Page 68 of Wed to the Devil

"I'll make you a list," I promise.

The movie leaves us both in a musing, dreamy state. As the credits roll, I absentmindedly stroke Talia's hair and say nothing. She is still snuggled up against my chest like a contented cat and I don't want to disturb her.

But then she begins to speak, her voice soft and reflective. "When I was little, my Aunt Minnie used to take me out on special days every month," she says with a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "We go out for lunch or dinner at some of the best spots around town—she always knows where the best food is."

I smile softly at Talia, glad that she is willing to share such personal memories with me.

"Aunt Minnie has an impeccable taste for culture and literature," Talia continues. "When I was younger, we would spend hours in bookstores or art galleries. We would talk about life and explore whatever new pieces of art piqued our interest. It was lovely."

My heart warmed at this image of Talia's childhood spent in such blissful pursuits. Her aunt clearly had done a good job in trying to make up for what Talia lacked from her parents' absence. It explained why she had an appreciation for helping the less fortunate, too.

I squeeze her hand gently as if to show my understanding and support of what she is recounting to me. We sit together in peaceful silence until Talia finally pulls away from me with a yawn, ready for bed.

After the movie, we stumble into the yacht's bedroom, its plush silk sheets cool against our skin. As we make love, I can’t help but feel that we’re both doing a lot more than going through the motions.

But does Talia feel the same way? Or is it still fake to her?

When she rides my cock, it seems so fucking real. The way she leans back, arching her back, looking like a fucking goddess. Her hand touches her clit while I thrust up into her tight heat again and again, eventually making her come so hard that she screams my name.

I roar as I thrust my cock into her pussy a final time, filling every last fucking inch of the slit between her thighs with my hot, sticky cum. Marking her, making her mine.

All fucking mine.

I won't allow myself to feel anything more for Talia, even though she carries my child. It's all a sham, a game I'm playing to win approval from my family. I remind myself not to get attached to her, not to let my guard down.

Laying beside her, I watch her breathe in and out. The tug on my heartstrings can't be denied; a connection that could deepen over time. I know it's not what she hoped for, but maybe there is a hint of affection growing between us. I know that I don't love her the way she always dreamed of being loved, but...

Maybe.

Maybe something can live here, some small buds can begin to bloom.

But is it insane to think that I could cultivate a real intimacy with Talia?

I can feel the warmth radiating off of Talia as she drifts off to sleep in my arms. I know that if this arrangement were real, I could easily fall in love with her. But there is no point in getting my hopes up; this is a sham. This entire thing was forced upon us, and we both have our own agendas to fulfill.

But something inside me still wonders what it would be like if we did let ourselves feel something for each other. Before I can think about it any further, Talia's small voice speaks up from the darkness.

"Do you ever think we will fall in love?" she whispers softly, her voice heavy with exhaustion and emotion.

My heart flutters in my chest and I force myself to hide it from her, not wanting to give her any false hope.

"Let's keep our expectations low," I murmur into her hair, squeezing her gently against me. I'm bluffing, opening my mouth and letting a lie float out. "But that doesn't mean I'll ever let you go, darling girl. You're mine now."

"Hmm," she murmurs, too tired to open her eyes. She manages a barely there, "I guess so."

We settle into each other's embrace, tangled in a complex web of suspicion and attraction, our unknown fate looming heavily over us like a storm cloud on the horizon. I wonder if this strange connection between us will survive the night or fade away once morning light returns to our lives again.

ChapterTwenty-Two

TALIA

The sun is setting over Harwicke as we pull into town. I take a deep breath as the familiar sights of my hometown come into view. Even after what felt like a lifetime away, Harwicke feels just as homey and comforting as it ever did.

Dare's hand finds mine, his grip reassuringly strong. We both know our honeymoon is officially over and soon we will be entering a world of obligations and expectations that are so vastly different from what we experienced this past week.

I glance sidelong at Dare, who looks just as somber as me in the fading light. We haven't spoken about what this means for us—but that doesn't mean that I don't know what he's thinking; after all, we managed to build an unlikely connection over the past week that I don't think either of us expected.

We drive up the long driveway to Blythe Manor in silence, Dare's grip on my hand never loosening. As soon as the car stops, he turns towards me with an intent look on his face. His eyes search mine intently before he finally speaks up.