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

Chapter Thirty-eight

Nova returned home in a better mood than he left this morning.

I swear the switch between hot and cold is meant to give me whiplash.

While keeping me on my toes.

And his filthy confessions and innuendoes—I hate how they give me butterflies.

Even now as he’s upstairs showering, my mind running amok with visions of him standing under the spray of water, his corded arm flexing and moving as he wraps his fingers around his thick cock.

I’m desperate to know if he’s rough and harsh with himself. The sounds he makes when he’s about to come. If he plays with his piercing. The feel of the shiny barbell underneath his fingertips.

The urge to go upstairs and watch him is so visceral, it physically pains me.

My nipples involuntarily bead into hard peaks as I imagine his lips twisted in pleasure, his messy hair falling on his forehead as he strokes himself to the thoughts of me.

What would he do if I were bold enough to join him? Would he command me to fall to my knees and wrap my lips around his length? To suck him deep to the back of my throat?

Do I even wish him to? Am I willing to be so vulnerable for him?

Yes, and yes.

Maybe I need a cold shower.

I want to keep him at arm’s length but he keeps bulldozing his way in. His mischievous and wicked mind could become my kryptonite. It’s bad enough I’m attracted to him and his carved-from-stone physique.

And morbidly fascinated with his pierced dick.

Couldn’t he have had an ugly face and a pot belly?

He’s like every possessive and morally gray man described in my books come to life. A temptation that is dangerous to succumb to.

Shoving the troubling thoughts into a dark corner of my mind, I check the remaining time on the food app for our dinner to arrive. Few minutes to go. I can’t believe he left his phone downstairs, and without a passcode, no less. Either he’s extremely foolish or it’s a trap.

My bet is on the latter.

Since I lack boundaries and suddenly common sense, I scroll through his gallery and there are hardly many pictures. Next, I open his social media app and go straight to his DMs. He must have a long line of models sliding into his DMs vying for his attention. And they are!

They don’t even care he was engaged and is now mine.

Shit. Not mine. But whatever.

Strangely, he hasn’t opened any of their requests.

He’s a multibillionaire. Of course he doesn’t have time to spend on social apps. He could just call and they’d come crawling.

Not that I care, mind you.

His last post is from last year at the boxing world championship with Nathan. His signature smirk gracing his handsome face. Some things never change. In another lifetime, he would’ve gone to become a professional boxer. He sure has the skills.

And the hardened and lethal body.

Don’t forget his cockiness that outsmarts anyone.

Scrolling down, I gasp inwardly when I stop at a picture of us. The one Malcolm discreetly took. I was so mad when Nova had posted it, despite me saying no. It feels like a lifetime ago when I was so convinced I would find a way out of this marriage. I did find it, but the repercussions could destroy innocent lives. The question is, do I want it on my conscience?

I sigh, unable to stop staring at the picture.

There’s unmistakable lust and need in my eyes as I stare up at him. His gaze so dark, he looks seconds away from devouring me.

In that moment, I would’ve let him.

Hell, every time he touches me like I’m his possession, I want to let him.

The picture is a wake-up call. A reminder of his cruel and narcissistic ways. He’s nothing but a manipulative jerk intent on fooling and ruining my life. I can’t get caught in his web of lies and treacherous heart.

As soon as he’s done with me, he’ll kick me to the curb.

The faster I can find his true motives, the faster I get rid of him.

“Spying on me already, little hellion?”

I startle at Nova’s amused voice and almost let his phone fall. How does he manage to sneak up on me so stealthily? Is he a secret ninja or something? His accusation hits me hard and I whip around toward him.

My lungs suddenly feel out of oxygen.

Dressed in a loosely fitted light brown T-shirt that make his eyes pop and straight blue denim jeans, he looks nothing like the ruthless billionaire that rules with an iron fist with a net worth equal to a small country’s GDP.

Nova looks gorgeous like the boy next door with a wild streak.

Hair still slightly wet, he gives me a breathtaking grin and quirks one eyebrow. I remember his question and purse my lips.

“How is it spying if your phone was left unlocked?” I retort, finding my voice after drooling over him for two straight minutes. “It’s not even password protected.”

He steps closer and I’m hit with his musky cologne that reminds me of stormy nights. His unique scent alone could be an aphrodisiac.

“You have a habit of stealing my phone, so I thought I’d make it easy.”

I roll my eyes. “Well, aren’t you thoughtful?”

“Your cute little spying also tells me you aren’t as immune to me as you pretend, Rose.”

I suppress a shiver when his hand disappears underneath my tee and toys with my belly piercing. It sends a zap straight to my clit. It throbs harder when he dips his head to give me a toe-curling kiss.

It’s pointless to tell him no because he keeps kissing me as he pleases.

An unstoppable deviant.

With a sinful mouth.

“Especially these lips.” He groans against them. “They’ve been on my mind and driving me insane the whole day. It was a miracle I got any work done.”

“Then stop kissing me and blaming me for making you distracted.”

“Or you can come work for me again so I can kiss you whenever I want.”

“Not happening.”

“I didn’t actually fire you.”

“I quit.”

“I’ll buy you a book for every kiss.”

That makes me pause and his gaze lights up in victory. I quickly shut his hopes down by answering, “No, thank you. I can buy them myself.”

“Hmm.” Wheels turn in his head and shrugging, he says, “I should work from home then.”

Stepping out of his embrace, I stare at him in disbelief. “You’re crazy. And what makes you think I’ll let you kiss me any time you want?”

“Because you already do.”

“Because you give me no choice.”

“Lies, sweetheart,” he tsks. “All lies.”

Rounding the kitchen island, he goes to the fridge and I’m left glaring at his broad back. Opening it, he brings out two water bottles and faces me.

“What were you searching for anyways?” he curiously asks, popping one open. His lips lift in a naughty smirk. “My virtual black book?”

“Do you have one?”

He takes his sweet-ass time, leaving me in anticipation as he takes a sip. “Are you jealous?”

“There needs to be feelings involved for me to be jealous over you with another woman,” I haughtily reply. He looks at me like I’m full of shit. So, to piss him off, I say, “Don’t you want to know if I have one?”

“It’s a moot point.”

“Quite presumptuous of you.”

My words are flat-out ignored and he continues, “You won’t need it because I plan to fuck you often.”

The doorbell rings, saving him from my rebuttal. His arrogance knows no bounds as he strides down the hall to get our food. My dogs, who were watching us argue, circle around me as I set our plates by the time he returns.

I already fed them while Nova was showering. Yet, they jump up and down at the hope of more food.

Fire and Maggie run toward Nova and dance around him like sharks, trying to sniff the bags dangling from his hand. While Bunny keeps his distance. Out of the three, he’s yet to gel with my husband.

“I can already see you both had dinner,” Nova admonishes them, glancing at their empty bowls in the corner. Meeting my gaze, he demands, “Didn’t you say they were trained?”

“Trained to be friendly, not to join the military.”

“Are they going to be like this until we finish dinner?”

“They’ll settle down.”

His expression says he doesn’t believe me but he lets it go. Maggie will eventually become distracted by something else. Fire, on the other hand, will want a taste before he decides if he wants more or not. I keep that bit to myself. He’s taken a shine to Nova and their antics are entertaining to watch.

I take a seat at the dining table and expect Nova to sit across from me. Instead, he settles right beside me so our thighs brush. He pushes my hands away when I try to help and methodically unboxes our food and serves me.

I’m rendered speechless at how domesticated we must look.

Like we’ve done this every night.

Honestly, it’s the first time in years that I’m having dinner with someone. Usually, it’s just me and my dogs at home.

“Do you usually have dinner alone?”

“No,” Nova replies and scoops pasta onto my plate. “If I’m not running late from work, I have it at my parents’. Family dinners are a must in my home unless one of us is busy. I would’ve taken you tonight but I don’t think you’re ready yet.”

“Really?” I blurt out before I can think twice. I can’t remember the last time my whole family sat down together for dinner.

His perceptive gaze rests on my face. He must see the shock written there because he softly asks, “What about you?”

I contemplate whether to reveal the truth or not but my lips have a mind of their own.

“Hardly ever.” My voice is low from embarrassment, and I feel vulnerable. “You already know what my dad is like and my mom, she’s always traveling.”

“What about Jasmine?”

“She’d stay out with friends or the guy she was dating at the time.”

Sympathy burns hot in his eyes. So does signs of pity as though he can’t fathom the possibility. Probably because his upbringing is vastly different from mine.

My psyche has been so brainwashed into believing his family as nefarious, corrupt, and antagonizing people that I never thought they’d share such a deep bond and be so normal. It’s like peering into a television and being told it’s real.

I’m blatantly slapped in the face with the harsh truth that I come from a broken home. Deep down I always knew, but compared to Nova, it causes a sharp stab in my chest. Especially as he silently studies my struggle.

“It’s not a big deal, Nova,” I rush to say, concealing my emotions. “I actually prefer it. Never been a fan of small talk. I’d rather have a show to binge-watch while I eat like every millennial.”

He captures my chin when I look away to grab my drink and brings my face back to his. Intensity rolls off him in waves. “Not anymore. We’ll go to my parents’ from now on.”

“I don’t need your pity.”

“It’s not pity. I’m simply making you part of my family’s traditions.” He shuts down my reservations with a stern tone. Caressing my cheek, he murmurs, “It would make my mother happy since she’s eager to spend time with you. She’s even coming tomorrow with my dad for dinner.”

Teresa has a pure soul and I’m unsurprised she’s welcoming me with open arms. I even received a text from her saying she’d join me at the animal shelter, if I don’t mind. It’s the other two family members raising alarm bells in my head.

“I don’t get it.” A mix of confusion and suspicion is evident in my tone.

His brows pinch in a frown. “What don’t you get?”

“Why do you so badly want to make our marriage work?”

“Would you rather we’re at each other’s throats all the time like we’ve been in the past? Aren’t you tired? I know I am.”

I give a humorless chuckle and accuse sharply, “You’re lying.”

“What do you want to hear then, Rose? That I’m holding up my end of the bargain of our union?”

“Are you saying you don’t hate my family anymore?”

His jaw clenches and his brown eyes darken in anger.

“That’s what I thought.” I push my chair back and stand to storm away. However, I stop. The anger and anguish that I’ve kept boiling inside me comes roaring out and I demand, “Why do you hate my family? I would understand your father but why you?”

“I don’t hate your family, only your scum father.”

“It can’t be because my father allegedly tried to kidnap you.”

His nostrils flare as he responds, “Who told you that?”

“Does it matter? As your wife, I should know your secrets.”

A vicious glint sharpens his face as he demands in a cold voice, “Why are you defending him? Are you so na?ve or plain stupid for still showing loyalty to him after he sold you off to me without a second thought?”

“At least he doesn’t pretend to like me while plotting to stab me in the back.”

“What exactly do you think I’ll accomplish?” he questions. “To use you to hurt your father, I’d need leverage, and we both know how your father feels about you.”

His cruel words hit me like a brick.

Worthless.

That’s what he thinks I am.

“What if I could be used as a leverage?” I ask impassively. “Would you use me to get back at my father?”

His expression closes off. “I don’t play hypothetical games, Rose.”

“In other words, yes.” I draw back from him, feeling suffocated by his presence. “Do us both a favor and stop feeding me bullshit lies and painting yourself as a knight in shining armor. You might like to live in a glass house, but I don’t.”

“I’ve never lied to you.”

“You’ve also not told me a single truth either.”

“Just because it’s not what you want to hear doesn’t mean they aren’t truths. My reasons for hating your father are none of your business. It’s a can of worms you don’t want to open.” Scathing me with a dark look, he says, “Besides, you’ve already condemned me as your villain. Anything I say or do will not convince you otherwise.”

I want to shout I’m only doing it to protect myself from the inevitable. Him and his father left me no choice. Either I swim in their world like a shark or I become the sacrificial lamb.

Because Nova exists to ruin me.

It’s only a matter of time.

“Whatever vendetta you have against my dad and the day you act on it, it’ll affect me too. I won’t let you make either me or my mom collateral damage in your path to seek revenge.”

“I would tell you I’d protect you because you’re my wife but it’ll fall on deaf ears.”

He says it so sincerely that I almost believe him. Pushing away from the dining table, I take a step but he grabs my wrist. “Eat your dinner, Rose.”

“I’ve lost my appetite.”

Tugging my hand free, I stalk down the hallway. But halfway to the library, my stomach growls, reminding me I haven’t eaten since morning. The pasta did look yummy and smelled delicious. Besides, it’s not the food’s fault that my husband’s an ass.

With that self-justification, I march back down.

Nova is still seated, his plate pushed away and food untouched. I push down the flicker of guilt I feel for ruining his meal. His laser-sharp gaze sears me as I silently grab my plate, drink, and the paper bag with the dessert I also ordered to carry with me.

“Do you not know how dramatic exits work, Rose?”

And he’s back to being his usual annoying self. I don’t answer.

“Where are you going?”

“Away from you.”

“Library, then?”

“So far, it’s the only place or thing I like in this empty house,” I snap and am on my way. My dogs in tow. Except Fire. I yell, “Fire, come with me.”

He doesn’t move an inch from his perch near Nova’s feet.

Traitor.

Leaving them, I disappear to my safe haven.