Twenty minutes after stepping foot in the building, it was done. Hannah was married and Mrs. Justin Scarborough. Her hands shook as she signed the marriage certificate, but as soon as she laid the pen aside, she gripped her handbag to keep the tremble from her hands. She had no doubts. This was what she had to do, her only choice, but that didn’t keep her from being nervous about it.

“Congratulations!” the officiant who had performed the ceremony said. She hadn’t caught his name.

Hannah forced a smile on her face and pretended this was what she wanted. That she was excited about it. No one was to know that this wasn’t a love match, at least for now. That was part of the agreement she’d signed with Diamond Bridal Agency. They were an elite, highly secretive agency. She wasn’t even sure how they found their clients, brides or grooms, really, as it was only after she’d become desperate to find work or a husband that someone had told her about a bridal agency that specialized in what they’d called a ‘select clientele’ and had given her a phone number.

“Thank you.” Hannah smiled and hugged the witnesses who seemed genuinely happy for them, maybe Justin a little more than her, but they were his people, not hers.

“Thank you.” Justin smiled as he spoke to each one. “If you’ll excuse me, I think we’ll retire to our apartments for a while.”

“Are you going on a honeymoon?” one woman asked.

“I’m not sure yet.” Justin smiled as he looked over at Hannah. “This has been a little fast and we haven’t had time to properly make plans. But I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”

Hannah nodded, not sure what he wanted her to say. She decided it would be better to keep her mouth shut, at least for now.

Moments later, she was in a mirrored elevator riding to the top of the center-most clamshell of what she now knew was a replica of the Sidney Opera House. Her stomach flipped as she thought about being alone with her new husband for the first time. The elevator ride didn’t count, she was sure there were cameras.

He’d already said this wouldn’t be a marriage of convenience, but could she trust him not to force her? The light kiss after they’d said their vows had sent lightning bolts of heat through her. For some reason she didn’t understand, she’d been on edge ever since.

The elevator door opened and Justin stepped off. Hannah stood on the elevator a little too long, and Justin turned to watch her, a frown creasing his brow.

“You okay?” he paused, but she just nodded. “I don’t bite, not unless you want me to.”

He smiled and a shiver of desire crawled down her spine. She tried to ignore the odd sensation as she followed him off the elevator. Her new husband led her down a short hallway.

“This side is our apartment,” he motioned to one side of the hall, “and this side is my office. I sometimes have meetings and you may encounter Garrett in the hallways, so no wandering around out here in your birthday suit.” He shot her a playful grin.

She shook her head. Leaving the apartment without being fully dressed was something she would never do. Even if she wore a bathing suit, she would wear a cover up or a dress over it. To do otherwise would be scandalous.

“Would you like to see the office?” He watched her with lifted brows.

“Sure.” Anything to delay going into the apartment they would share and getting closer to a bed. She craved the feel his lips against hers again, but there was no way she could ask.

He pushed the door open and led her inside. “This is Garrett’s area. You’ll meet him later as he’s already off for the day.”

“Garrett?” She glanced around the room. It was nicely appointed. A solid wood desk, several leather chairs for people to wait and a couple plants in the corners to make it feel more welcoming. The only thing she would change would be the ice blue paint. It made the room feel cold. She’d change it to a warmer color.

“My assistant.”

Hanna frowned. He had a male assistant. She wasn’t sure how to feel about that, but decided at least there was a good chance he wouldn’t be screwing around on the side with his secretary… unless he liked men too. The idea intrigued her and she looked at him in a different light. Was that why he’d sent for a bride? To be his beard? But if he had, then why tell her he expected sex, and that he would be faithful to her?

Justin opened the double doors to one side of the desk and led her into another room. She glanced around and knew this had to be his office. It was partly paneled in a rich warm, honey oak, and partly glass wall that overlooked the city. Black leather seating and a rich mahogany desk told her the room belonged to a man who was comfortable with who he was and knew what he liked. She liked it and didn’t see anything she might change, then she stepped closer to the glass wall and was ensnared by the view. The sun had set not long before and someone had turned on all the lights.

While she’d been unimpressed with what she’d seen from the plane, she was stunned now. The lights were unlike anything she’d ever seen, in person at least. Sure, she’d seen Vegas in movies and on TV, but she’d assumed it was for the screen, not real. Below her was what seemed like miles of bright, flashing lights shaped like places from all over the world. She shouldn't be shocked considering where she was standing, but she was. It was beautiful.

“It’s stunning isn’t it?” Justin came up behind her and set his hands on her shoulders.

Heat seeped through her clothes as the front of his body brushed up against the back of hers. Something about it made her want to lean back against him, let him hold her and warm her.

“It is.”

They stood together for several minutes before Hannah’s stomach rumbled, breaking the spell the view seemed to have them under.

“Oops. Sorry.”

“No need.” Justin stepped away, she instantly felt the loss of his warmth and wished she had it back. “When was the last time you ate?”

“A while ago.” She looked away. She didn’t want to tell him she’d been so nervous about getting on the plane she’d skipped breakfast, and lunch, for fear of being ill.

“It doesn’t matter. Come on. Let’s go over to the apartment and order dinner. I’ll show you around while we wait for it to be delivered.” He took her hand and she let him lead her from the office.