The Casanova's Bride

Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

MY LIFE, MY RULES

Amara

Being Mrs. Devereaux still felt strange.

Every morning, I woke up in a house that didn't feel like mine, surrounded by things I could never have imagined owning.

Yet somehow, my biggest concern wasn't the expensive furniture or the endless security around the property.

It was my 8 a.m. lecture.

I rushed down the stairs with my university bag hanging from one shoulder.

Alexander was already sitting at the breakfast table, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit.

He looked up from his phone.

"You're late."

I glanced at the clock.

"I'm not."

"You have fifteen minutes before your driver leaves."

"I'll drive myself."

His eyes lifted.

"No."

I stopped.

"Excuse me?"

"I said no."

I placed my bag on the chair.

"Alexander, I have been driving myself to varsity since before I met you."

"And now you're my wife."

I raised an eyebrow.

"That doesn't make me incapable of driving."

He stared at me for a moment.

Then he sighed.

"Fine."

I smiled.

"Thank you."

"But you're taking security."

My smile disappeared.

"Alexander."

"Amara."

We stared at each other.

Finally, I rolled my eyes.

"Fine."

I picked up my bag.

As I walked toward the door, he called after me.

"Your lunch."

I turned.

A neatly packed lunchbox sat on the counter.

I looked at him.

"You packed my lunch?"

"No."

"Then who did?"

"The chef."

I smiled slightly.

"Tell him thank you."

Alexander nodded.

I turned to leave.

"Amara."

I looked back.

He was watching me.

"Have a good day."

I smiled.

"You too, husband."

Then I walked out.

For the first time since our marriage, I realized something.

Maybe this strange life wasn't completely unbearable.

I still had my dreams.

I still had varsity.

I still had my independence.

And despite everything, Alexander seemed willing to let me have them.

Maybe our marriage wasn't going to be as terrible as I'd expected.

But I wasn't going to get too comfortable.

Because Alexander Devereaux was still a Casanova.

And I knew better than anyone that men like him didn't suddenly change overnight.