Chapter 18.Wedding Night
Alex’s POV
The wedding ceremony seemed to drag on endlessly, each passing moment feeling like an eternity as I longed for the day to be over so that I could finally escape the suffocating atmosphere of the crowded hall. The officiant’s voice was a monotonous drone, explaining the significance of the vows we were about to take, but it all fell on deaf ears. None of these vows held any true meaning for me; they were nothing more than empty words. The truth was, I had no genuine affection for the girl standing beside me. This marriage was merely a business transaction, a strategic move to secure my family’s empire. I felt no love for her, and she probably felt the same way about me.
My eyes rolled involuntarily, and I cast a quick glance towards the first row where my family and friends were seated. Logan, my closest friend, gave me a mischievous wink, as if he knew something I didn’t. Ryder, my cousin, appeared strangely captivated by Bella, the girl I was marrying. Confusion and suspicion gnawed at me. What was going on? Had something happened that I was unaware of? I made a mental note to confront Ryder at the first opportunity, but that would have to wait until after the ceremony. Right now, I had to focus on getting through this ordeal.
Reluctantly, I turned my attention back to the girl beside me, the one I was supposed to call my wife. I exchanged the vows with her, but my heart remained distant and uninvolved. As I slid the ring onto her finger, I couldn’t help but notice her hand trembling slightly. Her delicate hand, so small and soft, trembled in my much larger grasp, and it was a stark reminder of the stark contrast between us.
I wondered what thoughts were running through her mind at this moment. Was she as reluctant as I was about this marriage? Did she, too, see it as a mere transaction? It didn’t matter to me; emotions were irrelevant in this arrangement. All I needed was for this day to be over, so I could begin navigating the complexities of the life that awaited me beyond these hollow vows.
The wedding ceremony had come to an end, and the officiant declared that I could kiss my bride. A mischievous thought crossed my mind. I wanted to give her a glimpse of the beast that resided within me. However, I quickly realized that it would greatly annoy my father, so I opted for a subtle kiss instead, leaving the rest to her imagination. Girls would kill to experience even this much from me. I didn’t believe I could offer her anything more in this marriage.
As we settled into the luxurious limousine, a sense of relief washed over me. The wedding ceremony was finally over, and I could now go home and rest. Tomorrow, I had to put in the hard work to secure a crucial deal.
Lost in my thoughts about the upcoming business deal, I failed to notice that we had already arrived at my residence. The chauffeur opened the car door for me, and I stepped out, eager to retreat to my room and change into comfortable attire. However, as I approached the gate of my mansion, the decorations caught my attention, and I suddenly realized that I had left my newlywed wife alone in the car. Should I have shown her some courtesy?
No, I thought dismissively. She made the choice to be with me, and I am not obligated to change myself for her. Ignoring her presence, I headed straight to my room, where I changed into my favorite sweatpants and a t-shirt. Feeling more at ease, I descended to the bar, seeking a drink to alleviate some of the lingering stress.
Just as I reached for my glass, my phone began to ring, and I winced upon seeing my father’s number on the screen. Reluctantly, I answered the call, unsure of what he wanted at such a late hour.
“Alex!” My father’s commanding voice echoed through the speaker.
“Dad!” I responded, bracing myself for whatever he had to say.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“I hope you remember that you’re leaving for your honeymoon tomorrow,” he stated firmly.
“Are you kidding me, Dad? Tomorrow I have a crucial deal to sign. I can’t just walk away from it. It’s a massive project, and I’ve put in so much effort to secure this deal,” I argued.
“I don’t care, Alex. I’ve already made all the reservations, and I want you to leave for your honeymoon tomorrow. Figure out a way to sign the deal earlier or reschedule it. I don’t care how you do it,” he bellowed before abruptly hanging up the phone.
Fuck.
My father never missed an opportunity to remind me that he controlled every aspect of my life. I never wanted to go on a honeymoon with that woman in the first place, but now I had no choice. I had to sacrifice my business deal, and it infuriated me to live under his control like this.
I finished off the whisky in my glass, downing the remaining liquid. The bitter taste mirrored my already sour mood. With a heavy sigh, I made my way towards my room, the weight of the day weighing me down.
As I approached the door, a different fragrance reached my senses. It was unfamiliar, yet intriguing. Frowning, I swung the door open, and there she was – my wife, dressed in a scorching red silk mini-dress that clung to her every curve. The dress left little to the imagination, revealing her perfect body, demanding my attention.
I watched as she nervously bit her pink lips, her fingers fidgeting with uncertainty. When she finally noticed me, her big round green eyes widened in surprise. It was at that moment that I realized I had been practically drooling over her, my mouth hanging open in awe.
When did that innocent girl transform into a seductive siren?
Suddenly, a wave of heat rushed through my body, and my legs moved towards her involuntarily. Closing the distance between us, I trailed my finger lightly along her bare arm. Leaning in, I whispered into her ear, my voice laced with a mix of desire and warning.
“You’re dressed like that, looking so irresistibly sexy. Aren’t you afraid?”
She took a sharp breath, her head shaking ever so slightly in response.
My lips curved into a smirk, and I lowered my head, planting a kiss on her cheek. She shivered in response. Wrapping my arms around her petite waist, I pulled her closer, pressing my lips against hers.
Fuck.
The taste of her was divine as I delved my tongue into her mouth. She responded naturally, kissing me back, but I could sense her lack of experience.
Wait, was she a virgin?
I reluctantly pulled away slightly, locking eyes with her. I couldn’t help but ask, unable to contain my curiosity, “Are you a virgin?”
Her eyes widened in horror. “I-is that not something you like?” she stammered, and I couldn’t help but find it endearing.
“Ummm… no, it’s not that. I mean, I have no problem with it, but are you sure you want this?” I questioned, wanting to make sure she genuinely desired to lose her virginity in such a manner.
“Y-yes… We are married, and I saved myself for my husband,” she replied, her sweet smile tugging at my heart. I may be a player, but I couldn’t be so selfish as to toy with her emotions.
I gently removed my hand from her waist and took a step back. Panic filled her eyes, and her brows furrowed in worry.
“You must be tired. Take some rest. Tomorrow, we’re leaving for our honeymoon, and we’ll have plenty of time there,” I reassured her. Relief washed over her face.
“I have to go to the office in the morning to sign a deal. I’ll be leaving early. So, it’s better if we call it a night,” I explained, hoping she understood.
She nodded silently and walked towards the left side of the bed. She gracefully laid down, pulling the covers over her body, and closed her eyes, preparing to sleep.
Meanwhile, I went to my favorite side of the bed and positioned myself, deliberately turning my back towards her. It was a conscious decision to resist the temptation she presented. I desired her, but I knew that getting involved with her would only lead to trouble. I was in a precarious situation, trying to figure out how to have her without causing emotional harm.
What the hell?
I shouldn’t be preoccupied with thoughts of her when I should be focused on tomorrow’s crucial business deal. She was nothing but a distraction, and I needed to regain my composure and concentrate on what truly mattered.