LOGINShare
8. First Night
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56SADIE
I was beyond grateful to him for the way he treated me. I was thinking of not seeing the light again, literally. That was how my brother wanted me to keep in my head, that marrying someone like Cenric was a horror movie come to life.
I was hoping that this was not just his way to earn my trust, to keep me on his leash so that I would not be a pain in his ass. Or he was just kind without any hidden agenda at all, and he was getting bored with his life as a billionaire bachelor. But he made it clear that he didn’t want to get married. It didn’t make any sense right now, but I would find it out.
Honestly, though, I had nothing left to offer to him. I had nothing.
After our dinner, I took the glass of the finest wine with me to the terrace, facing the beach. As much as I wanted to soak my feet in the sand again, I was exhausted, but I still wanted to relish the luxury and fresh air I could have gotten for tonight.
“I brought the bottle. I thought you might need a refill.”
“Thank you.” I delightfully accepted the bottle from him. “I just don’t want you to think that I’m trying to get myself drunk.”
Cenric sat down beside me with his whiskey. He was still perfect with his dirty white shirt and pants. His hair looked messy, but it added to his perfection. He completely fascinated me.
“I have to go to another island early morning. I won’t take you with me. I don’t want to get you bored to death—”
“You don’t have to explain. I might just sleep the whole morning anyway.” I sipped my wine. My neck started to warm up to my face.
“Don’t sleep the whole morning. I arranged a spa for you.”
“I wouldn’t say no that.” I smiled at him. “I wish Zhuri is here that I can chat with, while we’re on a spa together.”
“Why don’t you call her? I’ll take care of her ticket.”
“Nah. She won’t accept it anyway. You know, she thinks I’m banging a hot crypto-magnet right now.” My face flushed.
“Is that what she calls me?” His eyes narrowed in amusement.
“Kinda.”
“What do you mean kinda?”
I waved my hand off to ignore him from prying. I rose from my seat and emptied my glass. “I think I’m getting drunk, and I might say something that I would regret in the morning.” I walked away from him while he was asking what would that be.
“Not saying anymore, hotshot.”
After I cleaned up in the bathroom, my nerves started to warm up, and so as my body, even if I drank a lot of water and washed my face.
I was a light drinker. After wearing something nice but not too revealing and slutty, I went right to the bed and made sure I gave a distance between us. If he initiated sex, I couldn’t say no. I wouldn’t decline it. He was hot, and I really wanted him, even if this wasn’t the effect of the alcohol I consumed.
I laid down on my side, hoping my nerves would calm down before he joined me, but it never happened.
***
I woke in the middle of the night with a heavy log—a warm log draped around my waist. As much as I wanted to enjoy his warmth against my back, I had to empty my bladder, not so thankful for the water I drank before I went to bed after all.
I slowly raised his arm around my waist and slipped out of bed. Thankfully, he didn’t even stir.
After peeing, I checked my phone for a message. So far, I only used this number to send messages to Zhuri.
I received a text from her.
ZHURI: Go, girl. Enjoy your honeymoon, and stop texting me already.
You can fill me in once you’re back.
back.
I typed my reply.
SADIE: I wish you’re here for my spa tomorrow.
She replied.
ZHURI: Spoiled already by a hot husband.
SADIE: Don’t call him that. Gtg. See you soon.
I put my phone back on top of the dresser.
Slowly, I slipped back to bed. This time, he stirred.
“Where did you go?” His voice was groggy, yet it sounded sexy, coming from him.
“Bathroom. Sorry to wake you up.”
“I’m a light sleeper. Part of being in a military.” He turned to my side, his hair messy on his forehead, making me itch to run my fingers through and push it back.
“You’re honorably discharged.”
He smiled lazily. “Yeah, after my last tour. I was supposed to go back, but my parents got into a car accident.”
“I’m so sorry.” Every time he mentioned his parents, there were pain and sorrow deep in his dark orbs. I wished I could help them ease away. I held and squeezed his arm. “When I lost my mother, I thought my world turned black. It was painful, and I had no one to open up to with the pain inside me. It was a very difficult time. My father didn’t care. He hated my mother for leaving him. I, for one, couldn’t stomach how my father treated my mother. I just wished I had spent more time with her before she died, but my father didn’t allow me.”
“I’m sure she loved you more than she had shown.”
“I know.”
“Go back to sleep. You have a big day tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, Sadie.”
I lay on my back. For the first time, I felt like I turn into stone as I stared up the ceiling with a beautiful sculptured wood chandelier.
“Relax. I can feel you’re uncomfortable.”
“I never spent a night with a man.”
“I’m not just a man. You can trust me with your life. And body.”
I turned my head to look at him. He was in the same position as before, with his arm under the pillow. “I know. I just wondered—”
“What?”
“Even a teeny-tiny bit, did you ever expect more from me than how you saw me the first time?”
“Much more than what I ever imagined. I would be in hell and die unhappy if I didn’t show up yesterday.”
A small smile curved up my lips. “Why didn’t you ever come to see me?”
“I don’t wanna make mistakes. I didn’t wanna get attracted to you and fall in love. I still have a lot of things to figure out for myself. I didn’t know what to do with my life after losing my parents and my brothers. So I spent my time building up my company. Somehow, it paid off. Then I saw you from afar. If you’ll ask me if I made a mistake not seeing you, maybe. Did I have regrets about staying away from you? No. I would still choose the same way I met you.”
“You surprised me. I only saw your pictures from the internet, Zhuri showed me, and they didn’t do justice.”
He smirked. “So, you’re contented, or you like better what you saw on the internet?”
I hit him playfully. “Are you kidding me?”
He caught my hand, his eyes dancing with humor. “I’m glad I made the right decision of throwing away 25 million dollars, mi Cielo.”
***
The sun shone right into my eyes, forcing me to wake up to an empty bed. After what we shared last night, I started to relax around him. I felt a little bit comfortable even if I still had a lot of things to learn who Cenric Wollf really was. He was still a complicated puzzle to solve—like puzzle pieces of the same color.
I found a note tucked under my phone in a very masculine scribble.
I read and replied to your friend’s text. Check it out. I can’t afford to be late, and I can’t afford to wake you up so beautiful and peaceful. Enjoy your breakfast.
S
Related chapters
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 9. Suits and Wings
CENRIC She was like an angel and curled like a ball as she slept. She looked like she couldn’t even hurt a fly, but I knew she had a fire deep inside her, and I couldn’t wait to see that come out. I knew she was a strong woman, just like her mother. As much as I’d love to ogle her, and it was creepy watching someone sleep, I had a business meeting to attend to. In less than thirty minutes, I arrived at Rios Resort with Beck. I knew where to find my soon-to-be business partner if things went smoothly. “I’ll be fine. Go and find some bar and get a drink.” Beck grunted, “You know I’m on the clock, C.” “This is different, brother. And I can take care of myself.” He glared at me before he nodded. “Call me—” “Get the hell out of my sight, and for God’s sake, Beck, loosen up. We’re at the resort.” I found Jett Grayson drinking Pina Colada with his wife for thirty-five years. I met them at a charity I attended. Belle saw me first, lifting her sunglasses on top of her head. “What the
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 10. Leash
SADIE “So, you’re looking into my things now, too?” I studied him across the table as we shared this lunch. I couldn’t call it a lunch date, but we were kinda on a honeymoon, so maybe, it was. And the seafood was delicious. Thank God I didn’t have allergies. “I can’t call it looking into your things. The screen just lit up while I was looking for a piece of paper.” He was unapologetic— that was his strong suit, the only thing my brother was right about Cenric. “I can’t call it snooping either. I mean, if you don’t have something to hide, right?” His eyes glinted. There was something he knew that I didn’t. “You’re fishing for info, Mr. Wollf, with double L?” “Is there info that’s worth fishing?” I dabbed my lips with the napkin. “I’m sure I have nothing to hide that you haven’t already known. How’s your trip to Rios?” “Successful.” He took his drinks. “To many more success.” “To many more success.” I sipped my white wine. The butter-poached lobster was to die for, and so as the Q
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 11. Untouched
CENRIC What the actual fuck? My wife is still a virgin? I didn’t know if I should celebrate or be terrified. I had never fucked a virgin before, and I didn’t have a plan to, but this time was different. This was my wife we were talking about. I felt my chest expand a little, and I thought it was me being proud of her. She felt my body freeze, and she thought I was disappointed. I was shocked, yes, but I would never, ever reject her because she wanted to keep her hymen intact until she offered it to the right man. But was I the right man? When she thought I bought her out for twenty-five million dollars. Then those full lips tempted me, taunted me, even the way she ate, and nothing she ever did wasn’t sexy. I was much attracted to her that I never knew I would feel this so much beyond my will. She was the epitome of a living goddess. And I was damn shocked to find myself kissing her hungrily as though I starved for days, and I finally found a meal to gobble down. A part of me was s
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 12. Breached
SADIE We had to cut our honeymoon short when Cenric received an emergency call from Cas. I didn’t pry. I hoped Cas was okay, though—Cenric’s expression told me nothing seemed alright. We had to leave the island right away while the jet was waiting for us in the private airport. “Hey, everything is gonna be okay.” I squeezed his hand. Even my words had no assurance. I knew they could figure it out together. He squeezed my hand back. “CENTH just recently listed on Archer Markets, and then what a coincidence. There was a security breach last night.” “How does it even possible? I thought trading platforms couldn’t be hacked. I don’t know how it works, but I thought when it comes to banking, shouldn’t it be more secured than Fort Knox?” He sadly chuckled, “Even NASA and NSA can be breached with their state-of-the-art security.” “So you mean to say nothing is guaranteed? Nothing is safe anymore?” “You could say that, but I’m about to figure out how far the breach is.” “Well, that’s a
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 13. Possessive
CENRIC The meeting didn’t go anywhere. We still had to be very accountable, even though every cryptocurrency was affected by the breach. We valued our customers, and we wanted to guarantee that their investments were in good hands. “It’s already plunging. Aren’t you supposed to do something?” For a crypto investor, sometimes, he was just stupid. “Archer is one of the largest markets, and it shouldn’t be breached.” Aaron Arnett was one of the boards and OneMore Exchange founder. “It happens all the time. I mean, not the breach. Cryptocurrency is the most volatile currency on the planet,” my brother said. “You should know by now. The stock market as well. It crashes when there’s a prolonged bull market.” I trusted my brother. Since we were young, he was drawn to mathematics. Before my enlistment, he took advanced courses in programming and cryptography, and it all paid off. “Can’t you be at least thankful the breach did not happen in our system? CENTH will bounce back and fly to th
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 14. Breakfast and Ties
SADIE I woke earlier than Cenric to a cramp in my lower belly. I rolled out of bed, hoping I wouldn’t wake him currently sleeping under the comfy satin duvet. I had completely forgotten that today was a day of the month, and I had no tampons. Thankfully, my first day didn’t flow like a river.I dialed Devin for help.“Mrs. Wollf?”“Can’t you just call me Sadie? I’m younger than you, yet you make me look like a seventy-year-old grandma.”“No, ma’am.”“Fine, but don’t annoy me, and I need your help.”“Anything.”“Can you drive to a convenience store or the nearest pharmacy?”“Is something wrong?” His voice changed to alert mode.“No. Are you going to drive me there or not?”“Just tell me what you need, and I’ll get it for you.”I growled, “I told you not to annoy me. I want to buy something myself. Wasn’t my husband telling you to take me anywhere I want? This is an emergency, Devin.”
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 15. Attempt
CENRIC Sadie loosened up around me. If she continued to open things up about her, this marriage would start to bloom into something more than just a business deal. I also started to know a bit about her. She liked to be cocooned. She snored a little, and she wasn’t sorry to show what she wanted. I liked the boldness in her character. The first time I saw her picture, I knew there was a fire inside her, and I couldn’t wait to see it flare out. “I thought you wanted to stay at home.” Theo barged into my office with brows knitted and an iPad over his chest. “Are you trying to kick me out of my office?” I’d been reading through the company proposal I wanted to start. And this was something very personal to me. All the companies I owned were personal to me, and I always thought those employees depended on me. One wrong move I made, everything would crumble down, and if it happened, they would lose their jobs. “Would you like me to grab
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 16. Bad Dream and a Kiss
SADIE “Your husband—” I jerked inside the fitting room, my hand on my chest. My heart was in my throat. Shivers ran down my spine as I watched my brother in the mirror standing behind me. “How the hell did you get in here, Jasper?” I turned around to face him, stepping back. At least if he would think of doing something, he couldn’t do it from behind. “He’s going to ruin this family, sis. He’s going to destroy the Greer legacy.” With a calculated pace, he took steps closer to me. “You should do something. Tell me about his plan.” I clutched the garments in my hand against my chest. “Back off, Jasper.” “You will spy on him, Sadie. He trusts you.” “I’m afraid your judgment is wrong. Cenric doesn’t trust me.” With his eyes bloodshot wide, he hovered and gripped my arms that I knew would leave marks. “If you, as much as enjoy your life outside, you will do as
Latest chapter
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride Epilogue
SADIE Three years later… My husband in a perfectly tailored suit was drool-worthy. In a blue military uniform, damn, my uterus just contracted. He always took my breath away, even after years of marriage. Cenric was finally called. He gripped my hand before he rose and walked to the stage to receive his award. I turned to my side to look at my guys, applauding their brother. Cenric was awarded Humanitarian of the year for his philanthropic works and considerable donations to the military. “Once a Marine, always a Marine,” he quoted. “I’m proud to have services this wonderful nation. I would always help and support my brothers in service and our people.” He looked at his award. “Thank you for recognizing my humble works.” He then found me in the audience. “Semper Fidelis.” I rose from my seat just like everyone and applauded him. His brothers in arms loved him—they admired him. So did I. I
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 70. Teased and Love
CENRIC Jasper’splace was on a small island—a fishing community turned into a beautiful resort that could only be reached by boats. It was a summer paradise, away from crowded tourists. As we arrived at the harbor, the view from there just took my breath away. “How many women did you bring here before me?” I knew she was messing with me. I smiled. “Jealous?” “Nah. I’m always into Greek gods. You know with tan skin, hard specs, dashboard abs with long and thick—” She shrugged, making girls laugh out loud. “Long and thick what, Sadie Wollf?” I reminded her of the surname she was carrying. She shrugged again. “Hair and thighs?” I wasn’t aware the guys were also listening. They burst out laughing. Terrible things happened from my past, and my extreme decisions led me to meet my soulmate—my wife. Sadie never ceased to amaze me. My chest expanded as I realized that God always had reasons for everythin
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 69. Jasper 2.0
CENRIC The jet just took off. My wife invited her friends, Maeve and Zhuri, and of course, Becka to this trip. We were supposed to be on our honeymoon, but she decided to do something before our Italy trip. I couldn’t say no to her because after last night, and I didn’t think I could defy my wife again. We were supposed to fuck our brains out, and I should have taken her warning seriously, so here we were, flying to Greece. “I apologized about last night,” I tried to talk it out, hoping it would work. She rested her head on my shoulder as she scrolled the photographs of our wedding. “I didn’t sleep with you because I was mad.” “Oh. You have—” I didn’t finish my words. “Fuck me.” She giggled. “That’s not my fault.” Her smile was wicked. Maybe she was just messing with me or something. Anyhow, I played along. After a few hours, we landed. We were picked up by my contact and drove to the pier. It was hotter this time.
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 68. Wollf
SADIE “Are you nervous?” Becka asked me. I blew a shaky breath. “No. Not at all. I’m excited, unlike my first wedding. I wanted to run if there was a chance. I thought I was marrying a mafia boss.” In a few minutes, I was going to be married to the same man—the love of my life, for the second time—this time, at the back of our house. I wasn’t wearing anything extravagant like my first wedding. This time I wore a minimalist satin-wrapped wedding dress with a hat to honor my late English father, Lewis. Last week, we found out he was buried in London. We took a quick trip and visited his grave. “Are you ready?” I nodded at Austin. “Yes,” I asked him if he could walk me down the aisle. He was even glad and said yes. When the music started, I took a deep breath and walked towards my man waiting for me. He was wearing a simple beige suit and pants and a white crisp open-button shirt. He always looked breathtaking dressed or naked. Fo
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 67. The Vow
CENRIC “I came here today to marry my girl, to cherish her, to protect and respect her, and to be the faithful husband to her. I knew the first time I saw you, and you would be the woman I wanted to spend my life with. I knew you would change me to be the best version of myself. Today, I swear to you to have your back, be your number one supporter, love you faithfully, and honor what we have from today and onwards. I give you my heart, my life, and my soul.” I just watched my vow over and over again as she kept replaying it in the entertainment room. In the video, she looked so innocent as she stared at me while I read my vow. I didn’t write anything. When you were caught in that moment, you just spoke from your heart—that was what happened that day. She wiped her face again. She did that every time she played that clip. She was crying, and I didn’t know why. Did my vow touch her? Had she realized something, or had she changed her min
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 66. Proposal
SADIESince I heard the news weeks ago that my father—the man I thought he was, pleaded guilty on all charges, it kept me awake at night. How wouldn’t I miss when his face was all over the news? And I felt like we had an unfinished business. And I needed that closure.I had never felt this twist in the pit of my stomach as I sat on the visiting lounge. Even if guards and a glass wall were separating us, I still felt unsafe.When he walked in, goosebumps erupted all over my skin.Our eyes met.He smiled.Hanslo Greer was still the man I once knew, although he looked different than the last time I saw him. I could feel the difference—I couldn’t find any intimidation, and he looked powerless and less arrogant in his prison uniform.I picked up the phone, but I didn’t say anything.“Sadie, what are you doing here? Does your husband know you’re here?” I wasn’t e
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 65. Breakfast in Bed, etc.
CENRIC “Oh, God.” She bit her lip as she tried not to scream. I told her to keep her voice down if she wanted to come. The house may be big but not soundproof. I was pushing her to her brink while my fingers were doing the job. I thrust in and out of her drenched pussy, and my tongue teased her hardening clit. I scissored my fingers into her, and she shook in pleasure. I groaned and sucked her clit, her hips shooting up. “So good,” she moaned. Her lids fluttered shut. I knew she was close. Her walls started clumping against my fingers. “Come for me, babe.” I withdrew out and then plunged in deeper and rocked her faster, hitting her g-spot. She threw her head back, her hips rocking forward before she stilled as she came so hard. She dropped her body down the bed, laying boneless with splayed limbs as her orgasm went on and on. I crawled over and covered her with my body before I took her mouth. She quickly kissed
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 64. Rides
SADIE “Which from the two?” Tanner showed us the kind of blue colors. “This one.” Cenric had already chosen my behalf, but Tanner was still waiting for my choice. “Yup. This one.” “Her eyes.” He nodded as if he was not convinced of Cenric’s choice. “Trust me, Tanner. I know my wife.” He was sitting on my desk with his arms crossed over his chest. “Ace,” he said before he left. “I’m starting to dislike that guy.” I closed the folder on my desk and eyed him. “He’s nice, and Maeve is reporting tomorrow. I sent her flowers. Anyway, do you know—” “She and Beck are dating?” “Wow! You’re updated than me.” “I pay attention to my guys.” “So, you’re not leaving this office until I agree to free my whole Saturday?” He’d been patient. Since our parking lot encounter, we had decided to stay under one roof. We slept in the same bed, but that was all. He didn’t initiate
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride 63. Awful Disguise
CENRIC You’re the best. Fuck, yeah.I kept reminding myself. I went back home after work. I didn’t bother her anymore. The more I kept my distance, the easier it was for her to figure out what she wanted in her life. It was hard. I missed her every second she was away from me. But she needed it, and that was what she got. That was two days ago. No call. No text. I didn’t even ask Devin for updates. And here I was, stalking my wife. Beck just shook his head in disappointment. “You’re losing your shit. What is in the fucking of need space you did not understand? You will still see her on Saturday, won’t you?” “She needs space, but I don’t. I want to see her, not meet her. And can’t you be a little supportive of me?” “Supportive my ass. You did this to yourself. But whatever. If she sees us, you’re gonna have to explain. Then she needs another week or two. Your trouble, man. Not mine.”
