His Contract Bride – (Billionaire romance, marriage deal, slow-burn love)

The sound of her heels clicked quietly against the marble floor as she walked into his office her hands clutching a file to her chest like it could protect her from the cold that wasn’t coming from the air conditioner but from the man sitting behind the desk Leonardo Blackwood didn’t look up he never did His fingers moved lazily across the trackpad as if he had all the time in the world and none of it for her “Elena” he said flatly not a greeting not a question just her name like it was another chore on his calendar She swallowed and tried not to flinch even though she had worked for him for two years the sound of her name in his mouth still felt like something sharp “I have the figures from the Milan project sir” she said softly placing the file on the edge of his desk careful not to get too close He finally glanced up his eyes cold grey sharp like winter ice he didn’t smile he never smiled She was used to that She was used to the way he ignored her unless it was about work used to the way he spoke in clipped commands never questions used to how he never asked if she was okay if she was tired if she ever wanted to stop being his shadow But today something felt different His eyes didn’t slide past her like usual they stayed still pinned her in place like he was seeing her for the first time “Elena” he said again this time slower Her fingers curled around the strap of her bag nervous her lips parting “Yes sir?” He leaned back his suit hugging his broad shoulders his jaw sharp enough to cut glass “How long have you worked for me” he asked like he didn’t already know “Two years three months and nine days” she replied quietly A muscle ticked in his jaw like he was thinking deeply or maybe just annoyed He stood and moved to the window hands in his pockets silent for a long moment while she waited not sure if she should stay or leave Then he turned and the air in the room changed “I need a wife” he said simply She blinked “Excuse me” “I need a wife Elena before the end of the month” his tone was bored like he was asking her to book a meeting not rewrite his entire life “It’s non-negotiable and I don’t want to deal with anyone outside this office” She frowned “Are you asking me to find you someone” “No” he said and now his eyes were on hers burning cold and direct “I’m asking you to be her” Her Her heart skipped something wild and ridiculous He must be joking except Leonardo Blackwood didn’t joke He walked closer his presence like a shadow swallowing her whole “It’s a contract arrangement nothing romantic no emotions just appearances my parents want me married I don’t want the mess of a real relationship and I trust you more than I trust any of those bloodsucking socialites” She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out A fake marriage with her boss the man who had never looked at her twice until now “You’ll be compensated well” he added like that would fix the hurricane in her chest “Everything legal clean and in six months it ends you walk away with enough to fund whatever dream you’ve been hiding in that little head of yours” Her lips trembled “Why me” He paused his gaze heavy on her lips for a second too long before pulling away “Because you’re not the type to get attached” Ouch But he wasn’t wrong She had kept her distance buried her feelings under routines and coffee orders and after-hours spreadsheets She had never let herself feel too much because falling for someone like him would only end in heartbreak Yet here he was handing her the very thing she had secretly fantasized about on sleepless nights when the world was quiet and lonely She looked at him really looked at him and for a second she wondered if maybe he was just as lonely as she was “If I say yes” she whispered “What happens next” He didn’t smile but there was something softer in his voice when he said “Then you become mine”