Chapter seven

Ava’s POV

The party finally came to an end.

Now, we were seated in the back of the car, headed back to our suite.

I kept sneaking glances at Damien from the corner of my eye.

He looked relaxed, his head resting against the seat with his eyes closed. He had a calm expression.

“Do you need something?” he asked suddenly, without opening his eyes.

I smiled to myself.

“Is it bad if I check my husband out?” I teased.

His eyes flew open immediately. For a split second, surprise crossed his face before he masked it. He stared straight ahead. He didn’t answer. Instead, he took a slow, deep breath and closed his eyes again.

The moment we got into the suite, Damien headed straight for the bathroom. Loosening his tie as he went. I watched him disappear behind the door and I grinned to myself.

Last night hadn’t gone according to plan thanks to the very unfortunate interruption, but tonight, I'm ready to strike again.

I slipped into the second bathroom, showered quickly, and changed into another lingerie set. This one is soft fabric, barely there. It was clearly just not for sleeping.

I crept back into the bedroom.

When I opened the door, Damien was already in bed. His laptop balanced on his thighs. He was tapping away on the keyboard.

I leaned against the doorframe, smiled and cleared my throat.

“Hello, hubby.”

He glanced up, then sighed, pressing his fingers to his temples.

“Ava,” he said tiredly. “What are you doing?”

“I’m making the best of our honeymoon.”

“Well, don’t—”

“Why?” I cut in.

And then it hit me.

Oh my God.

Is Damien… gay?

My hand flew to my mouth as I stared at him, wide-eyed. He noticed immediately and gave me a strange look. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Damien…” I started slowly.

“yes, Ava?”

“Are you gay?”

“What the fuck? No, I’m not gay,” he snapped, irritation flashing across his face. “Why would you even think that?”

I shrugged. “It’s our honeymoon, and you’re doing everything except actually honeying the moon.”

He let out a sharp breath. “Ava, I told you already. This marriage between us—” he gestured vaguely between us, “—it’s business.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” I muttered, rolling my eyes as I climbed into bed beside him.

He paused, then spoke again, calmer now. “I have activities planned for you tomorrow.”

“The massage?” I asked.

“Yes. And anything else you want to do. I won’t be available all day, so try to keep yourself busy. Or entertained.”

I smiled to myself. “Just wait till I tell your grandfather,” I muttered under my breath.

“Did you say something?”

“Oh no,” I replied sweetly. “I didn’t say anything, my wonderful, caring husband.”

He nodded, clearly done with the conversation.

“Goodnight,” I said, turning away and closing my eyes.

-----------------------------

When I woke up the next morning, Damien was already gone.

Sunlight streamed through the open balcony window.

I sat on the balcony eating breakfast, the lake stretching endlessly in front of me. I scrolled through my phone lazily, then looked up and smiled.

“It’s a good day to go for a swim,” I murmured to myself.

After breakfast, I packed a small bag for the day’s activities. The massage was first and it was heavenly. Every knot in my body melted away under the skilled hands of the masseuse.

I wandered through the local market afterward, buying trinkets and snacks, laughing with the stall owners.

By the time I returned to the suite, it was already getting dark and Damien still wasn’t back.

I changed into my bikini, slipped on an oversized T-shirt, and made my way down to the beach.

When I arrived, there were barely any people there, which I appreciated. The water was warm against my skin as I swam, the quiet soothing my nerves. I felt relaxed.

Then I saw him

Someone is watching me.

A chill crept down my spine. I swam quickly back to shore, where I kept my thing with my heart pounding, only to realize the man was following me.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he said, with a thick accent. “What’s a hot girl like you doing all alone here?”

I ignored him and grabbed my phone, typing quickly, my fingers trembling.

Where are you? I texted Damien.

“Hey, I’m talking to you,” the man said, stepping closer.

“My husband is around the corner,” I lied, trying to sound confident.

He laughed. “Sure. I don’t see any husband.”

My stomach dropped. The few people on the beach were far away, gathered near a bonfire.

Then suddenly, his hand grabbed my arm.

“Get your fucking hands off her.”

Damien’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

Relief flooded through me instantly.

The man stepped back, chuckling. “Ciao, bella,” he drawled before walking away.

Damien’s eyes snapped to me, his gaze lingering over my body. Something flickered in his eyes before disappearing. It was gone as soon as it came.

“Let’s go,” he said.

Back in the suite, he turned to me sharply. “If you want to swim, there’s literally a pool right outside. Why go all the way to the beach dressed like that?”

“Like what?” I asked innocently. “It’s a bikini, Damien. People wear bikinis to the beach.”

He stepped closer, and I instinctively stepped back until my back hit the wall.

“Ava,” he said quietly, “I don’t want my wife dressing like this knowing random men can see her.”

Heat rushed through my chest. I decided to take advantage of the situation.

I smiled and stepped closer, looping my arms around his neck.

“So,” I murmured, “you admit your wife is attractive.”

He froze, then stepped back abruptly, clearing his throat. “Ava…” he looked at me strangely, muttering to himself. “God, you’re impossible.”

“Have you eaten?” he asked softly.

“Not yet.”

“Order something,” he said, walking into the bedroom.

“Damien?” I called.

He paused. “Yes?”

“How did you get to the beach so quickly?”

“I was around the corner,” he replied before disappearing inside.