Chapter 3 A Dangerous Proposal

The corridor stretched endlessly, its dim lighting casting long shadows against the polished floors. Each step Leila took felt heavier, as if she were walking deeper into something she wouldn't be able to escape. Aidan Sinclair walked ahead of her with the same effortless dominance he carried everywhere, his broad shoulders cutting through the air like a blade. He hadn't looked back once, and yet, it was as if he could sense her hesitation with every step. Leila didn't belong here. And yet, here she was-alone with the most ruthless billionaire in the city. They stopped in front of a sleek black door. Aidan pulled it open without hesitation, stepping aside just enough for her to walk in first. Leila's stomach tightened. This was it. Whatever he wanted-whatever game he was playing-she was about to find out. She took a slow breath, squared her shoulders, and stepped inside. The room was nothing like she expected. It wasn't an office or some lavish lounge where the city's elite sipped expensive whiskey. It was private, yes, but understated. A dark leather couch sat against the far wall, and a bar lined with expensive bottles took up one side of the room. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, but the only light inside came from the warm glow of a fireplace. Leila turned to face Aidan as he shut the door behind him. She folded her arms, trying to steady herself. "Are you going to tell me what this is about now?" Aidan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked to the bar, pouring himself a drink-something dark and smooth, the kind of liquor that burned on the way down. He lifted the glass to his lips, took a slow sip, and finally turned back to her. "You're drowning," he said simply. Leila froze. Her fingers curled against her arms, nails digging into her skin. "Excuse me?" Aidan set his glass down. "Your father's company. Carter Enterprises. It's barely staying afloat." Leila felt the blood drain from her face. Of course, he knew. Aidan Sinclair didn't make reckless moves. He didn't throw two million dollars at a woman without knowing everything about her first. Leila swallowed hard, forcing herself to hold his gaze. "And what does that have to do with you?" Aidan stepped closer, his presence commanding, suffocating. "I can make your problems disappear," he said. The words were soft, almost deceptively kind. But Leila wasn't naive enough to believe there were no strings attached. Men like him never gave without taking more in return. She took a step back. "Why would you help me?" His lips curved slightly, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Who said I'm offering help?" Leila's pulse pounded in her ears. Here it was. The real reason he had pulled her away from the auction. The real reason he had bid on her like she was just another acquisition. Aidan reached into his suit pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper. He held it out to her. Leila hesitated before taking it. Her fingers trembled as she unfolded it. Her stomach dropped. A contract. Her eyes scanned the words, but the only ones that stood out-the only ones that mattered-were the ones printed at the top in bold, elegant font. Exclusive Arrangement Contract. Her breath caught. She lifted her gaze to his. "What is this?" Aidan's blue eyes darkened. "A proposal." Leila's heart pounded violently against her ribs. Aidan stepped closer, closing the space between them until she had to tilt her chin up to hold his gaze. "You need money," he murmured. "I need something in return." Leila's throat went dry. "What do you want?" The silence stretched between them, thick and unbreakable. Then, finally, he spoke. "You." Leila's breath hitched. Aidan tilted his head slightly, studying her reaction. "I don't do relationships. I don't do attachments," he said, his voice low and deliberate. "But for the next six months, I want you by my side. Publicly. Privately." Heat rushed to Leila's face. He couldn't be serious. She let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. "You want to buy me?" Aidan's jaw ticked, but his expression remained unreadable. "Call it whatever you want." Leila shook her head, trying to process the insanity of what was happening. "You think you can just throw money at me and I'll say yes?" His lips curved, but there was no warmth in the smile. "I think you don't have a choice." She stiffened. Aidan took another slow sip of his drink before setting the glass down again. "You need a miracle to save Carter Enterprises," he said. "And I'm the only one who can give it to you." Leila's hands curled into fists. Six months. That was the deal. Six months of pretending to be his. The thought sent a shiver down her spine-for reasons she wasn't sure she wanted to name. She hated this. She hated him. But most of all, she hated that he was right. Without an investor, Carter Enterprises would be gone within months. Aidan must have seen the hesitation in her eyes because his gaze sharpened, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Say yes," he murmured. "And I'll make sure you never have to beg for anything again." Leila's heart pounded. Her mind screamed at her to walk away. But instead- She opened her mouth- And said the one word that would change everything. "Yes."