“Where are you going? We don’t have to pretend anymore. I’m sure your staff and guards already know the deal about our marriage.”
I tried but failed to fight the smile teasing my lips.
“This is our room. I plan on taking a shower and getting some sleep.”
If she thought I was letting someone as sexy as her sleep alone, she had lost her mind. The notion that I didn’t have this same type of desire for her cousin resonated. The idea of Desiree and me sharing my bedroom had never formed into a complete thought. Mecca, on the other hand, was moving in this bedroom the day we had decided to get married two weeks ago.
She surveyed the room in silence, giving it a once over before her gaze stopped at our bed, which I aimed a finger at.
“It’s a California King. You’ll have more than enough room, and you don’t have to worry about me touching you until you ask me to.”
Although I was baiting her on purpose, she didn’t render a reply but continued her observation of the area. We’d had a nonstop day and a family emergency, so I was willing to give her space, but separate rooms weren’t going to happen.
“I’m not worried about you touching me. I know we should at least look like a legit couple, but I’m not used to sharing a bed with anyone. Every man I’ve been with was tossed out as soon as I was done with him, or as soon as he disappointed me.”
This news lifted my brows. “So you’re used to discarding men like tissue?”
“Pretty much,” she replied, her tone matter-of-fact. She was me, in female form. A step closer had me invading her personal space. “I’m not the type of man that gets discarded.”
The daring glint in her eyes was aimed with all the powers of hell behind them. However, she took a moment to allow my words to sink in. When her expression softened, I didn’t know what to expect but was sure she would give me a piece of her mind.
“I hate to disappoint you, husband, but after years of lackluster performances and ego-driven sex, I have decided its best that I take care of my own needs. It will be one less task you have to worry about. No need to thank me, but you’re welcome.”
“Wife.”
I let the word wife dangle in the air since she made it a point to address me in that way, like there was something wrong with my name.
“Do I look like the type of man that disappoints?”
There was no reply since I had gotten to within a hairs-breath of her face. She had kissed me during the wedding ceremony, letting me know that she had enjoyed it as much as me. She may not have wanted a marriage bed, but I was satisfied for now, knowing she was at least attracted to the thought of being with me.
My gaze shifted, perusing her body, noticing her quick breaths, but she hadn’t backed away. Leaning in, I placed my mouth a whisper away from hers before I turned so that my lips brushed the edge of her earlobe, making her dangling earrings swing.
“Not only am I going to be the first man you share a bed with, trust me, love, you are going to want to keep me in that bed with you, especially if I get to touchyou the way I want to.”
Her lovely lips fell apart, and her big eyes couldn’t hide the surprise my words had put there. I left her standing there to gather clothes from my dresser, sensing her eyes on me completing the task.
I’d had the room remodeled so that she would have her own walk-in closet. Faint traces of paint wafted up my nose, reminding me of how recently I’d had the renovations done. The bathroom and bed, we would have to learn to share.
Why did I keep calling her ‘love,’ like I was a local from Britain or something? For some odd reason, I enjoyed the flashes of interest and curiosity that sparked in her eyes each time I addressed her with the term of endearment. The idea that I could spark her interest with a word intrigued me and had me eager to know what else I could do to interest her.
Mecca
Since my feet were rooted to the floor, they kept me in place long after Arjen had gathered his clothes and went into our bathroom. Apparently, I was about to share a bed with a man for the first time in my life.
A deep eye-closing inhale followed a slow release before I went in search of my clothes. When he had stood close enough for his scent and body heat to wrap around me, my clothing started to constrict like a boa, messing with my air supply and forcing my heart to pump harder. What was up with me and my bodies reaction to our closeness?
It was something I would have to figure out later. For now, I needed to figure out how to get settled in this new place. My efficient husband had sent a truck to pick up my belongings a week ago.
When movers had arrived at my condo, I attempted to run them off, but they were more afraid of Arjen than they were of my smart mouth. They ended up waiting around for hours until I packed a few suitcases and pointed out a few items I wouldn’t mind taking along with me.
Seeing my things displayed through our huge apartment-sized bedroom was a bit strange, but this was what I had signed up for. However, him wanting shared accommodations was a surprise. Desiree told me she’d had her own room.
Whining ass bitchwas a phrase I often used when cursing out my men, but they weren’t words I wanted associated with me. Therefore, I would rely on pride and determination to see this marriage thing through.
Since my name was above the doorway in fancy gold-plated letters, there was no mistaking I was about to walk into my closet. Automatic lights popped on when I stepped into the space. The sight of it stocked with the clothes and shoes I had sent wasn’t what blew me away. There was also a boutique of clothing items stored in the space, and at closer inspection were the right sizes.
Had Arjen done all of this? There was even a section stocked with expensive lingerie in styles that I wouldn’t mind trying. What was all this?