Chapter 06: That Feels Good

Chapter 06: That Feels Good

Briella’s POV

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My jaw nearly dropped as I followed the mouthwatering aroma of sinigang coming from the kitchen. I had only left Braun for a few minutes to freshen up and change clothes, and in that short time, he had already managed to cook three dishes.

“Are you expecting guests today?” I asked, my voice laced with surprise. I had to physically close my mouth because it felt stuck from the shock.

He glanced up and smirked. “It’s our wedding day. Shouldn’t we be celebrating?”

“So... are you expecting someone to join us?” I repeated, eyeing the spread on the counter.

He chuckled, and if I weren’t already holding my jaw, it probably would’ve hit the floor. His laugh, deep, relaxed, and unfamiliar, felt like a warm breeze soothing the storm in my tired mind.

“No one else. It’s just for the two of us,” he said, stirring one of the dishes. “So we’ll have to finish it all.”

My eyes sparkled at the sight of the food. I could worry about my figure tomorrow, but I would enjoy every bite of my favorite dishes tonight.

But wait... Was he a good cook?

There was only one way to find out. “Thank you,” I said as he pulled a chair out for me like a perfect gentleman.

“Which one do you want to try first?” he asked, settling beside me.

“Sinigang. That’s my favorite,” I said without hesitation.

He gently scooped some broth into the small bowl beside my plate. I reached for my spoon, eager to taste it, but he beat me to it, blowing on it first to check the temperature like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And just like that, I found myself staring at him.

This man, known across the industry as the strict, no-nonsense President Braun, was sitting beside me in a luxury penthouse, carefully cooling a spoonful of soup... for me. I couldn’t look away. This side of him was something I never expected, something soft and deeply intimate.

“Here,” he said, lifting the spoon to my lips.

I parted them without a second thought.

As the soup slid down my throat, warmth bloomed in my chest. I wasn’t exaggerating, and it was hands down the most delicious sinigang I’d ever tasted in my entire life. I licked my lower lip, trying to play it cool, but honestly, if it weren’t so embarrassing, I would’ve snatched the spoon and fed myself straight from the pot.

“What do you think?” he asked, watching me.

“Huh?” I blinked, still lost in the taste, and maybe a little lost in him.

He chuckled again. “Is that the only thing you can say?”

“Huh—” I blushed, realizing how ridiculous I sounded. “I mean... I didn’t know you could cook.”

“I can do more than cook,” he said with a wink, scooping rice onto our plates.

We ate in companionable silence after that, and before I realized it, I’d nearly finished the entire bowl of sinigang and more than half of the pork adobo. I leaned back with a satisfied groan, one hand on my full stomach.

“I can’t breathe,” I muttered.

He laughed again, the sound making me feel warm all over. I looked at him from across the table, wondering how a man like him, so powerful and feared, could make me feel this safe and this full.

“I-I’ll clean these up. You can rest or change clothes,” I offered, already gathering the dishes and utensils from the table.

But he shook his head. “You should rest. You just came from a show, and what you did wasn’t easy.” He paused, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. “And by the way... You looked amazing today.”

I felt the blush rise to my cheeks before I could stop it. I opened my mouth to respond, maybe to downplay the compliment, but my phone rang.

It was Chelsey.

“Excuse me,” I muttered and hurried toward the living room to answer the call.

“Hello, Chelsey? What’s up?” I said, trying to sound casual.

“What’s up?! Are you kidding me?!” she practically shrieked. “Haven’t you checked your phone or turned on the TV? Girl, you’re trending! There’s so much news about you, everyone’s talking about your runway walk at the Tri Hotel! Are you really okay with all the hate people are throwing at you? Even some of the other models?”

I sighed but kept my voice calm. “Don’t worry. I can handle them. Just focus on what I asked you to do. Soon, their faces will be all over every screen and news page. Let them enjoy their little victory while they can."

“Okay,” she said, still a little hesitant. “As long as you’re sure you’re okay and not letting this get to you, I’ll stop stressing. Oh, and I got something! I’ve gathered real proof against those two snakes. They turned the hospital into a motel for their fling.” The venom in her voice was palpable.

I took a deep breath, reached for the remote, and turned on the TV.

The news was already running.

The chaos that unfolded at an exclusive fashion show this afternoon is now trending across all social media platforms. In a bold move, former top model Briella Montañez stormed the runway, an appearance reportedly intended for the CEO’s daughter. We reached out to the event’s designer and company heads. According to several witnesses, the company is planning legal action against Montañez for what they call ‘disruptive behavior.’

My chest tightened. I could feel my pulse hammering at my temples as they began showing online comments, cruel ones, of course.

“Brie? Are you still there?” Chelsey asked, her voice drawing me back.

“Yeah,” I said quietly. I quickly turned the TV off. I didn’t need to see more of that.

“I’ll let you know when I’ll come to the agency tomorrow. I need to rest for now. Bye, Chelsey.”

“Okay, let’s talk tomorrow. Bye,” she said before the line cut.

Just as I lowered my phone, President Braun stepped out from the kitchen, and for the second time that day, I forgot how to breathe.

He looked like he had stepped straight out of a fashion magazine, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, three buttons undone to reveal a teasing glimpse of his chest. The soft lighting made everything about him glow.

I swallowed hard. Damn. I can’t believe I’m fantasizing about the King.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm the wild fluttering in my chest. But it was useless, and he didn’t even have to try. The man was a walking sin in human form.

“Is everything okay?” he asked, approaching me where I sat.

I nodded, even though the truth was far from that.

“Yeah,” I murmured, my voice barely convincing.

His expression changed the moment he noticed the forming bruise on my arm. Without another word, he turned and walked away, only to return moments later with an ice pack.

“Don’t let anyone hurt you, Briella. You don’t deserve that,” he said gently as he pressed the cold pack against my skin.

I just stared at his face, completely taken in. Why does he have to look this perfect? From his long lashes to his straight nose, soft red lips, and especially that tiny mole on his left ear, it all made him impossibly handsome.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“President Braun…”

His brows pulled into a frown. “I told you not to call me that. You’re not my employee. You’re my wife.”

I sighed again, exasperated but unable to ignore the flutter in my chest. “Can I ask… why me? Why did you marry me?”

A slow smile tugged at one corner of his lips.

“I already told you, I needed to get married. My dad and grandfather would’ve taken the company from me if I didn’t. The one I built and worked hard for.”

“I understand that,” I said, voice softening. “But still… why me? You could have picked anyone. There are so many women out there, beautiful, accomplished, who would’ve jumped at the chance.”

His gaze locked with mine, serious and steady. “Because I saw something in you. Last night, when I saw you

crossing that street… I just knew. You were the one I was looking for.”

My heart fluttered wildly in my chest. I looked away to hide the sudden flush on my cheeks.

“But what if I disappoint you?” I whispered. “What if you made a mistake? What if I’m not who you think I am?”

“I don’t make mistakes when it comes to judging people,” he said firmly, cutting me off.

I turned to face him again, and my eyes were drawn to his, those stunning ash-colored eyes that seemed to read everything I was too afraid to say.

You’re too good to be true, Braun… I thought, reaching out on impulse. My fingers grazed his cheek, soft and warm beneath my touch. And then, without thinking, my thumb brushed over his lips.

I gasped, startled by the intimacy of the moment.

What would it feel like to kiss the lips of a King…?

As if he heard my thoughts, he closed the distance between us. His lips met mine, and I froze for a heartbeat before my eyes fluttered shut. The kiss started soft, testing… tender. But the moment I responded, it deepened, growing hungry and hot, stealing the breath from my lungs.

A soft moan escaped me as I melted into him.

Somehow, I ended up in his arms. I didn’t even realize how it happened. All I knew was the sensation of his hands slipping beneath my oversized shirt, his fingers tracing fire across my back and hips.

And for a moment, I didn’t care about the bruises, the noise, or the world outside. All I could feel was him.

When our lips finally parted, I blinked, coming out of the daze I’d fallen into. I moved to leave his embrace, but Braun pulled me back, his arms wrapping securely around my shoulders.

I gasped.

I could feel him, his arousal, pressing against me, and a rush of heat surged through my entire body. A shiver ran down my spine, and my breath caught as my hips, seemingly with a will of their own, began to move against him slowly, seeking friction, seeking more.

We both moaned, soft and breathless. A wave of pleasure bloomed deep within me, warm and unrelenting. I was already wet, and I hadn’t even realized how much I wanted this.

Without a word, Braun stood up with me in his arms. He carried me as if I weighed nothing, walking us to his room effortlessly. My heart pounded wildly, echoing in my ears. This was the moment I had waited for, dreamed about, and promised myself I’d only give to the man I would marry.

And here I was, in his arms.

Maybe that’s why I allowed myself to fall too fast. Perhaps that’s why I once believed the lies of my ex-fiancé. Because deep down, I longed for someone who could make me feel safe, wanted… whole.

I didn’t stop him when he began to undress me. My hands trembled, but I reached for his shirt anyway, carefully undoing each button. My breath hitched as the fabric fell away, revealing the body I had only dared to imagine moments ago.

His chest was sculpted, not just six, but eight perfect abs lined his torso. And they weren’t just for show. They looked strong. Real. Touch-worthy. But before I could trail my fingers along them, I felt my bra unhook and fall away.

His warm hands touched my bare skin, and I couldn’t stop the gasp that escaped my lips. He pulled me close again, kissing me deeply, his tongue playfully teasing mine, tasting me, claiming me. I moaned into his mouth as his hands wandered, one of them stopping to cup my butt and squeeze gently.

“C-can you stop staring at me…” I whispered, voice barely above a breath.

He pulled back slightly, his lips curving into a mischievous smile. “Why?”

“I’m… shy. No one has ever seen me like this. Completely,” I admitted, eyes dropping in embarrassment. I wasn’t ashamed; I didn’t know how to handle being this vulnerable.

He leaned in closer, brushing a soft kiss on my shoulder. “You’re a goddess, Briella. Every inch of you…  is perfect. You have nothing to be shy about. You were made for a King.”

His words made something flutter deep inside me. No one had ever said anything like that to me before. I looked up at him, meeting his gaze, and what I saw there nearly unraveled me, hunger, reverence, and something more profound that I couldn’t name.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him again. This time, I let my hands explore, gliding across his broad back, down… lower, to where I’d longed to touch.

His groan vibrated against my lips, sending a delicious thrill through me. I gathered my courage and began unbuttoning his trousers. My fingers fumbled on the zipper. God, this was my first time doing this, but he helped, sliding them down with his boxers.

And when I saw him fully, my breath caught. He was astounding, handsome, fierce, masculine, and raw.

I bit my lip without realizing it, my gaze glued to every sculpted inch of him. I didn’t even notice how obvious I was being until I heard him chuckle and felt his body press against mine again, skin to skin.

I could barely breathe. His warmth, his scent, and his sheer presence overwhelmed my senses.

Get a hold of yourself, I screamed in my mind.

But then his lips were on my neck, and my body betrayed me. My eyes fluttered shut as his hand slid between my thighs, touching me exactly where I needed him most.

A moan escaped me. That feels so good…