chapter 6

Soft clinking of utensils echoed in the large dining hall, warm chandelier lights casting golden reflections on the polished table. The air was permeated with aromas so rich that perfectly cooked dishes could only hope for a fraction of their depth. Shawn set his fork down and locked eyes with Eva to such a degree that Eva had to stop right in the middle of her bite.

"Ava," he said lightly, but his eyes gleamed with interest. "I've been meaning to ask you.”

Eva's heart jerked. She made her eyes lock on his and smiled wryly. "What is that?

Shawn leaned back in his chair, expression straight. "Eva. I didn't see her at the wedding today. I never knew your twin sister could miss your wedding. I thought you guys were inseparable. I really would have thought Eva to be front and center on such a big day."

The knife slipped from Eva's fingers, clattering against her plate. She jerked at the sound, the shield of composure she struggled to hold in place splintering just for that one moment.

Shawn's brow furrowed. "You okay?"

“Y-Yes," she stuttered, snatching up her napkin to pat her hands dry. "I guess I'm just tired. It's been a long day."

Shawn furrowed his brow, slightly, concern etched upon his face. "You sure? You look paranoid. It's just us here now.”

Eva nodded, her throat bobbing as her brain scrambled to find something to say that would plausibly account for the gap in the information. "About Eva… She really wanted to be there. She did. But…" She struggled to find the words; her mouth seemed to fish for what she was saying.

"But?" Shawn insisted, his voice soft, firm.

"She had to leave the country this morning," Eva lied quickly. "Some urgent business pertaining to her work with the designs cropped up at the last minute. She was really sad about missing the wedding.”

Shawn weighed her closely, his eyes narrowing slightly while weighing her words as Eva held her breath, her palms growing clammy against her lap.

He nodded finally, softening. "That's a pity. I was hoping to speak to her, at least get to see the other side of my wife.” he smiled.

Eva forced a laugh, though it felt like shards of glass in her throat. "She'll be back soon, I'm sure. She would love to spend some time with her brother in law too.”

Shawn smiled at the thought, but there was something in his gaze, an undercurrent of doubt, that twisted Eva's stomach.

The rest of dinner blurred together in a haze: Shawn was nothing if not a good host, filling in the holes with stories and laughter, but Eva barely savored the food on her plate. Every bite felt leaden as her mind was gnawed by the thin web of deceit she had woven.

********

Later that night, Shawn took her hand, guiding her through the mansion’s grand halls. The soft glow of sconces lit their path, the opulence around them almost overwhelming.

Every step they took deeper into this new life felt like another chain binding her to a truth she could never reveal.

“You look tense.” Shawn said, glancing at her as they ascended the staircase.

"Oh?" Eva repeated now, more or less under her breath.

Shawn came to an abrupt halt and turned toward her. "Eva, if something's wrong, you can tell me. I know this is all new, this life, this house, this." He indicated between them with a wave of his arm. "Us. But I want you to feel safe and relaxed with me.”

It was as if he had punched her right in the sternum. She wanted to scream her truth, to tell him it all, but what she had done weighed heavy upon her tongue. Instead, she forced a smile and nodded. "I'm fine, Shawn. Really. Just tired, that's all."

His hand brushed her face, his touch was soft. "Okay, Good.”

Instantly, the corners of her eyes pricked, but she willed the tears away and nodded.

Finally, they reached a bedroom-a suite that would find a place on the pages of any royal magazine. Shawn opened the door, stepped aside, and allowed her in.

Eva hedged, almost as if her nerves got the better of her then. It was the point when the house of cards of her lies fell down or set in concrete.

Shawn did catch that she was nervous, and he smiled reassuringly at her. "You don't have to be nervous," he said in that low soothing voice of his, "Just relax and trust me, Ava.”

She nodded, stepped inside. The room smelled faintly of jasmine and cedar, a comforting mix that ought to have eased her nerves but didn't.

Shawn closed the door behind them. His presence filled the room as he drew in, closer. "Eva," he said huskily, his fingers rising to tilt her chin so that she was facing him. "You know I love you right?”

Her lips parted; the answer was immaterial. In reply he leaned in, pressing his lips to hers-so soft at first, then firmer, and with an escalating desperation that buckled her knees.

Eva's hands shook, clutched onto his shirt in a vice-like grip, as if in a tug-of-war with herself. She should not be here; this should not be happening. Yet, he felt so warm to touch, and he held her as if she were the only thing that mattered in the world, making it impossible to pull away from the kiss.

The night unfolded slowly, each moment etched with a mix of tenderness and unspoken emotions. Shawn’s touch was reverent, his patience unyielding as he guided her to the bed, kissing every inch of her body till they were both naked.

Shawn stopped to look at her, his eyes filled with pleasure hunger as he beheld her naked body and beauty. “You look so beautiful,” he muttered.

Eva blushed at the embarrassment of laying naked beneath him and looked away from his gaze.

“I never knew that you would be this nervous and shy,” he said teasingly. “Talk of the bold and confident Ava. Guess only I get to see this side of you." A smirk crept up on his face.

He buried his face on her neck, sucking on it till she let out a moan. “Hmmm… Shawn.”

He trailed the kiss down to her collarbone to her breast, capturing one of her nipples in his mouth and massaging the other with his hand with more passion.

Eva was overwhelmed with the pleasure, and her moans got louder as she dug her fingers into his hair pulling him closer, igniting more fire in Shawn.

He released her nipple with a pop sound and captured the second, already red and erect one on his mouth, while his other hand went down and parted her legs to feel her arousal.

“Fuck. Ava, you're so wet… for me.” He released her other nipple and stared deep into her eyes, his intense dark gaze was filled with hunger for her, as he kept on rubbing her clit with his fingers.

Eva threw her head back and rolled her eyes at the pleasure before locking eyes back with Shawn. “Shawn… I…I” she said in between her moans.

“What do you want, Mrs Darlington.” He muttered with his face already between her legs, kissing her inner thighs.”

“I want you… Mr Darlington,” She spoke more sharper than she intended.

Shawn's gaze darkened, as he positioned himself at her entrance and slid into her slowly.

Eva's fingers dug into his shoulders and she let out a loud moan that filled the room.

Shawn paused, his breath catching as realization dawned on him, his gaze locked with hers.

“You’re…” His voice was filled with wonder. “You’re a virgin?”

Eva nodded, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Shawn's face softened, lines etched with pride and amazement. "Eva," he whispered again, pulling a strand of hair off her face. "Thank you. This means so much more than you know."

She bit her lip, trying not to let her emotions out. He knew nothing about how little she deserved this moment, deserved this kindness.

Shawn kissed her again, this time with a calculated slowness, as if to reassure her she was safe with him. And for one incredible moment, she really did felt she was.