A Champagne Christmas. Кэрол Мортимер

sunshine of California, near family who loved her, than risk either of them anywhere near Maksim’s icy Siberia of a heart!

      She shook her head hard. “How many times do I have to say it? I don’t want your money!”

      “But now you will take it.” His voice was low, dangerous. His gray eyes glittered at her as he added maliciously, “As you will take my name. Today.”

      “No! I won’t!”

      He grabbed her painfully by the shoulders. “Apparently, I haven’t made myself clear. You have no choice.”

      She was suddenly afraid of him, this dangerous man who seemed to control his anger with such icy reserve.

      “Your wife in name only?” she whispered.

      He gave a hard laugh. “And now you think to trick your way out of my bed? No. You will be my wife in every way. You will sleep naked in my bed and service me at my will.”

      It was the final stab to her heart. He’d already made it plain he cared nothing for her. He expected her to surrender her body to his possession, without affection, without love?

      “You’re worse than Alan,” she whispered. “A million times worse. Because, you’re not asking me to be your wife. You’re trying to make me your household slave, chained to your bed.”

      He stroked her chin.

      “I’m not asking you,” he said coolly. “I’m telling you. You are pregnant with my child. You will be my wife. Every jewel and home and luxury you could possibly desire will be yours. You are now mine.”

      He was offering her money, in exchange for giving her body and soul to a man she hated—a man in love with another woman! “A gilded cage. You’re offering me the life of a whore!”

      He grabbed her wrist, pulling her hard against his muscular body.

      “Have it your way, then. You will be my pretty songbird in a golden cage.” He kissed her cruelly, punishing her. As she felt her lips bruise beneath his embrace, a whimper escaped her. He drew away with a hard smile, looking down at her with a gaze like frozen steel. “And, my beautiful one, you will sing only for me.”