by April Thomas
Tobias realized he had given his wife a reason to suspect the wrong thing about him by not being completely forth coming about his past relationship with Shelby. However, if he told her everything would she understand why he is keeping her on as his secretary? "We should talk more about this," he said not wanting her to misunderstand anything.
"No. This is an arranged marriage," she said standing up and leaving.
"Azura, where are you going?" he asked following her.
"I'm fine," she said turning to face him. "I'm just going to call back home and make sure my mom is okay," she said giving him a fake smile.
"Okay, I'll give you some privacy, I'll wait for you down here," He informed her.
"Sure, see you later," she turned and left coldly.
His only desire was to clear any confusion she may have with Shelby; however, Azura had every right to be upset. He handled the situation poorly. Tobias watched as Azura disappeared into the resort. He thought about calling Shelby back and firing her. He had taken a gamble on agreeing to the arranged marriage with Azura and he did not regret it. The last thing he needed was unwanted skeletons tumbling out of his closet. He rushed back to where he and his wife were lounging by the pool. He sought out his cell phone and pressed redial. The phone went straight to voice mail. He needed to speak with her directly, leaving a voice mail was pointless; she would claim she never received it.
♥
Azura made her call back home to her mother and she was happy to be able to have a short conversation with her mother. She didn't want to stress her with her problems so she kept the conversation short and pleasant. After speaking with her mother she took a shower then sat down on the bed naked as she thought about how she felt concerning her last conversation with Tobias and their arrangement. For a moment she had forgotten it wasn't a real marriage. She thought about the love that they had been making and what would happen should she become pregnant. In her rage it just wasn't something she was thinking about.
"This is a mistake," she began to cry. "I married a complete stranger...but, my mom...I had no choice, she just wants to know that I will be taken care of," she reasoned with herself. "But, no child should be brought into a loveless union..."
Tobias abruptly entered the room and found her curled up on the bed in the fetus position. The room’s only light was coming from outside. He walked to the bed slowly and cautiously as if he were sneaking up on a wild animal. As he moved closer and after seeing her nakedness, his only desire was to make love to her. He quietly stripped off his swimming trunks. His cock was already swollen for her; all he needed was for her to open her beautiful flower to him.
He gently called out to her as he came onto the bed. Azura tired to fake that she was sleeping, but it was pointless deep down she wanted him too and this was causing her a lot of turmoil in her heart. "Tobias," she sat up and turned to face him.
"You’re crying," he said as his hardness softened a bit.
"What did we do?" Azura said to him.
"What do you mean?" He slumped his shoulders as he knelt on the bed.
"You’re...30...right?" Azura questioned.
"Yes."
"I'm 23...You had a whole life before me and so did I..."
"Where are you going with this?" Tobias asked growing agitated with where he felt the conversation was leading to.
"I'm some stranger’s wife," she blurted.
Tobias pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. He pressed her ample breast against his firm chest, and then kissed her cheeks and her forehead. "I am your husband. I told you yesterday that the feelings I have for you are real...maybe you don't feel the same for me, but just give me a chance, please."
As she stayed silent, he kissed her all over then gently laid her back onto the bed and placed himself between her legs. He sucked on her nipples until soft moans escaped her lips. The sound of her voice made him hard once more and he didn't hesitate to dive into her flower, the flower that he wanted to be his for eternity. Azura moaned as he made love to her, but she abruptly tried to stop him.
"Baby what’s wrong?" Tobias asked softly.
"We should have protection," she answered.
"Protection for what?"
"We can't bring a baby into this fake marriage," Azura replied.
"Fake!" Tobias said instantly becoming angry. "Fake! I'll show you fake," he said. His soft gentle strokes became more aggressive and Azura’s weak attempts to stop him were pointless. The sensation of his aggression and intense passion mixed with all of the conflicting emotions she held for him. He exploded deep inside of her and hoping with all his being that she would become pregnant this night. He didn't care about the consequences or the problems that may arrive. He would show her that this was not a fake marriage by being the man that she needed and wanted.
Enrapture
Weeks passed since their tumultuous passion-filled wedding night. Although they awoke in each other's arms, the euphoria soon ended, once she realized he exploded inside of her, without respecting her request for protection. She has not spoken to him since, opting to take a bedroom suite opposite of his. They are already living as estranged spouses.
Tobias hopes she will see things his way, but her stubbornness will not allow it. He gives her plenty space, making sure not to intrude on her days. His days are busy with business meetings and charity events, which are the only times he is allowed to touch her without starting a fight. Week three quickly turns into week four, and Tobias cannot take the awkward silence one more minute. Sitting across from her in the limo, on their way home, quickly becomes unbearable. Occasionally, he gets caught staring at her legs, breasts, or angelic face, only to be scolded with a demeaning glare.
"How long is this going to last?" Tobias finally spoke.
"I see nothing wrong." Azura says turning her face toward the window.
"You're putting on this facade in public, but behind doors we don't even touch. Please, tell me that night meant more to you than just some means to an end."
"I am not your property. I could be pregnant right now".
"Then what? You're my wife. Would it be so horrible to have a child with your husband?" Tobias grits his teeth as the name Morgan resurfaces. Jealousy takes hold of him, and he begins losing his poise. The limo pulls into the mansion's driveway. He steps out first, and then offers his hand to Azura. As usual, she refuses, letting herself out of the limo and strutting past him. He follows her down the corridor to their suites. Knowing he is behind her, she pauses to ask why he is pursuing her.
"We need to talk," Tobias answers.
"When I'm ready," she replies.
"There will be no more of that crap." He scoops her up and takes her into his suite. She fights him, bitterly, but her kicks and punches do nothing to deter him from getting a moment alone with her. "We can fight all day, or we can talk like adults. Have it your way."
"This is no way to have a conversation with someone," Azura returned.
"You have had three weeks. I've been very patient with you, and I am not a patient man."
"You think you are so great, everyone loves you and thinks the sun sets on your very head, all because of money and prestige. Well, I'm not impressed."
"You think I care about all this? Prestige and money, what are they?"
"It's what you shoved in my father's face, and he tripped all over himself making me marry you."
"Azura, when I see you, you're all that I want; all that I think about throughout the day."
"You don't even know me!"
He places her feet on the floor, gently, and turns her to face him. "Yes, when I see something I want, nothing gets in my way of obtaining it. But, you are not something. You are so much more. When your father came to me, it pains me to admit, but I took advantage of a bad situation for my own personal desires."
"So, I have every right to be angry?"
"You could have said no. Why did you say yes?" His gaze pierces her soul, bringing her back to the first day s
he saw him. It was at a charity event, hosted by her family. Tobias Cavanaugh was their largest supporter, and everyone was grateful. For Azura, this was the first time she came face-to-face with the famous philanthropist. Although she appeared less than disenchanted by his presence, her insides churned and screamed like a teenage groupie. This was the first time she experienced such a sensation, so when his gaze met hers, she bolted for the nearest exit.
"You seem like a good man," she said desperately seeking to end the conversation.
Tobias watches her squirm like a lost child seeking her mother, and he wants to hold her and let her know everything will be all right. If only he could get close enough to her without having to fight off an attack. Cautiously, he steps closer, causing her to freeze in a defensive way. "I'm not going to hurt you."
She deigns no reply, taking a huge step back.
A knock at the door pulls him from his focus. "Yes?"
"Your requested meeting will begin, shortly," his office assistant, Shelby, reminds him.
"I will be there." His gaze remains upon Azura. "This is your home, every inch of it. You are right about one thing; no woman has ever denied me access to her heart, or her bed. I was too sure of myself when I presented you with this proposal. Never did I think you would say no, assuming you were like your sisters, happy to be married into a secure and comfortable lifestyle. However, that is not you. You enjoy freedom too much to be pinned down, even if it's by the most wanted bachelor." He approaches her, again, taking her soft hands and pressing them to his lips. "I will not hold you prisoner. All that I ask is that you only sleep with me and me alone. If that becomes too much, then I will let you go."
"I'm not a slut," she said pulling her hands away from his lips.
"I...I didn't mean it like that."
"Really? It sure sounds like you see me as some sex-craved animal, willing to sleep with anything."
"No, my love, that’s not what I meant. You are the queen of this kingdom. Roam where-ever you like, build and create whatever your heart desires. Just please, at night, find solace with me in our suite. I wish to learn so much about you, you’re a mystery to me." His heart pleads harder than his mouth, hoping she will agree.
"I don't want to be your sex slave."
"I'm not asking for you to be my sex slave. What I'm really asking is to be yours."
Her heart pounds, loudly, in her chest. She can feel moisture between her legs. Another new experience, entangled with an oddly pleasurable sensation. She nods in agreement, refusing to make eye contact with him. It is all he needs to become elated. "After my meeting, the staff will come up to set up dinner for us on the balcony. I'm looking forward to learning more about you, and letting you learn all about me." He plants a tender kiss on her cheek and quickly leaves the room.
Azura sighs as she looks around the large suite. It is a mansion, all its own. Off to the side is a tempting Jacuzzi, ready to be dipped into. A large, walk- in closet, capacious enough to be an extra room, is only half filled with his clothes and shoes. The other half was prepared for her. The bathroom feels as if you can become lost in it, equipped with two private stalls and sinks. There will never be fighting, or waiting on each other to get dressed. The grand shower, with its numerous shower heads, obviously, can hold way more than just two people. Then, there is the tub, which you have to climb two steps to get into. As she walks around the suite, taking her time to absorb everything, she relaxes and even begins to look forward to seeing him, again.
©
"How is the new bride?" Shelby struggles to conceal the jealousy in her voice.
"She will be alright...I pray," his last words trailed off.
"She's not your type," Shelby laughed.
"You know my type?" he snapped.
"I know what you like, and I know how to please you," she said seductively.
They come to a stop in front his office. "Let's not forget our place, Ms. Shelby. I'm not the man I was before," he walks into the meeting quickly changing his demeanor.
"I don't believe men change that damn easy," she mumbles to herself as she follows him into the office.
Tobias moves through the meeting agenda, quickly, cursing himself for making so many pointless topics, in an attempt to avoid his lustful cravings for Azura. He notices the tension coming from Shelby as the meeting comes to a close. It was a mistake to keep her as his assistant when he made the decision to take Azura as his wife. Shelby has been there for him, in many ways, for the past fifteen years. She just is not the type of woman you bring home to your mother. Money is her God, and she will sleep with any willing billionaire, in hopes he will grant her complete access to all his success and trappings. Along with enjoying the finer things in life, she seeks out swinger gatherings with the elite of their community, to gather dirt on every respected member of the community. However, she keeps this well-hidden from Tobias, quieting any rumors before it reaches his ears. What he does not realize is that she expected to become Mrs. Cavanaugh. Now that the title has gone to a woman less deserving, in her eyes, she struggles to contain her bitter rage.
"See you tomorrow, late afternoon. You can handle the a.m. meetings," Tobias does not wait for a response, exiting his office and quickly making his way back to his suite.
His heart wrenches at the sight of an empty suite. Assuming his spouse returned to her suite, his shoulders slump. Pausing in the doorway for a moment, he debates on if he should tap on her door.
Her soft voice calls out to him, "I'm on the balcony.
Concealing his welcomed sigh, he rushes out to the balcony, smiling at the sight of her finally enjoying their home. "Have you eaten?" He tries to calm his nerves, afraid he will scare her off.
"No." She smiles and looks at him, causing him to forget his own question. For the first time, she makes eye contact with him and smiles. It is a small, yet powerful sign for him.
She takes a seat at the wrought iron table, picks up a napkin, and spreads it on her lap. Tobias quickly joins her, dumbfounded by her relaxed demeanor.
"How was your day?" He asks while lifting the covers off her plate, then his.
"Thank you, it was okay."
"Okay?"
"You have a very beautiful suite," she blushes, unsure of these new feelings she was feeling.
"Well, thank you, but it is yours, as well," he smiles while cutting into his steak.
"I'm sorry, I should have asked. How do you like your steak? Is it okay?"
Azura glances down at her medium well-cooked steak and remembers back to when she refused to eat cooked meat. A smile shines on her face as a warm memory replays in her mind, of her father finally convincing her to eat her steak cooked medium. It was his way of meeting her half way. "It's fine."
"Please, I'll let the staff know, next time."
"It's fine, thank you."
"It's a lovely evening. Is there anything you would like to do tonight? Maybe, we can take a stroll around the mansion, or catch a movie somewhere," he makes suggestions between bites.
"That would be nice.
"So, tell me about yourself. I realize this should have been a question before the pre-nuptials, but better late than never."
She giggles, lightly. For the moment, their arrangement does not seem to bother her. His company is no longer annoying. "Well, what would you like to know?"
"How was it growing up in a house with six sisters?" he holds back his amused chuckle. Tobias grew up as an only child, and cannot imagine sharing anything with a sister or a brother.
"For me, it was hard...six different personalities. I had to get to know each of them in my own way."
Tobias finds her reply interesting, which spikes his curiosity, even more. "Being that you are the youngest, were they mean to you, or did you get spoiled?"
"Well, the sister right before me, Arlene, was protective over me, along with the oldest, Alana and Anna. But, Abigail would tease me a lot, calling me wolf-girl and picking on the way I spoke. Her twin, Ariel, would often jo
in in. Alana or Arlene would usually come to my rescue. By then, I was backed into a corner, snarling at them."
"Snarling?" he is amused by her choice of words.
Azura instantly became defensive, mad at herself for opening up to him. She glares at him from across the table. "Yes, I snarled."
"I don't mean to laugh; it's just that snarling is what animals do?" he suddenly realizes that he is not making the situation any better. "I'm sorry, did I offend you?"
Her silence answers his question. "Will you please accept my apology? The image you gave me was similar to an animal backed into a corner, ready to attack."
Azura jumps up and rushes toward the open balcony door, leading into the suite. Tobias quickly closes the distance between them, racing past her and throwing himself against the door. "Please, don't do this."
