Chapter Six

WILLOW

"I get to have you as my bride"

The words reverberated in my ears, and my breath hitched. This had to be a nightmare, a twisted dream I couldn't escape. Yet, the strong, piercing scent of Tristan's cologne confirmed it was a horrifying reality. Tristan withdrew from my side, studying my reaction as he locked eyes with me. Shocked beyond words, I refused to display any emotion. I looked away, denying him any clue about my feelings. I wouldn't meet his gaze; I wouldn't let him see my vulnerability. Pretending as if his heavy breath hadn't brushed against my skin, I shifted my focus down to his torso.

His warm breath against my skin intensified, nearly undoing me. Slowly, I averted my eyes from his torso, locking onto his gaze. Initially oblivious, Tristan's eyes eventually met mine. Once our eyes connected, it felt sinful to look away from his deep blue eyes, as profound as the sea. I found myself ensnared in a trance, immobile, worries dissipating like mist in a safe haven. Another hitch in my breath as I gasped for air, feeling the pressure before my lungs could burst. Palms sweaty, I clenched them tightly, attempting to resist the subtle allure within me. Still, I couldn't tear my gaze away. If someone claimed charms were a scam, I'd point to the living and breathing charm before me – Tristan Donovan .

Our locked gaze shattered, and I attempted to pull away. His hands, which had cupped my cheeks, slipped away as I seized control of them. Slowly, his hands slipped from my face, and he broke free from my grasp, tracing down my hips, pulling us even closer. My hand weakly slammed against his chest as I looked down, sensing that tiny bit of lust growing once again. Gradually looking up, my gaze fixated on his pale pink lips. Feeling almost possessed, my hands found their way to his nape, pulling him closer until our noses brushed slightly. My eyes stayed fixed on his lips as he seductively licked them, driving me to bite my lip hard. I craved a taste, curious about the softness of his lips. As I found myself leaning forward, losing control, surprisingly, he leaned forward too, but halted just as our lips were about to meet. His warm breath kissed my lips, and all I wanted was a peck, yet he stopped, seemingly testing my reaction. Regardless, I wanted to kiss him. He pulled back, releasing a loud, depressing sigh, moving his hands to his nape and breaking free from my hold. A sharp sting of rejection pierced through my heart as I struggled to hold back tears.

"I can't," he sighed, hurt evident in his eyes, massaging his temple as if haunted by a troubling memory. I hissed under my breath.

"So I'm just your little entertainment," I said, disappointment and frustration mounting from the day's issues. I didn't need another layer of drama today.

"I don't have time for this right now. Get changed into that dress; Hailey will deal with you later," he declared, walking out on me, leaving my heart to drop.

"You think keeping me here as your little entertainment is fun? You think I'll break and fall at your feet? I'm not a test subject. If you think I'm your lab rat, I won't fall for you, and I will never fall for you, you bastard!" I yelled, tears streaming down my face. He turned, wearing a mischievous smirk. If I couldn't know better, I could see hurt in his eyes, but he tried to hide it with a glare. He leaned forward, violently backing me against a wall, breathing heavily, panting so hard I almost choked on my spit. I felt his breath roughly against my face.

"Just a look in my eyes, and you already fell. You make it seem like a challenge to get to you when only me breathing hard against you makes you sweat. My touch drives you insane; our lips brushing slightly turns you on and ignites your tempted lust," he said with a smirk. I gawked, surprised, gasping once again at his bold reply.

"That's your fucked up theory just mere proof of lies, all what you said is a sham, I will never fall for you, and I don't reciprocate any atom of feelings for you...." I hissed as his grasp on my arm tightens

"I don't need your feelings, I don't believe In love, a twisted game that befell others including me once, but I won't fall again, don't think too much the feeling is mutual." He growled.

"Then why the bet, why win a bet and want me as your stupid bride when you have no interest in love." I half yelled for an answer as he pushes more force on me against the wall making it uneasy for me to breath as he tightens his grip on me.

"A lot of people end up in loveless marriages. Besides, making you pretend to be my fiancée will divert unwanted attention from anyone thinking you're kidnapped. If they know you're mine, it will be the typical tale of a broke, indebted woman striking a deal with a handsome billionaire to take care of her father," he whispered, leaning close to my ear, his breath gently brushing against it.

"Besides," he paused, "I want your body." My eyes widened in shock, the words sending cold shivers down my spine. He slowly loosened his grip on me, facing me fully with cold eyes that softened a little.

"I don't want to make the same mistake I made with Tina..." he whispered to himself. I heard it but pretended I didn't as his expression relaxed, and he let go of me. About to walk away, I held tight to his sleeves. He stopped, acknowledging my grasp, and turned to face me.

I felt a hint of pity as his eyes glared at me in sorrow. Walking towards him, I rested my head against his torso, spreading my arms around him tightly. Surprisingly, he locked me tightly in his grasp, his head resting on mine. I breathed in his mesmerizing cologne, slowly getting addicted to its scent.

"Did I miss something?" A girl in a see through back stripped gown had her hands folded with a frown on her face, supposedly his girlfriend by the way she shot me a death glare.

We disengaged from our awkward hug as Tristan made his way towards her.

"Who's she? I've never seen her dance at the casino," she said, almost making me choke.

"How long have you been standing there?" Tristan asked, seemingly unconcerned.

"Long enough to shoot you a dozen times. You left me at the party with that detective of a nurse to find clues, deserted a party you were supposed to host, and now I find you in the hands of a random stripper," she said, scrutinizing me until her eyes lit up.

"Is that all.." Tristan said not giving a damn.

"No, you need to stop acting like your actions don't have consequences, you can't just kill anyone you don't like, the doctor called saying you let that man slide In a coma" she yelled.

"He deserve it probably if he survives he has learnt his lesson." he said hands down In his pockets leaving me clueless about any idea what they are talking about.

"Tristan." she scowled at him he just huffed a smirk pushing back his hair In a slick motion.

"This is Willow; she's our new guest. Put her down as my plus one for Caden's engagement party and probably show her to her room. Make sure her room is locked always. If you excuse me, I have an engagement party to plan for," Tristan stated, leaving her bewildered and furious.

I'm the new guest, more like a prisoner.

"If he weren't my partner, forget he's my brother, I would stab him to death," she declared, revealing their sibling relationship.

She gave me a cold stare with softened into an uneasy glare, she sighed eventually with her eyes lit in some kind of hope.

"Follow me." she said as she escort me to my new room.

"I'm Hailey , you must be the lady that met that unpleasant prick I call a brother, sorry I mistook you for a stripper. It seems that's the one out of numerous women, that my brother associates himself with." she finally broke the awkward silence. "You work at a cafe?" She wasn't that rude, she was actually normal. And she's gorgeous, well I shouldn't be surprised, she's a fucking Donovan .

"I'm Willow, I mean your brother already introduced me, yeah I used to, I got fired because of your brother." I stutter almost whole through the sentence.

"Sorry for him asking you to strip down, he's always being a sadist." she said in a frustrated sigh.

"Do you like my brother?" She added. How do I like someone who kidnapped me and just proceeds to make me his bride. But Hailey seemed curious so I held back the urge to cuss her out, she wasn't rude like earlier.

"I don't even dream of having a future with him besides we just met today." I reply in a low tone.

"Too bad." She pouted for some strange reason, we got to my room and she kissed both my cheeks as my cheeks flushed red.

"He likes you." She whispered I felt my Heart drop, wait why?

I fucking hate him

"What do you mean ?" I stammered as she open the door revealing the exact replica of my old room but bigger, a king size bed, a small plasma TV, a glass door revealing beautiful view to the balcony outside with a small chair to look at the view, it was already exactly midnight as the clock ticked, I could see the nights of New York and my stuff are here kinda.

How is that possible when I handed them over to Allison , and a shelf of all my favourite authors stacked and updated.

I was beyond overwhelmed.

"How did all this get here...." As Hailey escort me out to the balcony outside.

"Before my brother kidnapped you he went and did a little research on you and arranged before your arrival..."

My cheeks flushed tomato red, he put the effort on making me feel at home it was even painted, I never got to paint my room because of my dad.

Wait didn't we just know each other today? How did he organize everything so quick?

"Wait He did this all and by himself." I gasped curious.

"When you get to know the real him promise me you won't hurt him like Tina." What is she talking about what is worse than arrogant, stuck up Tristan .

"Goodnight..." She said left before I could ask her more questions and she locked me in as instructed.

I took off my clothes and took a bath and wore my pyjamas and cradled myself to sleep on the thought that Tristan went an extra mile this for me.

CADEN

I cursed under my breath as I cut the call on the contractors who won't demolish The casino until I have the deed to the casino.

I want nothing to do with that abomination. I requested to buy it because when I wreck it, I can finally expand my business. It's a busy arena, so I'll attract more customers. Mother and Cora are asleep; speaking of Cora, I plan to break up with her at the engagement after finding incriminating evidence, so Mother will concur with my decision. And I can't stop thinking about that girl—Mother said her name was Willow. I licked my lips in lust as I imagined how skilled she might be in bed.

My hands sneaked into my pants as I felt a hard erection, letting my hands play with it while envisioning the half-naked scene of Willow from earlier. I panted, whispering her name until I reached climax.