8.

Lexi’s POV

I was enjoying my peaceful sleep when the sound of my phone ringing jolted me awake. Groaning,I picked it up to see that it was from an unknown number.

“Hello, who’s this?” I groaned into the phone sleepily as I rubbed my eyes and tried to stay awake.

“It’s Ivanović Volkov,” The Russian accent that I’ll recognize anywhere answered and I jumped up, all the sleep leaving my eyes at once and I can now see clearly.

What does he want from me so early in the morning?

“Meet me in ten minutes, we need to discuss the terms of this marriage and I have some rules.” He replied coldly.

He has suddenly gone from the man I met yesterday to a stranger and I could just feel the utter hate coming from the way he spoke to me.

“What terms?” I asked, my own anger equally building up, “that there’s no way I’m getting out of the shackles of getting married to you?” I shot back at him.

“That and the dos and don'ts you need to abide by when you move into my house this evening.” He replied and my eyes widened in shock.

I had no idea that I'd be moving into his house as soon as possible. No one told me anything about living with him before the marriage concluded.

“W… what do you mean?” I stuttered, my voice suddenly failing me and my well ventilated room started becoming stuffy.

“I’ll send the address and you’ll meet me there in ten minutes,” he said, ignoring my question, “Also, I hate waiting.” He finished as he hung up on me before I could say anything.

What the hell is going on?

I walked down the stairs to see my step father talking to a stranger, he looked nothing like Ivanović or his father.

“Get ready, Ivan sent him to pick you up,” my step father announced and I couldn’t say a word, “also before you leave, sign this and take it with you.” He added.

Handing me a duplicate of the paper that I’d torn to shreds yesterday. I’d thought that I was going to be able to take it into my room but my step father's stern look told me that I’ll be doing nothing of that sort.

Signing the papers, I dropped it back on the table and made my way back to my room to get ready to meet my so-called husband.

Without wasting any more time, I was ready to leave the house. I’d thrown on a white crop top with blue high waist trousers and a black sandal and bag to match it.

I’m going to meet Ivanović Volkov and not the US President.

Smiling, the driver got the door for me and we drove out of our compound. After some minutes of driving we got to a luxurious restaurant and my jaw dropped when I saw the building.

The building was filled with elite and for the first time in my life I mentally scolded myself for dressing like a pauper.

“You’re twenty minutes late.” Ivan called my attention as he stared at his wristwatch, I’d almost walked past him if he hadn’t spoken up.

“It’s like a thirty minute drive, you’re lucky I’m only twenty minutes late.” I spat back at him as I had my seat.

The sound of his cynical laughter caused cold fear down my spine and my stomach churned as I stared at him.

“Rule number one, when I speak, whatever it is I say, you have no right to respond until you’re asked to,” He started and my mouth dropped open as I tried to talk but I was shunned immediately.

“You haven’t even started living with me yet and you’re breaking the rules already,” his voice was low but it still thundered and my fear skyrocketed.

“Rule number two, you’re not allowed to leave the house until I have given my permission,” he continued and I swallowed my spit.

I’m going to be in a jail like marriage.

“Rule three, there will be no meddling with my business, you’re only my wife on paper and other than that you’re nothing else to me but probably just a tool, I can do whatever it is I want with you.” He finished.

I met his gaze and it was as if his eyes were magnetic because as torturing as it seemed, I couldn’t seem to move my eyes away from him.

“Also, no one should know about this,” he finished, referring to our contract marriage, “Where is it?” He asked and I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me that he was asking about the paper I signed this morning.

Reaching for my bag, I brought out the documents and slid it to him as he went through it briefly, “I believe you understood all the stated rules?” He asked and I moved my head back and forth in a nod.

“I asked a question and other than the nodding of your head I demand a verbal response.” He shot at me.

“I understand the rules.” My voice broke as I spoke, I could feel the painful sting of hot tears at the back of my eyes, threatening to set themselves free but I wasn’t about to let him see me cry.

Reaching into his pocket, he brought out some keys and tossed them at me before leaving the restaurant and I knew that I’d better start preparing to move into his house.

Leaving my seat, I went outside to see the driver waiting for me. We got to our apartment and I wasted no time in packing my bags as I prepared to move out.

My step father couldn’t care less about me or what I was going to face in Ivanović Volkov’s house. Bracing myself up for the worst and drying up my tears, I took my packed bags and the driver helped me load them in the trunk of the car.

We soon got to the house and I just couldn’t help but gaze at how magnificent it looked. It was built almost like a palace, it’s even better than most mansions, the color complimented everything and I looked to see different cars packed according to their sizes.

The opened gate shut itself when we drove in and I was in utter awe at how big the house was. Getting out of the car, the driver helped me take my things into the house and when I stepped in I was stunned at the interior.

It was so beautiful and I couldn’t help the gasp that escaped my mouth when what seemed like a robot stopped in front of me.

“Welcome, Miss Lexi Finn, I will show you to your room.” An electronic voice came and it was amusing. Smiling, I followed the robot to wherever it was leading me to.

Stopping at a door, “here is your room, Miss Lexi Finn. Welcome and call me when you need anything, my name is Optimus and I’ll be your assistant here.” He spoke.

Too stunned to say a word, I nodded as I walked into my room and the moment I stepped in, the room lit up. Everything looked colorful and I really wanted to talk to my best friend about it but for now I have to unpack.

Unpacking my things, I changed into something more comfortable and I was so tired that I laid on my bed and I had no idea how long I’ve been sleeping until I heard a loud bang on my door.

“Oh shit!” I snapped as I jumped out of bed. I’d completely forgotten and by mistake I’d locked Ivanović out of his own damn house.

Flinging my door open, all the apologies I’d practiced in my head got completely lost when I saw him standing in front of my room.

His breathing paced and I could see his chest moving up and down, his eyes blazing red with utter anger and his fist clenched.

For a moment he also looked confused and soon his look of anger subsided into something I’d seen before, hunger.

That was when I realized that my nightgown was see through and there was no difference between me standing naked in front of him and putting on this nightgown.

Hurriedly placing both my hands on my chest, I tried to cover my breast as I apologized “I… I’m sorry, I locked you out, I didn't…”

“I’m inside now am I not?” He cut me off mid sentence and I just nodded, his gaze was still fixated on me and I felt something new rush through me.

Looking up to meet his gaze, my whole being wanted to be thrown at him and I had no idea how awfully close he was to me until I could feel his light breaths on my face.

“This is my house and you just locked me out of it thank goodness for the voice verification. I’ll let this slide,” his husky voice put a halt to my fantasy and I slowly moved away from him as I nodded.

“I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.” I apologized for the second time.

“It better not happen again and change out of that damn nightgown, what if I came to your door with a male visitor?” He replied as he turned to leave.

Hurriedly, I slammed my door shut to change into something less revealing. I mentally slapped myself when I wouldn’t stop thinking of his body and lips on mine.

He’d told me that I meant nothing to him, what does wanting him to fuck me like he’d done that night we first met make me?

Groaning, I collapsed on the bed and tried to sleep, one night gone and I have no idea how many nights to go before I finally break.