Cade POV

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring down at the bustling streets of Los Angeles, waiting for her.

Why did she follow me all the way here?

Most likely to beg for the contract. Their presentation wasn't terrible, but I had rejected it anyway - partly because of her little outburst this morning, and partly because something about it still felt... incomplete.

A soft knock sounded on the door.

"Come in."

Emily Wilburn stepped inside, still wearing the same simple white shirt and black trousers from earlier. Even without a trace of heavy makeup, she was striking. Beautiful, actually. With the right styling, she would be stunning.

"Have a seat, Miss Wilburn."

She sat down cautiously while I remained standing, studying her.

"You chased after me the moment I left your office," I said, a hint of amusement in my voice.

"I had to. I couldn't just let it go." Her voice was steady, determined.

"You seemed ready to accept my decision earlier. What changed?"

"My family. My colleagues. My job." She met my gaze head-on. "I came here because I need you to give us another chance."

I raised an eyebrow. "After presenting something I didn't like, what makes you think I'll change my mind?"

"Because I believe you're a fair person, Mr. Callaghan."

I laughed outright. "Fair? You really think I'm fair?"

"I'm usually a good judge of character."

"You judged wrong this time," I said, stepping closer. "I'm not fair, Miss Wilburn. When I want something, I play dirty. Very dirty."

"Dirty as in... illegal?" she asked carefully.

"No. I play dirty, but I stay clean. Legally speaking."

That earned me the first real smile I'd seen from her. It transformed her face.

"What can I do to get that second chance?" she asked suddenly.

I tilted my head, intrigued. She has no idea how dangerous that question is when asked to a man like me.

"I didn't mean I'd sleep with you," she added quickly, as if reading my thoughts. "That's the last thing I'd ever do."

Her blunt rejection stung more than I cared to admit. Women usually threw themselves at me. Why was she so different?

I was about to respond when my secretary barged in without knocking.

"I'm sorry, sir, but your mother is on the line. She said if you don't take her call, she'll catch the next available flight here."

Knowing my mother never bluffed, I picked up the phone.

"Hello, Mom."

"Finally! Your secretary had to threaten me before you answered?"

"I'm in an important meeting right now-"

"Don't you dare hang up. This is important too," she cut in. "You need to come home. Your bride is tired of waiting."

"I'm not ready."

"Why not? It's been three years since you put a ring on her finger! You barely visit the island, and when you do, you treat her like a stranger."

"Because I don't want her!" I snapped, forgetting Emily was still sitting there. "You've always known that."

"That girl's father gave you his kidney when you were dying. He paid for your education. He made you the man you are today. And you can't even fulfill one simple request?" My mother's voice rose with anger.

"I'm grateful to him. I respect him like my own father, but-"

"But nothing, Cade! Get to the island and do your duty. Marry Isabel."

I clenched the phone tighter. "I have a reason, Mom. I'm in love with someone else. I found her... and she changed me. I'm going to marry her. And as soon as possible, I'll bring her to the island with me."

"You're lying!" my mother screamed. "You've always said you'd never fall in love. I won't allow this, Cade. I will not let you marry someone unworthy of the Callaghan name!"

"Do whatever you want. I don't give a damn."

I ended the call and tossed the phone onto the desk. Only then did I remember I wasn't alone.

Emily was watching me with wide eyes.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

"Were you listening to my conversation?" I growled.

"I'm sorry. You didn't ask me to leave, so I stayed. But I can pretend I heard nothing. I'm very good at that."

Her words barely registered. I was still replaying what I had told my mother in anger.

I'm in love with someone else... I'm going to marry her... I'll bring her to the island.

Shit.

I had just created a massive problem for myself. I was heading back to the island in a few days. If I showed up without a fiancée, my mother and Isabel's father would force the marriage I'd been avoiding for years.

I looked at Emily again.

Why not her?

She was beautiful, feisty, and currently desperate for something only I could give her.

"Have a seat, Emily," I said, my voice calmer now. "You and I have a lot to talk about."

Emily POV

I sat down, unease crawling up my spine.

From the phone call, it was clear Cade Callaghan already loved someone and planned to marry her. That surprised me. Everything I'd heard painted him as a ruthless womanizer. On my way up to his office, I had even seen a gorgeous brunette leaving, looking furious.

"What do you want to talk about, sir?" I asked.

"About giving you that second chance you begged for."

My heart leaped. "You're really willing to give us another chance?"

"Yes."

Relief washed over me - until his next question.

"Tell me something... Are you single?"

"What?"

"Are you single?" he repeated, watching me intently.

"Why does that matter?"

A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face.

"Because I need you to help me with something. In exchange, I'll give your agency the contract."

I swallowed hard, already knowing I wasn't going to like what came next.

"And what exactly would that be?"