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Run (James POV)
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2024-02-25 23:42:51
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A Marriage of Convenience Vacation
The moment the sun hit my face as I stepped from the plane; I knew I’d made the right decision. It’s been so long since I’ve taken a vacation, and never have I visited Bali. The breeze is warm and carries the scent of the ocean. The soft sound of waves is so alluring and wraps around you like a cashmere blanket. Something about it is just putting my mind at ease. It’s like an instant weight was lifted from my shoulders. “Just wait until you see our place,” Chris elbowed me in the side, wagging his brows. The boys loaded up the car that was awaiting us at the tarmac. They’d opted for a jeep-like vehicle with no windows or doors. The sides were open, allowing the warm breeze to lash against our skin as we drove towards the villa. “Is that a smile, Rosie?” Shawn lifted his glasses, winking at me while driving. “My smile is not that rare,” I shook my head, feeling my cheeks flush from embarrassment. Have I really been that obviously miserable as of late? Chris’ hands gripped
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-02-27A Marriage of Convenience Dare
“This is stupid boring,” Chris groaned, thudding his head backwards onto the sand. “I think you need to learn the art of relaxation,” I tilted my head to the side, lifting my glasses to stare at his dramatics. “You woke me up at the ass crack of dawn so that we could lay here and bake in the sun like a chocolate chip cookie,” he groaned. “Has he always been this dramatic?” Shawn joined the conversation from my other side. “Yes. You were always just immune to him and his ways. Distance has made you see the truth.” “Y’all are just rude. I’m going for a swim,” Chris jumped up from the sand, running at full speed towards the ocean. “What do you think so far?” Shawn propped himself up on his elbows, making his incredibly toned abs look even more defined. “About what?” I was thankful for my sunglasses because he’d surely see me staring at the pure dedication he puts into the art that is his body. “This trip. How does it feel getting away from life?” he sat up, taking a drink
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-02-28A Marriage of Convenience Too late
I felt my heart rate quicken. What was he doing here? And in my room.... “Don’t scream,” he whispered as he released the hand he held over my mouth. Anger floods my veins as I slowly turn around to meet searing forest green eyes. It’s so funny to me now that the tables have turned. I can see it shining back at me in those eyes. Desperation. But it hardly brings me peace. If anything, it’s guilt. Though I have nothing to feel guilty for. James was the one who chose Marina over me. Over our marriage. He chose indifference when he could have just chosen me. I’m forced to focus on the steady rise and fall of my chest, because every breath feels as if there’s not enough oxygen in the room. I blink, trying to diffuse the stare off between the two of us, “What are you doing here?” “The question is what are you doing here?” James retorts, never breaking eye contact. A heavy breath escapes through my nose as I shake my head, “The last time I checked, I don’t have to tell you wha
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-02-29A Marriage of Convenience One kiss
I searched James’ face for the ‘but’. For the lie. For the deception.... But it’s not there. “Why now? Why all of a sudden are you so willing to change your mind?” There was a part of me, despite seeing the truth mirrored in his eyes, that just couldn’t believe it. There was a catch. There was always a catch. His fingers ran through his mess of hair, and for the first time since we’ve been in here, I took in his appearance. He was in a suit, but the undershirt had the top few buttons popped, showing off his toned chest. The only time he’d ever done that was when he was stressed. His hair was a mess, most likely from running his fingers through the strands hundreds of times. A light stubble dotted his otherwise normally clean-shaven face. The man in front of me wasn’t the James I was used to seeing. “You want honesty, Rosa?” he huffed out a humorless laugh, “I don’t fucking know. You said something about this pull that you felt when I woke up in the hospital. You called it lo
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-03-01A Marriage of Convenience Sharks
“Were you taking a shit or something?” Chris groaned as we climbed into the car. I rolled my eyes, trying to shake the feeling of James watching me. I knew he was. Even now, when I’d asked him to leave, he hadn’t. It was strange how that one kiss made me so hyper aware of his presence. I knew it was a bad idea. Letting him in, even if it was only for a moment. But I’d longed for so long to feel his lips and body pressed against mine. It was better than my wildest dreams. He tasted sweet and spicy, almost like one of those hot tamale candies. Reaching up, my fingers trembled as I touched my still swollen lips. His taste still lingered in my mouth. “Earth to Rosa,” Chris snapped his fingers next to my ears. At some point we’d started driving away from the villa, but my mind was still so preoccupied with James that I hadn’t realized it. “What?” “Did you hit your head while you were in your room or something?” Chris narrowed his eyes. “Give it a rest,” Shawn glanced in
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-03-02A Marriage of Convenience Tortured (James POV)
I watched from the window as Rosa pulled away with Chris and Shawn. Letting her leave after that kiss damn near killed me. I could feel Onyx tugging at the restraints in my mind. Fuck. I’m more sure now than ever that Rosa is my mate. But how do I bring him back to me? And how do I get her to see that she’s mine. I’ve spent the last three years royally fucking up any chance I ever had to be with her. Hell, I don’t even want to be with me most days. Stuck in this constant fucked up loop of anger. I’ve been running in circles since the attack. Trying to find the person who orchestrated the demise of my pack has proven to be nothing short of infuriating. But now, Rosa’s in the mix. How does she play a part in my life with Marina? And how am I supposed to tell Marina to move out... I know she’s my mate. We felt the bond before the attack. She was there first. She’s my only tie left to my old life, and I’d just offered to throw her to the side for a chance with Rosa. It’s all
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-03-03A Marriage of Convenience Whatever it takes
“I don’t understand why you are here if Rosie didn’t invite you,” Chris sounded angry as he spoke. My eyes were still closed, and the beeping sound of my heart rate woke me up from a deep sleep. “I don’t need to explain anything to you,” James spoke through gritted teeth. James.... Memories of the boat came flooding back. I was feeling so weak and faint. After walking Shawn through what to do, he created a tourniquet with my shirt, but at that point, I’d already lost a lot of blood. Then, like a knight in shining armor, James’ face appeared above mine. “How did you know where to find her?” Shawn questioned from the other side of the room. How did he know where to find me? I don’t think I told him where we were going. My eyelids fluttered open, glancing around the room that contained three massive men. “Rosie,” Chris rushed over, being the first to see me awake, “Are you okay?” “I’m,” I cleared my parched throat, “Fine. Just need some water.” Shawn quickly grabbed a wh
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-03-04A Marriage of Convenience The real James
“You have to be fucking kidding me James,” Marina scoffed from the other room while I lingered in the foyer of what used to be my home, “This has to be a joke.” Being here feels strange, despite it having been my home for so long. Nothing has changed as I walk around the perimeter of the room. The house still lacks warmth, void of a single personal touch. James must have dragged Marina away so that I wouldn’t be able to hear whatever he was saying to her. I’m not sure if that makes me feel better or worse. A large part of me is still so apprehensive about giving him another chance, but my heart seems to always win over my mind, and right now…. It’s screaming at me to try. The stitches on my arm itch as I stare at the wide hallway that leads to wherever James and Marina decided to take their conversation. Footsteps echo through the empty house before Marina’s angry face finds me from across the room. She stalks closer until we’re nearly toe to toe, but I refuse to cower in her pre
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-03-06
Bab terbaru
A Marriage of Convenience Something is up(James POV)
Confusion swims in my gut.Marina smells intoxicating, her scent swirling around me as fresh as the day I’d turned eighteen. I’m fighting the war inside my mind to keep my distance, but I’m weak, and Onyx feels trapped.Rosalind is watching our interaction, and the combination is making my head throb.“I don’t get it,” Marina whispers, shaking her head. Her pale blue eyes shimmer, and I know she’s hurting. The urge to wrap my arms around her is compelling, but I fight that too.“Rosalind is my mate. I have no doubt in my mind. Neither of you are willing to share, so I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.”The engine to my Audi roars to life, and before I can fully process what’s happening, my eyes widen on Rosa’s tear-filled gaze in the driver’s seat.Gravel flies in every direction, some hitting my shin, but I don’t give a fuck. I’m chasing the car, “Rosa, wait!”“James!” Marina shouts at my back, her voice laced with fear, when Rosalind almost hits me putting the car in drive.I
A Marriage of Convenience Moments
One of my leggings was cut to the knee and the other was soaking wet, clinging to my thigh like a second skin. Normally, I’d use the opposite leg for leverage, but at the risk of popping my fresh stitches, I fall back onto the bed.Shawn returns with the scissors, moving to kneel in front of me for the third time today before our eyes lock and he offers me a small smile, “I won’t look.”My chest flutters as I stare into eyes I’ve known all my life.“It’s not like you haven’t seen me before, Shawn.”He chuckles, “That’s fair. But I know you, and I won’t look.”The backs of my eyes burn with unshed tears, and I pull my teeth between my lips, nodding.Shawn grips my pants at my ankle, carefully sliding the sharp end of the scissors beneath the hem. An involuntary shiver sends goosebumps spreading across my skin.His brows pinch together with concern as his movements halt, “I didn’t poke you, did I?”“The scissors are just cold.”Shawn lets out a relieved chuckle, “Once we get you out of
A Marriage of Convenience Blood Loss
“What were you thinking, Rosie?” Shawn easily scooped me up, carrying me to his bathroom, and carefully deposited me onto the porcelain countertop.I feel the warm sticky sensation of blood against my foot, and I know my wound is worse than I initially thought.Shawn squats down, his large frame crowding the bathroom despite the fact that it’s the size of a small bedroom. He removed my shoe first, reaching beneath me to dig out a first aid kit, and dug out scissors.Our eyes met, his asking for permission, to which I nodded, and he cut a line down the seam of my leggings, revealing my very bloody leg.“Shit, Rosie,” he mutters, “This might be something you need to go back to the hospital for.”I grimaced at the thought. I knew for a fact that would be one of the few places James would check in his search for where I’d gone. Unless he already knows I’m here, which would be really bad for Shawn.“Nonsense,” I grit my teeth, the adrenaline of stealing James’ car wearing off, and allowing
A Marriage of Convenience The perfect husband
“James,” Marina coos, “Baby, they won’t let me through.”Her voice grates against my eardrums and I fight the rising anger that simmers beneath my skin.“What are you doing here?” James’ tone is lethal, startling even to me. I’ve never heard him speak to Marina in such a tone, but I won’t lie when I say it filled me with satisfaction.Her pale blue eyes shift to me sitting in the front seat, narrowing for a fraction of a second before she returns her gaze to James. Her bottom lip trembles, and I watch as the actress puts on the perfect performance, “I came to check on you and Raslind,” she whispered, pronouncing my name incorrectly. “I came by the hospital, but you weren’t there. She didn’t tell you?”James ran his hands through his hair, and I was desperate to know what was going through his mind. I knew from experience that once he started showing his nervous tic, I was never sure what was going to come next.“I made it very clear that you weren’t welcome here any longer,” James sur
A Marriage of Convenience Liar
“You should have called, Rosa,” James glanced over at me. His hand rested atop my thigh while the other gripped the steering wheel, “I was worried sick.”“I didn’t think about it,” I whispered, feeling guilt seep beneath my skin. I hated lying to him, and I felt even worse that I’d dragged Dante and Joanne into lying with me. “I’m sorry.”The words tasted bitter on my tongue. I wasn’t a liar, but the last few months I’d found myself keeping more to myself. Hiding things that I wouldn’t normally hide.I didn’t like it.James squeezed my thigh, “Don’t be. Dante was right,” he sighed, “I overthink and you’re an independent woman. It’s something I love about you.”I bring my hand to his, interlocking our fingers, “I get it. Especially with everything that just happened. I assumed I was safe with them.”Another lie. The pit in my stomach grows with every understanding word he speaks, and every lie that rolls with ease off my tongue.“You are,” he chuckled, “I have great family. And they lo
A Marriage of Convenience Fear and fury(James POV)
I’ve dialed Rosa at least ten times.Ten fucking times my calls have gone unanswered.Even my earlier text asking her if she wanted her regular from her favorite Chinese restaurant went unanswered.Pulling up her contact, I click on the map of her location.“What the fuck?”My knuckles grow white as I grip the steering wheel with new force. Why the hell is she with Dante and Joanne? Did something happen at the house?A lethal combination of fear and fury floods my veins, and I press my foot against the accelerator, zipping around cars without caution. I don’t fucking care.‘I would have felt if she was in danger,’ Onyx tries to reason with me, but I tune him out. I’ve relied on him in the past and look where that got me….. And when was he the voice of reason? He’s an animal with one thing on his mind and that’s making sure Rosalind is kept safe and sound within the walls of our home.He expressed interest in chaining her up a few times, which I shut down for obvious reasons. But if sh
A Marriage of Convenience Caught
“You brought your idiot brother?” Dante groaned as he opened the front door.“Nice to see you again, too,” Chris muttered.“I’m sorry, Rosalind,” Dante dipped down, whispering in my ear, “He asks far too many stupid questions.”“What is that delicious smell?” Chris has long forgotten Dante’s comment as he heads towards the kitchen, inhaling deeply.“My lovely mate is baking. Something about keeping Rosa happy,” Dante shrugged, “I’m starting to think it’s a ploy to get me fattened up, though.”“Hey now,” Joanne calls from the kitchen, “You can’t blame me for all that.”Dante gasps, “Woman, don’t you start insulting me in front of my daughter in law.”Joanne rounds the corner of the kitchen, wrapping me in a tight hug, “I’m so sorry about what happened to you,” she pulls away, keeping her hands on my shoulders, “If you need to stay here to feel safe, there is always space for you.”“Thank you,” I whisper, my emotions flooding me as I stare into her motherly gaze.“Pumpkin,” Dante chirps
A Marriage of Convenience Hear you out
Dante sighed on the other end of the line, and I bit my lip, wondering if he would actually turn me down. There was a good chance that he did, and fear gripped my heart at the thought.“Are you trying to get me on James’ bad side?” he grumbled, his voice laced with irritation.“Will you do it, or not?”If I spent all day explaining the reasons that James might be upset, I would certainly talk myself out of taking charge, but I needed answers.“Can you meet me at the cabin?” Dante groaned, and I gasped in surprise, which he must have picked up on because he grunted, “I’m not agreeing to anything yet, but I’ll hear you out.”“I’ll be there asap.”******“What’s with the rush?” Chris groans, wiping the tiredness from his eyes.“I can’t drive and my driver is in the hospital. You were my only option.”Chris turned towards me, narrowing his eyes, “Gee, thanks. You could have called an Uber driver!” he shook his head, “I don’t get paid enough for this.”“It’s clearly stated in your brotherly
A Marriage of Convenience Guilt
“I’ve increased security and will be checking in hourly. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” James held my annoyed stare, knowing that nothing was getting in or out of these walls without him knowing.He held up his hands in mock surrender, “Fine. FINE. I get it,” he stepped towards me, his large frame crowding my space. My butt hit the counter and my crutches fell to the ground. James lifted me with ease and placing me atop the cool, granite countertop. A shiver rolled through my body as the chill seeped into my skin, “I’m allowed to worry about you, you know?”“Worry all you want, but don’t stop letting me live. Please. I’ll be fine and I trust that all of the additional security measures you’ve put in place will keep me extra safe,” I pecked his lips, attempting to pull away quickly, but he grabbed my face, crashing our lips together in a searing kiss.James held me there until we were both breathless, and my chest ached from the lack of oxygen.“The office can wait,” he growled
