Marshall Resort

A week has gone by since I got married. Jay stayed at my parents’ house so they could work on the finer details of their promise. He stayed in the guest bedroom, though I don’t think he was happy about that. The upset look he gave me when I said I wasn’t comfortable sharing a bed with him right away told me he wasn’t happy. He said nothing on the matter, despite that. Would that change when we lived at his place? I wasn’t sure. I still couldn’t figure out his personality.

I guess I would find out just who he really is, now that he’s taking me back to this resort he owns. Anxiety fills my heart, but I keep calm. He is talkative though, I’ll give him that. I don’t know if I could survive if he was as quiet as my dad is.

“You’ll love the openness of the place, you can really get back to nature there,” Jay is once more gushing about his home. I can’t say I’m excited to see it. Although we live in a vast estate with a large outside area for Princess and for our leisure, we don’t exactly live in a place one would call ‘natural’. It’s also near the big cities, which is how I like it.

Still, I guess I shouldn’t judge Jay’s home before actually seeing it. Maybe Princess will like it? I plan to bring her here, though Jay said it might not be the safest for her to be there. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be safe! It’s not like we have bears or anything large that would want to eat her. Right?

As Jay turns the car to pull off the motorway, I spot a sign that reads ‘Marshall Resort’. We must be close now. Though instead of what I thought might be sand and sea, turns into trees, which only increases into a vast forest. I glance at Jay, then back at the rows of trees passing us by. He’s a serial killer like in the books! That has to be it! He’s going to murder me for insurance or something!

“Oh,” Jay breathes out beside me. “I forgot to mention my family is substantial. So take your time getting to know everyone. They’ve been excited to meet you,” he adds, almost giddy in his seat.

“They know about me?” I ask hesitantly. I’m not sure if I believe him just yet. This whole isolation from the real world has me worried. I look over at him. He doesn’t look dangerous, just excited. Maybe I’m wrong? Or he’s a talented actor!

“Well, of course, I’ve been looking for you for a long time. You were destined to be mine,” Jay says proudly. His smile is as wide as his face.

I can’t say I share his enthusiasm, though. Destined to be his? So I’m just property to him! Someone that he can buy and sell on a whim! I can’t say I’m surprised, but I am angry. I had hoped this man had seen me somewhere and just fell in love with me at first sight. How childish could I have been?

“Mmm,” I mumble my reply. I can’t exactly argue with my husband while still in the car with him, but I hope my lack of a reply will hit at my now even poorer mood.

I’m not so lucky. Blissfully unaware of my sour mood, Jay continues to gush about his home and family. How he is their leader or something or another. I admit I’ve since stopped paying attention. Much like my mother, Jay just blabs on and on and on!

“Gwen? Gwen!” Jay’s voice pulls my focus back towards him as he looks at me with concern.

I blink at him in a dazed state. “Huh?”

Jay sighs and then repeats his question, “did you want to meet the others first, or get settled into your new home?”

Looking from him to where we are now, I bite my lower lip. “Get settled in?” I suggest, but honestly, I don’t really know what I should do. I’m anxious about this whole place, the people, Jay… we’re in an open area. The houses here are big enough, but the one Jay has stopped outside is the largest of them all!

I’m glad they at least look a bit more modern than I thought they would be, but that doesn’t subtract from the fact that we’re out in the middle of nowhere!

“Alright, I’ll let the others know,” Jay says, nodding his head in understanding. “It would be nice to spend time alone with you, outside of the car,” he then adds, opening his door and making his way around to my side. At least he has the correct manners to open my door. Though as I step out, he suddenly swoops me up into his arms. I can’t help but let out a surprised yelp and cling to his neck as if my life depended on it.

“T-that surprised me,” I manage to whisper.

Chuckling lowly, Jay murmurs, “I couldn’t do it after the wedding, since we didn’t return home and your parents made everything feel awkward.” He leads me to the largest of the homes and then leans his face near mine and whispers, “welcome home, dear.”

I can’t stop my cheeks from flushing as I feel his breath tickling my neck. “W-welcome home…” I stammer. I’m not sure if that’s what I’m supposed to say, and all I get in return is a chuckle from my husband.

As he moves me into his home, I notice that the place is more like a hotel than a home! Though it isn’t a hotel. There are still people here, but aside from stolen glances at me, they seem to automatically know that I want to be alone right now. I don’t know how, but I’m glad they’re giving me the space.

“Some of my best people live in this place with me. I’m guessing you’ve never lived like this before, so things will be new for you,” Jay utters as he leads me up the stairs and to where his area of the place is. “Our kitchen is to the right, study to the left, then our bedroom is at the far end. We have our own private bathroom, so you won’t need to share the packhouses public one.”

“Packhouse?” I question with surprise, but before I let Jay explain, I blurt out, “we can’t share a bed yet!”

“Why not?” Jay questions as he pauses at the end of the hallway and to where his bedroom was. He seems bewildered by my statement.

I can feel my face burn hotter, but I can’t think of a good excuse. At home, I used my parents as an excuse for why I wasn’t comfortable, but this is going to be my home. I have to get used to this place, eventually.

“I just… I…” I stammer, trying to think of something. Anything to use as an excuse.

Jay tilts his head to one side. “Your parents aren’t here, and no one will bother us up here. They know better than that,” he assures me, opening the door with his foot before leading me inside. “We can bond without fear of anyone getting in our way. Promise.”

Bond? Is that what he calls the acts two lovers are expected to do? Or is this about us getting to know one another better? I pray to God that this is the latter because I am absolutely NOT ready to do that!