MARRIED TO THE FREAKING DEVIL

His Rules

"I'm not yours."

Aurora slapped his hand away and stumbled backward, desperate to put some distance between them.

Xavier kept coming.

His steps were slow and deliberate until he stopped inches from her. Aurora lowered her gaze, unable to withstand the intensity of his blue eyes.

A finger slipped beneath her chin, lifting her face and forcing her to look at him.

"I love the innocent stares you give me," the whispered, his voice low and dangerous. "It drives me crazy."

Aurora pushed against his chest, but he didn't move. Instead, his arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer.

"Don't act tough," he murmured. "It doesn't suit you."

Then, just as suddenly, he released her.

"You can leave."

Aurora didn't wait. She grabbed the door handle, threw it open, and ran out. The door slammed behind her.

Xavier watched it close, a dark smile crossing his face as he remembered the first time he had seen her.

FLASHBACK

"I think since my company ranks fourth, we could work something out and become business partners," Mr. Smith said hopefully.

Xavier had almost refused to come. His schedule had been unusually light, and Mr. Smith had spent weeks begging him to visit. Xavier already knew why he had been invited.

Still, he came because he preferred rejecting people to their faces.

As the owner of the three largest software production companies in New York, Xavier didn't need partners, especially competitors hoping to benefit from his influence.

"No," he said curtly, standing.

Mr. Smith blinked. "What?"

"Of that’s all you wanted to discuss, I'll take my leave."

Mr. Smith's hands tightened, but he quickly forced a smile. "At least let me escort you to your car."

Xavier walked out, ignoring the man's attempts at conversation as they descended the grand staircase.

Then he stopped.

At the bottom stood Aurora.

She was kneeling before Joseline, her fingers gripping the fabric of her dress. Her face was pale, her eyes red from crying. She wasn't cleaning. She was begging.

When she sensed Xavier watching, she slowly lifted her head.

Their eyes met.

Something inside him shifted.

Her innocence was raw and trembling, and he wanted it.

Her long blonde hair fell messily around her delicate, heart-shaped face. Her button nose was flushed from crying, and her plump lips were slightly parted. She looked so much like Joseline that Xavier initially assumed she was their daughter.

"And that's my wife, Joseline," Mr. Smith said, pulling Xavier's attention away.

Joseline approached with a calculating smile. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Williams."

Xavier barely acknowledged her. His attention remained on the girl.

"Did he agree to partner with you?" Joseline asked.

Mr. Smith hesitated. "Ehm, he said…"

"Yes," Xavier interrupted.

Both of them froze.

Mr. Smith stared at him. "What?"

"I'll partner with you under one condition."

Joseline immediately leaned forward. "Of course. What do you want?"

Xavier glanced toward Aurora.

“Her.”

Joseline frowned. "Huh?"

"Who is she?"

"She's my niece."

Xavier understood immediately. She wasn't their daughter, and judging by the way she knelt before Joseline, she had no power here.

"I want her," he said calmly. "As my contracted wife for six months. In exchange, I partner with your company for six months."

Joseline's eyes lit up. "What about forever?"

"No. Six months is enough."

Six months was all he needed to possess her, ruin that innocence, and make sure she never forgot him.

Xavier turned and walked away, leaving Mr. Smith scrambling after him.

At the driveway, the guards opened his car door while Mr. Smith thanked him repeatedly.

Xavier ignored him and got inside.

The car pulled away from the mansion.

END OF FLASHBACK

Back in the present, Xavier loosened his tie and headed toward his bathroom. He had already assigned Amelia to attend to Aurora and keep her where he wanted her.

He was certain she was in her room.

Exactly where she belonged.

For now.

***

Aurora let out a slow breath as she entered the room Amelia had shown her. It was beautiful, expensive and somehow felt like a gilded cage.

Golden light spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, while the city glittered far below. A massive bed covered in white silk sheets filled the center of the room. Designer perfumes and diamonds covered the dresser, and the air carried the sweet scent of expensive flowers.

Nothing about the room felt free.

Xavier's words replayed in her mind.

You're mine now, little dove.

Aurora clenched her hands.

"What does he mean I'm his?" she muttered. "Does he think I'll just let him touch me? He can keep dreaming."

She changed out of her wedding dress and stepped into the bathroom. The hot shower washed over her for a long time as she tried to forget the marriage, the humiliation and the feeling of being owned.

When she entered the wardrobe afterward, she froze.

It was already filled with clothes in different styles and colors, many still carrying luxury-brand tags.

"He really prepared for my arrival," she muttered.

It made her uneasy.

After choosing a simple silk nightdress, she remembered George.

She had meant to call Doctor Connor and find out whether the transplant had gone well.

Then she remembered her phone.

She had left it at Joseline's mansion.

Aurora sighed and sank onto the bed.

"I hope you made it through," she whispered.

Exhaustion soon pulled her into sleep.

*

NEXT DAY, DUSK

Xavier closed the final file on his desk, irritated by how distracted he had been all day. He gathered his phone and left his assistant, James, to handle the rest.

His driver and guards were already waiting in the underground garage.

He entered the back seat, and the car sped home.

At the mansion, Aurora stood on the balcony, eating from a half-empty bag of chips while staring at the city.

Headlights suddenly swept through the gates.

Xavier's car.

Her mood immediately dropped.

She hurried inside, climbed into bed and pulled the sheets over herself.

A few seconds later, there was a knock.

The door opened.

"He saw you when you ran back inside," Amelia said.

Aurora's eyes snapped open.

"Master wants you in his room," Amelia continued. "But first, follow me."

Aurora reluctantly got out of bed.

Amelia led her to another room filled with warm steam. A large sunken bathtub waited in the center, surrounded by four maids.

"Why am I here?"

"Master Williams instructed us to prepare you for the evening."

"I can do that myself."

"We know, but…"

"Don't expect me to let you bathe me. Leave."

None of them moved.

Realizing she wasn't going to win the argument, Aurora changed and stepped into the tub herself. The warm water was comforting, but the silent presence of the maids made her uncomfortable.

When they finished, Amelia helped her into a robe and led her down the corridor.

They stopped before a large door.

Xavier's room.

"What now?" Aurora asked.

"Go in and find out," Amelia replied with a small smile. "Good luck."

She walked away. Aurora took a breath before opening the door.

The room was dim and quiet.

She stepped inside and closed the door.

Then she turned.

Xavier stood behind her.

"Why did you call for me?" she asked, trying to sound brave.

"You didn't forget," he said, walking toward her. "You wouldn't dare."

"Forget what?"

Aurora stepped back until her body hit the door.

Xavier's arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.

"It’s Friday."

Her eyes widened. The agreement. The rules. She had forgotten.

"Tonight," he whispered, leaning closer, "you become mine in every way that matters."

Aurora pushed against him, but he barely moved.

"You can't do this."

Xavier lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He placed her on the mattress and followed, leaving her no easy way out.

"I can." His expression hardened.

"I like it rough. Try not to cry."