“No, Caspian,” I say for what feels like the hundredth time. “I’m not moving in with you.”He sighs. “You’re my wife now. What kind of wife lives in a separate house from her husband?”We’ve been going back and forth like this since we left the registry. The moment we got into the car, Caspian gave instructions for us to be driven home. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that the route we’re taking isn’t leading to my house. In fact, every passing street looks less and less familiar. The buildings outside blur together as I rack my brain, trying to figure out where he’s taking me. “Where are we going?” I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.“Home,” he replied with that maddening calmness of his.“This isn’t the way to my house.”“No,” he agreed, not even looking phased. “It’s the way to your new home.”That conversation was minutes ago, and I’m still not in the mood to give in. I get it—we just got married, and usually, that means sharing a house, building a life together
Caspian's POVI'm a happy man. For the first time in forty-three years, I feel like I’m actually living. Desiree has made me realize that I've been unhappy all my life. I thought contentment was something I could buy, something I could control with power, money, and influence. But it turns out, happiness is more elusive than any of that—it’s found in the most unexpected places, like in the fire of a woman who challenges me at every turn.I watch her as she taps away at her phone, her brow furrowed in frustration as she tries to reach her best friend. She’s been dialing Jessica’s number for the past few minutes, and each time it goes straight to voicemail. The more it happens, the more her expression hardens, like she’s preparing for the worst. “Still nothing?” I ask, though I already know the answer.She shakes her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. “It’s weird. Jess never ignores my calls like this. Especially not after I tell her it’s important.” She punches in the number ag
The faint scent of something spicy fills the air. As Desiree flicks on the light switch, the scene that greets us in the living room is unexpected, to say the least. There, in front of the kitchen counter, a petite woman is swaying to a rhythm only she can hear, her back turned to us. Earbuds are snugly tucked into her ears, and she’s completely lost in her own world, stirring a pot of what looks like instant ramen while performing an energetic little dance.I glance at Desiree, raising an eyebrow. “I’m guessing that’s the infamous Jessica?”“Yeah, that’s her. Always a one-woman show.”Jessica spins around. Her eyes widen when she spots us standing in the doorway, and she nearly drops the wooden spoon in her hand. She yanks the earbuds out, blinking rapidly.“Desiree!” she squeals. “I didn’t hear you come in.”Desiree steps forward, hands on her hips. “I’ve been trying to call you for ages! You didn’t pick up, so I thought you’d disappeared on me or something.”Jessica waves a dismis
From the living room, I can hear Desiree and Jessica’s voices drifting through the half-closed door. They’re gossiping like high schoolers at a sleepover, and I can’t help but smile.“Oh my God, Dee, this is insane! You marry Caspian Hart out of nowhere, and then just casually show up in my kitchen like it’s no big deal? He’s so handsome. Like, really handsome. Is there a ring? Tell me there's a ring!”Desiree laughs and tries to hush her, but it’s no use. “Yes, there’s a ring, Jess. It’s Tiffany, of course.”I can practically hear Jessica’s gasp of delight. “Let me see it! You didn’t even think to show me before dropping the bombshell? Priorities, Dee!”“I was a little preoccupied with getting married!”Jessica’s voice drops slightly, becoming more serious. “But, Dee, what are you doing? You really married him? Like, for real?”There’s a pause, and I lean forward slightly, curious to hear Desiree’s response. When she finally speaks, her voice is softer. “I know it sounds crazy. It is
Desiree's POVCaspian is unusually quiet as we drive home. Home. Oh God, I’m already thinking of it as home. The reality sinks in, and it’s both dizzying and absurd. Everything happened so fast—the impulsive wedding, the whirlwind of emotions. But now, with the pace slowing down, I have the space to really process it, and it’s crazy. I’m sitting in my ex’s dad’s car, wearing a ring, married to him, and heading to a place I’ve never seen but now somehow belongs to both of us. And here’s the wildest part—I want him. I want him more than I should, more than makes sense.“Caspian,” I say, “how much longer?”He turns to me with a smirk. “Welcome back to life, Cherry. I thought you’d left me.”“Me? You were the one staring out the window, all brooding and mysterious.”“That’s because I was starting to think you were regretting this.” His voice drops, taking on that deep, velvety tone he uses when he’s trying to probe my feelings without coming right out and asking.I raise an eyebrow. “Reg
Caspian's standing behind me. I can feel him watching me. His gaze lingers on my neck. I hold my breath, aware of how close he is.“Do you like our room, Cherry?” he says, his warm breath brushing against my skin.“It’s beautiful,” I reply.Actually, beautiful is an understatement. But I'm at a loss for words at the moment, so beautiful will have to do.Caspian moves closer. “Not as beautiful as you,” he says, and I blush. Gosh, this man. How does he do that? With just a few words, he makes me feel flustered and special all at once. It's a wonder he never got married, with his sweet tongue and all. Someone should have snatched him a long time ago.I clear my throat and change the topic, to regain control. “Are my things still in the car? I need my toiletries and stuff to freshen up.”Before I can blink, Caspian’s hands are on my shoulders, gently turning me around to face him. His expression is unreadable, but there’s a glint of amusement in his eyes, as if he’s enjoying how flustered
“A show?” I ask.“That’s not how you shower, is it? So slow and sensual.” His eyes darken, tracing the path of my hands as they glide over my skin.Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I roll my eyes, trying to play it off. “Please, Caspian. I’m just trying to get clean. Not everything is about you.”“Maybe not everything, but this? Definitely about me.” He steps closer, the water streaming down his chest, and it takes every ounce of self-control not to reach out and trace the droplets with my fingertips.“I think someone’s a little full of himself,” I say, but my voice wavers slightly, betraying the bravado I’m trying to hold onto.He smirks, inching even closer until our bodies are almost brushing. “Not full of myself, Cherry—just very aware of the effect I have on you. And if I’m being honest, the way you’re moving right now? It’s having an effect on me too.”I swallow hard, torn between wanting to retreat and the undeniable pull that makes me want to lean in. My mind races, telling me to
Someone's arm is around me.I slowly open my eyes, trying to remember where I am. Everything is so strange. The soft bed. The spacious and fancy bedroom. A strongly built person is sleeping behind me, his arm roping me to his chest. And he's hard—very, very hard.Oh, my god. Did I just have my first one-night stand?But as I look around, memories from yesterday hit me.Caspian. My husband. We got married yesterday. I remember everything—how quickly it all happened, the tour of his mansion, and that intense shower.“Caspian,” I say. He doesn't reply.I think about slipping out of his grip, but even in his sleep, he’s holding me tight, like he doesn’t want to let go. I check the clock. It’s early, just a hint of sunlight coming through the curtains. I could wake him up, move away, and get some space, but something stops me. There’s something comforting about the way he’s holding me. It makes me feel safe, even in all this craziness. I attempt to lift his arm, but, good lord, how heavy