Chapter 7

ACEIA'S POV

"I struggle to grasp your perspective, Ace. Opting to forge your own path in building a business instead of inheriting your parents' company adds an extra layer of complexity, especially considering your known short temper. Beatrice, in particular, appears to cast a shadow over your aspirations, showing a lack of support for your decision.

As Beatrice and I sit on the porch, savoring beef nachos, "You have a husbandI'll just remind you of. Stop your obsession with Aidan already. I know your plan for Aceia. You are building your own business because Aidan is an engineer. And you're planning to hire him to build your boutique, right? So that you both see each other without your parents and Hudson suspecting."

"Beatrice, I already had this plan before Hudson and I got married. I've already invested in the land, and it would be a missed opportunity not to bring my vision to life."

Truth be told, my passion lies more in designing dresses than in business. Aidan's return to New York propelled me into action, fueling my determination to create something meaningful.

"I'm having difficulty understanding your perspective, Ace! Why not channel your focus onto Hudson? Your husband is a catch—handsome and perfect. If I were in your shoes, I'd proudly flaunt it to the world."

Beatrice's words elicit an eye roll from me.

"I don't love him, and I know he doesn't love me either. He only married me under pressure from his parents."

"He's been fond of you for a while."

"He's physically attracted to me; that's all."

"Does your attraction reciprocate?" Beatrice giggles.

"Enough!" I snap.

I'm perplexed as to where Beatrice is getting these notions. The idea of Hudson harboring feelings for me seems like a far-fetched joke. He dislikes me, and our union is driven by his hidden motives.

The thought of falling for him is repugnant; he's far from my ideal. I yearn for a simple, genuine gentleman who treats women with respect, someone who kindles a different kind of desire—one that resides between the thighs, not in the eyes. My dream of a perfect relationship has been disrupted by reality, pulling me out of the fairy tale I envisioned."

"How's married life treating you?" Beatrice's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"It's okay," I replied with a wink. I grabbed some nachos, loaded them with toppings, and took a bite.

"You seem really happy with married life. You're glowing."

"I'm always glowing."

"When are you thinking of having babies?"

"Babies!?" I exclaimed, wide-eyed. Geez! Having a child with Hudson was not part of my plan.

"That's not in my plan; what the heck!" I grabbed the cucumber smoothie and took a sip.

"Ah, so you're not getting intimate." I was taken aback by Beatrice's question.

"N-no."

"No? I can tell when you're lying."

"It happened just once." This girl was really annoying. Beatrice gave me a skeptical look.

"Okay, fine! Once a day!"

Beatrice's mouth and eyes twitched.

"Oh, every day!" I swear to God. I wanted to wipe that grin off her face.

If there's anything positive about our relationship, it's our sexual life. I couldn't help but respond to his every touch. And somehow, there's an advantage to not having a gentleman because he gets a bit rough in bed, which I prefer.

"So, how's his performance? Is he good in bed?"

"Stop, Beatrice; you're still young!" Beatrice burst into laughter.

"Are you using protection?"

"Protection?"

"Pill or condom? To avoid getting pregnant." I covered my mouth, realizing this just now.

"Oh no!"

"You're in trouble!" Oh, God! I'm in trouble! Why didn't I think of that? Maybe not yet. Shit! I'm not ready to be a mother and have no intention of getting pregnant.

I turned my head at the sound of a car horn and saw Hudson's car outside the gate. Surprisingly, he had come home in the morning, contrary to my assumption that he had a late meeting. Placing the smoothie on the table, I stood up and headed to the gate, opening it as Hudson's car drove in. After closing the gate, I approached his car.

I gasped slightly as Hudson's serene, handsome face appeared when he opened the driver's side door.

"Hi, love." He climbed out of the car, gently grabbing my face and giving me a soul-searing kiss. I couldn't help but respond to it.

Okay, so he somewhat retracts his claim of not being a gentleman. His gestures were surprisingly sweet.

"I missed you. Have you missed me?" I parted my lips but didn't respond. I didn't want to admit that I had missed his presence. I had been searching for his annoying face all day.

"Silence means yes," he said with a smile, kissing me again.

"I have a surprise for you," he whispered on my lips before releasing me. Hudson opened the passenger seat door and took something from inside.

"Oh, my God!" I let out a shriek of surprise as I saw Kitty, my cat, in his arms.

"Oh, my baby!" I took Kitty from Hudson, who looked excited to see me as she caressingly rubbed her face against my cheek.

"Wow! What a lucky girl! Someone has a flower for her." Beatrice chuckled. I turned to Hudson, who was now behind me, holding a bouquet of red roses.

"Hi, Beatrice, it's good to see you again." He greeted Beatrice and then placed the flowers on the table.

That's when Hudson's two dogs came out—a black and white Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and a light brown and white Akita dog. They startled my cat, and Kitty clung to me even more, looking scared.

"Shoo! Don't you dare bully my baby; I will slaughter you!" I growled at the two dogs.

"They didn't bully your cat," Hudson said with a grin. "They just want to play with your cat."

I suspected a double meaning there.

"Don't give me that shit-eating grin!" I was about to kick Hudson again, but he quickly dodged.

"You're really brutal! Give me a kiss." Hudson grabbed my face firmly and gave me a wet, sloppy kiss.

"Damn! You have the tastiest saliva." My mouth opened wide. Hudson let go of my face and turned to the two dogs.

"Cinnamon, Chubby, get in. Your mother might kill you." The two dogs immediately entered the house.

"God, your husband is so hot. You're lucky," Beatrice commented as Hudson disappeared from our sight.

"Hot? You're crazy!" I retorted, taking a seat and placing Kitty on my lap.

Beatrice laughed. "I think you're blind, Ace. Your Hudson is gorgeously hot. I don't know why you can't see that."

I just shook my head and continued to caress my cat. I couldn't deny that Hudson was indeed attractive, but admitting it out loud felt like Hudson might overhear and tease me.

"I bet he's a good kisser," Beatrice said, making me look at her.

"I can't say," I replied. Yes, he was a damn good kisser.

"Really? After you two had sex all day? I don't believe you! Just say it; don't be shy; it's just me, Ace." Beatrice laughed annoyingly.

"Do you want me to call him and tell him to kiss you so you can judge if he's a good kisser or not?" Beatrice's eyes widened.

"Can I? Really?"

"You're terrible. I didn't think you'd actually get excited, B!" I said, laughing heartily.

—

**HUDSON’S POV**

"How can I get rid of this damn cat?" I muttered irritably, standing next to the bed, naked, with my hands on either side of my pelvic area, watching my sleeping wife with her cat.

After reading the company's report, I decided to rest, but I didn't anticipate Aceia's cat sleeping next to her.

I don't particularly love cats; they scare me because of their appearance. I reluctantly took Aceia's cat from her parents' house earlier to surprise her.

I grabbed the cat by the nape of her neck and lifted her up, gently placing her on the floor. The cat made a 'meow' sound and glared at me.

"Quiet down, or I'll really get rid of you!" I threatened the cat. It headed to the rug and slept there. Good girl!

Sliding under the sheets, I reached for my wife. She was undressed, like me. I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her soft warmth close to my body. If Aceia and I shared something, it was the inability to sleep with clothes on.

I cupped one of Aceia's breasts and played with her nipple using my finger. I didn't know why this side of me surfaced when I was with her. It had become a habit, and it felt like I couldn't sleep without Aceia next to me and playing with her nipples before going to sleep.

The warmth of her slender body against mine brought instant comfort and an indescribable feeling, something I hadn't felt with the women who had been in bed with me before.