ced herself to look away. 'Could you go ahead to the ceremony and tell them I'm running late?' Priya avoided her friend's eyes. 'I just...need a moment.' Aria embraced her in a q

old and following the rules expected of an upper-class heiress. For seven years, she had taken time to just be herself. But once she got married...she would be a billionaire. Closing her eyes tightly, she fought to inhale, but every attempt seemed to only serve to tighten the bands forming around her ribcage. The private elevator came to a stop far too quickly for her liking and as the doors opened into the empty executive atrium, her path was blocked by a broad figure in a sleek black suit. She was momentarily transfixed by a pair of cerulean blue eyes framed by the kind of angular bone structure and full lips that were usually reserved for the catwalk. For a long, ridiculous moment all she could do was stare. Beauty was not a word often used to describe men...but there was no other word to accurately encompass the force of viewing such a face. His dark blond hair was pulled back into a neat style, but she could tell that it would fall almost to his shoulders unbound. Coupled with the perfectly groomed shadow of stubble along his jawline, the overall effect gave him a rather dangerous quality that seemed quite at odds with the serene smile on his lips. As though he'd heard her thoughts, that smile tilted up to one side and his features were transformed anew. 'You must be the bride.' His voice was deep and slightly accented. Priya's heart thumped against her breastbone and she swallowed hard, her throat suddenly parched even as she pressed her lips flat and reminded herself that she was not a swooning teenager. She was the

f it had been up to her, she'd be saying her vows in something far more functional. Without comment, the driver

her? She may not be in an actual romantic relationship with her groom but she had promised that she would play the perfect society bride. That meant maintaining the appearance of a blissfully