Getting married to a guy I just met in Las Vegas wasn’t how I meant to prove to my family I’m a responsible adult instead of a spoiled rich girl.

My parents think my environmental endeavors are a cute distraction from getting a real job, and they want me to show I can make my way in the world without their financial support. When the company I’m working for folds while I’m on a business trip, I’m stuck with no money in Las Vegas, proving them right. Then I meet an enigmatic photographer who makes me feel legitimate, not to mentioned desired, and I do the most reckless thing ever. An impromptu Vegas wedding.

Turns out I married into an oil empire. Xander King, son of the owner of King Oil. The environmentalist and the oil heir. My father is thrilled while my humiliation knows no bounds. I don’t care how amazing the wedding night was, or how hot my new husband is, I want an annulment now.

But Xander has a second proposal. If we can stay married for a year, he’ll get a giant trust fund. After our time is up, we can divorce and I’ll get half. I’ll finally be able to take care of myself without depending on anyone. Deal.

Only the more time we spend together, the more I wonder if staying married isn’t a better option. And the harder I fall for my globe-trotting husband, the more I think the responsible thing to do is divorce. Because then at the end of the year, I won’t be left alone, feeling like a sellout with a broken heart.

King's Treasure is a standalone novel in the King's Creek series (formerly published as the Oil Kings series).

Marie Johnston