Page 46 of Misconducts & Temptation

“I can do that,” she said quietly after a moment. “But it has to go both ways.”

Her words hung in the air between us, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope—a possibility that maybe this arrangement could be something more than just another transaction.

Maybe it could be real.

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what I had to say next. “You also need to be aware that as husband and wife, there will be expectations.”

Her frown deepened, her head tilting slightly. She didn’t interrupt, though. She was good at that—listening without jumping in. It was one of the things I liked about her.

“There will be a variety of events we’ll be expected to entertain,” I continued. “Fundraisers, charity galas, business dinners—you name it. And at these events, I’ll expect you to dress up and play the game. Keep your ears open and your mouth shut. Look pretty.”

Her frown didn’t waver, but she stayed silent, absorbing my words.

“I don’t trust half the assholes my father surrounds himself with,” I admitted, my voice dropping to a lower tone. “The last thing I need is anyone picking our marriage apart, especially since I’m not exactly listening to Daddy Dearest. It’s not fair, but that’s going to fall on you.”

She looked away, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “I don’t have… I’m not…” She paused, biting her lip before looking back at me. “The clothes I have aren’t exactly glamorous.”

I softened. Just a fraction. “Don’t worry about that,” I said firmly. “Don’t ever worry about money. I’ll buy you whatever the hell you want as long as you put effort into looking like…”

“Like?” she prompted.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “Look, babes, you’re already beautiful,” I said honestly. “But you’re… rough around the edges. Like me. I want you to make everyone’s jaw drop at these events, and a couple are coming up soon.”

She didn’t say anything for a moment, just stared at me with those sharp eyes of hers, like she was trying to figure me out.

Finally, she nodded slowly. “I can do that."

Relief washed over me unexpectedly, and I gave her a small nod in return.

“Good,” I said simply.

"You also should know," I continued, my voice taking on a more serious tone. "As husband and wife, there will be times we need to put on public displays of affection. I don't want anyone picking apart the marriage and trying to find any reason to annul it."

"Could they?" Elodie asked, her brows furrowing in concern.

"You don't understand the kind of power my father has," I said, shaking my head. "Look, I promise you I won't ever force you. But you'll have to hold my hand in public, maybe we dance, and maybe we kiss."

She gave me a long look, her eyes searching mine for any sign of deceit. "So, if I never want to have sex…"

"You can't have it both ways," I interrupted, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "You have to be reasonable here. You never want to have sex with me, fine, but I'm going to find it from someone else. I can promise you it won't be your friends?—"

"So, you're saying the only way to get your fidelity is by having sex with you?" she asked, her voice steady despite the storm brewing in her eyes.

I sighed deeply, running a hand through my hair. This conversation was heading into dangerous territory. "Look," I said, trying to keep my tone calm and rational. "After we get married, we'll have to consummate it. We have to. I don't want there to be any reason anyone can question it. But after that… after that, it's up to you."

Elodie gave me another long look, her expression unreadable. The silence stretched between us like a taut wire ready to snap.

I could see the gears turning in her mind as she weighed her options. This wasn’t just a business deal for her; it was a life-changing decision that would affect everything she held dear.

Finally, she nodded slowly. “Okay,” she said softly. “I understand.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, my voice a low growl.

“I understand,” she repeated. “Just like if you don't want to have sex with me, I can find it from someone else. Right?”

I clenched my teeth together, anger surging through me. The idea of her with someone else was infuriating. “The only person you're ever going to fuck is me. Or that's it.”

My memory flashed to Lola, to walking in on her and my best friend. The betrayal had cut deep, leaving scars I still felt.

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