The Marriage Bargain Read Online Free PDF

fidget, Julian grew anxious. He didn’t want her to get antsy and have second thoughts.
    “Would you like to pack a few things, or purchase a new wardrobe?”
    “Is that really necessary?” She paused, as if letting the idea of her clothes being inadequate settle into her thoughts. “Well, I guess my JC Penney look isn’t quite up to par for the de Laurent family, huh?” She opened herself up for a shot at ridicule. A quality only for the brave. She didn’t take herself seriously. Another trait Julian could appreciate.
    “Camille.” He used her name purposely this time. “I think you look great no matter what you wear...but, as the wife of Julian de Laurent, certain responsibilities and expectations come with the arrangement.”
    The look on her face said she understood. It also said she wouldn’t want the job for good.
    “And being your wife includes dressing the part.”
    She caught on quickly. Another positive. “You’ll wear the latest fashions from the finest designers. You’ll be draped in jewels that most people can’t even imagine. Those who can will envy you. Enjoy it, Chéri.” He went back to calling her by the French endearment. She needed to get used to it, because people would expect nothing less from a member of the de Laurent family.
    “Are you going to make up some fantastical yet completely bogus background for me as well?” Her brittle tone oozed out and she stiffened with a disinterested, casual lack of concern. Clearly, she felt belittled and didn’t like it. That wasn’t his objective.
    “You are who you are. The story is yours to tell.”
    Julian had to make sure Camille was as comfortable as possible, because soon enough she’d learn about the couple of bulldogs waiting in her near future. It just couldn’t be right now.
    S ure, the story may be mine to tell...but is he going to end up dictating it to me ?
    Even though Camille had her reservations, she intended to go through with his charade. What other choice did she have? Life on the streets in L.A. wasn’t pretty, and she didn’t want a firsthand look.
    Marrying Julian wasn’t a jail sentence or anything. She’d love to know what it was like to slip into a one-of-a-kind Christian Dior, if only for a little while. And slipping into Julian’s arms wasn’t a bad idea either.
    She peered at him, trying to find a reason to back out while sifting through all the advantages of following through at the same time. Money. A hottie husband—who cared if it wasn’t real. No worries for six months. Some potentially great sex. Luxuries beyond anything she could envision.
    “Well, it might be fun to play rich for a little while,” she said, selling herself on the idea.
    “On the contrary, Chéri, you will be rich, moderately so anyway. Remember, I am paying you five million dollars.”
    Julian did have a point. But Camille had a feeling the degree of wealth she was about to experience was beyond her wildest dreams.
    A fun prospect, but she was more concerned about ending up homeless and unable to find a job in the field which she’d spent tens of thousands of dollars on in educational fees.
    She just wanted to get on with it and secure her future. And right now, marrying Julian de Laurent for the whole of six months seemed appealing for more than one reason. Of course, the option would cruise out the window real quick if he knew why she’d changed her mind.
    No way could she tell him she’d lost her job at Disclosure Magazine when she refused to accept his proposal and turn the experience into a story. Like he’d really believe that now.
    The question was, could they get to a wedding chapel in Vegas before he found out she and her employer had parted ways—or worse yet, ran across her bombshell of a friend Tasha?

CHAPTER THREE
    CAMILLE HURRIED CLOSE behind Julian as they ascended the stairs up to the aircraft. He paused long enough to grab hold of her hand before entering a private jet that rivaled the size of most