Page 43 of Wicked Proposal
“Yulian, what the hell is this?”
His pupils widen—just a fraction. Belatedly, I realize this must be the first time I’ve called him by his first name.
He recovers quickly, though. “As you so cleverly noticed, it’s a contract of employment.”
“To be your girlfriend.”
“Fakegirlfriend.”
“For the next six months.”
“If you’re fishing for compliments, I’m afraid I’ve already said everything I’m going to about your comprehension abilities.”
“How aboutyourcomprehension abilities?” I cry out. “You realize I’d have to be crazy to say yes, right?” I thrust the papers back to him. “I mean, last night?—”
“Turn to article five.”
“Excuse me?”
His tone grows darker. “I’m not in the habit of repeating myself,Mia.”
The sound of my name in his mouth sends a shiver down my spine. Suddenly, my legs feel like jelly.
I don’t know why I obey, but I do.
“Article five,” I read flatly. “‘Compensation.’”
“Go on.”
I’ll tell you where you can go.“For six months of service,” I grit, “the Employee will be paid…”
Then I stop.
I blink.
I reread the number.
Then I count the zeroes again, and again, and again, because it can’t possibly be?—
One million dollars.
But it is.
I turn my gaze back to Yulian. “You’re—you’re serious?”
“Like I said,” he rumbles, “I’m always serious.”
One million. Onefreakingmillion. My eyes are crossing, reading the number over and over, like it might change at any second.
I have to fight the urge to pinch myself, if only because I know Yulian would be insufferable about it.
Of course, he decides to be insufferable anyway.
“Not bad for six months’ work,” he points out. “It’s certainly more than you make right now.”
“How do you know what I?—?”
“I have my sources,” he says vaguely. “Besides, you’re a nurse.”
