Hateful Games: (An arranged marriage billionaire romance) (Arranged Games Book 2)

Chapter Thirty-one

After the ceremony and cake cutting, we’re all sitting around a large dining table set up for the close family and friends with Nova on my side, when my phone buzzes in my lap. I see a notification for my group chat with my best friends, who sit a few chairs down across from me with their significant others.

I open the chat and immediately repress a groan.

BIANCA: That was one hell of a kiss.

IRIS: I’m still blushing.

BIANCA: Nova is whipped.

IRIS: Heee isss innnn loveeee.

ME: Shut. Up.

They ignore my text and continue to gossip. I look up to see them snickering with each other, avoiding my imploring eyes.

BIANCA: That kiss is going viral.

Jeez. Already?

IRIS: Everyone is talking about it. Women are swooning over Nova.

Like that’s new.

IRIS: Nova and Rosa sitting in a tree…

ME: I dare you to finish that sentence.

BIANCA: K-I-S-S-I-N-G

“Did you really have to kiss me like that?” I snap to my new husband in a low whisper.

“Yes. I was laying my claim in case any man had a lingering doubt.” He doesn’t lose his smirk as he tilts his head my way. “Not my fault you also looked good enough to eat. Be glad that’s all I did.”

“Shameless.”

“I reserve it for you.” Tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear, he murmurs, “Wouldn’t want my stunning wife to be jealous.”

“Well, don’t.”

“Too late.”

“I swe—”

He shuts me up with a kiss. The very thing I was complaining about. Taking advantage of the fact we’re in public. His thumb presses on my jaw, opening my mouth for his waiting tongue and locking it with mine. His head slants as he sucks my bottom lip between his teeth and tugs before pulling back.

“Because you keep reacting like this that makes it hard to resist, wife.”

“I’m just acting.”

He bends and kisses me again.

I kick at his shin under the table. He backs away with a warning look. Filled with mild amusement. His mouth glistening from our kiss. It tilts into a panty-melting smirk.

“Stop it,” I breathlessly scold.

“No.”

Grabbing my throat, he takes my lips captive under his again. This time it’s a longer kiss that draws a moan from my chest. I succumb to his mouth before realizing what I’m doing.

I pinch his thigh.

He doesn’t budge and kisses me harder. Biting my lip for extra measure, stalking his claim like a savage.

“You’re enjoying this too much.”

“I plan to enjoy much more than your sassy mouth, wife.”

“I hate you.”

“Yet you keep kissing me back.”

“I do not.”

He bends again but I stop with a finger to his lips. He bites the tip with a smirk. I narrow my eyes suspiciously.

“You’re acting weird.” I scowl. “It’s unsettling.”

“How so?” His tone is casual while giving his relatives a smile when they say something to him from across us.

“Why do you keep kissing me when you hate me?”

“I can hate you and still want to kiss you, Rose.” His gaze darkening while a lock of his hair falls onto his forehead. A muscle tics in his jaw. “In fact, it’s all I’ve thought about all these years like a fiend. I either want to shut you up with a kiss or fuck you into submission. Now, I can do both, and I will. So, you might as well know my intentions.”

Only a few hours of being his wife, I’m already witnessing a layer of his that he hid like a sheep in a wolf’s clothing. How many surprises does he have in store for me?

And why the hell are my panties damp at his arrogant promise?

He sounds so sure like it’s a foregone conclusion I’ll spread my legs for him. And why? Because he’s my husband and that gives him free rein over my body? I want to laugh at his silly delusion.

Instead, I smile.

He stills, brow furrowing.

Trailing my fingers up his abs over his shirt, I wrap my hand around his black tie and tug. He indulges by leaning down and I press a chaste kiss on his mouth. Our eyes stay locked as I whisper, “Since we’re sharing our intentions for our marriage, I might as well let you know mine, hubby. I am not ever sleeping with you. Not in this or any other lifetime.”

Satisfied, I let go and pull away.

“It’s a big commitment,” he taunts, rubbing at his jaw thoughtfully. “One you’re going to break because it doesn’t stand a chance to last in this lifetime, let alone in another.”

The host clinks his glass, drawing everyone’s attention. “It’s time for our beautiful couple’s first dance.”

Nova gracefully rises and extends his palm toward me. “Shall we, wife?”

***

An unfamiliar sensation courses through my veins.

Restlessness.

One I’ve never felt in my entire. Not even as a kid when I was kidnapped. Or when I thought my life was falling apart. I’ve always been calm and centered, never letting my emotions get the best of me.

My dadu, whose passing left a gaping hole in my life, always said that being calm when life is smooth sailing is easy but what truly cultivates a strong man is when the tides are rough and shaky yet he stands calmly like an unbending mountain. Because it’s when the world rests on his shoulders and he has to lead.

I took it to heart.

Except tonight, my heart and my head are a cloud of dust.

Because an urgency like no other has taken its space. An urgency to be alone with Rosalie and have her undivided attention all to myself. Every verbal spar with my wife feeds into the unhealthy addiction I have formed with her.

Because our relationship is temporary, even if I have the desire to keep her forever.

Will she even want me after I’ve destroyed her family?

Soon after the dance and an hour of mingling with the guests, it was almost midnight. And the time for Rosalie’s bidaai, which was an emotional affair. Although, not a single tear slipped from my wife’s eyes while her mother and sister bawled theirs out.

Almost like she didn’t really consider it a goodbye.

Or that a new family awaits her.

It is a mystery to solve for later. Not while I am crawling out of my skin to be beside her. I’ve took her commitment to never fuck me as a challenge. One that thrills me to no end. I’ve felt how she reacts to my proximity, the stolen touches and my carnal promises. We’re inevitable.

If only I didn’t have a big hurdle standing in my way.

In the shape of my infuriating cousin, Miya.

“Do you really think you can stop me from getting to my wife, Miya?”

“Absolutely.”

“You’re pint-sized, little cousin. One shove and your ass will land back to London.”

“Every second you waste insulting me is another second away from your wife, whom you’re so eager to reach.” Shrugging her shoulder, she taunts, “Honestly, I’m not even in this for the bribe since you’ve no shortage of money. But the pure joy of ruffling your feathers and bringing you down a peg or two.”

I swear every tradition is custom-made to delay me from spending time with Rosalie. First, it was her bridesmaids and now Miya.

When will it end?

Sealing my annoyance, I pull out my phone and send a text. Miya squints her eyes, trying to peek warily.

“What are you doing, Nono?”

“Calling backup.”

“Can’t fight your own battles?”

“Battles are about playing smartly, not alone.”

We stand in a stare-off until footfalls sound from behind us. Miya leans sideways to peer around my body and swallows nervously at the sight of Malcolm. Straightening, her hands fly to her hips and she glares. “Seriously?”

“Give me the key card and he goes away.”

“Go where?” questions Malcolm, stopping to stand beside me.

“Depends on Miya’s next move.”

His cold eyes flit to her face but she’s looking at me.

“As you wish,” I say when she remains unmoving. “Malcolm, would you hold her down while I look for my room’s key card she’s hiding.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“You had to turn down the bribe and go for the hard way, little cousin.”

Malcolm steps forward. “Sure.”

“Stop. This is no longer fun,” she mumbles, slapping the key card in my hand. “You’re both nuts.”

Then off she stalks in the opposite direction. Malcolm’s eyes stay glued to her until she disappears. Switching toward me, he casually asks, “You would have let me touch her?”

“Hell no.” Shrugging, I reveal, “More than annoying me, it’s not giving you the time of day she loves more.”

“And that man isn’t her boyfriend. They’ve only been on a single date.”

“Really?” I smile. “My bad.”

Giving me his middle finger, he struts away. If I were a betting man, I would say he’s on his way to find her, even if it’s to watch her from the shadows.

Shaking off those thoughts, I swipe the key card to my suite and enter.

My ecstatic grin dissolves and turns to one of horror.

A second before I’m attacked.