Hateful Games: (An arranged marriage billionaire romance) (Arranged Games Book 2)
Chapter 37

The house is quiet when I enter at seven, just as I left it this morning.

As informed by the head bodyguard, Rosalie spent the whole day inside and hasn’t had any visitors except Mahi. I’m assuming she spent time unboxing her stuff and settling in. Although, most of it was handled by the household staff I have hired.

While I’ve kept a close watch on Rosalie’s whereabouts over the years, it’s a whole different ball game to share a home with her. It’s intimate and exhilarating.

I actually ordered my driver to drive fast so I could reach home early.

There was a restlessness inside me that I haven’t felt before. Nobody likes returning to an empty house. The days all blend together and become dull.

The exact opposite effect of my little hellion’s presence.

Removing my tie and discarding my suit jacket on the couch, I make my way to the kitchen and replace it empty. An unwashed plate sits in the sink. Bypassing it, I grab a water bottle from the fridge and take a sip.

I’m purposely torturing myself by dragging my feet when all I want to do is seek her out and hear her voice. Whether it’s to throw yet another insult at me. It’s been hours since I kissed her. Tasted her sweetness. Felt her melt in my arms.

Nine hours, two minutes, and forty seconds, to be exact.

Why the hell do I know that?

Slapping the bottle down on the counter, I force myself to go upstairs with an excuse to shower before I see where she is. Before I can, a little speeding ball comes sprinting down the hallway.

Fire.

He barks, which sounds more like a yelp, as he stops right at my feet. Fireball is a more apt name. Staring up at me, he barks twice more. A reluctant smile tugs at my lips when he jumps and scratches my leg.

Better than him humping my ankle.

I bend and pick the little monster up and he attacks my face with his tongue. I lower him from my face and scratch behind his ear. He’s still energetic and licks my hand. “Do you only know to lick or hump?”

He bites my finger.

“Sorry. My mistake for asking.”

“Woof.”

Shaking my head, I put him down. “Where’s Mommy?”

As if he understands, he twists and runs down the hall. Before disappearing, he stops and turns to see if I’m following. So, I do, and he guides me past the living room, the stairs, and into the left wing. I quickly figure out his destination before we reach it.

The door to the library is wide open and loud music plays from inside. My eyebrows shoot up when I recognize the song.

“Or Nah” by Ty Dolla $ign and the Weeknd.

Are all her songs explicit? I’m salivating to get my hands on her playlist. If she knew I’d be coming home early, she sure as fuck wouldn’t be playing this.

Quietly as not to spook her, I peer into the room just as Fire wanders toward the other two dogs. Rosalie, who faces away from me, remains oblivious. Even when Maggie trots in my direction and, like Fire, demands to be in my arms.

I oblige but make sure to keep her from licking my face.

Bunny lifts his head and, unlike his peers, shows me his teeth. His growl drowned out by the music.

Dropping Maggie, I lean against the doorframe and observe the state of the room. Opened cardboard boxes litter around the room, a few remain unopened and pushed against a corner. One wall of shelves is filled with books and the next is halfway done.

In the midst of the chaos, sits Rosalie.

All the stress of the office vanishes and I become riveted by her. Knees folded beneath her, she leans over her laptop and types away rapidly. The black T-shirt rides up her back, revealing the smooth texture of her skin. The music plays through the Bluetooth speaker and the song switches to “Often” by the Weeknd.

My curiosity rises to a fever pitch as I wonder what she’s writing while listening to a sensual song. The lyrics is enough to send my heartbeat into overdrive as I imagine fucking her into oblivion while it plays in the background.

She’s so zoned out that she doesn’t hear when I come closer.

On one hand, I’m worried that anyone can catch her off guard and easily hurt her. On another, my cock hardens at the thought of surprising her and having my way with her. To slowly strip her naked and eat her cunt.

A perfect greeting to come home to every evening.

I’m conflicted about how I badly want to be a protector and a predator.

There’s no middle ground when it comes to my feelings for her. Only extremities.

Her head snaps up when I turn off the music and she looks over her shoulder. Blinking in shock, she slaps the screen shut of the laptop. The action revealing she doesn’t want me to see whatever it was.

Doesn’t she realize it’s equivalent to waving a red flag in front of a bull?

“Intriguing choice of music.”

Twisting toward me, she doesn’t stand and meets my gaze. “When did you come home?”

“Been a while.”

“Were you watching me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Do I need a reason to watch my wife?”

She heaves an exasperated breath, and taunts, “It’s creepy.”

“Then I probably shouldn’t tell you about the cameras,” I lie. But I have every intention of making it a reality. I can’t stomach the thought of somebody else catching her unguarded like I did. A part of knowing it’s not a rare occurrence. “You should also be more aware of your surroundings.”

Redness appears on her cheeks and she looks away. My attention falls to her naked thighs as she wears those useless tiny shorts. Her T-shirt clings to her breasts, her nipples poking against the thin material because of the cold temperature in the room.

She doesn’t realize what she’s doing to me, sitting innocent and pretty on her knees with her hands submissively resting on her thighs. The long red nails digging into her skin.

“It’s unwise to kneel before me, Rose.” My tone is gruff with lust. “I might take it as an invitation to fuck your pretty mouth.”

Her lips parts on an exhale and she scrambles to her feet. I grab her hand when she almost trips in the process. She tries tugging it free upon replaceing her balance. But I haul her against my chest.

“Nova.”

I ignore her plea to let go and brush her hair back over her shoulder. Sitting on the edge of the table behind me, I pull her between my spread legs and lightly hold her waist. So she can’t go anywhere. “I came home early for you, wife.”

“Well, I’m busy.”

I glance around the room and smirk. “I can see that.”

“Then let go so I can get back.”

“Not yet,” I murmur and toy with the hem of her shirt. Her breathing picks up when I push my hand underneath and skim my fingers on her goosebump-ridden skin. “What did you have for lunch?”

“Umm…”

I still my caressing when she trails off. “Did you skip lunch?”

“I forgot.”

“How long have you been in here?” My tone is admonishing.

“Since morning,” she replies, toying with the button on my shirt. Realizing she’s touching me willingly, she drops her hands. I tighten my grip on her waist, so I don’t grab it and rest it back on my chest. “I took a break when Mahi visited and helped me pick a few charities in the area to volunteer at.”

“Does this happen a lot? You skipping meals?”

“Why do you care?”

“Rose.”

“Fine. Sometimes. I get carried away with wri… I mean, stuff.”

“Are the dogs hungry too?” I ask, glancing at the trio.

“Of course not.” She narrows her gaze like I offended her. “They eat two times a day. And if you’re done with the interrogation, I have a lot to finish.”

“Are you planning to organize all your books?” I question in disbelief, staring pointedly at the two large unopened boxes. The sun will be up and she still won’t be done. “Just how many do you have?”

“Not enough,” she complains.

I have an addict on my hands.

“You can set up the rest tomorrow.”

Her spine goes ramrod and she shakes her head. “I can’t until tomorrow. I’ll become distracted with reading and waste another day.”

“Fine. I’ll help.”

She crosses her arms. “Hell no.”

“I’m not going to burn them all, Rose,” I retort, pinching her waist. She rubs the spot with a sour face. My gaze draws to her cherry red lips.

“What do you mean not all?”

I flick my eyes to hers. “I value my life. I’m not harming your books ever again. Happy?”

“I’ll just make you buy all of them.”

“I’ll buy you more books anyways,” I promise instead. “Now, will you let me help you?”

“Okay.”

“But first, I’m getting you fed. We’ll order in. What do you want to have?”

Holding her sideways in my arms, I pull out my phone from my pants pocket and scroll to the food ordering app. Rose’s soft breath teases the side of my face as she comes closer and bends to look at my phone.

“I’m craving pasta. There’s a perfect Italian restaurant in your locality that is my fave.”

Stealing my phone, she types the name and sighs happily when it shows they do deliveries. I watch with amusement when she goes back and forth several times before selecting white sauce pasta without mushrooms, garlic bread, and an iced tea.

Once satisfied, she passes it back to me. “You can add yours.”

I quickly add mine and complete the order. Rising to my full height, I keep her caged in my embrace and lower my head. “Shower with me.”

“What? No.”

“Why not?”

“Because we’re not lovers.”

“Yet I’ve already seen you naked.”

“That was coercion.”

“That’s why I asked,” I say and tilt her head back with my hand around her throat. Brushing my lips over hers, I rasp, “But if you’d rather be coerced, I’m all game, Rose.”

“Not what I meant, you perv.”

“Not a perv, your husband.”

“The first has a better ring to it.”

“Then I better not tell you that I’ll be picturing you naked while I fuck my fist in the shower. So, you might as well join me.”

She shoves me away and I chuckle, not missing her flush bright pink at my filthy words. Surrounded by her smutty books, yet I make her shy and nervous.

It’s enthralling.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“Your loss.” Pressing a quick kiss on her upturned mouth, I leave the library.