Harlequin Kradam

The story begins with the rake Adam, Lord Lambert, striking a deal with Kris Allen, the stuttering son of a sickly club owner whose uncle is plotting to marry him to a cousin, kill him and take his father's money. Kris offers up his future inheritance to Adam in exchange for the protection of marriage and assistance in seeing his father before he dies. They embark for Scotland, where they have a hasty marriage. Despite their mutual mistrust, they forge a tentative bond, but Adam is alarmed by his powerful reaction to the consummation, while Kris tries to defy her feelings for this playboy. After Kris's father dies, Adam takes an interest in the club, and while reforming it, Kris challenges him to a three-month celibacy bet before he'll bed him again. The suspicious newlyweds fight growing passion and frustration while a mysterious villain makes attempts on Kris's life. (From Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas)