The Marriage Arrangement
A Marriage to a Billionaire Novella
By Jennifer Probst
1001 Dark Nights
The Marriage Arrangement A Marriage to a Billionaire Novella By Jennifer Probst
1001 Dark Nights
Copyright 2018 Triple J Publishing Inc ISBN: 978-1-948050-24-1
Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
Book Description
The Marriage Arrangement
A Marriage to a Billionaire Novella By Jennifer Probst
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Probst comes a new story in her Marriage to a Billionaire series. The Book of Spells returns in this sparkling addition to the series!
She had run from her demons...
Caterina Victoria Windsor fled her family winery after a humiliating broken engagement, and spent the past year in Italy rebuilding her world. But when Ripley Savage shows up with a plan to bring her back home, and an outrageous demand for her to marry him, she has no choice but to return to face her past. But when simple attraction begins to run deeper, Cat has to decide if she's strong enough to trust again...and strong enough to stay...
He vowed to bring her back home to be his wife...
Rip Savage saved Windsor Winery, but the only way to make it truly his is to marry into the family. He's not about to walk away from the only thing he's ever wanted, even if he has to tame the spoiled brat who left her legacy and her father behind without a care. When he convinces her to agree to a marriage arrangement and return home, he never counted on the fierce sexual attraction between them to grow into something more. But when deeper emotions emerge, Rip has to fight for something he wants even more than Winsor Winery: his future wife.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it's an introduction to an author's world. And for fans, it's a bonus book in the author's series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
FALL IN LOVE WITH
THE MARRIAGE TO A BILLIONAIRE SERIES!
"It's always been you. I don't want anybody else; I don't dream about anybody else. It's only you." -Nick to Alexa, The Marriage Bargain
"For someone to hurt you like this makes me question what is fair and right in this world. But you, mia amore, took such an event and gained strength. You made your life on your own terms with no one to help. You humble me." -Michael to Maggie, The Marriage Trap
"And as for cooking, I am doing this for one reason. Every woman should know how to make one signature dessert. Not for anyone else but herself. Now, mix." -Mama Conte to Maggie, The Marriage Trap
"You need to be strong on your own before you can be strong with someone else." -Mama Conte to Carina, The Marriage Mistake
"Did you ever think I want more than any man can handle?" The brave words lost a bit of impact as he tugged on her earlobe and a breathy gasp escaped. "All this time, you've been wrong, Max. It's not me who can't handle them." She smiled up at him in pure challenge. "They can't handle me." -Max and Carina, The Marriage Mistake
"You offer me an apology?" he tore out, golden eyes spitting sparks of fiery rage as he shook her slightly. "You think I'm upset because I'm stuck with you? How dare you call yourself a charity case to the man who kissed you and stripped you and fucked you for so many hours we both fell into exhaustion? You deserve a man to be whole--a man who can offer you a decent life and not tear you apart piece by piece. I'll never be able to give you what you need. Don't you understand I'm frozen inside? There's nothing left to give you except physical pleasure." -Sawyer to Julietta, The Marriage Merger
She rose and came to him. Strong arms held him with no apology, no hesitation. She stroked his hair like a mother would, soothing him with her warmth and safety and beliefs. "My sweet boy, yes, you can. Your life is your own. You were a child and could not protect the ones you loved. None of us can. So instead, we choose to love as much as possible, and that needs to be enough." -Mama Conte to Sawyer, The Marriage Merger
About Jennifer Probst
Jennifer Probst is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of both sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her novel, The Marriage Bargain, was the #6 Bestselling Book on Amazon for 2012, and spent 26 weeks on the New York Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a "romance phenom" by Kirkus Reviews. She makes her home in New York with her sons, husband, two rescue dogs, and a house that never seems to be clean. She loves hearing from all readers! Stop by her website at https://www.jenniferprobst.com for all her upcoming releases, news and street team information. Sign up for her newsletter at www.jenniferprobst.com/newsletter for a chance to win a gift card each month and receive exclusive material and giveaways.
Also from Jennifer Probst
Click to purchase
The Billionaire Builders
Everywhere and Every Way
Any Time, Any Place
All Or Nothing At All
Searching for Series:
Searching for Someday
Searching for Perfect
Searching for Beautiful
Searching for Always
Searching for You
The Marriage to a Billionaire series:
The Marriage Bargain
The Marriage Trap
The Marriage Mistake
The Marriage Merger
The Books of Spells
Executive Seduction
All the Way
The Sex on the Beach Series:
Beyond Me
Chasing Me
The Hot in the Hamptons Series:
Summer Sins
The Steele Brother Series:
Catch Me
Play Me
Dare Me
Beg Me
Reveal Me
Dante's Fire
The Grinch of Starlight Bend
Acknowledgments from the Author
Thanks to the 1001 Dark Nights team for everything they do. I'm honored to be included in such a wonderful organization who support their authors and make them feel so valued. From the editing, to the marketing, and everything in between - you all make publishing a book such a pleasure.
Dedication
I'd like to thank two special people who've made a difference.
First, Liz Berry. You reached out to me during an extremely difficult time and gave me hope I'd not only get through the grief, but would be able to write again. Your support and love meant the world to me and I will never forget it.
Second, Wendy S. Marcus. You answered my cry for help and got me through this book with your honest feedback and willingness to edit a first draft. You've been with me from the beginning and I'm lucky to call you my friend. Thank you so much.
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One
Click here to explore
FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones
SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair ROPED IN by Lorelei James TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian THE FLAME by Christopher R
ice
CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
TAME ME by J. Kenner
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two
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WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner ADORED by Lexi Blake
HADES by Larissa Ione
RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright DRAGON KING by Donna Grant
PURE WICKED by Shayla Black
HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti
THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
THE SURRENDER GATE By Christopher Rice SERVICING THE TARGET By Cherise Sinclair
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three
HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst DANCE OF DESIRE by Christopher Rice ROUGH RHYTHM by Tessa Bailey DEVOTED by Lexi Blake
Z by Larissa Ione
FALLING UNDER YOU by Laurelin Paige EASY FOR KEEPS by Kristen Proby UNCHAINED by Elisabeth Naughton HARD TO SERVE by Laura Kaye DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant KAYDEN/SIMON by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright STRUNG UP by Lorelei James
MIDNIGHT UNTAMED by Lara Adrian TRICKED by Rebecca Zanetti
DIRTY WICKED by Shayla Black THE ONLY ONE by Lauren Blakely SWEET SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Four
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ROCK CHICK REAWAKENING by Kristen Ashley ADORING INK by Carrie Ann Ryan SWEET RIVALRY by K. Bromberg SHADE'S LADY by Joanna Wylde RAZR by Larissa Ione
ARRANGED by Lexi Blake
TANGLED by Rebecca Zanetti HOLD ME by J. Kenner
SOMEHOW, SOME WAY by Jennifer Probst TOO CLOSE TO CALL by Tessa Bailey HUNTED by Elisabeth Naughton EYES ON YOU by Laura Kaye BLADE by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright DRAGON BURN by Donna Grant TRIPPED OUT by Lorelei James STUD FINDER by Lauren Blakely MIDNIGHT UNLEASHED by Lara Adrian HALLOW BE THE HAUNT by Heather Graham DIRTY FILTHY FIX by Laurelin Paige THE BED MATE by Kendall Ryan PRINCE ROMAN by CD Reiss
NO RESERVATIONS by Kristen Proby DAWN OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
Tempt Me by J. Kenner
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Featuring stories by
Sidney Bristol, Darcy Burke, T. Gephart Stacey Kennedy, Adriana Locke JB Salsbury, and Erika Wilde
Table of Contents
Book Description
About Jennifer Probst
Also from Jennifer Probst
Acknowledgments from the Author
Dedication
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Four
Foreword
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Five
Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights
Discover More Jennifer Probst
An excerpt from The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst
The Start of Something Good by Jennifer Probst
Special Thanks
One Thousand and One Dark Nights
Once upon a time, in the future...
I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.
I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast library at my father's home and collected thousands of volumes of fantastic tales.
I learned all about ancient races and bygone
times. About myths and legends and dreams of all people through the millennium. And the more I read the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually become part of them.
I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I would not be telling you this tale now.
But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off with bravery.
One afternoon, curious about the myth of the
Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar (Persian: shhryar, "king") married a new virgin, and then sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written and I had read, that by the time he met Scheherazade, the vizier's daughter, he'd killed one thousand women.
Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged places with Scheherazade - a phenomena that had never occurred before and that still to this day, I cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have taken on Scheherazade's life and the only way I can protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before you now.
Prologue
"All endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time." -Mitch Albom
"You have to marry her."
Rip Savage stared at the man who'd been like a father to him over the past year. Even now, with worry lines bracketing his eyes and mouth, the older man retained a sense of elegance and grace befitting someone of English descent, even royalty. With his thinning silver hair, thick black framed glasses, and penchant for designer black suits, he cut an intimidating figure, even before one stared into those pale blue eyes that could turn steel grey with stubborn defiance. Of course, Edward Winsor had a reputation to live up to. Within the cliques of vineyards and winery owners in the Hudson Valley, he was well known for his quality vintage and a tightly knit family-run business that competed with Brotherhood Winery for the oldest run winery in the state. His estate was small but mighty, and one of the sought-after blue-bloods that many admired.
Rip had been the only one to know Winsor Winery had been almost bankrupt. Beneath the flawless surface, something rotten had flourished. When Rip was hired to pull the business from ruin, he'd been focused on success no matter what the cost. He hadn't expected to develop such affection for Edward, or be treated like a son rather than a hired associate.
Therefore, instead of panic, he regarded the older man from across his cherrywood desk with a frown. "I don't understand. What does Caterina have to do with the winery?"
Edward gave a long sigh, tapping his elegant finger against the etched crystal highball glass that contained his usual two fingers of Scotch. He shifted his weight in his chair, causing the leather to squeak slightly. They were in Rip's favorite room--the library/study--decorated in bold, rich wines with a hint of Tuscan gold. The fabrics were decadent, from the expens
ive dark leathers to the Oriental tapestry rugs, and burgundy velvet couches. Bookshelves lined the wall, the scents of old paper and leather bindings with a touch of wood polish drifting in the air. The large bay windows overlooked the acres of rolling property with the view of the spectacular Shawangunk Mountains.
Usually, the view alone soothed him. Reminded him of his success and how far he'd come in a world he'd fought to break into. But his nerves were edged with a fine tension that matched his gut. Something bad was going down, and he had a terrible idea he wouldn't be able to stop it.
"I'm sorry to be so mysterious, Rip. The bottom line is, I'm ready to retire. My health is deteriorating, and the doctor advised if I don't get to a warmer climate, I'll be pushing my odds. I love this life but it's time to move on."
Rip nodded. "You warned me about this months ago. I'm ready for the challenge. I've proved I can run Winsor Winery successfully. We can sign the contracts immediately and I'll help settle you wherever you choose."
Regret flashed in the man's blue eyes. "You saved my business, and deserve to inherit control. But I can't do it, Rip. Winsor Winery can only be given to a family member. No matter how much I love you like my son, you're not blood."
His body numbed. The past reared up--ugly and telling--reminding him once again he'd always be an outsider. There was no such thing as a reward for hard work, or fairness. There was only the same lesson he'd learned time and time again.
He belonged to no one.
He was alone.
"You can do anything you want," Rip said. "You're choosing to deny me my rights, even after I was promised full control after your daughter ran out on you."
Edward took off his glasses and rubbed his nose. "I know. I made a mistake. I contacted my lawyer when I realized I'd need to step down, and was reminded that part of the clause from generations ago was that the winery and land stays in the family. It can't be sold outside the Winsor name."