I wait outside the company director’s office. He said he would meet some important people for a new advertising project. But after that meeting, he needs to discuss something with me. I glance at my wristwatch. It’s already fifteen minutes over my shift. I guess I will file for another overtime. It’s been three months since I resigned as a teacher. It’s been good. None of the chaos that a school setting offers — no students whining about the teacher being unfair or why they are not getting an A for a subject. However, I am surprised that I miss the interaction with students and the teaching part of the job. The door to the Director’s office opens, and the director comes out with a beaming smile on his face. Two men and another woman accompany him. All four of them are dressed in suit and ties. But my gaze settles on one man. The familiar figure is unmistakably Liam Chapman! My heart skips a beat at the same time that my jaw drops in disbelief. What the hell is he doing here?! My eye
I choke on my wine. I cough as I try to maintain a sense of dignity. But I just can’t quite contain my surprise at the question. I grab a napkin and quickly wipe my mouth. I look up with shock in my eyes. “What did you just say?” I ask again. What had I just heard? “I need help with my son’s education.” He leans forward. “If you marry me, I will provide all your needs.” “You can just get a private tutor!” I exclaim. “Having a mother at home and focused on his education is essential and more effective. Besides…” He takes my hand, which trembles in his touch, and he adds, “... we already know each other, especially the physical and sexual aspect of marriage. We will have no problem in the bedroom.” I withdraw my hand as if scalded by his touch. “Do you even know what you are saying, Mr. Chapman?!” “During your interview, I heard you would like to travel more. That’s why you are working in your company. However, being my wife, you can focus on Lukas, and I will provide for your trips
I wait outside the church. I am facing the vast, wooden double doors, which are closed as I wait for my entourage. All the bridesmaids and sponsors are already inside. I am wearing the wedding dress that Liam bought for me, which is white with silver trimming at the edges and flowers snaking all around the dress. They have styled my hair to match it. I am wearing white high heels even if it’s not visible under my dress. Thankfully, no butterflies and no jitters. However, my mouth dries up as I wonder about the events that will follow this. The ceremony is easy; the reception will be awkward; but the honeymoon phase will be nerve-racking. My bridesmaids had been joking about it, especially my co-teachers. They say I caught the big fish after my awful experience with Mark. I snort. If only they knew. “You look nervous.” A familiar voice speaks beside me. I turn to face the direction of the sound and see Mark climbing up the stairs. The coordinators and the surrounding stylists are ign
The moment Liam and I step out onto the floor for our first dance as husband and wife, the room erupts in applause. All our family and friends are here to witness and celebrate our fake love. Even my parents, who are standing like silent sentries in the corner, applaud my supposed-to-be joyful day, including the man I had chosen. Liam and I move gracefully around the room to the lilting music. Our movement is in perfect harmony with one another. Looking into Liam’s eyes, I am reminded of the first time I had seen him in the police station. He enters the room angry back then, but I am more furious about my cheater ex-boyfriend. And yet, even then, I find him handsome. We move together to the center of the hall. He places his hands on my waist and pulls me closer to his body. I take a deep breath as I feel the desire welling inside me. I know that I’ve become oblivious to the eyes of those watching from the fringes. I am already lost at the moment in this faux wedding. When I told my
When the wedding ceremony is done, we leave the reception area. We left the coordinators to take care of all the gifts, do an inventory, and bring everything to the Chapman house the next day. It’s what Liam, and I decided. Besides, if the coordinators also came to the house tonight, we won’t have a private time. I blush at the thought. I turn to look at Liam, who is sitting beside me. We are in the backseat, and his hand envelops mine. I watch as we turn the corner and I see Liam’s house in the distance. My chest thumps in anticipation, especially when we stop in the garage. “Mr. Chapman, I will return tomorrow,” the driver informs. “Go on,” he answers. I look at the house. We will be alone tonight based on the silence and the number of lights opened. I blush at the thought again. I appreciate that he ensured that we would be the only people in the house on the night of our wedding. Even so, it still makes me embarrassed whenever my mind goes to what we are about to do. Liam tur
Our bodies are intertwined, and Liam’s body surrounds me like a protective cocoon. The sunlight cascades through the window, washing away the room’s darkness and making us appear like two lovers in the pages of a fairytale. Our wedding night is perfect. We play around with each other’s bodies until I am too tired to have another round of lovemaking with him. Liam’s hands move gently over my body as his lips brush against my neck and shoulders. I turn towards him and lightly touch his cheeks. He is a handsome man, and he knows how to please a woman. Those sparks of electricity every time he touches me are insane. Gently, I reach up and run my fingers through his hair. His straight hair is ticklish. And as I continue to touch his hair, stirrings of desire restart in me again. Liam opens his eyes and smiles. “Good morning,” he says. I blush, being caught watching him sleep. Liam leans over and kisses me. His lips are so tender and warm that it’s only igniting the spark within me. Rat
I cup Liam’s cheeks. “I don’t think I will tire of you soon. As you said, I also think we fit each other so well… sexually.” He grins before lifting me up and making me sit on the table. I spread my legs for him, and his fingers touch me. I arch my back and support myself with my arm. His fingers move inside my folds and touch my sensitive spots again. He rubs them all over while his tongue entangles with mine. When he pulls back, he looks at me with lustful eyes and continues rubbing me. I close my eyes and enjoy the sensation of his fingers sliding all over. I moan in pleasure as he kisses me again. He pushes two fingers inside as he pulls his shorts and boxers down. He is hard and erect. I reach out to touch him, but he stops my groping hand. Instead, he kneels before me. He blows on my privates, and I moan as a chill goes down my spine. My hips jerk up, and my fingers grip the table top as I pant for breath. Suddenly, he buries his face in my crotch. I scream out. The chill bec
Liam and I rush to the airport, eager and excited about our beach honeymoon. I’m not the one who planned it, nor Liam. All I did was choose from several locations. Still, the anticipation is building up the closer we get to the airport. Liam is holding my hand. Every time he needs to ask something, he leans down and places a kiss on my cheeks. Even if this is a contract marriage, I still think that I am lucky to have him. “It will be a quick flight, wife,” he informs as we make our way to our private flight. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll be there.” “That’s good.” I try to keep up my cheer, though I am exhausted. We had too much sex during our wedding night until earlier. “I will be able to take a rest for a while.” Liam laughs and squeezes my hand. “Take your much-needed rest, then. You won’t be able to get them once we are at the resort,” he teases. I hit his arm, but I instantly hug them to my chest. “Quiet, husband. The pilot will hear us.” He chuckles while he rubs my shoulders af