Aurelie stumbled backward.
That wasn’t any wall—just a man’s broad, impossibly solid chest.
A cool scent with woody undertones drifted into her awareness.
She could identify people through smell alone.
This particular fragrance belonged exclusively to Vincent.
“Thought you didn’t want to come back to the old house.
Why are you here?” Aurelie rubbed her throbbing forehead, shuffling back in her slippers.
She barely knew Vincent.
Honestly, she had no idea how to navigate life with this devil now that they were married.
The man stood at six-foot-four, gazing down at the small woman who’d just collided with his torso.
Water still dripped from her hair.
Her face, fresh from washing, looked as sweet and tempting as ripe fruit.
That shirt wrapped around her shape left little to the imagination—curves in every place that mattered.
He couldn’t quite believe how attractive her figure actually was.
Vincent settled back against the sofa, his dark eyes half-lidded, radiating an indescribable laziness.
His open collar exposed something wild, though an inherent nobility never quite disappeared.
A wicked smile touched his mouth as he suddenly rose, gripped Aurelie’s chin, and forced her head back slightly.
“I don’t report my schedule to a ‘paper wife.’ I only married you to use you as a shield, to get the old man off my back.
Don’t fool yourself into thinking I’ll actually like you or play husband.”
Vincent released her chin after that.
Her slightly parted lips looked rosy and inviting, making his throat constrict.
He tugged at his collar and turned away.
“I can’t sleep on the sofa.
I’m taking the bed.
If you don’t want me turning into a beast and tormenting you all night, go sleep on the couch.”
Aurelie didn’t resist or argue.
She answered quietly, “Okay.
I’ll take the sofa.”
Vincent stretched out on the bed.
Two minutes passed before he realized something felt off about it.
“Damn it!
That old man’s such a meddling busybody, so incredibly annoying!” Vincent muttered irritably.
He’d discovered his bed had been swapped out.
This was some luxury model equipped with smart sensors and privacy settings that apparently couldn’t be disabled.
“What the hell!” Vincent growled, searching frantically for any button or switch to turn off the bed sensor.
“It just won’t shut off!”
Vincent kicked the bed frame and stormed toward the door.
He intended to march out and confront Grandpa Aston, to protest this interference in his personal business.
But his room door was locked from the outside.
“What is this!” Vincent shouted.
He pounded and kicked at it, though naturally, nothing came of it.
Vincent wouldn’t be remotely shocked if tomorrow morning he opened that door to find a banner reading, “Do Not Disturb, Newlyweds.”
This was exactly how Grandpa Aston behaved when he got mischievous.
Aurelie had recognized this wasn’t any ordinary bed the moment she entered the room before her shower.
So when Vincent told her to sleep on the sofa, she felt perfectly calm, unbothered by the chaotic situation unfolding.
Aurelie lay on the sofa with her back turned toward him.
Vincent could see her bare thighs and rounded backside, which looked incredibly appealing.
The view before him made Vincent’s throat go dry, sent blood rushing to his core, and caused his body to involuntarily stiffen.
Damn it!
Vincent stripped off his shirt and trousers, leaving only his underwear, then walked to the sofa and climbed up without any warning, pressing himself into the narrow space.
Aurelie startled.
She could feel Vincent’s body heat seeping through her thin shirt and spreading across her back.
And what was that hard object pressing between her legs?
Vincent’s large hand traveled down to Aurelie’s body and circled around her waist.
Aurelie felt heat spreading everywhere while her heart began pounding.
“It’s a bit…tight,” Aurelie said softly, trying to keep any tremor from entering her voice.
“Mm,” Vincent murmured low.
His warm breath grazed the back of Aurelie’s neck.
“I know.”
“I’ll take the floor,” Aurelie said, nudging at Vincent’s hand around her waist, trying to make him let go.
“You can have the sofa.”
Vincent tightened his hold.
Now his lips pressed against Aurelie’s ear, creating a strange, ticklish sensation.
“Oh, how could I do that?” Vincent said hoarsely.
“This is our wedding night.
I don’t intend to waste it.”
Vincent could feel Aurelie’s breathing accelerate.
He could even sense his own rapid heartbeat pulsing against her chest.
Aurelie’s scent intoxicated him completely.
He kissed the nape of her neck while his hand slowly slid under the hem of her shirt.