Contract Marriage: I’ve Always Loved You

The next morning, I wake up and see the rays of sunlight breaking through the curtains.

As the thoughts of last night’s fight flood into my mind, I wonder how Grace has spent the entire night on the other side of the glass door.

I open the curtains, unlock the door, and enter the balcony to find her sitting on the couch, her angry expression now replaced with exhaustion.

It seems she doesn’t sleep the entire night.

“Consider this a lesson. This marriage is going to be a lot tougher than you might have expected.” I state coolly before returning to the room.

She steps in front of me, her defiance still present in her eyes. “I’m not one to back down from a challenge, Steve. And I’ll make sure you pay for the last night.”

“Oh! I’m so afraid of you, Mrs Grey.” I scoff before walking to the bathroom to get fresh.

However, she blocks my path to the bathroom with a determined look in her eyes.

I meet her gaze with a raised eyebrow. “What do you want, Grace?”

She maintains her defiant look. “You think you can dismiss me so easily? You’ll learn, Steve, that I’m not to be underestimated.”

I take a step closer, the space between us lessening.

I can feel the heat emanating from Grace’s body, and it’s clear that our proximity is having an effect on both of us, despite the hatred we have for each other.

Grace’s P. O. V.

This man, I hate him so much, but I can’t deny the fact that his hotness drives me insane.

Right now, he stands, just in his boxer, only a few inches away, I just want to kiss all over his muscular body and want him to fuck me.

However, I’ll never sleep with this man again in my life because I don’t sleep with the man whom I don’t like. And it’s also mentioned in our contract, there will be no physical relationship between us.

As I place my hands on his chest and push him away, he grabs me with my arms and again draws me closer to him. Our bodies press together and send chills down my spine.

He’s getting closer, his hands inching towards my face. “Can’t resist my charm, Mrs Grey?” His voice, low and seductive, only intensifies the maddening attraction I feel towards him. “That’s why you pushed me away.”

I swallow hard, our proximity becoming nearly unbearable. “Don’t flatter yourself, Steve.”

Indeed, I’m physically attracted to him, but I can’t show it to him.

He smirks, and his warm breath caresses my cheek as he leans in closer. His lips hover dangerously close to mine, his fingers wrapping around my neck, his thumbs gently guiding my face towards his. “You can deny it, Grace, but your body tells a different story.”

His chiselled chest and muscular arms are almost impossible to resist, and his teasing words only make it harder to stay composed.

For a moment, it feels like I might give in to the temptation, but then I remember the reasons for this marriage and the burning resentment I feel toward him. I push him away with all my strength.

“You can’t distract me with all this. I’ll make you pay for last night, Mr Grey.”

I rush to the bed and lie down to get some sleep after staying awake because of him the previous night. It was so cold outside. I’ll certainly make him regret locking me on the balcony.

Nobody has treated me like this before; he will see my worst side now.

Steve’s P. O. V.

The warm water cascades over me in the shower, and I close my eyes, trying to wash away the thoughts that Grace has stirred within me.

The magnetic pull which I feel towards her is so frustrating because I don’t want to feel anything for her. And the physical attraction I feel for her is the last thing I want to deal with.

***

I step out of the bathroom, decked up in a grey suit, and find Grace sleeping on my bed. She looks so innocent while sleeping, which she isn’t.

I feel a sudden pang of guilt as I recall that because of me, she couldn’t sleep last night.

But then, my anger resurfaces. I remind myself why I married her in the first place. She may look innocent in her sleep, but I know the truth behind her facade.

What are you making me, Grace?

I never thought I would ever treat a woman like this, marry her to make her life a living hell.

I despise the fact that I’m allowing her to influence me in this way, to bring out the worst in me.

***

After getting ready for the office, I come outside to have breakfast with my father.

As I take the seat beside him, he enquires, “Where is Grace?”

“Your loving daughter-in-law is still sleeping.” Although it’s my fault she is sleeping, I can’t resist the opportunity to taunt her in front of him.

“She must be tired because of the marriage, Steve. Everyone is not like you.”

I chuckle at my father’s comment, hiding the bitterness that lies beneath. “Well, Dad, it seems like Grace isn’t as disciplined as I am,” I reply in a curt tone, sipping my coffee while a maid serves me breakfast.

As we have our breakfast, my father continues to talk about Grace. He praises her for her kindness and smartness, unaware of the mask she wears.

After finishing breakfast, I bid my father goodbye and head to the office.

Jace’s P. O. V.

As I enter the restaurant, lost in my thoughts, I unintentionally collide with a girl, and our phone drops to the floor. I immediately catch her just as she’s about to trip in her high heels.

Her tensed body calms down instantly as I hold her close to me, and our proximity sends a jolt through me.

As her grey intoxicated eyes meet mine, I feel a strong connection with her, and for a moment, time slows down. There’s a hint of innocence in her gaze, something genuine and untainted that I haven’t come across before.

It’s a spark, an unexpected feeling that leaves me intrigued and wanting to know more about the girl I’ve just collided with.

However, she quickly moves away and speaks with a slightly awkward smile. “Thank you for catching me. That could’ve been embarrassing.”

She bends down to pick up her phone in haste. Before I can react or say anything, she gives another quick thank you and heads towards the exit, leaving me standing there, lost in the thoughts of our encounter.

I hope we’ll meet again because I want to know more about her.

As I bend down to pick up my phone, I notice that it’s not mine.

“Fuck! Our phones got exchanged.” I mutter, picking up her phone from the floor.

I rush outside, hoping to catch her before she leaves.

However, by the time I reach the exit, I notice her quickly leaving in her car.

Despite missing the chance to return her phone immediately, a genuine smile crosses my face. The mix-up with our phones has given me a reason to meet her again.

After some time, I call my number through my driver’s phone to contact her. The anticipation builds as the phone rings, and finally, she answers.

“Hello?” Her voice is melodic.

I explain, “It’s Jace. We had a little mix-up with our phones back there.”

There’s a brief pause, and then she responds, “Oh! I was just about to call you. I have your phone. Sorry about the confusion.”

I chuckle, “Why are you saying sorry? It happened accidentally. How about we meet up to exchange our phones properly?” I ask, taking advantage of the situation.

She agrees, and we decide to meet at her apartment at night.

As we end the call, I feel excited to learn more about the intriguing girl with the grey, intoxicated eyes who unexpectedly entered my life.

Steve’s P. O. V.

At night,

When I return from the office and step into the room, I find Grace puffing on the cigarette on the balcony.

I shake my head, and after taking off my blazer, I go to the walk-in closet attached to my bathroom.

As I open the cupboard to take out my joggers, I notice her clothes hanging there.

A smirk appears on my face as the idea of torturing her crosses my mind.

I pick up her few dresses and rush into the balcony.

“Grace.” As I call her, she turns around, blowing the smoke.

“I don’t want to see your clothes in my closet or else I’ll burn them,” I warn her, hurling her dresses on her, causing her to frown.

“What the hell? You can’t treat me in this way, Mr Grey.” She rebukes me, clearly not one to back down.

“An arrogant woman like you deserves the worst treatment.” I respond in a curt tone, approaching her.

She rolls her eyes, irked.

“Stop rolling your eyes. Just go take your fucking clothes out of my cupboard.” As I order her, her frown deepens.

“You think I’ll take your order, my temporary husband?” She scoffs.

I take a step closer, our faces mere inches apart, and I lean in, my voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper. “You will do as I say, Grace. You’re staying in my house, and you’ll follow my rules.”

Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t break eye contact. “I won’t be controlled by you, Steve. This is as much my home as it is yours because I’m your wife for three months.”

I grab her arms and pull her closer, our bodies almost touching. “You may think you can defy me, but you’ll soon learn to obey me.”

She pushes me away, shouting, “Obey you? My foot.” Her arms fold across her chest, a smirk playing on her face. “Actually, I’ll make you obey me right now.”

I mock. “Show me how.”

“You’ll put my clothes back into the cupboard yourself. Just wait and watch.” She states with utter confidence before leaving the room.

I wonder what plan she has in her mind.