Page 8

After all the hustle and bustle of the day, the sun finally set, giving way to the night. God knew I needed a break from all that stress. I needed to lay my head and rest.

I could work all day and not feel a thing, but this wedding ceremony was a whole new experience for me, and it was quite draining. I'd smiled more times today than I'd ever done in my entire life. That was stress on its own—a lot of stress.

However, it appeared that I wasn't the only one who felt that way—my wife did, too. Throughout the ceremony, she'd been absent-minded, detached from the event, and had a weary smile that mirrored her frustration.

As much as I enjoyed seeing her stressed about the situation, it was different today. I couldn't find it in me to contribute to her demise, and I wasn't sure why.

However, I couldn't deny that she was the most beautiful bride I'd seen in a while. Her wedding dress hugged her in the right places, its hem flowing at her feet. Although I'd worn a blank expression when I saw her, a flicker of emotion had swelled up within me.

She looked divine in every way possible, and her smile warmed my stone-cold heart. That grin wasn't genuine, yet it affected me as though it was. Her dark eyes weren't as bright as they used to be, yet I felt a flutter in my chest when they locked onto me.

The sun's rays streamed through the trees, bathing her slender form. Her skin simmered in the lights, a rather faint sparkle flickering in the depths of her eyes.

The woman was absolutely gorgeous, and I took a minute to appreciate her beauty, even though she had no idea how much I admired her. For a moment there, I almost reconsidered our two-year deal; a part of me wanted to have this goddess all to myself forever. But maybe that was just her beauty taking an effect on me. Perhaps it would wear off soon.

Whatever the case, Tessa was mine. She was my wife in every sense of the word.

A small smile played on my lips as I headed upstairs, rubbing my tired eyes. I couldn't wait to see how tonight would play out, considering the tension between us.

I'd been down in the living room for the past hour or two, so she'd have some time to prepare. It was obvious that I was going to face some kind of resistance from her tonight, and honestly, my fingers were crossed, and I had no plan whatsoever. I would just flow with her energy, but I wasn't going to pass on the chance to tease her in any way that I could.

The idea broadened my grin as I glided through the opulent hallway, which was adorned with intricate carvings and designs.

Without hesitation, I grabbed the door handle, opened it, and stepped into my bedroom. I stopped in my tracks, hands in my pocket as I gazed at my wife perched on the couch.

She sat in silence, her legs pulled up in front of her with her arms around them. Her dark hair was still moist, indicating that she'd taken a shower not long ago. She lifted her head and looked in my direction, her eyes widening slightly.

I could sense her nervousness and could almost hear the sound of her heart pounding in her heaving chest. She tore her gaze off me, her eyes dropping to the floor.

Amused, my expression softened as I strolled into the room, watching her fingers tremble slightly. She clenched her jaw and steadied her breath, as if summoning the courage to speak to me.

Curiosity flickered in my gaze as she rose to her feet, her nightgown draping off her petite frame. One strap, a fragile thread of fabric, effortlessly slid off her shoulder, revealing a teasing glimpse of her gentle swell. Her skin simmered under the chandelier's warm glow, and the gown's transparency caught my eyes, hinting at the secrets underneath.

Everything about her seemed to be calling out to me: her lips—full and enticing—her soft skin, the glimpse of her breast, and the curvature beneath her dress.

She stood in front of me, her eyes struggling to hold my gaze while mine discreetly roamed her body. Tessa noticed my secret assessment of her slender form, and with a slow, deliberate motion, she adjusted the fallen strap of her gown.

My attention drifted from her bosom to her face, my eyes locking onto hers. She rubbed her sweaty palms over her dress, subtly shuddering as she maintained eye contact.

Her throat wobbled, and she swallowed. “Do we have to sleep in the same room?” she asked, looking away for a fleeting moment. Her tone was laced with irritation, a hint of unease creeping underneath.

I arched my brows, taking a few steps closer, my movement slow and steady. Her gaze dropped to the floor, and her chest slowly rose and fell. The sweet fragrance of her perfume filled the air around her, blended with the scent of shampoo and conditioner.

“And why would we do that?” I asked, my voice low and smooth, eyes pinned on her. “Did you forget our deal?” I leaned forward, my breath brushing against her ear. “You're my wife in every way…in every sense of the word.”

My lips curled into a sly grin as I pulled away to observe her expression. Her eyes were blinking fast, and her breath lodged in her throat as she struggled to mask her nervousness.

I continued, my gaze fixed on the anxiety flickering in hers. “You'll sleep in the same room as me, we'll share the same bed, and you, my dear wife—” I extended my hand, brushing the back of my palm over her shoulder, her skin soft and smooth beneath mine, “— will play your role in public…and in private.”

She swallowed hard, her body trembling at my touch, her chest rising and falling. Tessa looked up at my face, her voice dropping to a faint whisper. “Do I have to?”

Where did all that spunk go? Where was that fire I used to see in her eyes?

Without a word, I drew closer, holding her gaze. I watched her retreat slowly. Tension hovered in the air, and it was as though my presence was suffocating her. She pursed her lips, her eyes constantly blinking, exposing her unease. Tessa was a nervous wreck.

Her back hit against the wall, and a soft gasp escaped her lips. I towered over her petite frame; her head jerked upward to look into my face. She steeled herself, her body stiffening and her breathing uneven.

My eyes traversed her body, drinking in the sexy and alluring sight in front of me. She shuddered subtly, her chest heaving with slow breaths. My gaze returned to her face and lingered long enough to watch a faint pink hue appear on her cheeks.

“Why are you so tense?” I asked, curiosity seeping into my tone. “If I didn't know better, I'd think you're afraid. Why is that?” My voice was calm and collected, my eyes never leaving hers.

Again, she blinked a few times before looking away, her gaze dropping to the floor. I could sense her anxiety, her unease, but that only fueled my curiosity.

After a moment of hesitation, she finally spoke without looking in my direction. “Because I haven't been with a man before.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, laced with embarrassment.

The revelation ignited a flicker of something dark and possessive within me. And the fact that she was untouched filled me with a sense of pride.

I kept my grin slow and deliberate. “I thought so,” I murmured, pulling away from her. “Get some rest. You'll need it.”

She raised her head, her eyes squinting as she kept that puzzled look on her face. Tessa was shocked by my sudden withdrawal, and she couldn't even hide it.

Being unpredictable and doing the unexpected was an efficient way to keep people on their toes. She couldn't read me and couldn't tell my next move.

I turned my back on her, my fingers unbuttoning my shirt. “And for the record, I wasn't going to do anything tonight. Not when you're shaking like a leaf,” I added without looking at her. “But don't think that I'll always keep myself away.” My lips curled into a smirk as I glanced over my shoulder.

She heaved a soft sigh and swallowed hard before returning to the couch, where she lay down.

The fact that she was a virgin—soft, flushed, and untouched—only made things even more interesting. Sooner or later, she'd submit to me. She'd surrender, and I'd take her innocence.

My faint grin widened at the thought of breaking her. She was my wife now, and I would take what was rightfully mine—her pride.