KATE
I woke up alone in Nathan's bed and took a shower, wondering how I would deal with that woman. My bags were already in his room; he must have brought them, but where was he?
Mary knocked on the door.
"Good morning!" She was wearing one of Ben's shirts.
"Good morning! Stephan will love to see you dressed like that," I joked, and she passed by me, entering.
"I wonder why he's still single. Lisa is so dumb for not accepting to go out with him."
"He's a Ryan, and she hates Ryans."
"Ah, Ben and Nathan went for a run earlier," she said, taking a seat in an armchair.
"Seriously? Who goes for a run on the last day of the year?"
"As long as Ben keeps that toned abdomen, I won't complain. Anyway, what happened yesterday? I thought I heard Nathan yelling. I wondered if you two were having sex or fighting. I bet with Ben that it was wild sex," she said, making me laugh.
"You have no idea."
"What? Did I win the bet
Three years laterNATHANShe stormed into my office, stomping her feet and slamming the door behind her."You son of a bitch! I can't believe you're doing this!" She stopped in front of my desk, fists clenched against the glass. What the hell happened?"You should explain what I did before you start cursing at me.""Don't be a jerk! You know exactly what I'm talking about! When were you planning to tell me?" she said through gritted teeth, pointing a threatening finger at me."About what?""I'm going to kill you!""We were fine this morning. Tell me what happened to make you so angry?""Don't you dare provoke me, you son of a bitch! I'm holding back from strangling you! How dare you meddle in my work?"Alright. It was about that. How did she find out?"Baby...""No! You're giving up on this right now, Ryan!""Calm down.""How could you do this behind my back?"
A few months later...KATEI was a bundle of nerves. The past week had been hellish—well, the past month, actually. Even a simple wedding required so much effort. And I was beginning to think that my brilliant idea of abstaining from sex in the last week before the wedding had been the worst I've ever had in my life. That's exactly what Nathan said. And he was right; it made me even more tense, almost driving me crazy. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Just a few more hours.I was never the type of girl who dreamed of getting married; in fact, it never even crossed my mind, not like most who truly dream of that day and see marriage as a life goal. So when Nathan proposed, I had no idea where I would like to get married or how, and that's when the crazy suggestions came in.Lisa suggested a huge party, and Mary said we could simply elope and get married in Las Vegas. I suspected she was planning to do that with Ben if she hadn't already
KATEThere were more guests, friends, and relatives of Nathan's than mine. In fact, I could almost count mine on my fingers. My father and his girlfriend Helena, whom I discovered to be a kind and loyal woman; Mary; Lisa; my colleagues from the university, Megan, who predicted this wedding; a few colleagues from work, and that's it.Nathan invited almost his entire family because his mother insisted. I had met all of them at the hotel the day before.In the enormous tent, some people started sitting at the round tables, adorned with white tablecloths, flowers, and lanterns. Dinner will be served shortly. I hoped to sneak away with Nathan after that.He reappeared by my side."The first dance is for the newlyweds. After that, many people will want to dance with you," he said, extending his hand. "I'll try not to get jealous.""Don't worry, you'll get to dance just as much as me."He led me to the center of the tent, where there w
KATE"Do not disturb us for the next seven hours, unless the plane is crashing," Nathan said to the team waiting for us on his jet."That was extremely rude," I said to him when we were alone. "Couldn't you at least say thank you?""I pay them to not have to worry about that.""You're still the same jerk as always.""And now you're the wife of that jerk," he said, approaching and lifting me in his arms. I wrapped my hands around his neck."What are you doing?" I asked, smiling, as he carried me to the bedroom."Following tradition.""I'm not sure if it applies to airplanes."Closing the door, he walked to the bed and practically threw me onto it, making me laugh, before he started removing his shirt. He wasn't smiling anymore; he had that dark and hungry look that made my whole body shiver."If you really don't want me to tear the dress, start taking it off."I got off the bed and went to him. I slid my han
KATENathan managed to keep me in the hotel room for the past forty-eight hours since we arrived, specifically in bed. Keeping him without sex for a whole week before our wedding was definitely not the best idea I've had.I woke up in the early afternoon, and he wasn't in our suite. So I took the opportunity to explore a bit. After all, I was in Paris, and it was time to start enjoying my honeymoon, not just the bed.After taking a shower, I took the elevator intending to go downstairs and get to know the hotel better.When the elevator doors opened on the first floor, Nathan was waiting for the elevator. He smiled, looking handsome and sexy. The shirt he was wearing was drenched in sweat, clinging to his chest, his muscles bulging, and his hair tousled."Am I imagining things, or are you trying to escape?" He approached with a raised eyebrow as I stepped out of the elevator."Do you think I would have any reason to want to escape, I mean be
KATE"Can I come in?" He asked, opening a gap in the bathroom door.I bit my lip, trying to contain a smile, while some mischievous feeling stirred within me."Of course," I replied, turning toward the door.Then he entered, and his eyes focused all their attention on me. I saw him swallow hard as his gaze moved over my body.I was still wearing just black lingerie—nothing simple, something I would wear under my dress tonight.I couldn't help but notice how hot he looked, dressed in an impeccable black suit, with his hair perfectly groomed in a sexy way."It seems you're ready. I just need a few more minutes." I turned my back to him, leaning over the marble countertop where all my makeup was laid out.Staring at the mirror, I pretended to fix the red lipstick on my lips. Through the reflection, I saw his eyes on my behind.*And that's how you play, Mr. Ryan.*"Are you going to wear that?" He approached, sto
KATEI ascended the narrow stairs with excitement, feeling a shiver of anticipation run through my body as Nathan held my hand, following me.On the boat, golden lights illuminated the surroundings, creating a sense of magic and romance. The interior was elegantly decorated with upholstered wooden furniture. But it was nearly impossible to pay attention to anything, with the entire city embracing us and the Eiffel Tower in the distance."Will it just be us?" I asked, meeting his gaze."And the captain. The chef who prepared our dinner must have already left. So come." He said, pulling me toward the cabin as the boat began to move.I was simply amazed. The gentle sound of water against the hull accompanied our steps. Nathan led me into the small cabin where a beautiful table was set, complete with candlelight."I think you took the meaning of surprise quite seriously," I said as he pulled out the chair for me."I have to find a way to
KATEI had to fight the urge to simply obey him. A simple command was enough to remind me that just the sound of his voice held immense power over me.I took a deep breath. I knew exactly what he was doing. But I wasn't going to let him win so easily."Was that a request?" I asked, with a teasing smile."An invitation," he replied."An invitation to...?""A bath. What else could it be?" he said, then he circled the tub and got in, which, despite being huge, still seemed small for him.The challenge was implied in his words. It was risky, but it was also too tempting to deny.*Alright, Mr. Ryan, let's play this game. But it's you who will be begging soon.*Without saying anything else, I approached the massive white marble sink and left my stole on it. Then I removed the gloves and slipped off the dress, letting it fall to the floor around my feet. His eyes watched me closely, holding the glass in one hand.A