Chapter 1
On our wedding night, Edward, the coldest and most aloof CEO, took his time unbuttoning his cufflinks, his eyes chilly. "The agreement's signed. We sleep apart. Understood?"
I nodded sweetly, hugging my blanket and about to scurry off to the guest room. "Sure thing, honey. Whatever you say, honey."
The moment the door closed behind me, my mind raced with thoughts.
[Seriously? That's it? I got myself squeaky clean for this, and he just leaves me hanging? Guess the rumors were spot on. He's just eye candy. All show and no go. What a waste of that sexy waist!]
The next second, a soft, cold laugh echoed behind me.
The door that had been tightly shut was suddenly yanked open. A strong, well-defined hand grabbed my wrist and pinned me hard against the wall.
The icy chill in his eyes shattered, replaced by a predatory intensity that made my legs go weak. He leaned in close, his voice husky and rough against my ear.
"All show and no go? Just eye candy?"
He lifted my chin with long, slender fingers, his warm breath washing over me.
"Since you're so restless tonight... I think it's time we see just how much you can handle."
Wait. I didn't actually say that out loud, did I?
*****
I held my breath.
[What the hell? Is this some kind of supernatural event? How does he know what I'm thinking?]
[Did I suddenly blurt out my thoughts?]
[No way. My mouth was shut tight!]
Edward just stood there.
He didn't say a word, his perpetually indifferent face betraying nothing.
Word was that he steered clear of women entirely.
When our families arranged the marriage, the contract spelled it out, "No interference."
I had intended to do nothing more than follow the contract, quietly existing as one of their polished ornaments.
Edward raised his hand.
His long fingers rested on his collar, stopping at the first button.
He didn't unbutton it.
He just toyed with the cold, hard button, his eyes locked on my face.
"Sweetie," he said.
His tone was steady, completely emotionless.
"Your expression is priceless."
[Seriously! Who could keep their cool around a mind-reading freak like him?]
[Is he gonna haul me off and turn me into some science experiment?]
[Somebody save me! I just want to go home!]
Edward stepped in, closing the gap between us.
I instinctively stepped back.
My heel slammed into the cold wall.
There was nowhere left to go.
He planted one hand against the wall by my ear, his tall body pressing in, blocking out the light from the chandelier overhead.
His shadow swallowed me up.
The sharp, masculine scent of him hit me.
"All show and no go?" Edward echoed.
He leaned in, his lips so close that they nearly grazed my ear.
His hot breath washed over the side of my neck, making my skin tingle and shiver.
"Just eye candy?" he taunted.
With every word, his tone sank lower, the tension ratcheting up.
"What a waste of that sexy waist?"
He spat out the last three words, each syllable dripping with sarcasm.
My scalp prickled, my legs went weak, and I slid helplessly down the wall.
A strong hand clamped around my waist, hauling me back up.
Edward looked down at me, a dangerous glint flickering deep in his eyes.
It was the gaze of a predator locking onto its prey.
"Since you rate me so low..." Edward said.
His hand traced slowly up my waistline, the heat of his palm searing right through the fabric.
"Looks like I have to prove I'm the real deal."
[Please, please, I take it back! I messed up, okay?]
[I was just mouthing off! I'm all talk, I swear! I'm a total coward.]
[That look is terrifying... Is he gonna devour me or what?]
Edward caught the panic in my eyes and let out a soft, mocking laugh.
He slowly unfastened the buttons at his collar, taking his time.
The first button slipped open.
His sculpted collarbone caught the light.
The second button came undone.
The faint lines of his toned chest came into view.
[Oh my god, this man is a master at teasing. He's just undoing a button, but it's like he's handling a live bomb! My heart's about to leap out of my chest!]
"Trying to run away?"
He gripped my chin, forcing me to look up at him.
"Weren't you just cursing me out in your mind a moment ago?"
I swallowed hard, my lashes quivering.
"H-honey, it's all just a misunderstanding, really..." Grace stammered.
"Let's find out for ourselves," Edward replied.
The moment he finished speaking, I felt my balance slip.
He scooped me up around the waist and strode toward the huge bed.
My body sank into the soft mattress.
Before I could get up, Edward loomed over me.
He planted his hands on either side of my body, trapping me in his territory.
His tie dangled down, brushing against my cheek.
It tickled.
[Damn, this pose...]
[The way he's towering over me is seriously overwhelming.]
[It's terrifying, but up close... his body is just unreal.]
[If this really happens, honestly, I don't think I'm the one losing out here.]
Edward's hands froze mid-motion, his fingers pausing abruptly on the button.
A vein pulsed at his temple.
His icy mask shattered, his eyes darkening with clear annoyance.
"Grace Sutton."
He used my full name.
"Get a grip on your thoughts."