Marriage First, Love Second

Nora Pov The man's scorching body pressed against mine, trapping me between the cold French window and his muscular frame. His skin was a healthy wheat color, and every muscle was chiseled, as if carved by a master sculptor. With each movement, his muscles flexed and rippled, making my heart race. He whispered my name repeatedly, his low and mellow voice sending shivers down my spine. His thin lips traced a path down my neck, his hot breath tickling my ear, and then he nipped my earlobe. Just as I was lost in the sensation, a sudden knock on the door jolted me awake. I sat up with a start, my heart still racing from the vivid dream. But as I turned to face the person beside me, my eyes widened in shock. It was Gideon, the man from my dream, lying next to me in bed. Memories of the previous night came flooding back - celebrating Gideon return after his bankruptcy declaration, drinking too much, and him hugging me out of the bar. I couldn't believe it. I had actually slept with Gideon. As I took in my surroundings, my eyes widened further. I was in my princess room at Glasgow, decorated by my grandmother with love and care. Which meant I was at my grandmother's estate, and Gideon was...well, that was a whole different story. Even in my drunken state, I couldn't have brought Axel to my grandmother's estate. The persistent knocking on the door forced me to hasten my cleanup efforts. I scrambled to gather my scattered clothes, including my torn underwear and skirt, and tossed on a pair of pajamas. I pasted on a sweet smile and opened the door to find Daniel, our kind and amiable butler, standing outside. "Miss, I've brought you some pear soup. You sound hoarse from shouting." I forced a smile and asked, "Where's my grandmother?" Daniel's response was laced with a hint of amusement. "The old lady is downstairs. Please take Mr. Robert with you when you go down. She has something to discuss." I took the tray from him and nodded, feeling my face flush with embarrassment. As soon as I closed the door, I rushed to the window and considered making a quick escape. It was only the second floor, after all. But before I could climb out, a voice behind me asked, "What are you doing?" I turned to see Gideon sitting up in bed, a mixture of confusion and concern on his face. As I heard Gideon's low, husky voice, my body stiffened, and the fragmented memories of last night came flooding back. The image of Gideon's face, filled with desire and lust, reappeared before my eyes. It's ironic to see someone as restrained as Gideon succumb to passion. The man who had always been aloof, arrogant, and condescending towards me, Nora, was insatiable in bed. He seemed determined to unleash all his pent-up desires on me, leaving me begging for mercy. But all I got in return were his gentle kisses on my body, which only made my voice hoarse and left me with no dignity. I felt like fleeing to another country to escape the embarrassment. As I turned to face him, I saw Gideon lazily leaning against the headboard, his slender fingers buttoning up his white shirt. His hair fell across his eyebrows, accentuating his sharp nose and defined abdominal muscles. He was a walking hormone, and I couldn't help but recall how those same fingers had traced my back and ravished my breasts just hours before. My mind was flooded with memories of last night, and I couldn't help but shudder at the thought of how addictive this man was. "Want to make a run for it after sleeping?" Gideon raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing as he picked up the pants that had fallen beside the bed. His slender frame and ridiculously long legs made him appear at least 6 feet 3 inches tall, and he seemed to dwarf the room when he stood up. I approached him, took his hand, and raised an eyebrow. "Not only do I need to run, but you do too. Come with me, out the window." But Gideon didn't budge, instead pulling my hand down to his shirt. "Button it for me." The moment our skin touched, I felt a jolt of electricity. His loose collar revealed the marks I had left on him the night before, and I took a deep breath. "Gideon, you're mistaken. You want me to serve you?" His eyes roamed my body, his gaze lazy. "Didn't I serve you last night? weren't you satisfied with the service?" Shameless! I quickly buttoned his shirt and belted his pants, then pulled his hand. "Run, or it'll be too late." But Gideon seemed oblivious to the urgency, gazing at me as I climbed out the window. "Am I that shameless?" I turned back, my movements fluid as I stepped onto the air conditioner. "I'm too embarrassed to face anyone, okay? Mr. Robert, Master Robert, can you please run with me?" Gideon raised an eyebrow as the knocking on the door persisted. I tightened my grip on his hand, my heart racing with a sense of foreboding. "Run," I urged him, but it was too late. My grandmother pushed open the door, her eyes fixed on us with a mixture of surprise and disapproval. "Gideon, what are you doing?" I forced a bright smile onto my face. "Good morning, Grandma." Gideon intervened calmly, "Something fell outside, and she went to pick it up." I nodded in agreement, trying to appear innocent. "The bracelet you gave me, Grandma, it fell outside. It's my treasure, I can't lose it." Grandma's expression remained unyielding. "Come downstairs quickly, I need to talk to you." Defeated, I followed Gideon downstairs, my heart sinking with every step. Grandma sat opposite us, her eyes scrutinizing me. I felt like sinking into the ground. "Now that things have come to this, you should...get married. I'll have the driver take you to register." Married? To Gideon? I was taken aback, my mind racing for a plausible excuse. "Grandma, not really, Gideon and I are..." But the words caught in my throat. One-night stand? Drunken mistake? There was no way to finish that sentence. "This society is not the same as it used to be. Grandma, you don't have to make me..." But Grandma's stern expression silenced me. "Nonsense!" she slammed her hand on the table, her anger palpable. I cowered, knowing better than to defy her. My fear of Grandma outweighed any other concern. "The car is waiting, the marriage license application has been submitted, and your ID cards are ready. Gideon, yours has been sent over as well. You two need to get the marriage certificate immediately." Grandma's tone brooked no argument. "But..." I protested, only to be cut off. "No excuses." I turned to Gideon, hoping he would salvage the situation. "Gideon doesn't want to marry me, Grandma. You're forcing us into this. It's not right." But to my surprise, Gideon smiled slightly. "I can marry her." I was stunned, my mind reeling in disbelief. How could Gideon, who had always been at odds with me, agree to this? Before I could process my thoughts, Daniel, our housekeeper, ushered us into the car and we headed to the Civil Affairs Bureau. "Do you know what you're saying?" I asked Gideon, pressing my throbbing temple. This was absurd. "It's not too late to back out now," I warned him seriously. Gideon's response left me speechless. "I slept with you under your grandmother's roof. I can't not take responsibility." How could this man change his demeanor overnight? I racked my brain for a way to dissuade him. "I've had six boyfriends, one every year since adulthood." Gideon smiled nonchalantly. "My girlfriends can fill two mahjong tables, and I change them every two months. A year is a long-term relationship for me." I was taken aback by his absurd claim. It was common knowledge that Gideon Robert wasn't interested in women, and even his secretary was a man. Gideon added, "And your six ex-boyfriends are all perfect gentlemen." My face flushed instantly, the heat rising to my cheeks. Yes, we had slept together last night, and Gideon knew me all too well. But I persisted, "I love to party, I have a different crowd of friends every night, and we go wild." Gideon leaned in, his ear inches from mine, and whispered, "I like wild." I glared at him, my anger simmering. "Gideon, don't you despise me?" I, Nora Welch, was a spoiled and arrogant socialite, notorious for my beauty and lack of brains. Everyone knew Gideon Robert had always looked down on me, and I reciprocated his disdain. We were sworn enemies, and Grandma's sudden decision to pair us up was absurd. Gideon's gaze lingered on my face, and I felt a surge of embarrassment. Was there something on my face? A trace of last night's escapade? I rubbed my face hastily, my mind racing. Then Gideon's deep voice sent shivers down my spine. "Nora, can't I just be after your body? I tried it last night, and I'm hooked."