God, the past week. It’s still crazy and hard for me to wrap my mind around.
Am I still angry? Yes.
For the past seven days, I’ve been in absolute turmoil, only to end up married to Nikolas.
I frown, trying to make sense of how things escalated between us. We went from strangers to enemies to… I’m not sure what we are now. Well, besides married.
My eyebrow darts up when the thought crosses my mind that I married my stepbrother. Then, shaking my head, I dismiss it quickly. He was never my stepbrother. Our parents being married doesn’t count.
At least I don’t have to move to Greece. If I’m really honest with myself, I’m relieved I didn’t have to marry Christos. Rather the devil you know, than the devil you don’t know… or something like that.
And the sex is mind-blowingly hot. That’s a bonus.
I shift into a more comfortable position on the couch, then lean my head back and stare up at the ceiling.
I’m married to Nikolas. Holy shit.
The realization keeps hitting me at the most random moments.
Lifting my head, I look at the wedding ring on my finger. I feel a strange twinge in my chest, thinking I’m wearing his mother’s ring.
That must mean he’s serious about this marriage, right?
Nikolas has managed to evade getting married for years. He’s thirty-six and could have his pick of any woman.
Yet, his ring’s on my finger.
My mind goes down a dark path, leading to nothing good. Will he be faithful? Is this just his way of controlling me?
Still, I’m allowed to continue my studies and pursue a career.
Confused from trying to figure out what happened and what it all means for my future, I suck in a deep breath and focus on the laptop’s screen.
Finding a boutique that houses a selection I like, I pick up my phone and dial Athina’s number.
“Morning,” she answers cheerfully. “How was your wedding night?” It only takes two seconds before she says, “No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. What’s up?”
“I need help. Nikolas told me to fill my side of the closet. I found–”
“I’ll be right over.”
“I’m at his penthouse.”
“Give me thirty minutes.”
“Okay.”
Ending the call, I save the boutique's homepage on my laptop and shut the device. I get up and head upstairs to change out of my sleeping shorts and t-shirt. Changing into a pair of leggings and an oversized shirt, I decide to make the bed.
When I’m done straightening things in the bedroom, I take a moment to be nosy, pulling open drawers and checking Nikolas’ side of the closet. Getting a whiff of his cologne, I stand and sniff the air like a lunatic, then make my way to the bathroom. I can’t find anything weird and giving up, I go back downstairs and place a couple of dishes in the dishwasher.
With nothing else to do, I go stand in front of the impressive floor-to-ceiling windows and stare out over the city.
The view is beautiful.
Soon enough, my thoughts return to Nikolas. The way he touches me, the sounds he makes, his body moving against mine – it makes me wonder if it’s all just physical.
When he orgasms, he always holds me as if he can’t bear the thought of letting go.
He used to be extremely harsh with me, but lately… he’s still firm with his demands, but the bite is gone.
Maybe…
No, there’s no way he loves me. That’s the most ridiculous thought ever.
Shaking my head at myself, I turn away from the window just as the elevator opens.
“I’m here,” Athina calls out as she steps into the entrance portal.
“Hi.” I meet her in the middle of the living room, and we do the whole air kiss thing. “Thanks for coming over.” As always, she’s dressed in a classy outfit, exuding the power of a mafia princess.
Yep, she was the right person to call in for help.
She checks the time on her wristwatch. “The boutique where I normally shop will bring over a bunch of outfits for you to try on. Let’s have some coffee while we wait.”
I walk to the kitchen, and while Athina takes a seat on one of the stools by the breakfast nook, I prepare the coffees.
“You don’t look like you want to kill Nikolas,” she mentions, her eyes scouring my face. “Dare I hope you talked things out with him?”
I let out a burst of laughter as I set a cup down in front of her. Leaning back against the counter, I reply, “We didn’t talk much.”
She scrunches her nose. “You might be my sister-in-law, and I’ve grown really fond of you, but I don’t want to know about my brother’s sex life.”
Raising my eyebrows, I shake my head. “Don’t worry. That’s one thing I’ll never share with you.”
What happens in the bedroom stays in the bedroom.
Hoping to get some information out of Athina, I say, “I’m still getting to know Nikolas. I only know what makes him angry.” Me.