Page 69 of The Unwanted Husband
“Ok, I’m done.”
With that he turned to face her but kept his eyes averted. “Can I have you unhook the skirt ? I can get you out of that.”
Unsure what he meant by that, but too tired to ask, she did as she was told and a moment later, she felt his hands at her waist gripping her before lifting her out of the skirt and back on to the bed.
She could only let out a squeal of surprise. He was a lot taller and stronger than her but she was no tiny girl. She was tall and curvy but he picked her up like she weighed nothing.
“Now, you can sleep.” He pulled the sheets over her legs like he could not bear the sight of them.
“Thank you, if only I could get your signature foot massage as I doze off.” She knew it was farfetched since he was tired too.
He only laughed. “I didn’t think that was optional for me to do. Be right back.”
She was suddenly not tired anymore. She was comfortable in bed and was acutely aware of his shirt over her body. His scent lingered in her breath even when he was away from her.
She took a deep breath to calm down as he came back. He sat on the bed by her feet and reached for a towel. He dipped it in the bowl of what seemed to be warm water, making her eyes follow his hands as they methodically squeezed the excess water out.
When he wrapped the warm towel around her foot, she let out a moan. “I am so glad I’m married to you. You’ll make a good husband for however long this charade is on.”
He chuckled as he pressed the towel around her feet, massaging her heels. She let her back fall on the bed, making it creak loudly as a satisfied groan escaped her. “You are awesome.”
“I’m sure people listening outside the window will leave now.” He let out a laugh.
Her eyes opened and she raised her body up on her elbows. “What? People are listening?”
He nodded. “This region, however remote it may be, is very protective of women and their rights. If you had expressed the slightest objection to what was happening tonight, they would be here to rescue you.”
“You’re kidding.” She could not believe her ears.
He shook his head. “There is a group of older women whose job is to ensure the girl is safe, not just the ones born in the region but every one of them. Marriage is sacred but happiness is what keeps the sanctity of the rituals and they would not force any woman into marriage.”
She looked at him for a long moment, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’m so tempted to test your theory but the foot massage is wicked. I can’t risk the interruption.”
He laughed. “You will have twenty-one days to test the theory.”
“What?” She was confused.
“Yes. We will be watched for the next few weeks, making sure we are both compatible in every way before they let us go back to live together.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Like what?”
“You’ll see.” He reached for another towel and dipped it in the warm water before wrapping it around her other foot.
“Will I get a foot massage every night for the twenty-one days?”
“Maybe if you are nice to your husband.” He let out a laugh and that made a strange wave of excitement pass through her.
“Sure. My unwanted husband.” She giggled.
A moment of silence later. “My beautiful wife,” he chuckled, his eyes dark.
His words made heat creep up to her cheeks as she straightened her back to sit up, her eyes locked with his. Moments passed and neither of them averted their eyes. Her chest was heaving heavily and she saw him draw in a slow and deep breath like he was having difficulty breathing.
Moments they had both fought and given in but still resisted. But in that split second, she wanted it all. The handsome bare-chested man in traditional clothes, his eyes deep with admiration and desire.
Like he read her mind, he pulled his hands away from her feet. “I’ll be right back.” He walked to the bathroom with a bowl of hot water.
She knew it was his way of creating distance. Like he didn’t want to do anything with her or wouldn’t dare touch her while all it took was a foot massage for her to peak and feel the release the prior night, like never before.
