4

Rachel knew Nathan was wealthy but the opulence of his home still amazed her. The walls and ceilings were covered with mirrors, a high-tech bordello. The polished wood floors and a graceful banister that accommodated the vast curving staircase that probably went to heaven. The windows were beautifully high arched, the velvet drapes framed the windows, the lace inner curtains remained drawn, allowing sunlight to flood the room while rendering the heart-stopping view over the city a blur.

A cough interrupted her thoughts and she looked to her right.

“A penny for your thoughts?” Nathan asked.

“Your home is amazing. ”Rachel couldn’t keep out the excitement in her voice.

“Yeah, I know” Nathan bragged with a smirk.

“What are we going to do?” Rachel asked looking at her shoes.

“We should get some food and have some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.” He yawned loudly. Nathan wanted to find a distraction badly. Looking at Rachel in her wedding gown was making him think about many wayward things. Even her smell was hypnotic without reason.

“Let me show you your bedroom.” Nathan put his hand on her waist and led her upstairs.

Rachel was relieved she had her own bedroom. She had been nervous and heaved a sign of relief. Nathan unlocked the door and ushered them into the spacious bedroom.

“Do you like it?” Nathan gauged her reaction expectantly.

Rachel was speechless. The room was very beautiful. Every furniture in the room screamed luxurious. The oversized headboard was undoubtedly part of why the set up felt so magnificent. The plush cushioning stretching across the entire back wall made the room look extra cozy. The unique chandelier was a baroque old fashioned intricate crystal. It hung elegantly and provided the room with an ethereal radiant glow.

“I love it Nathan. Thank you. It just feels like I don’t deserve any of this. This is a lot.”

“Don’t say that. You deserve far more than I could possibly give you.” Nathan cupped her chin to look at him and tucked a stray hair to the back of her ear.

Rachel noticed that his eyes were a gorgeous blue, but their expression was guarded like a sadness lurked there that spoke of tragedy in his life. He looked at her like he could see all of her. Her heart was racing as his fingers on her chin were distracting. Then his lips, those full, sensuous lips, grazed her jaw and the soft spot behind her ear, the hairs of his beard brushing her sensitive skin. Her shivers locked her muscles tight. A bolt of tantalizing heat shot down her center.

A loud knock was heard from downstairs and Rachel scrambled away from Nathan’s touch. Nathan chuckled, his eyes never leaving hers as he left the room.

Rachel tried to suck in a breath. She felt so much passion. Nathan was an enchanting and irresistible man and she was well attracted to him. She began to contemplate her decision, She knew it was going to hard for them to keep their hands off each other.

“Oh shit, he hardly touched me and I already feel like this.” She wondered aloud.

She wondered who had come into the house at this time of the night. She walked down the stairs and saw a woman in the living room talking with Nathan. Her chest felt tight. She felt different range of emotions between anger and jealousy but when the woman turned around, she discovered it was only Anna.

“Hey Rachel”

“Hello Anna”

Rachel thought her mind was exaggerating the situation, It was not even a real marriage, She hoped her eyes did not betray her former expression.

“Anna, you could have just called.” Nathan seemed completely irritated.

" I was in the neighborhood and I wanted to check on the cutest newlyweds in town. I’m sorry if I interrupted your wedding night consummation” Anna said with a devious grin.

Rachel felt a flush spreading on her cheeks. She titled her eyes away and suddenly found the floor tiles designs to be interesting.

Nathan shook his head and attempted to muffle a chuckle.

“Oh Nathan, I’m so happy for you, You being married still seems unreal, I can’t wait for your children noises to fill this home.” Anna continued

Rachel felt her throat dry up. Children? Children were not part of the deal. A child was not even part of the deal talk less of children.

“Anna, please leave. You shouldn’t be here at all, you are supposed to give us our privacy, that’s the least you could give us” Nathan replied.

“Why are you telling me to leave? What are you hiding?” Anna asked her brother, tilting her head sideways.

“Are you that bored Anna? Don’t you understand simple English? I told you to leave.” Nathan yelled, grabbing hold of Anna’s arm.

Rachel sucked in a breath as she watched them argue. She didn’t know what to say and decided against it so she kept mute.

“I’ll leave but I’m watching and I will find out what you are up too, I know a rat when I see one.” Anna said, sticking her tongue out.

“Just go!”

“Sure thing Nathan. I was already leaving.”

********

Nathan locked the door and heaved a huge sigh Did dad or mom send her? He doubted that very much. They seemed genuinely happy for him. Anna definitely came on her own. That stone-hearted bitch! Why couldn’t she just leave him alone?

He turned and met Rachel’s gaze.

“She’s always like that–”

“Always” Rachel said, Her brow raised slightly.

“You have no idea, her entire existence is solely to frustrate me. Do you have any siblings?”

“Nope, only child.”

“Lucky you.” Nathan said with a chuckle.

Rachel smiled and Nathan was in a trance focused on her lips. He wanted to kiss them and bite and pull. He was hungry for them.

“Um I’ll be going to bed now. Good night.” Rachel hurriedly said already walking away.

Nathan combed his fingers into his hair and muttered a quick curse. If Anna didn’t show up, his mouth would probably be buried deep in Rachel lips. He walked slowly towards his room looking at her room just across his.

Maybe he should knock. Nathan started walking to her door and stopped, his hands frozen on the door knob.

Maybe tomorrow.

He went into his room and sat on his bed and placed a hand under his chin. It was just a fake marriage. Why was he suddenly nervous about it? Why was he suddenly so nervous around her?

He looked at his wall clock, it was already 1am and he wanted to go to work tomorrow. He laid on his bed and closed his eyes. It didn’t take long to fall asleep. Nathan fell asleep with a smile on his face thinking about how Rachel’s lips dancing with his in unrivaled passion.