Chapter 7 – The Game Gets Risky.
1932 Words
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting soft golden lines across the bed. Ella stirred first. Her eyes opened to find herself still on one side of the bed, Noah’s presence unmistakable beside her.
He was already awake, lying stiffly, his eyes open and fixed on the ceiling.
> “You didn’t sleep?” she asked softly.
> “Didn’t plan to,” he replied coldly and stood up.
He pulled on a crisp white shirt, then his tailored black coat, not once looking at her. The warmth of last night was gone. As if it had never happened.
Ella sat up, hugging the blanket close. “Where are you going?”
> “To the office. I have a company to run,” he said sharply, buttoning his cuffs.
> “Should I cook something—?”
> “Don’t bother. You’re not my maid,” he snapped, then paused. “Just stay home. And don’t open the door to strangers.”
His words were like knives. He didn’t wait for her to respond. The next moment, the door slammed shut behind him.
---
Downstairs
Mr. Carter was sipping his tea with a newspaper in hand when Noah walked down.
> “Leaving early?” Mr. Carter asked, eyes narrowed over the rim of his mug.
> “Work waits for no one.”
> “And your wife?” he asked casually.
Noah didn’t stop walking. “She’s resting.”
> “You’re not a very romantic husband, are you?” his father said, raising a brow.
Noah paused at the door and smirked coldly. “I don’t believe in romance, remember?”
With that, he left.
Mr. Carter stared after him for a long time.
---
Later That Day – At Home
Ella walked through the massive house in silence, trailing her fingers along the polished walls. The loneliness had started to seep in. Every room echoed. No family. No laughter. Only silence.
She tried distracting herself by rearranging the bookshelf in the study, trying her best to adapt.
Then the intercom buzzed.
> “Ma’am,” the guard said, “a man is here with an invitation. Says Mr. Carter knows him.”
Ella frowned. She opened the front door cautiously, where a man in a black suit handed her an envelope with a charming smile.
> “Tell Noah I expect him tonight. And feel free to come along, Mrs. Carter. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
His eyes lingered too long.
Ella nodded politely, feeling uneasy.
---
Evening – The Party
The hall was grand — marble floors, glittering chandeliers, and rows of wine glasses lined with precision.
Noah arrived late, with Ella on his arm. He looked dangerously handsome in a black tuxedo, face stone cold, jaw set tight. Ella wore a fitted navy gown that clung to her body perfectly, soft waves brushing her shoulders.
They looked like a perfect couple.
Only they both knew it was just for show.
> “You will stay close,” Noah murmured near her ear as they walked in. “Don’t talk to anyone longer than necessary.”
> “Why? Afraid they might find out this is all fake?” she said, her voice quiet but sharp.
He shot her a glare. “Just do as I say.”
---
An Unexpected Moment
Ella stood near the refreshment table when a tall, elegant man in a silver-grey suit approached her.
> “Ella, isn’t it? Noah’s wife?” he said with a smile, offering her a glass of water.
> “Yes… and you are?”
> “Luca. Old friend of the Carters. I must say, you're stunning tonight. And brave, too.”
> “Brave?” she asked, confused.
> “To marry a man like Noah. Cold as ice, that one.”
Ella forced a polite smile. “He has his reasons.”
> “Well, if he ever makes you cry… You know where to find me.”
He winked.
Before she could reply, Noah appeared out of nowhere, grabbing the glass from Luca’s hand and setting it down sharply.
> “She won’t need to find anyone,” Noah said coldly, stepping between them.
Luca smirked. “Relax, man. Just complimenting your wife.”
> “Compliment her again, and I’ll make sure you lose your job.”
Luca raised his hands. “Noted.”
He walked away.
Ella stared at Noah. “You didn’t have to do that.”
> “Yes, I did,” he growled. “Do you think I’ll let another man flirt with my wife? Whether this is fake or not, you are mine in the public eye. Don’t forget that.”
Her cheeks burned. Not from fear — but from the way he said it. Possessive. Dangerous.
> “Then maybe act like I’m yours when it’s just us,” she said, pushing past him.
He caught her wrist.
> “Don’t tempt me,” he whispered, eyes dark. “Because if I act like that… I won’t stop.”
---
Later That Night – After the Party
They returned to the mansion in silence. Mr. Carter had already left earlier that evening, informing the house staff he was heading to a neighboring city for business.
> Perfect, Noah thought. Finally some space.
Ella changed into a light nightdress and entered the bedroom, expecting Noah to disappear to the couch again. But this time, he was already on the bed, undoing his cufflinks.
> “Your dad is gone,” she said.
> “I noticed.”
> “So now you don’t need to pretend.”
Noah looked at her, face unreadable.
> “You’re wrong. Pretending is over now.”
Ella’s breath caught. “What do you mean?”
Noah stood and walked toward her. Slowly. Each step felt like thunder.
> “You want me to act like I’m your husband?”
He raised a hand and slid her hair off her shoulder.
> “Then maybe I should remind you… what kind of husband I can be.”
Her lips parted, but words failed her.
His mouth found hers with a slow, burning kiss. It wasn’t cold. It was rough. Needy. One hand cupped her cheek, the other tugged her closer until there was no space left between them.
She gasped softly as his lips moved down her neck. His voice came rough against her skin.
> “Do you think I don’t want you?”
> “Then why do you keep pushing me away?” she whispered.
He stopped. Pulled back.
> “Because I’ll ruin you, Ella. And you’re too damn innocent for the damage I carry.”
Then he turned his back to her, jaw clenched, clearly battling something inside.
She stood still, her heart hammering. Not from fear — from the growing truth neither of them could hide much longer.
They were falling.
And pretending was no longer safe.
The room was too quiet.
Ella stood frozen in the middle of the bedroom, her skin still tingling where Noah’s lips had been, her heart racing like it had just been thrown into chaos.
Noah sat on the edge of the bed, hands clenched, elbows resting on his knees as he stared at the floor. His entire body was tense, like he was fighting a war within himself.
She slowly stepped closer. “Noah…”
He didn't respond.
Ella dropped to her knees in front of him. Gently, she placed her hand over his clenched fist.
He flinched.
> “Don’t,” he said in a low, broken voice. “Don’t touch me when I can’t promise I’ll stop.”
> “Then don’t stop,” she whispered.
He finally looked at her.
Those cold, ice-blue eyes softened — just for a second — before fire returned to them. In one swift motion, he grabbed her arms and pulled her onto his lap, his lips crashing onto hers with a passion that made her gasp.
His hands roamed over her sides, desperate, like he’d been holding himself back for too long. Her fingers tangled in his hair as the kiss deepened, raw and hungry.
> “You’re playing a dangerous game, Ella,” he muttered between kisses, his breath hot against her cheek.
> “Then lose control,” she said. “Just this once.”
With a growl, he lifted her, carrying her to the bed without breaking the kiss. Her back met the soft mattress as his body pressed down against hers, their breathing heavy and in sync. The tension between them finally snapped — replaced by burning want.
His hands slid beneath her nightdress, fingers dancing along her thighs. She gasped when his lips traveled down her jaw, to her neck, then lower. Her body arched, needing more.
He stopped suddenly.
> “No,” he breathed, forehead resting against her chest. “I can’t… not like this.”
> “Why?” she asked, breathless, frustrated.
> “Because the moment I give in to you… there’s no going back.”
Ella cupped his face, making him look into her eyes. “I’m not asking you to go back.”
He stared at her — long, hard — then rolled to the side, lying on his back, one arm over his eyes again.
> “You’ll hate me eventually, Ella. You’re soft. Pure. I destroy everything I touch.”
She turned toward him, placing a hand gently on his chest. “Maybe I’m not as fragile as you think.”
He didn’t respond.
But his heart was racing beneath her palm.
---
The Next Morning
Ella awoke in Noah’s arms.
For the first time since they married, he hadn’t moved away in the night. His hand was resting on her waist, his breathing even.
She didn't move. Didn’t want to break the moment.
But her phone buzzed.
She quickly checked it and found a message from an unknown number:
> “Beautiful smile last night. Hope your husband knows how lucky he is.”
Her heart skipped.
Luca.
She quickly deleted the message, not wanting to give Noah any reason to explode again. She quietly got out of bed and slipped into the kitchen.
---
Downstairs
Noah woke up moments later, alone again. The space beside him was cold.
He sat up, running a hand through his messy hair. What the hell am I doing?
He remembered the way she had looked at him. Touched him. Welcomed him.
And how he had stopped.
He hated it.
He hated how much power she had over him already.
---
Ella was in the kitchen making breakfast when he walked in, still shirtless, his hair messy from sleep. She glanced at him, surprised.
> “You’re awake early.”
> “Couldn’t sleep,” he muttered.
> “You did, actually.”
He ignored her.
She served him an omelet without saying a word.
He took a bite.
> “This isn’t bad,” he said quietly.
> “Thanks,” she whispered, almost smiling.
> “But don’t expect me to say it again.”
There it was. The cold Noah. Back again.
---
Later That Day
As she cleaned the library, she found a small envelope addressed to Noah Carter. Out of curiosity, she peeked and saw it was an invitation — another event next week.
> Great, she thought. More pretending.
But deep inside, she knew things weren’t pretend anymore. At least, not for her.
---
End of Chapter 7
- Writer
