[Formerly titled Billion's Bride] [STATUS - EDITING] "I want a church wedding." "You want a church wedding?" He seethed. "Are you also open to consummating this holy matrimony?" Her eyes shot up to meet his. Her heartbeat could be heard in the quiet room after the true meaning of what he was asking, settled in. "Believe me, Em, if I take you to that altar, it will be to honor every last vow I take." His eyes travelled briefly to the erratic rise and fall of her chest. "Now tell me, Em..." fixing his gaze back on hers, he asked, his voice low, "Are you willing to share my bed?"

As Claire aims to leave her oppressive stepfamily behind, she befriends Zion. Will he be her ticket to freedom or a distraction in achieving her dreams? ***** Claire Olsen has had a crush on Zion Petrakis since the first time she laid eyes on him, but he never noticed, instead only having eyes on the school's it girl, Maddie Jennings. Knowing she couldn't compete with Maddie, Claire hid her feelings for Zion, satisfied with admiring him from afar. However, when a series of events led Claire closer to Zion, her feelings for him grew from infatuation to love. And despite fighting hard to keep her feelings contained by distancing herself from Zion, he was determined to show her that he's earned a spot in her life. [[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]