Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 8

“Done! I just sent your photo to my cousin and he said he’s free tomorrow. Bring your ID and meet him at the courthouse at nine in the morning, sharp!”

“He’s all about efficiency, haha!”

Emmy raised an eyebrow.

Efficient, huh?

That was exactly what she needed. The last thing she wanted was anything drawn out or complicated.

The next morning, the city was just waking up as Emmy stood outside the courthouse, her fingers twisting around her ID. She’d picked a white dress with a soft beige cardigan, her hair loosely pinned up to show off her slender neck.

Abriella hadn’t been kidding about her cousin. At exactly nine, a tall figure walked toward her, the sun at his back.

He was at least six-foot-two, wearing a plain black T-shirt and cargo pants. The simple outfit only made his broad shoulders and slim waist stand out more. Those long legs were impossible to ignore.

As he got closer, Emmy recognized him—and her heart stuttered.

It was him! The firefighter who had carried her out of the smoke and chaos just two nights ago.

Out of his gear, he looked even more striking. Sharp jawline, lips pressed in a firm line, eyes so dark and intense she almost forgot to breathe. The energy he gave off was all confidence and strength. Emmy could practically feel it in the air between them.

He came to a stop right in front of her, almost a full head taller, his shadow swallowing hers.

“Are you Emmy?” he asked.

He was good-looking, but that voice—deep, rough-edged, and a little husky—made her nerves jump.

Emmy pulled herself together and nodded. “That’s me. And you’re… Abriella’s cousin?”

He gave a short nod, his gaze meeting hers for just a moment before sliding away. “My name’s James Nelson.”

It still felt unreal.

Abriella seriously had a cousin like this?

Emmy bit her lip, then looked him in the eye. “About the other night… Thank you. You saved my life.”

If he hadn’t pulled her out of that fire, she might not even be standing here.

“First, this is a marriage of convenience. We both get what we want. I won’t interfere in your personal life, and I expect the same from you.”

“Fine.”

“Second, our finances stay separate. I’m not after your money, and what’s mine stays mine.”

He glanced at her. “Works for me.”

“And third, and this is the most important one, I don’t tolerate lies. Any kind of deception, and this marriage is over. Can you agree to that?”

Lies were her one hard limit.

James’s eyes sharpened, his relaxed look fading a bit. He stared at her for a few seconds, and Emmy held his gaze without backing down.

Finally, he said, “Alright.”

“That’s it for me. Mr. Nelson, do you have any conditions?”