The night before was amazing. After we had gotten home from the reception, Sebastien and I made love until the sun came up before finally giving into exhaustion and falling asleep in each other's arms. And this morning I woke up to Sebastien’s head between my legs, eating me out as though his life depended on it.
Now my head was placed on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around me as his fingers trailed my hip under the covers.
“Sweetheart, there’s something I have to tell you.”
The seriousness in his voice made me pull away slightly and look up at him.
“I received another threat yesterday. If I didn’t deposit money into their account, you’d be exposed.”
I shifted quickly and sat up pulling the covers with me. “When?” I panicked.
“Yesterday, at the reception, someone left a letter at the table with my name on it.”
Six weeks, that’s how long it had been. I thought Hawthorne would have given up and let me live my life, but apparently, that wasn’t the case. The fact that he waited until we got married means that he was still watching. Now that Sebastien and I were married, exposing my past didn’t only affect me, but it would affect his reputation as well.
“If you pay the money, that doesn’t guarantee they wouldn’t expose me.”
Sebastien squeezed my hands, “I know.”
“Sebastien, I’m worried. If I’m exposed, I’m afraid it’s going to affect you more than it does me.”
“I’ll be okay. You’ll be okay. I’m handling it.”
I nodded and allowed Sebastien to pull my back into his grip.
“Now that that’s out of the way…” he leaned in to kiss me. “I think I know a few ways to get you to stop worrying. At least for today anyway.”
I giggled and allowed Sebastien to make love to me…again.
***
A week had passed and Sebastien and I were finally back to work. We went to work in the same car and drove home in the same car, like a real married couple.
But you’re not.
At work, Sebastien would leave me flowers and chocolates in my office. And we’d even go on lunch and dinner dates. We had even spent a night at Dominic’s and had a game night, the girls against the guys. They had even convinced Mrs. Kensington to play. I was amazed at how much respect the men had for her. They didn’t treat her like staff but like family, and the gentle scoldings they got for putting their feet on the furniture and telling the other men that they needed to settle down solidified that she cared about them, too.
Even though it was six against four, the ladies won, despite Axel and Vincent trying to cheat.
Don’t get used to this life, Delilah.
It was a nagging reminder that this wasn’t my life and it was all a hoax. Everything I had ever dreamed of was in my life right now, at my fingertips, but it was all a lie.
Everything except your feelings.
One afternoon, I had gone to lunch alone when I saw a familiar face walk out the head office. It was a past colleague from the magazine, Percy.
Before I knew what was happening, he pulled me into a hug.
“Hey stranger, it’s good to finally see you. You just disappeared and left us, not even a text,” he said playfully.
“Life got busy, you know how it is,” I smiled as I slipped out of Percy’s arms, though he still held my hand. “What are you doing here?”
“I just came to check a friend of mine, and I’m glad I did, or I wouldn’t have run into you. And I hear congratulations are in order, Mrs. Quantum.”
I blushed. Having my name associated with Sebastien’s still had my head reeling. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get accustomed to being called Mrs. Quantum.
“Thank you.”
Just then Sebastien stalked out of the building and headed straight for us.
Shit!
“Well, Percy, it was nice meeting you again.” I checked my watch. “I have a very important meeting to attend to, I’ll catch you later.”
Before Percy could respond, I walked off just as Sebastien had reached us, but I didn’t stop. I hustled to my office, and sure enough, less than three seconds later, Sebastien barged in.
“What the hell was that about, Delilah? Is that how married women behave?” he barked, his eyes glued to mine.
I leaned against my desk and folded my arms. I snapped, “And how did I behave, Sebastien? I greeted a past colleague of mine, I gave him a hug and we chatted for a bit. Unless you’re telling me I’m not allowed to talk to any other men besides you and your brothers.”
Sebastien remained quiet and the look on his face made me wonder if he was considering what I had just said.
I glared at him. “I don’t get you. Before we were married, you were this raving lunatic, much like you’re acting now. After we got married, you’ve showered me with flowers, and gifts and meals to expensive restaurants, but now we’re back to what I had to deal with before marriage. Is this what I signed up for? Thinking we’re making progress just for you to blow things out of proportion and send us back?”
Sebastien stepped towards me, and I moved to stand behind my desk.
“Mr. Quantum, I have work to finish, and deadlines to meet,” I stared at him. “I’m sure you understand.”
“Delilah, I—” he started, but I cut him off.
“I get it. I’m not really your wife, so maybe I’m not deserving of respect. As of now, I think it’s best to remind each other that this thing between us is fake. I can pretend to do the niceties in public, but I don’t want your gifts, flowers or meals. I’ll see you later.”
I sat in my chair and began to flip through some files, hoping he’d take the hint and leave, but this was Sebastien. He wouldn’t take a hint if it slapped him in the face.
Instead, with one quick movement, he rounded my desk, dropped the file from my hands on my desk, pulled me to my feet and pinned me against the wall under him.
“Delilah, I’m sorry about what just happened.”
“Yup, sorry. Until you see me talking to another man, and then you’ll act like a lunatic again.” I tried to sound firm, but my voice came out in breathless gasps.
Sebastien stepped back and let my hands go. I fixed my clothing, my heart still racing.
“When I saw you talking to him, I got jealous. The same when I saw you talking to Daniel and that fool at the grand opening.”
Jealous? He wasn’t making any sense.
“Why would you be jealous of another guy talking to me?”
Sebastien closed the gap between us once again, pushing a strand of loose hair behind my ear.
“Because you’re a gorgeous woman, Delilah. I see how men look at you. And yes, if I had my way, the only men you’d be allowed to talk to, besides me, are my brothers.”
I had no idea what Sebastien was talking about, but no man had ever looked at me the way Sebastien did, the way he was looking at me now, with insatiable desire. His gaze dropped to my lips and I licked them instinctively.