The Billionaire’s Rented Bride

Irresistible Cohabitation

•SOPHIA LANGFORD•

Thump. Thump..

My heart raced insanely fast as I took steady strides towards the altar, raising my wedding gown a bit as I moved alongside the bridal maids.

..bridal maids I didn't even know.

Nothing could be more relieving than being in the process of getting a fortune but at the same time, nothing could be more dreadful than being contractually bound to a billionaire who had a million rivals…

Everything had really happened so fast this week..

I'd signed a three-month contract marriage after having a nightstand with my father's creditor.

The whole wedding process had been done in just four days.

“You’re among the first five people who applied for the post..” those were the words of the billionaire's personal assistant when I called to inform her of my interest..

“Whoever gets chosen won't meet the billionaire until the wedding day but for now, we'll be testing you all to choose the best” those were her words when I met her in person alongside my competitors.

Up until now, I couldn't tell why I was chosen but I could guess that my charming smile and quick wit aided my cause.

I'd spent the last few days wondering what the billionaire looked like with Ellen promising to apply to be a server so she could witness the wedding simply because I was given no chance to invite anyone, including my parents.

“You'll get a 30% upfront payment before the wedding” were the words and actions that made me clear my mother's hospital bills and other expenses at home before leaving them with an excuse – ‘I'm going to work for the money I got’.

I got to the altar and my saliva dried up on its own on seeing the billionaire,throat sore god's had to wait for this very moment.

He was looking so perfect in the expertly tailored suit on him and the pomade hairstyle allowed his cuteness to scream out itself.

“You may now unveil your bride” the priest's words came, interrupting my thoughts and immediately, the billionaire raised my veil, allowing me to have a clearer view of his perfect looks.

Our gazes locked for a while and I felt my heart skip a thousand beats at once as he stared deeply into my eyes with a blank expression..

“It’s a fake marriage and you're only doing this for him to secure a huge business deal with his major investors and also to make his grandpa inaugurate him as his heir with the reassurance that he's fit to succeed him with a family..” the words of his personal assistant rang in my ears again..

Apparently, Levi Banks wasn't a cripple nor a gay and every woman will definitely want to have him especially with the fact that he's rich..

But..

Why then did he have no love life?

“Levi Banks, do you take Sophia Langford to be your lawfully wedded wife in both good and bad days, till death pulls you apart?..” the priest's voice echoed in the large auditorium.

“Yes, I do” his voice made me gasp silently..

It was worthy of admiration like his looks!.

My eyes remained glued to his face even as he slipped the ring into my finger.

“Sophia Langford, do you..”

The priest asked the same question and I nodded before speaking.

“I do.” I sealed the union, slipping the other ring from the box the altar server was holding, into his fingers.

“You may now kiss your bride..” the priest said again and I bit my lip hard.

“Romances are involved. It's part of the drama, I hope you know that..” I could vividly remember another statement uttered by his personal assistant.

With an unreadable expression, Levi pulled me close, holding my waist and sending a wave of shivers down my spine..

No one had ever touched me like this, never!.

“I don't know how to kiss, so initiate it..” he whispered and I blinked.

I didn't know how to kiss too!.

I'd never had a kiss despite the fact that I was not a virgin.

“Since I already lost my innocence, my first kiss will be to the man I love then.” I'd always told myself.

However, I knew I couldn't ruin things by telling him about our similarity so immediately, I raised my palm to his cheek, pulling him closer a bit before crashing my lips on his.

He surprised me by taking the lead in the kiss, kissing a bit roughly as our heads moved sideways.

“You've done a lot to save your family, Soph..” a voice in me whispered and I breathed sadly, allowing the kiss till he was ready to break it.

The grand wedding which we began after the church wedding ended after what seemed like eternity and tiredly I moved around the hall with my arms entwined with Levi's while he spoke and exchanged pleasantries with lots of people.

For a while I wondered why he decided not to say a word to me despite being so free and smiley to his guests.

Could he perhaps… dislike me?.

“Son..” We suddenly heard someone call beside us and just as he did, I turned to see an aged man, walking towards us with his walking stick and several guards behind him.

He wasn't unfamiliar. I recognised him immediately as his grandfather who had walked up to the altar several times for specific tasks during the wedding..

“The others are waiting.” the man informed and without saying anything else, the old man began walking away.

Levi began following and of course, I had to leave with him.

In less than five minutes, our location changed to a room in the events center which had a lot of men in suits seated around a long table like Mafia's in a meeting.

“Happy married life!” everyone suddenly chorused and Levi only muttered a word in appreciation before settling on a seat with me doing the same.

“She's pretty.” Grandfather said, smiling broadly as he stared at me and others agreed too, sending a wave of relief to overwhelm me.

“Let's move on to business, my bride is tired” Levi suddenly said and I turned to him instantly feeling quite better than before with those last statements of his.

“There's nothing else to talk about except the business contract we proposed a month ago..” one of the men began..

I sighed..

Who does business on their wedding day?..

“I have a family now, that completes the requirements needed of me to take over the Dunamis Consortium” Levi responded, staring at no one in particular.

“Not yet, son..” Grandfather chimed in..

Levi raised a brow..

“Why?..”

“We can't call a fruitless marriage a family. The last president had two sons before he was allowed to take the position but as a young man who is just getting married, coupled with the urgent need to take over the consortium, you have to, at least, have a son first..” One of the men spoke.

My palms immediately became sweaty..

Well, that's none of my business right?..

I wasn't hired for surrogacy.

“We are expecting a child in nine months, Mr Banks..” the first man who spoke said.

“But.. what.. I.. this isn't what we talked about!..” Levi stuttered and I could clearly see sadness mixed with disappointment in his eyes.

“It was included in the requirements letter. A family of three at least." The only woman amongst them said.

“We've agreed to give a year's grace to you as the leading competitor for this position. After a year, the entire board will willingly appoint someone else.” another person said.

Levi stood up immediately, looking so pissed yet relentless..

“We'll meet in the general meeting," he said and headed out.

“Your excellencies.." I muttered with a bow before leaving with him, finding it difficult to run due to the length of my wedding dress.

“Wait, I can't catch up with your pace..“ I raised my voice a bit as he kept moving fast, heading towards the fleet of cars that were covered in bridal decorations..

I sucked in a deep breath..

He waited in the car with his guards till I got to it and I entered the backseat with him before the car finally began moving.

The drive to his house was so silent and I found myself sleeping off..

However..

The next time my eyes opened, I found myself in a space that seemed like a bedroom with my small body on the king-sized bed.

I stared at myself and gasped, realizing I was no longer in my wedding dress but a big shirt which definitely belonged to Levi..

My eyes landed on the wall clock and i realized it was still night, morning hadn't dawned yet.

I was still in the world of my thoughts when one of the three doors opened and Levi came into view with just a towel wrapped around his waist.

He noticed me, but didn't say a word.

Isn't a flawless cute face enough?..

Why was he blessed with the best body build?..

He sat on the bed, operating his laptop without even dressing up.

“I understood that you were tired so i didn't bother waking you..” he suddenly spoke to me for the first time and for a second, I was shocked.

“Thanks for accepting the offer of playing my wife..” he spoke again, still with his hands moving fast on the laptop..

I found myself nodding like a fool and with that, I got off from the bed.

“You can't sleep on a billionaire's bed.” my mind kept saying.

“I'll leave with this sir..” I said, picking up the other duvet.

“To?.." he looked up from his laptop and I bit my lip uncomfortably as I swept the area with frightened eyes, feeling his gaze on my exposed thighs and legs.

“To.. the other room” I said gently and he smirked.

“There is no other room. You don't expect a villa made for a honeymoon to have more than one room, do you?..” he said in a questioning tone.

“Oh..” I mouthed, itching the side of my neck that wasn't even itchy.

He put the laptop aside and got up from the bed, walking over to me without warning..

His shirtless body made me breathless and my heart worsened matters by beating faster than normal.

“What?.." he asked, noticing my restlessness.

“You might catch a cold if you don't put something on.” I found myself saying slowly.

“Should I leave you without a cloth on and wear the shirt instead?” he said in a nasal voice, raising his hand to my chest and toying with the button, causing his hands to rest on the upper part of my boobs.

My eyes widened and immediately, realization dawned on me that I was indeed wearing his wedding shirt.

“No.” I said quickly while my heart kept racing.

For a while I was confused. His mood changed after the business meeting, I was sure…and at the wedding hall he was so gentle, why is he being flirty now?..

“The gown, you –”

“I closed my eyes while removing it. I promise” he interrupted.

I gulped.

“I should.. get back to sleep now" I said slowly and proceeded back to the bed.

I'd barely taken three steps when he grabbed my waist and pulled me back to himself..

“Don't be scared of me, I don't bite..” he whispered, biting my earlobe.

I closed my eyes as my body shivered in his arms..

“Yes sir..” I muttered.

“Call my name when you're with me and out there pet names are a need” he said staring down at me.

I nodded again, feeling like my heart was about to jump out of my chest.

And then, he moved his mouth to my neck, doing something I couldn't explain to my sensitive spot.

I swear, I never wanted to.. but I did it. I moaned softly without realizing.

A haunting question immediately crossed my mind..

“Can I really stay with this man for three months without falling for him?..