I Married My Father’s Creditor

Chapter 6

Damien’s POV

Ariana was fast asleep by the time Bruce pulled the Maybach into the private garage beneath my penthouse.

I sat in the quiet dark, looking at her. Part of me wanted to wake her up right then and remind her who she was dealing with. I had never met a woman as stubborn or reckless as Ariana Carter.

Hours ago, I gave her clear rules: no parties, no unchaperoned events, and no surrounding herself with random men. The memory of other guys touching her made my hands clench into fists. The beatdown I gave that kid in the backyard wasn't enough. He was lucky she begged me to stop, or he wouldn't be walking today.

The car stopped, and Bruce put it in park. I didn't bother trying to wake her up gently.

I stepped out into the cold garage, opened her door, and lifted her over my shoulder like a light bag. As I carried her into the elevator, she mumbled nonsense against my back. I ignored it.

I walked straight into the master bedroom and dropped her onto the middle of the large bed.

She looked small against the dark sheets, completely out of it. To her, I was just the bad guy—the man who forced her into a contract. Fine. Let her think that. Fear was much easier to control than feelings.

I left a bottle of painkillers and a glass of water on the nightstand. If she was going to fight me in the morning, I wanted her wide awake.

Without another look, I walked down the hall to my office.

I had a company to run. My rivals at Voss Enterprises were trying to ruin my reputation, spreading rumors to make me look weak. They needed proof that I was in control. Ariana thought she was here only because of her father’s debt. She had no idea she was part of a bigger game, and I had no plans to tell her.

By 2:00 AM, I shut my laptop and threw myself onto the office couch, falling into a light sleep.

At 8:00 AM, loud, angry voices woke me up.

I sat up and straightened my shirt. Nobody in my house would dare make that kind of noise. Then it hit me: Ariana.

I walked down the hall and pushed the bedroom doors open.

Ariana was sitting on the edge of the mattress. Her pink leather dress from last night was wrinkled, but she still looked sharp and striking.

"Good morning," I said, keeping my voice flat and emotionless.

She snapped her head toward me, her eyes furious. "Are you done staring at me? Pervert."

I didn't react. "I see you took the medicine."

"Why do you care?" She stood up, glaring at me. "Why am I in your house? On your bed? Stop acting like you care, Damien."

"I'm not acting," I said smoothly, taking a slow step toward her. "I'm taking care of what belongs to me."

"I am not yours, Damien!"

"You signed the contract, Ariana," I said, keeping my tone cold. "You are my wife now. That means your safety is my problem."

"You're disgusting."

I ignored the word. "Why did you go to that party last night?"

She crossed her arms, holding her head high. "What I do is none of your business."

"I'm done with your games," I said, stepping close enough to overshadow her. "It's time you learned to listen."

Her eyes went wide. "Wasn't spanking me in the car yesterday enough?! Why do you treat me like a child?"

"Because you act like one," I replied flatly. "If you break my rules, you become a problem. And I don't keep problems around."

"A problem?" She let out a dry laugh. "Why didn't you just buy a doll instead?!"

I didn't answer. I sat down on the edge of the bed next to her. She tried to slide away, but I was faster. My hand locked around her waist, pulling her tight against my chest.

"What are you doing?!" she gasped, shoving my shoulders. She couldn't move me an inch.

"Teaching you a lesson," I said quietly.

Before she could say another word, I leaned down and kissed her.

Ariana went completely stiff in my arms. I didn't let go. I held her tight, deepening the kiss until her fight faded away.

Her lips softened. Her breathing got quick and rough against my cheek.

My hand moved up her waist, pressing firm against her ribs over the leather dress. She gasped into my mouth, her whole body shaking as I held her close.

She gripped my shirt, her fingers digging into the fabric as a sharp shudder ran through her. She leaned into me, her breath catching in her throat as her body gave in completely.

I pulled back slowly, my face calm and unbothered even though my own blood was pumping. I leaned in close to her ear.

"Rule number eight, Ariana," I whispered, cold and absolute. "You never disobey me again."