"Marry me, Logan."
Thunder roared outside, rattling the windows as lightning split the sky. For a brief moment, the entire office was bathed in a stark white glow, illuminating the woman standing before him. Jean Adams... drenched, breathless, and utterly desperate. As if even nature itself was shocked by her words.
Logan Kingsley prided himself on always being in control. He never lost a negotiation, never faltered under pressure. But for the first time in years, he found himself speechless.
His eyes flickered over her, taking in the way her soaked white outfit clung to her curves, the rain tracing sinful paths down her skin. He clenched his jaw and shut his eyes, forcing himself to focus. But nothing... not his iron will, not his sharp mind... could stop the heat rising in his blood.
Damn her.
Knowing he couldn't trust himself in this situation, he stood abruptly, grabbed his coat, and strode toward her. Without a word, he draped it over her shoulders to cover her. "Wear this before you catch a fever."
But then his eyes caught the beauty spot, peeking through the deep neckline of her dress. His breath thickened at that sight when suddenly another loud thunder brought him back to reality.
Jean barely flinched. Instead, she stared at him—eyes red-rimmed, exhausted, but burning with determination. Then, just as he was about to step back, he saw it. A single tear slipping down her cheek.
"Jean..." He reached out, instinct driving him to wipe the tear falling down her cheek.
"Don't." Her voice cracked as she jerked away, her hands balling into fists. She ripped the coat off and threw it back at him. "I don't need your sympathy."
Logan exhaled sharply, gripping the fabric. His patience was hanging by a thread. If it was any other woman, he wouldn't even spare another minute for her. "Then why the hell are you here?"
"I just told you." She lifted her chin, her voice steadier now. "Marry me, Logan. Isn't that what you wanted?"
His brows furrowed. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Jean scoffed, eyes glinting with something sharp and bitter. "You proposed to me once, remember? Back in school?"
Logan stiffened. That memory was a decade old, and yet, the humiliation burned just as fresh.
"Yeah, and you told me I disgusted you." His lips curled into a smirk, though the memory stung more than he'd ever admit. "So what's changed? Finally decided I'm worthy of your time?"
"Don't flatter yourself." Her expression didn't waver. "I still find you disgusting." She didn't budge when he scoffed at her.
"Then why ask me to marry you?"
Jean stepped forward, invading his space, her eyes locked onto his. "Because only you can destroy my family."
Logan stilled.
For the first time since she walked in, real surprise flickered in his eyes.
"What did you just say?"
Jean squared her shoulders. "You heard me. Marry me, and I'll hand you Adams Corporation on a silver platter. Every share I own will be yours. You'll have a seat on the board. My father and brother won't be able to stop you from taking them down."
Silence stretched between them.
Logan studied her carefully, searching for any sign that this was some kind of game. But she wasn't lying. He could see it, the sheer desperation beneath her cold, calculated offer.
"Now is your golden opportunity to claim me as your trophy wife. I am giving you full permission to use me for your benefit." She said.
And that was what unsettled him most.
"Why?" His voice was low, edged with curiosity. "What the hell did your family do to you?"
Jean looked away. "That's none of your concern."
"You expect me to marry you, help you destroy them, and not even know why?" His voice sharpened as he closed the distance between them.
She took a step back.
Anger took control over him as he grabbed her wrist. "What did they do, Jean?"
Jean tried to shake him off, but his grip tightened. "Let go, Logan."
"Not until you answer me." His tone was rough, demanding. "You have the world at your feet. You could choose any man to help you. So why me?"
Jean hesitated. Then, finally, she whispered, "Because if I don't marry you, they'll force me to marry Tyler Dominic."
Marriages for power and control over society and business have always been in practice in this world. Logan knew Jean would have a fate like this too. But this is serious and he knows she would have never come to him if she wasn't desperate.
Logan's grip loosened.
"Nothing will spite them more than their daughter marrying the man from no heritage and no rich blood. " She continued, "nothing will kill them more than seeing that you who once was nobody for him has snatched his company under his nose."
Jean took the opportunity to pull free, but she didn't run. Instead, she looked up at him, her voice trembling but firm. "I'd rather die than marry him."
Logan stared at her, her expression unreadable. Jean Adams... cold, ruthless, untouchable... was standing in front of him, completely shattered. And she was offering herself to him.
But Logan Kingsley didn't make deals blindly.
His lips quirked into a humorless smirk. "You want a contract marriage? Fine. But if I say yes, we do this my way."
Jean swallowed. "What does that mean?"
"No pretending. No lies. No secrets." His voice dropped an octave, dangerously smooth. "You'll be my real wife, Jean. That means letting me touch you, kiss you... both publicly and privately."
"What are you saying? I won't let you touch me." Jean's breath hitch.
"Jean Adams," he growled at her, "if you can't even handle my touch then how would you handle marrying me?"
"This will be purely contractual, there's no need for us to be in physical contact."
Logan's patience has crossed its limits. "So you have even planned out my life with yours in your little head, huh?" His eyes found hers making her squirm in fear. "You think my life is a joke because I wasn't born rich like you right?"
"That's not what I meant, Logan!"
"I have heard enough, I won't let you use me as your tool to get your wishes unless you abide by my rules." Logan demanded. "That's the deal, take it or leave it."
This was not what she had in her mind when she came here. "And if I refuse?"
His smirk widened. "Then walk out that door and take your chances with Dominic."
A long silence stretched between them.
Then, slowly, Jean lifted her chin and met his gaze. "One year, Logan. No more."
He held her stare. Then, after a long moment, he nodded. "One year."
Neither of them said what they both knew.
One year could change everything.