CH.3

My mouth went dry as a desert at both his heated words and the delicious friction of him pressed against me. A thrill of nervous anticipation zinged through me, causing my heart to kick into a gallop once more. "Well, now you simply must tell me what this surprise is!" I pleaded, unable to contain my burning curiosity despite my flustered state.

I knew he was being intentionally vague to rile me up, the infuriating tease. "You know I'll just obsess over it until you let me in on the secret."

I tried giving him my most coquettish look, pouting my lips slightly in an attempt to make him cave. But Karl just grinned wickedly, not giving an inch as he shook his head slowly.

"Such impatience," he tsked, sounding both amused and chastising. "That's no way for a newlywed wife to behave." His hand drifted lower to give my backside a firm squeeze, making me jolt against him with a sharp intake of breath. "You'll just have to wait and see when we get home, my darling wife. I assure you, it'll be well worth it."

I couldn't stop the slightly petulant sigh that escaped me as I accepted defeat for now, knowing he wouldn't budge. Karl just chuckled again, the sound low and sinfully attractive. He leaned down to trail hot, open-mouthed kisses along the slender column of my throat in a way that had me shivering and unconsciously arching into him.

"Have I mentioned how exquisite you look today?" he murmured against my skin between kisses, his hand sliding up to cup the back of my neck possessively. "Seeing you walk towards me in that dress...I swear, I almost embarrassed myself right there in front of everyone."

After what felt like an eternity of being teased and seduced on the dance floor, the song finally ended and we made our grand exit amid a flurry of rose petals and well-wishes from our loved ones.

Karl swept me into his arms bridal-style, carrying me to his sleek black sports car and depositing me carefully in the passenger seat before circling around to the driver's side.

We sped off towards our new home - a massive mansion he had recently purchased for us to start our married life together in. I had never actually seen it before, so I was buzzing with eagerness and anticipation the entire drive over.

My nerves also began to steadily ramp up the closer we got.

I kept sneaking glances over at Karl, drinking in the chiseled lines of his profile and the intense look of concentration on his face as he drove. He seemed completely focused on the road, not paying me any mind.

The serious set of his jaw and the way his large hands gripped the steering wheel made me shiver for reasons I didn't quite understand.

Was it just normal pre-wedding night jitters I was feeling? Or was it something more...something darker and needier stirring to life within me at the sight of this almost severe side of my new husband?

I sighed inwardly, shifting in my seat as I tried to get a grip on the confusing swirl of emotions coursing through me. Whatever it was, I had a feeling I was in for one hell of a wedding night.

Our expensive black car rolled up the curved driveway a while later.

I felt my breath catch in my throat at the sight of the imposing mansion. The color scheme was undoubtedly Karl's style - rich and bold with the dark charcoal exterior trimmed in black.

I remembered how he had described his dream home to me during one of our long conversations, and this grand estate certainly seemed to fit his vision perfectly. It was both stately and carried an air of subtle menace, like an ominous shadow looming over the neighborhood.

"We're finally here, my love," Karl's deep, velvety voice broke the reverent silence as he opened his door and stepped out. In one dashing, fluid movement, he quickly came around to my side and opened my door as well.

Ever the gentleman!

"Well, thank you, kind sir," I teased with a playful curtsy as I gathered up the heavy, voluminous folds of my extravagant white wedding gown.

Karl's strong, capable hand extended towards me and I gratefully took it, allowing him to steady me as I stepped out onto the driveway.

I lowered my gaze shyly as my cheeks flushed a rosy pink. "I'm so grateful to you for everything, honey." I meant it with every fiber of my being. This amazing man had made all my dreams come true.

He cupped my chin and gently lifted it so our eyes met. His warm brown eyes sparkled with pure adoration. "Anything for my exquisite wife," he murmured huskily, his voice caressing me like a loving touch.

I shivered at the husky timbre, feeling it reverberate through my very core.

With his arm linked protectively through mine, Karl led us towards the entrance. As we approached the grand double front doors, I found myself nervously fiddling with a loose thread on the luxurious fabric of my dress.

So many emotions were swirling inside me like a cyclone - excitement, anticipation, desire, and even a touch of trepidation about this huge step of life I was taking.

Karl seemed to sense my jitters and paused, turning to face me. His expression was soft, but I could see that familiar rakish glint in his eyes.

"Are you ready for a little surprise, my dear?" His full lips quirked up in a roguish grin that made my heart skip a beat.

I couldn't resist the pull of that playful, conspiratorial smile. Like a sailor lured by a siren's call, I found myself nodding vigorously in response. Surprises from Karl were always utterly delightful.

He chuckled deeply, the rich sound warming me like a soft blanket. Maintaining that heated eye contact that made me feel like he was undressing me with his eyes alone, he keyed in the entry code and pushed open the door with a flourish. "After you, my love."

We stepped into a dimly lit, opulent foyer decorated with exquisite tastes. Dark mahogany wainscoting, plush Persian rugs, and dramatic lighting fixtures. But Karl didn't pause, instead leading me down a hallway towards a nondescript door.

He stopped in front of it and raised his eyebrows at me mischievously. "Prepare yourself for something special..."

With one last wicked smirk dancing across those full lips, he opened the door and gestured me inside with a sweep of his arm.

My jaw dropped as I tried to comprehend the sight before me. It looked like a horror fantasy brought to vivid life.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't this!

He stepped in close behind me, wrapping his muscular arms securely around my waist and pulling my back flush against his chest.

I could feel the solid wall of his body and smell his deep, masculine scent surrounding me.

"Welcome to the Red Room, my wife," he purred in a deep, gravelly tone that sent terror through my being.