JADE
My eyes fluttered open the next morning.
I was on Roman’s chest, his hand wrapped around me, my hair sprawled across both of us.
Pain shot through my back and thighs as I blinked to clear my mind.
Every detail of last night came rushing back.
I stared at the man who had managed to give me all the pleasures of the world.
Jade, don’t catch feelings; you know he did this because of the terms of the contract.
My eyes shut as I tried to forget, but every inch of my skin was buzzing with the truth of last night.
I lifted his hand gently and tried to slip out of bed.
I had to clean up before we left.
His hand tightened around me and pulled me back into him.
I let out a strained sound as I slowly turned to him.
He was staring at me.
His eyes made my stomach flutter.
I swallowed and tried to look away, but he held my chin in place.
“Good morning, Mr Volkov,” I blurted.
‘How great, Jade.
After telling him it was your first time, you go ahead and prove how awkward you are.’
I tried to keep an easy smile on my face, but I was sure I looked ridiculous in his arms.
He leaned in until our foreheads touched.
“That’s not what you were calling me last night.”
I held my breath, so I wouldn’t pass out.
His morning voice was too sexy.
I had heard it before, but for some reason, it sounded better now.
‘Maybe because you successfully dragged him into bed.’
“Last night was…” I trailed off.
The memory would forever be embedded in my mind, but I couldn’t let him think I was dwelling on it.
“A pleasure,” he murmured, kissing the side of my head.
I looked up at him.
He didn’t seem like he was mocking me.
He leaned in and kissed my lips, unaware of how much I was overthinking everything.
“We have to get down for breakfast,” he said, slowly lifting himself out of bed.
It suddenly dawned on me that there were people around—and I had been screaming like a sex-starved animal.
What were they going to think of me?
Of all places to have sex for the first time, it had to be outside my home.
My eyes shut on their own as I buried my face in his chest.
“I’d be glad to stay in if you don’t want to…”
“I’m up.” I shot into a sitting position.
His hand slid from my body to my waist, and the blanket followed, leaving me exposed.
I tried to pull it back up, but he kissed my shoulder and smirked.
“I saw it all last night, Jade.”
I froze as he got out of bed—completely naked—and walked into the bathroom.
I caught another glimpse of him, and my mind spun.
‘How the hell was that inside me?
Twice?’
Aiden, Steven, and Sable were already at the table with full plates, eating.
They got up as soon as they saw us approach.
Sable’s eyes widened with excitement when they landed on my neck.
I had tried to cover the marks, but without my makeup bag, it was impossible.
I had to walk around showing everyone exactly what had happened last night.
Roman must have done this on purpose.
Was he a beast?
Did he have to mark me like that?
“I’m going to the bathroom,” Sable announced, glancing at me expectantly.
I understood immediately and got up before she could start asking questions in front of everyone.
“I need to use the bathroom too,” I said, avoiding Roman’s gaze.
He had been staring at me for too long.
“Women, right?” I heard Steven mutter as we walked away.
Sable took her time retouching her powder while I stood there waiting.
I already knew what she wanted to talk about, but I wasn’t going to bring it up first.
“I see my products were helpful,” she smirked as we stood in front of the mirror.
She reapplied her lipstick while I stared at the marks on my neck.
Did he have to act like a beast?
“Sable, I—”
“No need to thank me,” she cut in, waving it off.
“You’re a nice girl.
I had to help.”
My throat went dry.
I wanted to tell her she didn’t need to help—Roman was a beast even without the toys or any so-called seduction from me.
“I mean, for his first time, he sure did look like—”
“His first time?” I shrieked, almost exposing everything.
She raised a brow and tossed the lipstick into her bag, then nodded.
“I was pretty sure he was going to die a virgin,” she said, rolling her eyes.
My mind spun.
The man who had seemed so skilled last night—this was his first time?
“That can’t be.
He must have dated at least one or two women—”
She shook her head, and my words died in my throat.
She stepped closer and took my hand, her expression suddenly serious.
“He doesn’t allow women near him.
For him to let you this close and even…” she gestured to my neck, “…you must be different.”
“Didn’t he only marry because of family pressure?
To cover up the gossip?” I blurted.
I had questions—questions Roman would never answer.
He’d just shut down and pretend he hadn’t heard me.
“Do you think anyone in the Volkov family can force Roman to do something he doesn’t want?” she asked, amused.
“And the rumours?
If he wanted them gone, don’t you think he has the power to bury them?”
She was right.
So why did he marry me?
Roman was waiting outside the restroom.
He pulled me to his side, and Sable flashed me a sly smile before lifting her chin.
“Let me guess—you have to go now?”
“We do,” Roman replied.
“Jade, let’s keep in touch,” she said, and I nodded.
She already had my number—and had promised more shopping trips, which honestly scared me.
Roman’s hand dropped from my waist, and cold air replaced it.
He stepped closer to Sable and tilted his head.
“I know what you did…”
“You should thank me.” She patted his shoulder and winked.
“See you,” she added, skipping away like a child.
He turned to me, and my heart skipped a beat.
I had to remind myself to breathe.
Why was he so breathtaking?
He extended his hand toward me and waited.
“Shall we?”