You're in my house, you obey me.

ALEXANDER'S POV

Fuck!

She's so beautiful I felt like wrapping my arms around her and pull her in for a breathtaking kiss. I'm pretty sure I looked very intimidating with my cold stares, plus I don't know what she must have heard about me that made her look at me with a bombastic side eye.

It's not like I'm over the moon about this whole arrangement. I would never had agreed to this if me becoming the CEO of Jordan Jewelleries wasn't attached to it.

Mother was about stepping down as the Chairman of the company, and it called for an urgency in either Michael, my eldest brother and rightful heir of the company, or I taking over.

Michael who already has his own family and forged a new career path for himself in the Oil and Gas industry had rejected the offer, leaving me as the only viable option. I loved Jordan Jewelleries, dedicated my existence to growing the business after I finished college, and had always looked forward to holding the reins of the company.

But now that my dreams were about to happen, Mother had selfishly attached a condition all because of her desires of a grandchild from me plus she wouldn't consider me too serious as she believed a man should rule with a woman by his side.

Mother and her ancient theories.

Now, here I was about to get married to Ashley Roberts who I barely knew.

And it didn't matter to Mum that I had a girlfriend, not that she liked Kelly anyways. That's why it was very easy for her to get me married to her friend's daughter.

But if Ashley was her friend's daughter, how come I hadn't met her until now?

Well... If it'll takes me signing the marriage certificate to secure my position in the company, then so be it. Besides, it is what it is - a piece of paper which could get lost or torn at any time.

At least, that's what I had thought.

Except now, there was a fragile human in the midst of all these - my new bride who sits beside me in the car, yet is scared to look at me and has her eyes glued to the backseat window.

Something in her eyes made me feel pity for her, wishing I hadn't agreed to this. She looked defeated.

"Where are we going?" She asked, her voice so soft I could barely hear her.

"Home," I answered sharply. Again, not because I'm trying to be rude. It's just the way I talk. Brief and concise. I rarely give lengthy explanations except when I'm in the board room.

Ashley adjusted her buttocks in her seat, her eyes still stared out the window as we drove past the city mall. She smelled of honey and a field of red roses. My taste buds salivated at the thought of me licking her, tasting her without restraints while she moans my name on my bed.

I rubbed my thigh together as I felt the blood rush in my groin. My cock was already erect just by thinking of her lying on my bed. I don't want to believe she has this effect on me, yet here I am wanting her this much already.

"Your house, I suppose?"

Ouch! I wasn't prepared for that yet, and I could swear I felt my stomach recoil in sadness that she was still scared of me. I don't blame her. I'm sure there's enough hatred for me already underneath her large brown eyes.

Still, my stupid cock basked in the fantasy of my wild thoughts.

"Not comfortable with that?" I asked not wanting to irritate her further

She tore her gaze quickly from the window to her hands as it lay idly on her lap, and it remained glued there. Even if she still can't bear to look at me, the change is posture was well appreciated by me.

"I didn't get to see the terms of contract for this whole arrangement."

Her nails tug lazily at the hem of her impromptu wedding gown, and a faint sigh of relief escaped her soft lips. She did a good job of evading my question. Does she not want to talk about what might happen when we're alone?

Just as I was about to give a reply to her, the chauffeur pulled into the driveway and brought the black Maserati to a halt. She kept her distance as we stepped down from the car and walked to the door, her lips pursed into a deep frown.

"I'll answer every of your questions after we've had some rest." I promised her as I opened the large oak door which lead to the interior of the house. It hadn't even crossed my mind to hire an interior decorator who would have added professional touches to my out-of-hobby domestic arrangements. The mosaic painting I hung over the door was now out of place and the wooden door squeaked in the cold like it would fall off its hinges soon.

I led the way through the flight of stairs which led to the bedrooms. The passage was dimly lit and I flipped the switch on so she wouldn't slip. I walked on in silence, Ashley trailing behind me, till I came to another large brown door with an identical one opposite it.

In one swift motion, I reached into the breast pocket of my wedding suit for the key and opened the door with a click. It slowly gave way for me to enter while she stood outside. She swerved her head to the right so she could get a better view of her surroundings.

I suppose I should try to make her comfortable with me - but I don't know how.

"Can you quit standing there and come in." I harshly ordered her. "This will be your room," I said as I reached to put on the humidifier. The room was over 80 degrees cold.

Ashley glared at me, her large brown eyes no longer fearful and lost. In its place was a fire burning with pure defiance. "You don't have to be fucking rude," she snapped back at me.

God, she looks sexy when she's angry. This is the kind of lady I want. Someone who would challenge me in every way, someone I could call my equal in all things. My chest welled up in admiration of that fire within. I'll explore it someday when we make love under the moonlight.

That's a promise I intend to keep.

"You're in my house, you obey me." I retorted.

What was it about her that threw me off the edge? I've only been married for less than three hours, yet here I am losing control over my emotions.

Ashley's shoulders slouched in defeat as she plopped down in the reclined foldable chair at the center of the room.

"I made a promise earlier to answer your questions after we've had some rest, but it seems you need your answers now." I said, and angrily turned her chair to face me. I wanted her to feel at ease with me, but she wasn't making this any easier than I was. God forbid I take advantage of my new bride.

She listened on in absolute silence. It's either she's taking useful mental notes or ignoring me as she glared intently on the linoleum covered floor.

"Neither of us wants this marriage, but we've found ourselves in it already. I needed to become the CEO of my family's company, that's why this contract stands. And your Mother gave your hand to me in marriage so she could secure her spot in my Mom's long line of friends. Call me selfish, I accept. But I won't place unnecessary demands of you as you will be my wife in name only."

She gives off a dry laugh and clapped her hands to sarcastically. "What a nice speech you've delivered."

I gritted my teeth together. She's not making this any easier for me, but I'll be damned if I let her words get to me right now. "I'm glad you at least consider me a nice fellow. Do you have any questions?"

"Two," she answered.

"Ask."

"I know this is a contract. It's meant to have an end date." Ashley shifted in her seat and folded her arms across her generous breasts. "How long do we need to stay married?"

Of all the possible questions she could ask, this is what she could come up with.

"Three months."

"Is sex a part of the deal?"

"We're two adults with adventurous hormones in our bodies. If you can manage without it for three months, good for you." I watched her smile in relief. "But I don't think I can, and I don't cheat."

Good. That serves her right I thought as her face shot up at me in a cold stare and her jaw dropped open in surprise. My tacit response had caught her off guard and hit her like a bombshell which I secretly enjoyed.

"Babies?"

"You said two questions. This makes it three." I countered and watched the fire in her eyes return.

"Answer me."

"No babies," I responded. "But that doesn't mean I'll use Durex when with you, as I prefer my sex raw." I said with a note of finality as I stood up from the bed and walked over to the door.

"Goodnight, Mrs Jordan," I said in a voice loud enough for her to hear.

She sat in shock as I closed the door behind me with a loud click. I stood outside for five minutes, and was about to walk away when I heard a muffled sound from inside the room.

She was crying.

This situation isn't entirely my fault, but I do feel bad for her now. She was caught in the web of two, three including me, people who had only used her as a pawn to get their desires fulfilled. I can't let her go now, but the least I could do was to make this easier for her.

I rubbed my temples and sighed as I turned to my room and shut the door loudly. God help me not to hurt her any more than I already have.

One step at a time, Alex. I promised myself.

I'll make everything right.

And I'll start tomorrow.