Chapter 6 The hotels grand ballroom buzzed with my fathers business associates , all gathered for my birthday . celebration . After countless toasts and social niceties , my feet aching in their Louboutins , I snuck away to the quiet sanctuary of my suite . Id barely sunk into the plush bed when I heard movement in the ensuite bathroom . My heart jumped . Hello ? Silence . Curiosity overcame caution as I approached the door . Suddenly , I was pulled inside , a startled gasp dying on my lips as I found myself pressed against marble by a very wet , very masculine form . cool His eyes , fighting to focus , studied my face intently before he breathed out my name . Aveline Blackwood ? I managed a small nod , hypnotized by the droplets trailing down his sharp jawline . He released his grip only to sway against me , his expensive suit soaked through . What a coincidence , he murmured , his accent a cultured blend of British and something else . Im your arranged fiancé , Mind doing me a favor? L … what ? I caught myself . How do I know youre really … ? . A low chuckle warmed my neck . Cautious . Check my wallet , phone verify with anyone you like . I steadied him enough to retrieve his wallet . The ID confirmed it Alexander Sterling , my mysterious husband to be . Are Are you ill ? I studied him properly now tall , elegant features , pale skin that spoke of good breeding . If he wasnt nearly passing out , Id barely reach his chin . Drugged , he managed . Business … rivals . What ? Chapter My step toward the door halted as his long fingers circled my wrist . In one fluid motion , he pulled me toward the bed . Too late to run , he murmured , tumbling us both onto bed . If youre not planning to break our arrangement , his voice was silk over steel , perhaps you could help me through this ? I froze . Yes , Id accepted this marriage , but to be so intimate with a stranger , even my fiancé …. Good girl , he breathed , mistaking my silence for consent . Before I could process another thought , his lips found mine . Two hours later , I sat on the edge of the bed , my wrists tender , face flushed . The perpetrator of my current state was already sound asleep , looking far too innocent for what hed just put me through . Asshole ! I grabbed a pillow , contemplating revenge , when a knock interrupted my murderous thoughts . Alex ? Williams voice carried through the door . Before I could panic , Alexanders long arm reached past me , opening the door just enough to drag my brother inside . Williams eyes darted between us , growing comically wide as realization dawned . Christ , I wanted you two to get acquainted , not … he gestured vaguely , face flushing . You cant just … Oh , shut it , Alexander groaned , collapsing back onto the bed with weakness . shit ! Williams protective instincts flared . Fucking you ! What the hell did you do to my sister ? His ears were turning red . Engaged or not , you absolute asshole , this is not how a gentleman behaves ! I jumped between them before William could commit murder . Will , its not what you think ! Then what exactly is it ? His face was almost as red as mine . I shifted uncomfortably . True , we hadnt gone that far , but what we had done wasnt exactly proper first meeting behavior either . How could I explain this to my overprotective brother ? Chapter 6 Alexander saved me from answering . You know about my familys situation , he said , his aristocratic voice strained . Someone drugged my drink . I didnt have many options . Williams scowl softened slightly , though his jaw remained tight . C ♡ ( 0 ) ( 0 ) Chapter 7 Five-year-old Annie, who can understand animals, saved Landon Hawthorne, a wealthy businessman, from suicide. Now she's his whole world and he's her legal cheat-code against every villain fate throws ...