Ashton
The party goes on all around me. Huge, intimidating guys crowd around, offering their congratulations. They make me feel smaller than I am and scare the hell out of me.
The women are no different. They smile but their eyes are cold. They hate everything that just happened and I know they will never accept me. I’m not like them. They don’t want me here and who can blame them. I’ve stolen their prize and they will never forgive me.
Bonnie appears the most genuine. She fusses over me and makes sure I get to eat and drink. She watches that nobody oversteps the mark and makes light conversation; trying to distract me from what just happened.
When I think of Ryder my heart flips. That kiss. That amazing, once in a lifetime, super sexy kiss that blew my world. I can still taste him now. I can still smell that scent that was all male, surrounding me and filling my senses. My husband. How good that sounds.
Almost as soon as the ceremony and legalities were over, he disappeared with Tyler. When Tyler returned he did not. I feel empty without him already. I’m going through the motions but already my heart aches for him. I find myself looking for him at every turn and feel disappointment when I realize he’s missing. What’s happening to me?
Now it’s time and I fight back the tears. Tyler is leaving and taking with him my security, my comfort, and my heart. My brother is the only one I love and to see him walk away is hard. I try to stop the tears from falling but fail miserably. He pulls me close and I never want to let him go. He strokes my hair and whispers,
“I’ll be back for you, Ash. Stay strong, you’ll be fine, I have Ryder’s word on that. Despite his hard edge, he’s an honorable man. No harm will come to you in his care. Trust me to make this right for you.”
I nod, trying to curb the sobs from wracking my body. I can’t fold in front of these people. I need to be strong.
Just before he leaves I see Ryder enter the room. Kitty is with him and my heart sinks. She catches my eye and smirks. Then she wipes her mouth with her fingers and looks at me triumphantly. So this is how it is. I am the perfect wife to the world outside and yet she gets the part of him I crave. He told me had others to satisfy his needs, and it was obviously true. Almost as soon as the ink was dried on our contract, he was celebrating with another. Why does it hurt so bad?
I watch as they move across the room. Ryder stares at me the whole time and I can’t tear my eyes away from him. He demands attention just by his overbearing presence. I don’t miss the cocky smile and amusement in his eyes as he sees me stare. He knows he affects me and loves it.
He moves beside me and slings his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. He drops a light kiss on my head and nods to Tyler.
“I’ll take care of her. You can count on it.”
Tyler nods and looks at him with a tight expression. He turns to me and I see the pain in his eyes. As he opens his arms, I walk into them and sigh as they fold around me. Burying my face into the familiar, hard, comforting chest, I feel my firm resolve slipping away. When Tyler leaves, he will take a piece of my heart with him. He’s everything to me and I’m not sure if I can see this through. I feel my whole body trembling as I wait for the inevitable parting. He leans down and whispers, “Stay strong, Ash. I promise I will sort this and set you free. I love you baby sis, always remember that.”
I nod but words fail me. I can’t speak, it’s too painful. Then I feel a strong hand on my shoulder and feel myself being pulled back to Ryder. He folds me into his chest the same way as Tyler and the familiar changes into the unknown. This chest is strong, and protective but at the same time dangerous. This chest spells danger for my heart and I recognized that the first time I laid eyes on it. He doesn’t speak but I feel his hands rubbing soft circles on my back. He holds me protectively but I also sense an ownership. Just that one gesture says it all. He has taken me from my family and now I’m his.
Tyler clears his throat and I hear the emotion in his voice as he says, “Look after her, Ryder. She’s all I’ve got and I’m trusting her to you. Don’t let me down.”
Then I’m surprised to hear him say roughly.
“Are you ready?”
I look up in surprise and see Kitty standing next to him looking excited.
“I sure am, honey. Readier than you will ever know.”
I hear Ryder laugh softly and look at them in confusion. Tyler just nods and with one last anguished look towards me, he heads off closely followed by Kitty. As the watching crowd disperses I look at Ryder in shock.
“What’s going on?”
He shrugs. “She fancied a change of scene so we traded one woman for another.”
I narrow my eyes and hiss.
“Do you really expect me to believe that? Why would my brother be interested in your whore?”
I feel my blood boiling as I think of that woman with Tyler.
Ryder grins and his eyes flash.
“Men are all the same, Ashton. Haven’t you realized that yet? Put a tempting proposition in front of them and their dicks make the decision for them. Kitty is good at what she does and is one hell of an attractive package. I have no use for her anymore so what’s the problem?”
He leans towards me and whispers huskily. “I have a wife now and what a sexy one she is.”
My heart flutters as I see the hunger in his eyes. Surely he isn’t going back on our pact already. I whisper back angrily.
“So, you think it’s ok to celebrate your marriage with another just before sending her away when you have no further use for her. I don’t know Kitty but I’m more than angry on her behalf. If that’s the kind of man I’ve married then God help me.”
I notice the room has grown quiet as the watching guys look with amusement in our direction. They are no better as I watch them pawing at the half-naked women hanging onto their hard, muscle-bound bodies. I feel disgusted with the whole sorry set up and then before I know what’s happening I feel myself being hauled over one incredibly annoying, incredibly fit and crusher of principles in a heartbeat, shoulder. Kicking out, I hiss, “Put me down, what are you doing?”
He says darkly, “I’m claiming my woman. It’s my wedding night and you’re coming with me.”
I hear the cheers ring out all around us, as he strides from the room with me over his shoulder, stiff and disbelieving. He promised - this can’t be happening.
I feel mortified as he carries me from the room like a caveman.
I freeze, this can’t be happening. Not again.
As soon as we reach the yard, he says softly.
“Relax, darlin’. That was all for show. You’re perfectly safe - for now, anyway.”
He laughs to himself as if he’s said something funny but I’m not laughing. This is a nightmare. I only hope I wake up from it soon.
The noise from the barn fades into the distance as Ryder approaches a house set some way behind the compound. Despite being slung over his shoulder, I see a rather smart looking modern house nestling in the trees. I feel strangely excited. Maybe I will meet his daughter now. Surely, he wouldn’t do anything with her in the house.
As we approach the huge wooden front door, he says with laughter in his voice.
“Honey, we’re home.”
He then kicks the door open effortlessly and carries me over the threshold like a bridegroom would on his wedding day. Then I feel myself being lowered to the ground and I look around me with interest.
This is unexpected. The house is modern and welcoming, nothing like I imagined. The hall is huge and bathed in light. Polished marble lines the floor and the walls are neutral with mirrors and tasteful paintings all over them. I look around with wonder as Ryder takes my hand.
“Come, I’ll show you around.”
With interest, I follow him as he proudly shows me his home. Each room is as tasteful as the last and I can tell no expense has been spared. It’s made up of several large rooms including a chef’s wet dream of a kitchen, extremely modern and bursting with all the latest gadgets. The furnishings are tasteful and comfortable and unlike the man, the space is warm and inviting.
He laughs softly as he senses my surprise.
“So, what do you think?”
I shake my head and say softly.
“It’s amazing. I never thought it would be so homely.”
He’s obviously pleased with my reaction and smiles. That smile sends a dart of lust straight to my heart and I look at him in total surprise. Why is my body reacting to this man? I’m not interested in ever having another man near me in my life but someone had better tell my body that because it appears to have its own agenda. I feel the shivers running through me and the pooling of my desire in my panties. He smirks almost as if he knows and I try to battle against myself. He is strictly off limits. I’m here to do a job. Remembering that, I look around expectantly.
“Is your daughter here?”
I watch as his eyes soften.
“No, she’s at my sister’s. You’ll meet her tomorrow. It’s best this way, you can settle in first before meeting her.”
Nodding, I smile nervously.
“Oh, ok. Well... um ... thank you for everything but I suppose I should be getting back to my room. It’s been a long day and I’m feeling tired.”
I turn to go but a strong hand snakes out and grabs my wrist spinning me around to face an extremely wicked looking alpha male. “No, you don’t. This is your home now, darlin’, with me and my Angel. You sleep here and they mustn’t suspect a thing. To everyone out there we are hard at it as newlyweds would be. You’re going nowhere but my bed.”
What? I feel lost for words and feel the tremors travel through my body. His bed! I look at him in astonishment.
“But you promised.” He laughs softly.
“Like I said, to everyone else we’re a couple in every sense of the word. My little Angel doesn’t want to think of her mommy and daddy sleeping in separate rooms. If the guys found out they would hit on you faster than the ink has dried on our contract. I said I wouldn’t force myself on you, it’s not what I do. When you become mine, darlin’, you will be begging me to. Until then we carry on as arranged.”
I feel a little happier but look at him nervously.
“So, you would... um... be... sleeping in the same bed.”
He grins, obviously enjoying this way too much. He winks.
“You can count on it, darlin’.”
I look down and feel myself blushing. This is the strangest situation of my life. I can feel him watching me and raise my eyes to his with determination.
“Ok, have it your way. So, what do we do now? I mean, your... um... friends will be thinking we are otherwise occupied.”
He laughs. “We do what other married couples do when they’re alone.”
I look confused. “What?”
He winks. “We fight.”