12:03 PM
Chapter 8
“Well,” his voice was lazy, amused. “Good morning, Mrs. Kavinsky.”
I stared at him, horrified. What the hell did I just do last night?”
Jeron. Damn it! I couldn’t remember. Did we…
His face was relaxed, his breathing steady. The sheets barely covered him, and from the little glimpse of his toned chest, I could tell he wasn’t wearing much underneath.
My breath hitched. My stomach twisted. No. No, no, no. I sat up so fast that the blanket slipped off my body, exposing bare skin.
THE
Oh my God. I was naked. Panic surged through me. My hands fumbled for the sheets, wrapping them around myself as I turned to Jeron, who was now awake, watching me with amusement.
“What… what happened?” My voice came out shaky.
Jeron stretched lazily, running a hand through his messy hair. “What do you think happened?“}
I swallowed hard. My heart pounded so loudly it drowned out the silence.
“You-” I sucked in a breath. “You took advantage of me!“}]
Jeron raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. “That’s funny. Because I seem to recall you being the one who took advantage of me.”}
I gaped at him. “That’s a lie. I wouldn’t do that! You asshole.”
“Is it?” He leaned closer, smirking. “You were the one who kissed me first, Katherine. You were the one who pulled me into this bed. And,” he drawled, trailing his fingers over my exposed shoulder, “you didn’t seem to have any complaints last night.“}
Heat flooded my cheeks. No. That can’t be true. Did I? I was so drunk to even remember a thing. But that couldn’t be… I wouldn’t do that. Okay, I was not sure.}]
I scrambled through my memories, flashes of last night hit me like a freight train. My hands gripping his collar. His lips crashing against mine. My whispered pleas. His name spilling from my lips.
I squeezed my eyes shut. Damn it.
Jeron laughed. “Oh, so you do remember.”
“Shut up,” I hissed, throwing a pillow at his face before scrambling out of bed. I grabbed my clothes, yanking them on with trembling fingers. My mind was a mess, my body even worse.
I needed to get out of here. I rushed toward the door, but before I could escape, Jeron called after me.”
“No goodbye kiss?“}
I slammed the door shut behind me.
For the next few days, I avoided Jeron like the plague. I ignored his calls, his texts, his smug smirks whenever we crossed paths. It wasn’t because I was embarrassed. Definitely not.
It wasn’t because every time I saw him, I remembered the heat of his hands on my skin. The way he whispered my name like it was something sacred.§
No. I was just… busy. That wasn’t the reason. I shouldn’t think about him! No. I threw myself into work, into wedding preparations, into anything that didn’t involve facing what had happened between us.
But no matter how hard I tried to forget, I couldn’t erase him.
And Jeron? Jeron was enjoying this.
He teased me relentlessly. Brushed past me too closely. Smirked when he caught me staring. Whispered things in my ear when no one was listening.
Every time he did, I reminded him–this was a mistake. And every time, he reminded me–we were engaged.}
One afternoon, I found myself standing in front of my mother’s office.}
She glanced up from her paperwork and smiled. “Katherine, have you finalized the wedding plans with Jeron?”
I stiffened. “About that… Do we really have to go through with it? I mean, everything’s settled. Keith is out of the picture, and there’s no real reason for this arrangement anymore.“}
Mom’s expression turned serious. “Katherine, this marriage isn’t just about business. Jeron is a good man. He’s been patient with you. He cares for you.”
I scoffed. “Jeron is a playboy.“”
Mom sighed. “People change.“}]
I wanted to argue. But deep down, I knew that this marriage wasn’t something I could escape.
I had already agreed to it. And running away wasn’t an option anymore. Fine, but I have to be careful of him. He was dangerous. And I didn’t want to repeat the same mistakes I did.”
Later that evening, I met with Jeron in the garden of our estate. He leaned against a stone pillar, hands in his pockets, watching me with amusement.
“So,” he drawled. “Have you finally stopped running from me?“>
I crossed my arms. “I wasn’t running.”
He grinned. “Sure you weren’t.”
12:03 PM C
WILI S.106.27
“So,” he drawled. “Have you finally stopped running from me?”
I crossed my arms. “I wasn’t running.“}
He grinned. “Sure you weren’t.”
.
I exhaled sharply, getting straight to the point. “We need to set some rules for this marriage.”>
Jeron’s eyebrows lifted. “Rules?“}
I nodded. “Yes. One rule, actually.“}
He tilted his head, waiting.
“No strings attached. No falling in love.” My voice was firm. “This is just an arrangement. Nothing more.“}
Jeron was silent for a moment. Then he chuckled, shaking his head.”
“What’s so funny?” I demanded.
He stepped closer, his blue eyes locked onto mine. His voice dropped into something softer. Something almost… dangerous. “Isn’t it a little too late for that?”
I frowned. “What do you mean?“}
Jeron smirked.§
Then, without warning, he leaned in. His lips brushed against my ear as he whispered.
“I already fell for you.”
My breath caught.
D
