason Campbell. Not just any billionaire, but the most sought-after man.

No, I thought.

The idea seared through my mind and body…it couldn’t be real.

But a voice deep inside me insisted. Something about it resonates with you. You know it does.

The thought took root and grew stronger with every heartbeat.

God, no.

I closed my eyes and pictured him standing there, his captivating eyes haunting me, calculating my every move.

Those silver eyes were so mysterious, so dangerous, like a ticking time bomb.

I closed my eyes, and it felt like he was still standing in front of me, his heartbeat pounding in my ears.

I imagined him there, pulling me close, his breath warm against my skin.

I felt Mason Campbell’s presence all around me.

He ignited my senses and posed a challenge not just to my sanity, but to my heart.

Every single breath I took.

I told Beth what happened last night, and she completely lost it.

She wouldn’t stop calling me Mrs. Lauren Mason Campbell.

She’s nuts! Can’t she see how sketchy this all is?

I needed to calm down and get away from it all.

I had to visit my dad. Being with him always made me happy, always calmed me down.

I remembered I was putting up with all of this for him. I wanted to spend as much time with him as I could.

I was happy to see him after a few days. Walking in with his favorite flowers in hand, I paused in the doorway.

He was tall, dark, and brooding, his back turned to me. My mouth went dry just looking at him.

Mason Campbell. A man you couldn't help but notice.

It wasn't just his size, but the powerful aura he carried. He had a way of standing out in a crowd.

And now, this man was standing in my dad's hospital room.

My heart nearly stopped. What the hell is going on?

Dad was the first to notice me.

“Lauren.”

Mason Campbell turned around and I forgot how to breathe. His hair was sleek, catching the light.

His shoulders moved, muscles rippling, and his strong profile showed a clenched jaw, a grim set to his handsome features.

Did he know that his frown made him even more attractive?

I shivered, chills running up and down my spine as his silver eyes held me captive.

This was the man who could bend others to his will. He closed the distance between us, reaching me before I could catch my breath or recover from the shock of seeing him.

I tried to stay calm…but damn, when he towered over me like that…it was hard to.

I tilted my chin up to look at him, my heart pounding, emotions swirling inside me.

I looked into his eyes, but couldn't read what was hidden behind them.

He had put up impenetrable shields, leaving me to wonder why he was here.

I glanced at Dad, who was watching Mason with awe, a bright smile on his face as if he'd just been told he was going to live. This only raised more questions.

My brow furrowed.

Mason smiled…if you could call the slight lift of the corner of his lips a smile.

“Hello, Lauren,” he said, his voice rich and deep, making my knees weak.

He said my name differently. It was almost seductive.

I never imagined Mason having that kind of voice…the kind of voice that was meant for the bedroom.

And he was using it on me.

He wrapped his arm around my waist and I felt a spark at his touch.

What the hell is he doing?

“Lauren!” Dad said, his smile the happiest I'd ever seen. Tears were in his eyes. “I didn't know you had such a wonderful fiancé!”

My stomach dropped.

Oh no.

Mason didn't.

Dad didn't notice my horror. “When is the wedding?” he asked, his voice full of joy.

There was no wedding.

I hadn't agreed to any damn wedding!

I cleared my throat, trying to find my voice, but the words were stuck. Where do I even begin?

“Don't worry, love. I didn't ruin all the surprises,” Mason said, his voice light. He leaned in close to my ear. “I didn't tell him it's in two weeks.”