Page 9 of Temporary Wife Temptation

“My grandmother arranged for me to marry a woman I’ve never met based on her family’s wealth and connections.”

“She did what?” Natalie’s voice rose an octave, her expression a mixture of shock and indignation. “There are so many things wrong with that sentence. Your grandmother chose someone for you to marry? Based on the woman’s family assets, not the woman herself?”

Garrett smiled at the protective edge that had crept into Natalie’s voice. “Yes to both, but Grandmother insists the woman herself is also satisfactory.”

Natalie’s eyes flashed. “Satisfactory to her standards. You haven’t even met your betrothed.”

“She isn’t my anything. Have you forgotten that I’ve asked you to be my wife?”

“But... I still don’t understand why you want to marry me.”

“Are you familiar with Korean culture?”

She sighed with a sheepish shrug. “I’m half-Korean, but all I know about our culture comes from K-drama.”

He cocked his head and stowed away that information to explore at another time.

“As the eldest member of our family, my grandmother commands absolute respect and obedience from her children and grandchildren. I couldn’t flat-out refuse to marry the heiress she chose. That would be like spitting in her face. So I told her I was secretly engaged to someone else and I couldn’t go back on my word to my fiancée.”

“Hmm.” Natalie’s eyebrows drew together as she digested his explanation. “And your grandma’s okay with that?”

“Of course not. She threatened to stop my CEO appointment if I don’t break off the engagement.”

“I need to sit down.” She looked dazed. “What are you going to do?”

“First, we’re moving this conversation away from any prying ears.” With his hand on the small of her back, Garrett led her to the privacy of his office, and settled her onto a sofa. Once the door was shut behind him, he continued, “Then I’m going to get married as soon as possible because my grandmother will meddle with my personal life until I do.”

“But what about the CEO job?”

“You could help with that, too. I’m working on a partnership with Vivotex. It’s nearly done but I still need to convince some key executives over there. Presenting myself as a family man could strengthen my credibility, and help me win their trust. Once I get the partnership sealed, the board wouldn’t dream of electing another CEO. They need to do what’s best for Hansol, as does my grandmother.”

“That all makes sense in an upside-down kind of way.”

“I’m glad you think so,” he said quietly, relieved she didn’t think less of him.

“If I marry you...” A burst of triumph spread through his chest, and the caveman possessiveness reared its head again. He opened his mouth to speak but Natalie cut him off. “If I do, I have some conditions.”

“Conditions?” He wasn’t fond of conditions being placed on him, but he didn’t have a line of contract brides waiting to marry him. “Name them.”

“I won’t share your bed,” she blurted. “My professional life and my personal life never cross.”

“Agreed,” he said, but his eyes raked hotly over her body against his will. With effort, he focused his gaze on her face. Consummating the marriage would complicate an already complicated situation. “It’ll simplify the dissolution of our marriage. An annulment is more efficient than a divorce.”

“Good. And I also want to ask you to not have...relationships while this lasts.” She flushed a bright shade of pink.

“What kind of relationships?” It both surprised and amused him to watch her squirm and blush.

“The extramarital kind involving sex with people who aren’t your wife.” She jutted out her chin in a show of defiance that was becoming familiar to him.

“Ah, that kind.”

“Yes.” Natalie rolled her eyes. “That kind.”

“Agreed.” Unable to resist, he teased her with a grin. “I presume you will do me the same courtesy?”

“Of course. It’s important we convince the world our marriage is real. Not only for you, but for me, as well.” Her expression grew fierce. “I’m fighting to adopt my niece. She was orphaned when my sister and her husband died in a car crash.”

“Your niece?”

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