CHAPTER THREE

I was dolled up like this… that day… that awful day six years ago when my scandal broke.

I could still picture my younger self, stepping forward to accept my award as the world’s best model.

It was the awards night; everyone had received their trophies, and I was the last one called to the stage. I could see myself reaching for the award—just as the recording started playing.

The recording played, and I heard my sister’s voice, pleading for help, saying people were going to hurt her.

But the shock came when I heard my supposed reply on the recording.

“Some things are more important than family… I’ve got an award to win!”

That was my reply. Or so they claimed.

The irony? I never received any such message, and I never replied. My voice had been forged—someone had gone to great lengths to ruin me just as I reached the peak of my career.

I’d run off the stage as insults, fruit, and drinks were hurled at me.

The truth? My sister had gone missing, and despite all my efforts to find her, she was still lost.

*********

I shook my head, pulling myself out of that awful memory as I took off my jewelry.

Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Arrow stepped out, looking even more irresistible with his damp skin glistening. His curls fell over his face, and his lips looked soft and tempting.

I forced my gaze away to avoid more embarrassment, but as I turned, my eyes landed on his V-line exposed by the low tie of his towel.

Quickly, I looked back at the mirror, focusing on removing the last of my jewelry, my earrings.

I sighed, wondering how I could ask him to help me out of this dress. That would mean letting him see me half-naked.

No, no... not happening. But then again, he had seen me like that before… so what was the big deal?

It’s been six years, my mind reminded me, and I took a deep breath.

Still, I needed to get out of this gown.

Summoning my courage, I turned to face him. “I need to get out of this gown,” I said, and only then did I realize he hadn’t moved an inch since I’d last glanced his way. His hair was still damp, and the towel was still tied low.

“You’re still here?” I asked, surprised. But he didn’t respond. Instead, he walked right up to me, and I blinked, wondering what was going on in that crazed head of his.

Suddenly, I felt his wet palm on my bare shoulder and gasped, only to frown when he pushed me aside.

“You were in my way,” he said flatly. I felt a strong urge to grab him by the neck and pin him to the wall!

“Seriously... you’re a piece of shît,” I scoffed.

Forget his help—I’d get out of this dress myself, somehow.

My eyes caught a glint of silver on the bedside table, and I felt a surge of relief. Why hadn’t I thought of this earlier?

I walked over and picked up the object—a pair of scissors. I placed them at my side and carefully cut through the fabric until the entire gown fell to the floor.

I sighed as fresh air rushed against my skin, but then froze when I felt a burning sensation on my back. His gaze. How could I have forgotten he was still in the room?

Without looking back, I ran straight to the bathroom and shut the door behind me.

“Ahhh!” I exhaled. Gawd, that was intense.

I slipped off my underwear, leaving myself bare, and walked to the tub.

I was about to step into the bathroom when my foot slipped on the soapy floor, and I felt myself falling.

“Arghhhh!” I let out an ear-splitting scream.

Almost immediately, the bathroom door burst open.

“No! Stay back! Don’t look!” I yelled at Arrow as he approached. Desperately, I tried to cover my naked breasts, but he wasn’t paying attention. Instead, he crouched beside me.

“You’re not the first woman I’ve seen naked, and this isn’t the first time I’ve seen you naked either,” he said in his hoarse voice, his calm tone irritating me further. He reached for my foot to inspect my bruised knees.

I winced, feeling his intense gaze. His eyes flicked up to mine skeptically, and I swallowed hard.

“You’re too clumsy,” he said before effortlessly lifting me like I weighed nothing.

My cheeks flushed a deep pink, and I could feel the heat creeping to my face as he carried me to the bed and gently placed me down. His eyes swept over my knees as he inspected the injury.

I realized, with growing embarrassment, that I was completely bare and slightly damp from the fall on the wet floor. Arrow was now wearing trousers, but his upper body remained bare, his toned chest distracting me.

The memory of my breasts pressing against his chest made my body tingle, and I bit my lower lip, suddenly hyper-aware of how exposed I was. My genitals were fully bare, and he was right in front of me.

“Ouch!” I whimpered, closing my eyes as the sting of the healing balm he applied hit my knees.

When I opened my eyes, I noticed he had stopped moving. His hand was still gripping my leg, but his gaze had frozen—focused on one spot.

“What’s wrong?” I asked nervously, following his line of sight. My breath hitched as I realized where he was staring.

“Pervert! Stop looking!” I yelled, hurriedly covering my breasts. Slowly, he lifted his head, and the dark intensity in his eyes deepened.

That look—it was so familiar.

It was the same look he’d had six years ago. The night I had run from the stage and ended up at the hotel. The night I mistakenly entered his room, intending to drown my sorrows with a drink, only for everything to spiral.

It was the same look he had when he carried me to the bed and removed my clothes.

The same look.

“Why should I?” he asked, his voice low and teasing as he released my leg.

Panic surged through me as I scrambled up the bed, but that only seemed to provoke him. In an instant, he climbed after me, pinning me down. He hovered over me, his presence overwhelming as I lay unsettled on my back.

His next words left me breathless, my eyes wide, and my heart pounding in my chest.

“Shouldn’t you be performing your wifely duties now… dear wife?” he whispered, his hoarse, deep voice sending shivers down my spine. His warm, minty breath brushed against my face, leaving my body trembling beneath him.