Mr. & Mrs.: An Arranged Marriage Romance Page 2

  “What do you want to know?” I suddenly become shy with the spotlight turning on me.

  “You just graduated college, didn’t you? What did you study?”

  Shifting in my seat beside him, I say quietly, “I dropped out.”

  “Why?”

  “Umm, pregnant, baby, school. Doing it alone isn’t exactly an option. It’s not like I have decent role-models for parenting. This kid needs all the attention I have.”

  “Where’s the father?”

  “Europe somewhere. He’s not interested in being strapped down with a baby.” Shrugging, I try to play it cool, but it hurts like hell. I know what it’s like to be rejected by a parent. I don’t want that for my child. Ever.

  “Did you love him?” Jordan’s question startles me.

  “God, no. I barely tolerated him.”

  “So, why’d you sleep with him?” Good question.

  I don’t know how to answer that without sounding like a needy, little girl. “I wanted to feel connected in some way. We’d been dating for a few months and were at a party drinking. One thing led to another, and six weeks later, I’m pregnant. Another six weeks, and I’m married to you.” I try shrugging it off like it’s nothing, but it’s everything.

  “He just left? Decided the consequences of taking advantage of a vulnerable girl were too much for him to bear?” Oh, the husband is pissed off now.

  “It’s not a big deal, Jordan. I’d rather him out of the picture than treating my child like dirt. I can do this alone, just not while attending school.”

  He remains quiet for so long, I begin to feel rejected all over again.

  “You’re wrong,” he finally says.

  “About what?”

  “You’re not doing this alone, Megan. I’ll be here every step of the way.”

  Stunned, I stare stupidly at him.

  I know we’re married now, and maybe it hasn’t quite sunk in that he has not only married me but my baby, too. I guess I just didn’t expect him to step up the way a real father should.

  Jordan

  The rest of the flight remains quiet as Megan falls asleep against me. Seeing her, speaking to her, I know I’ve made the right choice in our honeymoon destination.

  Bora Bora in the spring is supposed to be perfectly temperate. I rented us a hut on the beach overlooking the lagoon, so we’ll be isolated to do as we please, however we please.

  Being attracted to Megan is a plus in my book. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do if I didn’t find her appealing, but watching her walk down the aisle, I’d known immediately that we would have chemistry. The fact she feels it as well is a bonus.

  Feeling her in my arms at this moment, an obsessive need to completely make her mine overtakes me. I don’t just want her to be my wife, I want her to be my partner. I want her to love me as much as I know I’m going to love her. I realize she’s carrying another man’s child, but all I see it as is an extension of her. I already know I won’t take Megan until she’s ready, and that just might test every ounce of my control, but earning her trust is so much more important.

  Knowing the doubts she has about her parents, the lack of love and trust, I understand I’ll have my work cut out for me where she is concerned. I’m thinking I might have to extend our honeymoon past the two days I’d planned. She needs to see me as a person and not just the man she was forced into marrying.

  Admiring the sun on the horizon as it dips below the skyline, I pull her closer to me and decide to get some shut-eye myself. Once she sees our sleeping quarters, I have a feeling I might have a fight on my hands.

  I’m looking forward to it.

  Megan

  I feel myself being carried, but all I care about is the warmth and comfort surrounding me as I remain halfway between waking and sleeping. I was having a wonderful dream about Jordan. How he loved both my child and me. Treated the baby like his own. Loved me like we’d known each other forever.

  I’m trying incredibly hard not to get my hopes up where he’s concerned. What if it’s just the honeymoon stage? What if when we get home, he decides he doesn’t actually want a ready-made family? I have so many doubts and fears that my head is spinning and soon, my stomach will be revolting.

  “Put me down,” I mumble, jumping from his arms. Seeing the beauty around me, I forget for a second that my belly is upset. Admiring the gentle waves of the lagoon just steps away from our feet, I’m horrifyingly reminded of the tumultuous feeling as the contents of my stomach come barreling forward in all my embarrassing glory.

  Dropping to my knees in the perfect white sand as I tarnish its pristineness, I can feel hot tears scorching my cheeks. Shockingly, I also feel Jordan’s hand running soothingly along my back while his other holds my hair out of the way. He doesn’t say anything, only supports me while I make a fool of myself.

  As my stomach settles again, quiet overtakes us in the tranquil night. The light breeze cools my overheated body as Jordan helps me to my feet. Wiping my mouth in a very unladylike fashion, he turns me to look at him, asking, “You okay?”

  “Fine,” I barely squeak out, unable to meet his gaze.

  “Does this happen a lot?” He seems worried.

  “Uh, well, often enough. Morning sickness and all.” It’s a stupid lie to tell. The doctors told me I may experience it, and I may not. So far, I haven’t gotten sick once. Queasy, yes, but that’s not the reason for my mess tonight. My nerves and fears have gotten the best of me.

  “Let’s walk you inside. I had the hut stocked with everything we’d need before we arrived.”

  I look at the beautiful scene before me as he pulls me inside the tiny structure. I think it’s about as big as my small apartment. Covered in straw on the outside, I’m almost afraid the inside will be the same. As we enter, I am pleasantly surprised to see normal walls. Must be an appeal thing, I figure.

  Looking around, I notice it’s nothing more than what a bachelor apartment would be. Just one large room excluding the bathroom and even that is only blocked off by glass stones. The kitchen is at the back overlooking the shrouded trees behind us. The bed looks deliciously comfortable with its huge pillows and large window facing the water we just left.

  If I close my eyes and strain my hearing, I can hear the water swishing on the shore. Its gentle sway rocks me into another dimension.

  Hands on my hips startle me out of my fantasy. “Crawl on into bed, and I’ll grab you some water.” Jordan’s words are soft but no less commanding than his suggestion we come inside.

  Impossible to ignore his caring nature, I follow his lead and lay atop the soft bed. Immediately, I’m left feeling more content in that moment than ever before in my life. If this is all a dream, I don’t ever want to wake up.

  The light breeze through the open window, the sounds from the rustling trees, and the water swaying soon have me lulled into sleep. I hear Jordan near me again, encouraging me to drink, but I couldn’t be bothered. I just want to enjoy the freedom of being peaceful without the guilt of my parents ruining it.

  Jordan

  Megan is fucking exhausted. The bags under her eyes worry me. The throwing up did for a second until she told me it happens. I don’t know much about pregnancy, but I do know that’s one of the side effects.

  The way she clung to me as I carried her from the car and down the boardwalk appeased the craving I have for her. If she trusts me in her sleep, hopefully, it will come easier in consciousness.

  Placing the glass of water on the table for her if she needs it through the night, I move down to her feet and gently slip her shoes off. Dropping them on the floor, I work my way up her body with every small layer of clothing until she’s laying in nothing but her thong and bra. Stepping back, I admire her lightly tanned skin with the perfect curve of her hips as she rests on her side. Two little dimples top the swell of her firm ass. No matter how she lives her life, I can tell she obviously takes care of her body.

  Her blonde locks trail half-way down her back as her
breathing eases and draws my attention to her breasts. More than a handful but not so big I won’t be able to touch every inch of her when we finally make love.

  The tiny bump in her belly has me grinning from ear to ear. She created a life. I wonder how far along she is. I don’t think she mentioned it on the plane. Gently caressing her skin from shoulder to hip, I can’t help cradling the tiny life she’s carrying in the palm of one hand. So small, yet so damn important. There isn’t a thing in this world I wouldn’t do for these two people.

  Leaning forward, I kiss just above her navel and whisper, “If you’re a boy, I’ll teach you everything about becoming a good man. If you’re a girl, you’ll know what love looks like every single day. No matter what you are, you’ll be loved fiercely.”

  I don’t know what tempts me to do it, but I rub my cheek against Megan’s skin like a predator marking its territory. I need this woman to understand she’s mine. For life.

  Standing up, I wander around to secure the door then strip my clothes off to my boxer briefs before I fall gently down into bed behind Megan. Wrapping my arms around her, one under her head, the other around her waist to cradle our child, I press my entire body against her. There isn’t a piece of us not touching.

  Megan sighing and relaxing further as she pushes back into me, allows me to relax as well. Sleep envelops me, and I know when I wake, we’re going to be in a better place than either of us were at any time today.

  Megan

  Waking up, warmth and safety surround me. Along with a burning desire to pee. Realizing Jordan is wrapped around me like a ton of blankets in the dead of winter, I know that in order to get up, I’m going to have to wake him. I’m not even sure I want to. The way he holds me like I’m the most precious thing in the universe feels incredible to me. His hand cradling my baby bump in one hand brings a tear to my eyes. He couldn’t possibly understand what that move would do to my heart.

  I feel his entire frame tense before slackening and pulling me closer while moaning in my ear. “Good morning,” he whispers against my neck, placing a light kiss there that I feel through my whole body, sending ridiculous shivers down my spine.

  Instead of showing him I’m a civil and polite person, I blurt out, “I have to pee.” Heat assaults my face as I realize what I’ve said. I would like to smack my head, but he’s got us so tangled I can’t move.

  As he backs away chuckling at my absurd loss of brain-to-mouth filter, his hands rub along every available piece of flesh they can. It’s then that I realize I’m nearly naked in just my bra and thong, and one boob is popping out of said bra.

  Cursing internally, I quickly dart to the tiny not so much a washroom as it is a privacy screen. Thankfully Jordan says, “Toothbrush should be under the counter. I’m going to take a piss in the bush.”

  “Thanks,” I barely breathe out.

  Thank gawd, he’s got as good a filter as me.

  Quickly peeing and washing my hands, I find the aforementioned toothbrush in hopes of getting my teeth done before he comes back in. Just as I’m entering the main area again, he walks through the door, and I freeze. At first, because we’re both practically naked, and I’d rather be covered up. But then, I see his gloriously tanned flesh, and muscles abound. And oh…my…shit, that damn V.

  Brain. Dead.

  Yup, my IQ just dropped about a hundred points as I stare at his massive package tucked away behind his tight boxer briefs. Looking from him down to myself and back again, I mumble, “That will never fit.”

  It isn’t until he says, “It will,” that I realize I spoke out loud.

  Mortified, I hang my head and turn around, intent on going to hide in the not so private washroom again.

  “Oh no, you don’t.” Jordan rushes over, pulling the back of me into the front of him. My idiotic brain only connects to one thing: the massive bulge pressing into my lower back.

  I quiver in his arms. Not because he scares me, but because I scare myself.

  I’ve never been focused on sex. In fact, more often than not, it hasn’t been a blip on my radar. But with this man, a touch here, a gentle finger graze there, and the sweetest damn words I’ve heard from any man’s lips, and he’s all I want. I want so desperately to let go of the reins of control I’ve been forced to take my entire life. I need him to take care of me, to love me in such a powerful way that I won’t doubt him, even after my hormones get the best of me.

  “Please don’t break me.” My words are whispered in this room, but their impact is no less compelling.

  “If I break you,” Jordan’s breath is harsh and warm against the side of my neck, “I’ll put you back together in the sweetest way you’ll ever know.”

  “I want to believe you.” Lord do I want to.

  His arms, those strong muscled limbs of his, wrap around me like a cocoon. Embracing all my reservations and misgivings, he just holds me. Nothing is said as I mull over our situation and what I’m going to have to do and give up as we move forward.

  Trusting him being the number one issue.

  “Where are we?” I ask, remembering I slept or fumed most of the way here to this gorgeous beachside oasis.

  “Bora Bora.” His husky words are a saccharine caress against my neck and shoulder.

  His fingers lightly trail along my sides and stomach and cause me to stutter. “H-how long are w-we here f-for?” His warm lips on my ear send shivers down my spine.

  “I rented it for the weekend.”

  I’m slightly disappointed at the short amount of time we’ll have. “Oh.”

  “I’m thinking we might need more time, though.” He spins me to face him, and before I can process what’s going on, our mouths are melting into one another. He steals my breath and leaves me panting for more all in a single second. This man flips me inside out, and yet, holds me together perfectly. His touch is soft, gentle, but oh so sweet.

  He doesn’t push for more; we savor the kiss as our bodies do all the talking. I’m not ready to pass this point right now, and I’m so grateful he understands that. It doesn’t stop me from wanting him, nonetheless.

  The way he holds me protectively in his embrace shows his caring disposition. The firm grip he has on my hips exhibits his dominating presence. I love both. I’ve always dreamed of the day I could hand over the control to someone who wouldn’t abuse my trust and love. For the first time, I feel like Jordan could be the one.

  My one.

  Jordan

  Sweet, innocent Megan. She has this pull that draws me to her. I can’t keep my hands to myself as she tentatively touches her tongue to my own exploring one. Having her in my arms while we’re both nearly naked is a dream. Having her underneath me would be pure bliss.

  As much as she wants to fight me, I can feel her body giving in to this torrential attraction between us. The light breeze cools our overheated bodies as I deepen the kiss and draw her frame further into mine.

  Her fingers dig into my biceps when I nip and suck on her lip. “Jordan,” her breathy voice makes me want to purr like a fucking kitten.

  Forcing myself to pull away from her delectably addictive lips, I say, “I have plans for us today.”

  Her eyes are closed as she breathes deeply. “What are we doing?”

  “I can’t for the life of me fucking remember.” I groan when she bites the corner of one lip. Sheer sin. This woman is going to own me.

  “Oh. Maybe we could collect seashells or something?” The light in her eyes and voice makes her seem so much younger than her years.

  I couldn’t deny her if I tried. “Whatever you want, Mag-pie.”

  Her smile brightens her entire face as she skips away humming and rummaging through the tiny closet. I bet she doesn’t notice that she didn’t bring a suitcase, and I had clothes sent in overnight. Reaching around her swaying ass, I grab a pair of board shorts and head to the bathroom to clean up.

  If she wants to collect seashells by the seashore, we’re damn well going to do it until she’s content. I
’d originally planned a snorkeling expedition, but given her pregnant state, I doubt it’d be good for her or the baby.

  At this rate, I figure the peace and quiet with just the two of us will be a great chance for us to play twenty-one questions.

  I can still hear her humming as I power through my shower and get dressed. Leaving the small enclosure, I see her in the tiny kitchen chopping some of the fruit I had the fridge stocked with.

  “I hope this okay?” Her shy question has me wondering where the woman from ten minutes ago went.

  “Of course. You’re welcome to anything in here. Hell, anything anywhere. You want it, Megan, and it’s yours.” I’m sure I’ll have to repeat that statement every time she wants or needs something.

  “Thank you,” she murmurs, going back to cutting the pineapple in her hands. I’m fascinated as I watch her work the knife with precision and skill. Not once nicking her fingers as she skins the fruit.

  “Do you enjoy cooking?” I ask her. I’d love to see her in my kitchen.

  “Sometimes.” Her short answer doesn’t tell me much.

  “Do you prefer to do it for just you or a few friends?” She freezes at my query. Looking up, I see hesitance in her green gaze. She’s afraid to connect with me. Walking around the counter, I stand beside her, placing my hand over the one she’d just taken off the fresh fruit. “Whatever you’re afraid of, whatever you’re thinking, I want this. I want us. This may have been a marriage of convenience for us both in the beginning, but I ache to have you as my real wife. I want everything a loving marriage entails, Megan.”

  We don’t look at each other after my passionate words, and she doesn’t move, which is fine. She’s likely processing the sentiments and how much she can trust them. I want her to, but I accept I’m going to have to earn everything with this woman.