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

Chapter Sixty-seven

I think it’s the first time in my life I’ve set an early alarm.

Or it’s been so long that I can’t even remember.

Whatever the reason, I’m proud of myself when I rise to it instead of listening to my first instinct of silencing it. Along with throwing my phone far away. The side next to me is empty, Nova’s musky and masculine scent lingering strongly.

A huge girly smile fights its way through, making me hide my face in his pillow.

Last night was wonderfully dreamy, despite Veer’s sudden loss. Even though I suspected there was a chance, it still crushed me gravely. I couldn’t even say a proper goodbye because they had to bury him. The next two dogs, one a young pup and the other a badly injured ten-year-old, had their own heartbreaking incidents that brought tears to my eyes.

It was turning out to be the worst day, where I was preparing to lick my wounds alone. Because that’s the way it’s been in the past.

However, the second Nova’s concerned voice reached me with a hint of protectiveness in it and he touched me, I just couldn’t hold back.

He was undeniably sweet and caring.

The late-night drive was the perfect distraction. Most men balk at the thought of a woman driving their car, yet Nova didn’t once say a word. Instead, he sat in the passenger seat with Fire on his lap while Bunny and Maggie sat in the back. It wasn’t a date, but it felt like one as all of us ate ice cream.

Nova stealing half of mine.

I pouted until he got me a second one, promising he wouldn’t steal it.

The way he’s making me utterly, deeply, and madly obsessed with him, its equal parts scaring the hell out of me and making me feel alive like I’m perpetually on cloud nine.

Before I start daydreaming him, I sit upright and push the blanket off. I suppress a shiver from the cold air of the bedroom and walk to the window. Sliding the curtain, I peek outside.

So, this is what five o’clock in the morning looks like? Hmm… I was right. My husband is insane for wanting to wake up at the crack of dawn.

Today, I finally solve the mystery of his morning routine.

My dogs don’t even stir while I gaze at them in envy. Bunny on the floor while the mini ones slept with us on the bed.

Still wearing Nova’s hoodie, I tiptoe into the hall to search for him.

The kitchen and the living room are empty. Suddenly I remember we have a home gym, which I saw in the first week. He must be working out. Having managed his calendar once upon a time, I’m aware of his jam-packed schedule.

My wild guess proves to be right when I hear the whooshing sound coming from the end of the hall. It becomes louder and more frequent, making me intrigued.

I round the corner and like someone shot me, my entire body ceases.

My pussy quivers.

As my eyes lock on my husband in the middle of his powerful workout. Shirtless and wearing a pair of black shorts hanging low on the V of his hips. His fists covered in black boxing gloves deliver hard, quick, and precise punches, sending the punching bag flying. His ample muscles ripple and flex with every move.

Of course, he still boxes even if it’s in the privacy of his gym.

My knees go weak at the savage expression, the square jaw set in concentration and those messy locks falling onto his forehead. The man doesn’t look out of breath. Every muscle and vein in his upper body is pronounced. The eight-pack abs clenched tight and rippling enticingly.

Oh fuck.

Is this what I miss every freaking morning?

I must be crazy if I’m sleeping through this.

That’s it. Time to start waking up early. Because if the sight of my tall, sweaty, and muscular husband as he pounds into the boxing bag with lethal punches isn’t motivation, then nothing else in this world will be.

Ever so attuned to his environment, he senses my lascivious gaze on him.

His head turns in my direction and I try not to combust from the intensity of his stare. He breathes through parted lips, chest rising and falling with each harsh breath.

Feeling my own heartbeat pick up, I enter the room and smile softly. “Hii.”

Removing the gloves one by one, he meets me halfway. His morning voice deep and husky as he says, “Morning.”

“I…” Words don’t form on my tongue and I trail off. I can’t think, let alone form coherent thoughts when he stands this close, his chest distracting me.

“You…” he mirrors, a note of amusement in his tone.

Why isn’t he touching me or kissing me?

“Because both will end up with you pushed against the wall and fucked.”

I snap my gaze to his, realizing I said it out loud. “So? You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Weren’t you sore?”

As if I had forgotten, my body reminds me by clenching. Desire still runs strong. But I know I’m not ready to have him inside me so soon. If I do, it’ll be another few days before he touches me, and I can’t handle that. “A little.”

His gaze heats at my answer. “I like that you feel me for days, Rose.”

“Me too,” I whisper shyly.

Hooking a finger in my waistband, he tugs me closer. I don’t even care when I find myself pressed against his sweat-slicked chest and that I’m a mess too. “Are you going to tell me why you’re up so early? Are you okay?”

The second question having to do with last night’s events. I tilt my head, grabbing his waist. “I’m better. I had a mystery to solve, so I woke up early.”

“The mystery of what an early sunrise looks like?” he teases.

“Very funny, and no.”

“Then what?”

“You.”

He laughs, raising one eyebrow. “Me? I’m an open book, sweetheart.”

“You’re charming but you’re also mysterious. You don’t let people get close to you and hide your true emotions.”

His jaw tightens as he becomes serious. “I can’t afford to trust everyone, Rose. Everyone has an agenda for wanting to be close to me. Half wouldn’t hesitate to stab me in the back. Even if they didn’t, I find it hard to trust and let people in.”

“I know the feeling.”

His hand travels to the back of my neck as he confidently says, “Because you’re just like me. We’re both jaded. You and I were meant to be, Rose. Even if we hadn’t been arranged to marry, I still would’ve found my way to you.”

He says it without a shadow of a doubt, making my heart lurch. I want to believe him but I was hardly the center of attention anywhere. Not even at home. “I’ve been always invisible, Nova. While you’re like the sun, everyone gravitates toward you. Even in high school, you demanded attention the moment you walked into a room. It wasn’t because of your family name; it was all you.”

He shakes his head, resting his forehead against mine. “You’ve never been invisible, Rose. Never to me. And trust me, I tried very hard.”

His lips clash with mine, not giving me a chance to argue.

He erases my doubts with every swipe of his tongue.

I’m a breathless mess when he pulls back. Still holding me against his body, he says, “I have something to show you. I was going to wait until the afternoon but since you’re up, I don’t want to wait.”

“What is it?” My curiosity is piqued.

He smiles at my impatient tone. “It’s a surprise and it’s not here. Shower, breakfast, and then we’ll go.”

“But it’ll take too long,” I cry out. “The suspense will kill me.”

“Always so dramatic, Rose,” he teases.

“A hint, then.”

“No.”

My retort is lost in a yelp when he bends and throws me over his shoulder. I’m hanging upside down as he walks out of the gym and climbs up the stairs. When we enter the bedroom, my dogs perk up. I don’t get a chance to kiss them good morning before I’m being carried into the bathroom and staring at the slamming door.

Nova puts me down when we’re inside the shower. As soon as my feet touch the tiles, he orders, “Strip.”

Intensely ravenous brown eyes gaze at me while he removes his shorts and boxers in one swift motion. His hard cock smacks against his lower abs, rendering me immobile. His patience snaps and he takes over the task of getting me naked.

Once I’m nude, his fingers gently part my drenched slit as they trail the length of my pussy. His ministrations are reverent as they draw pleasure. The slowly building kind. I’m lost in the sensations, eyes closed that I miss him drop to his knees.

They snap open when his morning scruff and soft lips touch my folds.

“Nova,” I whimper.

Our lust-drunk eyes lock.

Throwing my left leg over his shoulder, he murmurs, “A taste to last me the day.”

Then he feasts on my pussy.

Until I’m a sobbing mess.

***

“You never told me if you solved your mystery.”

I glance at Nova’s profile from the passenger seat. Sunglasses hide his expression but I know the mischievous look by heart. The one where he’s curious and amused by my antics.

“I would’ve, if someone hadn’t distracted me.”

The smile around his freshly shaven jaw grows. “Or you could simply ask me.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” I tease. “Besides, I don’t think it’s so bad waking up early.”

“I wonder what’s motivating you.”

“The weather, mostly.”

“In the gym or the shower?”

The memories leave me tingling all over again. “Don’t think so highly of yourself. I can be a morning person if I want to be.”

“So, miracles do happen more than once,” he jokes.

“Ass.”

He just laughs. “Tell me really why you woke up, Rose.”

“I was curious about your morning routine.”

Giving me a surprised yet pleased look, he answers, “It’s nothing special. Boring, really. I go for a morning run, then a workout. Read a newspaper while having breakfast, and then I’m off to work.”

“You may be the only man who reads physical newspapers in this day and age.”

“It’s a habit I got from my grandfather. It still makes me feel closer to him.”

I take his left hand in mine, squeezing softly when I sense the grief in his tone. He intertwines our fingers instead of pulling away.

“I never knew any of mine. They all passed away when I was too young.”

“I’m sorry,” he genuinely says. “My grandfather would’ve loved you. Just like my parents do.”

I smile. “I like your parents too. Your mom already texted me to come for dinner this weekend.”

“Yeah? It seems she’s already forgotten about me because I’m yet to hear from her.”

“Jealous?”

He gives a throaty chuckle. “No.”

The automated voice interrupts by informing us we’re a few minutes away from our destination. We’re driving down an industrial road, just on the outskirts of the city. What could he possibly have for me here? I’m utterly clueless.

So, I focus on my lap.

Remember when he said he has a Kindle in every car, it’s very much true. It’s what I’ve been busy reading for the last half hour or so as he drives me to my surprise.

“Although one thing about my morning routine has changed lately,” he says after a beat of silence.

“What’s that?”

“Watching you sleep,” he reveals shamelessly. “I always used to arrive first in the office. Now, I’m the last.”

I’m not the least bit sorry. “It’s a good thing you’re the boss.”

After a few minutes of driving on a stoned and hurdled road, Nova parks outside a temporarily bordered barren land. I’m frowning while trying to guess the purpose of our trip here. We both get out and he takes my hand when I round the hood to him.

“Where are we?” I ask.

“Come.”

We enter through a makeshift gate and there’s nothing but huge acres of land all around. I twirl in a circle and come up short of an explanation. Peering at a casual Nova, I quirk my eyebrow and say, “This looks like a place where you bring someone to kill, Nova. Getting rid of me already?”

He doesn’t laugh at my morbid joke.

Stepping closer, he cups the back of my neck and leisurely informs me, “The land is for you to build your dream shelter. I’ve set up a contract with Justin’s company for the construction and a team at mine to help with operations and anything you need to make this happen.”

It takes several seconds for his words to truly sink in. Even then, I stare at him open-mouthed, ensuring I’m not hallucinating. I don’t know whether to burst from joy or cry at the enormity of what he’s just offered me. I’m unable to express how I feel.

He bought me a piece of land overnight.

For a cause close to my heart.

Because he saw me upset yesterday.

A project like that costs a fortune.

I grab the lapels of his jacket, feeling like my legs will give out. Tears form in the corners of my eyes as I gasp, “Nova… this is too much.”

“It’s not really.” He brings me closer in the comfort of his strength. “But it’s a start to making a bigger difference. I saw the guilt in your eyes, Rose. But I also saw your passion. I don’t ever want you to feel like you didn’t do enough. Let me help you.”

“If I accept this, I can never repay you, Nova.”

“Do you really think so little of me that you think I’ll ask for it back?”

I shake my head, cupping his face. “Of course I don’t, baby. No one has ever taken me as serious as you do for my love for dogs. And I’m just overwhelmed at your sweet gesture. I also don’t want you to invest your hard-earned money on a project that may not give you a return on your investment.”

“I care about none of that, Rose. Money doesn’t matter to me. What does is never coming home to seeing you cry like you did last night. Not if I can fix it. I thought I feared nothing but then I realized my worst fear and it’s watching you fall apart. I can’t handle it, sweetheart.” His eyes are pained, haunted, with longing and awe as his thumb rubs back and forth on my bottom lip. Pushing a wayward tear away as he roughly says, “You have no idea what you do to me, Rose. All I know is, I never want to stop feeling this way. You said you loved my thoughtful gifts, and this is exactly that. So, stop arguing and say yes.”

Words don’t feel enough.

A simple thank-you isn’t enough to express the multitude of emotions racing through my chest. Lifting my hands to wrap around the back of his neck, I pull him down and press my lips against his.

Outside of our heated and passionate nights, I’ve never willingly kissed him.

Today, I can’t stop myself even if I wanted to.

With the sun shining down us, his warmth enveloping me, and his heartbeat syncing with mine, I kiss him softly, adoringly. Pouring all the wonderful feelings he constantly evokes inside me.

Tilting my head, I kiss him deeper until our breaths mingle.

He threads his fingers in my hair, anchoring us together.

“You, Nova D’Cruz, make me the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m proud to be your wife.” I taste my tears as I whisper, “And you’re all mine.”