Page 16 of Give It a Day
She looks into my eyes, understanding that we’ve both been forced into this arranged marriage, but I’m well aware that I also dragged her into it and didn’t let her escape when she asked.
“But…” Seeing the unspoken turmoil in her eyes, I still say, “I need you to put on a happy face for the next few hours. Laugh, mingle, smile, pretend like you’re the happiest wife in the world.”
Her jaw clenches. My unwavering gaze dares her to say no.
Go ahead, little bird, make this fox work for his dinner. You’ll taste better that way.
5
Kayla
My shoulders raise at the sight of his steady, unwavering gaze. I know all too well how far he’s willing to push my limits if I put up too much of a fight, so I bargain. “You want me to pretend like I’m your happy wife at our reception? Fine, but what’s in it for me?”
A small smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. “What’s in it for you?” he repeats, his eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement before his eyelids lower, narrowing his gaze at me. “How about complete reign of the mansion, maybe space all to yourself? A study with your own library of any books you could ever ask for.”
“That’s it?” I pretend to yawn to make my point. “I’m not Belle. You can’t just win me over with that. Besides, I already have that at my own family home. Try harder.”
He leans in closer, his breath ghosting over my ear. “Fine,” he whispers, his voice low and husky. “How about my black card? No need to ever ask for my approval for purchases. You get whatever you want.” His hand drifts down to my hip, giving it a slight squeeze.
As much as I like his touch, I scoff at his offer. “I have a better idea. How about after this pretend reception, we sign an annulment?”
Damon pulls back, his eyes flickering a dangerous light. Lightning ina bottle. How does he do that? “Not an option. We’re married, like it or not. But I’ll make you a deal.”
I sigh but concede. “I’m listening…”
“If you can make it through this evening without causing a scene—smile, dance with me, play the loving wife—I’ll considerdiscussingan annulment. But now that I think about it…” He moves closer, his voice lowering to a whisper. “You have to give me something more in return.”
“What do you want?” I cross my arms, looking at him.
“Your word,” he says immediately. “Your word that you’ll give this marriage a real chance, at least until the end of our honeymoon. Spend time with me, as my wife, not as a captive. And…”
My jaw works at his words, while my arms fall to my sides, fists forming. “And…?”
“And,” he continues with a slight smirk, “You’ll stop fighting me every step of the way. For this one night and for our honeymoon, be my wife. One who’s happy to be marrying me. Then—”
“Then we’ll discuss a possible annulment…” I mumble, thinking it through.
He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. “Then we’ll discuss an annulment, but until then, you’re stuck with me as your husband.” He reaches out, taking my hands in his.
“Let me get this right. In exchange for my polite and happy behaviour starting tonight, and then going through with the honeymoon, you’ll consider an annulment?”
“Exactly,” he says, his thumbs brushing over the backs of my hands. “Two weeks of playing the loving couple, both in public and private, enjoying a vacation in the tropics, no work, no distractions—only me and you, giving this a real chance. And at the end of the honeymoon, we’ll sit down and see if we’d both like to discuss an annulment.”
“My vacation from work is for a whole two weeks?” That’s what catches my interest the most. My parents would set me free from ourbusiness for that long? I could say yes to that alone in a heartbeat, but I don’t tell Damon that.
“Yes, our vacation is for a whole two weeks. And during that time, you’ll be free from every single work-related obligation. Youwillspend those two weeks with me,as my wife, and then we’ll see where things stand.” His hold on my hands tightens.
“And you’re gonna fuck me as much as I want?” I smirk, half-teasing and half-dying to feel his body against mine again, but I don’t admit that to him either.
A low chuckle leaves his lips. He leans closer, his voice dropping to that wicked whisper that carries that heated hint of twisted seduction. “Even more than you want,” he promises, his eyes meeting mine with searing intensity. “Though I think we both know who’ll be begging first.”
“Yeah,you.” With that, I pull away from him with a triumphant smile on my face as I walk toward the mansion, letting a butler—how extravagant—help me up the steps.
Damon grabs my wrist when I cross through the open, wide entryway. He pulls me back against his chest. “Don’t keep pushing your luck, Kayla,” he whispers, his breath hot against my neck. “Remember, I’m your husband now.”
I ignore his veiled threat as he releases his hold of me. I’m already stuck in hell, gotten hitched to him. What more could he possibly do?
The butler helps me into the living room. After thanking him, he bows and leaves. Damon is already by my side by the time I sit on the first comfy seat I see. I wince at how sore I am between my legs, noticing it for once after the ordeal I’ve gone through today.So far, I add to that thought, because I still have a reception to deal with.
