From Foes to Flames

Speechless

She was a tigress. Those were the thoughts that managed to form in Drake's head before Aurora slammed her lips against his. She kissed him wildly, grinding herself against him as she delved her tongue into his mouth to deepen the kiss.

She kissed him so passionately, trying to gauge a reaction from him but it seemed like the man she was kissing was a statue because he didn't respond to her kiss. He just stood there and allowed her to continue assaulting him with her tongue.

She immediately removed herself away from him after realizing that he wasn't planning on responding to her kiss any time soon. 'What the hell was wrong with him?' Aurora ran her hand through her hair as she tried to control the anger that was bubbling up inside her.

As she watched Drake's expressionless face she felt a sudden urge to punch his handsome face. She couldn't believe that her kiss hadn't affected him in any way. If she had kissed any other guy like that they would have been at her feet by now ready to do anything for her but this man – her husband didn't seem the least bit affected by her passionate act.

'Who the hell was this man?' She thought, beginning to regret the fact that she didn't know anything about him.

Drake gazed at the woman before him, amused by the confused expression that adorned her face. He couldn't help but chuckle softly, prompting her to look up at him with annoyance. As she planted a kiss on his lips, Drake knew exactly what she was trying to do. However, what she didn't know was that he was a man who possessed great self-control, especially when it came to his desires.

The moment her lips touched his, Drake felt a strong urge to grab her petite waist and kiss her passionately until she lost all sense of reality. He was a man after all, with desires and needs. However, he knew better than to lose control over a simple kiss. Drake had a plan, a revenge plan that he had worked tirelessly to achieve, and he couldn't afford to let his emotions get in the way.

He had anticipated a scene from her, knowing full well that she was not in favor of their impending marriage. However, he was taken aback by the stunning display of her black leather outfit. It was a clear attempt to infuriate him, prompting him to call off the wedding. But instead of feeling anger, he found himself admiring her form-fitting ensemble, which accentuated her every curve.

The outfit was a reflection of her character - bold, untamed, and fierce. It was precisely what Drake had been looking for in a partner. He never thought he would get married, but he had a purpose in mind, and he did not regret it. This woman, his bride, was a tigress, and he relished the prospect of taming her.

Drake was captivated by her wild spirit and unyielding nature. He knew he was in for a challenge, but he also knew that he was more than capable of rising to the occasion. His desire to conquer her was undeniable, and he relished the idea of breaking through her defenses and making her his own.

...

The grand reception was held in the opulent ballroom of Aurora's parent's luxurious villa. The guests had initially been taken aback by the stunt that Aurora had pulled earlier but had since recovered and were now elegantly swaying to the enchanting music.

Amidst the joyous atmosphere, Aurora was beginning to feel bored watching other people dance. She let out a weary sigh, hoping the event would come to an end soon. Drake, who had been keeping a watchful eye on her, noticed the expression of ennui on her face and an idea struck him. He extended his hand toward her and politely asked, "May I have this dance?"

Aurora, who had been trying to ignore Drake for the past hour stared at his outstretched hands and then swatted them away but Drake had used that opportunity to hold onto her hands.

"Let go of my hand mister," Aurora said through gritted teeth. She couldn't believe how sly this man was.

Aurora couldn't believe the audacity of this man. First, he married her against her will and now he wanted to dance with her as if they were a happy couple. She tried to pull away from him, but he held her firmly, and she reluctantly let him lead her across the dance floor. He placed his hand on her waist and when all she did was glare at him he grabbed her hands, placed them on his shoulder, then began to sway both their bodies to the music.

"I'm your husband now so call me by my name." He said to her while swaying both their bodies to the music. As they danced, she couldn't help but notice how good of a dancer he was. He moved effortlessly, and she found herself enjoying the dance despite her anger toward him. She was curious about his intentions, but she couldn't bring herself to ask him directly.

Aurora stared at him, eyes wide in confusion. She couldn't believe this man, all her efforts in trying to upset him had failed. Silence reigned between them as they continued dancing until Aurora broke the silence.

"Why are you doing this?" Aurora found herself asking Drake.

"Doing what?" Drake raised his eyebrows feigning ignorance.

"Why did you marry me?" Aurora asked and the answer to her question was a chuckle from Drake. 'Was this guy serious?' She thought, brows creasing in annoyance.

"I married you because you are beautiful, intelligent, and hot-tempered," Drake watched as her beautiful face reddened in anger. A smile crept up his face, he very much liked it when she got angry.

"How dare you call me hot-tempered?" Aurora raised her voice not minding if there were people around them. Thankfully, the music was loud enough so the guests around them were oblivious to the heated conversation that was going on between the couple.

"No need to worry, wife. I like you just the way you are." Drake's words had surprised Aurora once again and for the second time that day, she was rendered speechless by this man.

The rest of the ceremony went by in a blur, as Aurora struggled to come to terms with the fact that she was now married. She couldn't believe that her parents had gone ahead with this without her consent. Her anger towards them had faded, replaced now with a sense of sadness and resignation.

As she hugged her parents tightly, tears welled up in her eyes despite her best efforts to control them. She didn't want to cry in front of Drake, but the sight of her mother's tears proved too much for her. She quickly wiped away her tears and composed herself before turning to face her new husband.

Drake, for his part, had remained silent throughout the emotional scene. He nodded respectfully at Aurora's parents before helping her into the waiting limousine. Aurora sat as far away from him as possible, her mind in turmoil. She couldn't help but feel trapped in this situation, and the thought of spending the rest of her life with a man she knew nothing about made her feel sick to her stomach.

Aurora sat in silence, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery outside. She was determined to keep her emotions in check and not let Drake see any vulnerability. She could feel his gaze on her but she refused to look at him.

Drake, on the other hand, was deep in thought. He had expected Aurora to put up a fight, to be angry with him for forcing her into this marriage. But what he had seen instead was a woman who was trying to hide her emotions, a woman who was hurting inside.

He realized then that there was more to her than he had originally thought. Although she tried to put up a tough front, Aurora was just like any other woman: vulnerable and emotional. Despite her strong and fierce demeanor, it was evident that she had a soft side too. She was capable of feeling deeply and was not as heartless as she had portrayed herself to be.