Levi Carter knows he can't keep living the big bad billionaire lifestyle forever. He also knows that as the last living Carter he has a duty to continue the family name, to achieve this he must find a wife for hire, one who will bear his heirs. But first he must get his centuries old mansion in order. The moment Levi sets eyes on his interior designer he is fascinated by her. She seems sweet yet daring, cute and bold all at the same time and he can't resist the unfamiliar pull he feels towards her. She is a delightful mixture of flavours, unlike any woman he has met before and that is what makes her the perfect candidate for his temporary wife. Ariel is immediately drawn to her employer in an unhealthy kind of way, by his easy allure and his striking features but his unbearable arrogant and narcissistic ways makes her wonder if this job is worth it all. When Levi proposes a contract marriage, Ariel thinks he has lost his mind. Levi is too intrigued by Ariel to let her go and he is not one to take no for an answer. What happens when a game of cat and mouse begins in the Carter mansion? When sparks begin to fly and they get caught up in a web of steamy passion can they keep this simple and business like while walking the fine line between lust and love? What more, when Levi's businesses begin to dwindle and his one dark ugly secret, one that he constantly fears will ruin his life permanently begins to slowly resurface can he bear the sting of the conspiration and betrayal from the ones he trusts the most? Will the couple be able to find their way out of the tangles of lies, revenge and betrayal?
Chapter 1 WOODEN SPINSTERS
Levi Carter was having the time of his life. He was surrounded by the very essence of his Family's legacy alongside his lover of one year, Daisy James. She was sweet and spicy and everything in between. Her sighs of pleasure as he thumped forcefully into her were making him dizzy with ecstasy. This was what he needed to come home to every night, after all the hassles of work, a warm willing woman and a bottle of exotic wine. He stretched his body as far as it could go while still buried inside Daisy and reached for the bottle of wine on the bedside table.
"Do you want a driiiiiink loooooooooove, he drawled at Daisy, his words a drunken mess. Daisy did not seem to be sated just yet, she shook her head and slid her arms around his waist. "You know I'll be gone for the rest of the month Levi, why don't we make good use of the rest of the time we have". Levi looked from the bottle of wine in his hand and back to Daisy, blinking in confusion, not knowing which to choose. He had yet to come up with a response before Jordan, his head of security crashed into the room, shattering the door in the process. The sound was so loud it penetrated into Levi's partly sedated brain and he jolted out of the bed, fully naked. Daisy on the other hand simply held the blanket tight to her body, her cheeks pink from obvious embarrassment. Levi did not need to question Jordan as to why he had barged in unannounced into his private rooms because the reason came following shortly. Noah James appeared in the room, in a motion that could only be describe as catapulted, his brother Richard hot on his heels. Levi did not have time to assess the situation or run to safety before Noah moved. He was swift and calculated in his actions. Levi could see that he was holding a piece of wood from the freshly broken door and was rushing towards him with alarming speed. Noah lunged at him raising the wood to hit his stomach and screaming at the top of his lungs. "You motherfucking piece of shit Levi Carter, how could you drag my sister into your bed of atrocities". Levi bent just in time for the sharp edge of the wood to dig into his knee. It hurt like hell but he hadn't the time to focus on the pain. Noah's fist was about to collide with his eye. "No Noah please leave him, I'm here of my own will please don't hurt him", Daisy yelled tears trickling down her face in waves. He would have thought it so sweet and compassionate if not for the chaos. It seemed Daisy's voice was what finally propelled the other James brother into action. "Shut the hell up Daisy, you don't know what you're saying or who you're dealing with". "Get out of that bed this instant and come with me while our brother takes care of this rotten bastard". "I can't, I'm naked, Daisy replied her brother, her voice low and her face red with what must have been obvious mortification. "Don't look at her again you motherfucker", Noah screamed as he landed a neat punch squarely in Levi's eye. "That's enough gentlemen", Jordan said in such a calm voice it was a wonder everyone actually bothered to stop and look at him.
Levi took the chance to move as far away from the crazy James as Noah was popularly called nursing his wounded eye. By now a small crowd had gathered in front of the room and Levi could see Jordan through his good eye doing his best to reassure them that everything was fine as he dispatched the crowd back to the lower floor of the building. As the crowds dispatched, a deafening silence fell upon the room. "For christ's sake put on some fucking clothes Carter", Richard muttered from his corner of the room. It was only then that Levi looked down at himself and realised that he was still naked. His blissful night had turned into a nightmare.
Once again, Jordan's deep assertive voice cut through the room. "Gentlemen leave the room now, I will have a guest room prepared for you both and I shall call for you when Mr Carter is in a condition to see you". Jordan's words left no room for argument. It was clear his words were final and failure to do as requested would attract unpleasant repercussions. Noah turned to look at Levi one more time, shooting a murderous glare at him before he spun out of the room. Richard simply nodded and followed after his brother.
"Bloody hell Levi what on earth happened to you", Lucas, Levi's best friend asked, his face contorting with shock as he proceeded to sit on a chair opposite him. The James brothers happened was all Levi could say in response. "I know they've been a little pushy over a raise in their percentage but it can't have gotten to this", Lucas said gesturing at Levi's wounded left eye which was now swollen shut. "They walked in on Daisy and I , Noah would have nearly beat me to a pulp if my security hadn't stepped in", Levi said with a humourless laugh. The two sat in comfortable silence for a time until Lucas spoke. "Why do I feel as if there's more"? "Of course there is, The James brothers are claiming that our most recent beer release is lacking something and demanded that I add a new flavour to the series before a fortnight". Lucas sighed heavily shaking his head from side to side. "That's an impossible task, it takes months to concoct a new flavour sometimes". "Well yes that is true but I will have to find a way around it or risk them completely pulling out of the partnership", Levi replied; fingering his injured eye with care. "I told you to leave Daisy alone man". "You set yourself up for this". "Noah is just been an unreasonable ass", Levi said smiling sardonically. "He's been upset I refused to raise his percentage shares and he found an opportunity to get back at me". "He couldn't have been so angry I was having a perfectly consensual relationship with his sister". "I don't know what the main issue is but those brothers play rough, find a way to silence them", Lucas said standing up. "You on the other hand need some break from work to get yourself properly patched up and fully functional". "I have a plan to settle the brother's", Levi replied standing up as well. "It's just very time limited". "Well then you best get to it, Lucas said walking away".