AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I draw circles across the back of Raya’s hand with my thumb, and she squeezes in return. I glance over at her to find her looking nervous, and I turn back to my grandmother with a raised brow.
“For starters, please allow me to give you your new identification documents, and your new Windsor Bank credit card,” Grandma says, handing Raya an envelope. I smirk when I spot the name Raya IndiraWindsoron it. It sounds so fucking good.
“The card is linked to my personal assets, and it doesn’t have a limit,” I tell her, my voice soft.
Her gaze cuts to mine, and she raises a brow. “What if I bankrupt you? I might just go out and buy every Lewis Motors car there is,” she says, making everyone in the car laugh.
“Buy two,” I retort, loving the idea of spoiling her. “It still wouldn’t dent my bank balance.”
Grandma shakes her head indulgently and hands her a black suede jewelry box. “While the card is from Lex, this is from me,” she says, a sweet smile on her face. “I’ve given each of my granddaughters-in-law a unique, priceless jewelry set handcrafted by Laurier, and this one is for you. Lexington told me that yellow is your favorite color, so your set contains yellow sapphire and diamonds. It’s a little old-fashioned but wearing it will convey my approval to the world.”
“T-Thank you,” Raya stammers, caught off guard. So far, every interaction she’s had with my grandmother has been formal and related to the paperwork we had to complete before our wedding, so I suppose tonight is the first time she’s truly been made to feel like family.
“As I’m sure you’re both aware, this marriage comes with several rules, and we all want to make sure you’re aware of them,” Raya’s mom says, her tone gentle, placating. My wife’s shoulders straighten, and she sits up a little.
Grandma throws her a smile before turning to look at me pointedly. “I’ll keep this brief, since we’ll arrive at your house momentarily.”
I nod in gratitude, already well aware of what she’s about to say. “Lex and Raya, your marriage must last a minimum of three years.”
I nod, and so does Raya. this isn’t the first time either of us is hearing about the rules — we both signed paperwork detailing every last term and condition, after all. “Throughout that time, you must both live on the Windsor Estate, and youmustshare a bed.”
Raya’s dad tenses, and her mother places her hand on his knee. He glances at his wife, and the look in her eyes seems to put him at ease. I can see why Raya wants that, but I don’t think she realizes just how rare that kind of bond is.
“You cannot be apart for more than three consecutive days at a time, and no more than twelve days a year. While this is a business deal, it is our hope that your marriage is a successful one, and these rules are meant to help you give your marriage an honest chance. As such, infidelity of any kind will not be tolerated. Should you breach any of these terms, the merger will fall through, and you’ll lose your inheritance, Lex.”
Raya and I both nod. “There’s more,” Raya’s dad says. “While your main residence will be at the Windsor Estate, I would like you both to come home every weekend. I may have consented to this marriage, but I have to make sure my little girl is doing okay. I want to see how you treat her firsthand, and if you ever do anything I don’t like?—”
“—we’d just really love to see you on weekends,” Raya’s mother interrupts, smiling tightly. “You’ll come home every weekend. We understand that you may have social obligations, but even when that’s the case, we’d like you to spend the night at home. In return, you’ll be exempt from having to attend any other family events for the first three months, to give you a chance to focus on your marriage.”
“Understood,” I say, trying my hardest to smile sincerely. I can’t fault them for looking after their daughter’s wellbeing, however inconvenient their requests might be.
Raya’s dad looks surprised, like he didn’t think I’d have agreed to his request. His shoulders sag a little, and I can’t tell if he’s relieved or annoyed I agreed so easily. His expression turns into genuine worry when the car comes to a stop in front of my home, and he reaches for his daughter, taking her free hand in his. He searches her face, and even I can read the quiet message, the reassurance in his eyes. I have no doubt he’d have attempted to take my wife home with him if she hadn’t smiled at him and leaned in to kiss his cheek before doing the same to her mother.
Raya looks at me and tightens her grip on my hand, and I nod before helping her out of the car, bending down to lift her into my arms moments later.
“What are you doing?” she asks, gasping and glancing back at the car behind us.
I grin at her as I take a step forward. “What I’m supposed to, my little fairy. I’m carrying my wife over the threshold, into our home.”
Twenty-Four
Lex
Raya’s eyes are glued to mine as I carry her into the house and grin at her, relieved to find her looking at me the way she did in the rose garden. It’s not quite the same way she looked at me the day we met, but it’s far less guarded than it’s been recently, and I’m counting that as a win.
She bites down on her lip when we enter my bedroom, her gaze roaming over my face, a hint of insecurity making its way into her eyes. “Is this the home you told me you’ve never brought a woman to? The home you reserved for your wife?”
I nod and lower her to the floor carefully. She takes a step back, her gaze conflicted as she looks around. I study her as she takes in the cream tones and all the tech I have installed, and I’m not quite sure what to do or say now that we’re alone. “If there’s anything you don’t like, we can just redecorate. I want to make sure you feel at home here. There’s a lab at the back of the house too, with any and all equipment you could possibly want. Nothing is off-limits to you, Raya.”
She smiles tightly and nods, her expression unreadable as she walks through the bedroom and into the attached dressing room, pausing in front of the floor-length mirror. I watch her as she looks at her herself, a hint of disbelief written all over her face, like she can’t quite comprehend that she’s here with me, dressed in a wedding gown.
Her eyes meet mine in the mirror, and she turns to face me, her gorgeous brown eyes sparkling with vulnerability. I hesitate for a moment before stepping closer, the back of my hand brushing over her cheek softly. “Truth or Dare, Raya?” I whisper.
She exhales shakily, her eyes fluttering closed. “Dare.”
I cup her face, my thumb brushing over her mouth. “I dare you to just be in the moment with me. Don’t think about the past or the future and just be here with me.”
She leans into my hand and draws a shaky breath before nodding. “Your turn,” she whispers.
