“What the f*ck! You can’t order me around. I refuse to go to LA with you,” spat out Skylar, her whole body trembling with fury. He might have tricked her into coming here, but she wouldn’t dance to his tunes.
“I can and I will. I won’t leave you alone here to sleep around with every Mike you meet. So just do what I say or I will have to use force. Don’t mess with me, Skylar!”
“What did you say? You’re the one who’s messing with me. I will sleep with a million Mikes if that’s what it takes to keep you away from me.” Christian clenched his teeth as wild fury coursed through his body.
“Do you think it will keep me away from you? No, you’re very much mistaken. I will punish those million Mikes for taking what’s mine. That’s not all. I will punish you the most. So don’t even think about it in your wildest dreams. I know there’s no boyfriend. It’s all a hoax.” Skylar gaped at the man. How did he know? Did her grandparents give her away?
“Whatever! I’ll get into a contract marriage with someone just to avoid marrying you.” Christian sucked in a deep breath. There was no use getting his blood pressure high over her. She would never agree to accompany her. He had to take her away with him forcefully. He had promised her grandparents that he would look after her until his last breath and he would keep his promise.
“What’s in a contract marriage? If you’re so keen, have a contract marriage with me instead.” It seemed the only way to take her away with him without using force.
“Oh! Do you agree to have a contract marriage with me? It would be for two years only. We will separate ways if we’re not compatible. And yes, no physical intimacy during those two years. Do you agree?” she asked breathlessly.
Christian stared at her for a couple of minutes, thinking about her condition. No, he couldn’t agree with those. It would be akin to committing suicide. He wanted their marriage to last forever. How could he agree to live with her and not touch what was his? No, it wasn’t possible for him.
“Two years is fine with me, but the other clause isn’t acceptable. It will be a normal marriage, but I can promise you I won’t force you into anything you don’t want to do. You will have to be true to me during those two years of being married. You will work for only my company. And last but not least, you will have to stay with me.” Skylar chewed her lips, thinking about his clauses. She would never agree to physical intimacy with him, so maybe she was safe that way.
She had no interest in anyone else, so staying true to him wouldn’t be a problem. Working for him was also acceptable, but she didn’t wish to live with him.
“Why can’t I stay here?” she started, but he just lost his temper and strode towards her bedroom.
“I have accepted your idea of a contract marriage. The conditions won’t change. I have arranged for us to fly to LA in two hours. So, will you pack, or should I do it for you?”
“Two hours? Shouldn’t you have asked me before getting the damn flight tickets?”
He didn’t reply and went straight to her walk-in closet and pulled out six suitcases.
Skylar froze with horror at seeing him empty all her stuff into them. It seemed as if he was taking her away forever instead of for two years.
“Please, stop. You don’t need to pack everything.”
Her protests fell on deaf ears as Christian kept on packing up. She tried to take out her clothes and keep them back, but Christian was adamant and worked faster.
His glance next fell upon her lingerie and nightwear collection, and she froze with horror. Would he touch her undergarments now? What the hell! The man was crazy!
“Stop! I’ll pack up whatever is left.” She rushed towards her lingerie section and stood in front of it, blocking them from his view. He blinked and looked up at her, a knowing smirk forming on his lips.
“Fine, let’s see you do it.” Her eyes widened further.
“Why don’t you wait for me outside? I’ll pack up and get ready in the meantime.”
“Nope! I don’t trust you. I know you’ll jump out from your balcony and escape. Pack up and get ready now. I’m waiting right here in your room.” Skylar groaned at the torture. How could she pack up her lacy thongs and bikinis with him watching her like a hawk? How would she get ready if he waited here in her room?
She muttered curses at Caleb for spoiling her plans. If only she hadn’t accepted his call!
“Can you close your eyes at least?” she said, giving up.
“Why should I?” She didn’t miss the amusement in his voice.
“Please,” she said out of frustration, her cheeks coloring profusely.
“What’s the use? I’ll see your lingerie every day after our marriage.” Skylar gasped in shock. So he knew! How would he see her lingerie? They wouldn’t stay in the same room. Would they? It wasn’t a proper marriage!
“You won’t.” Skylar sighed and just dumped everything with flushed cheeks. She didn’t turn to look at him but she was acutely aware of his hawk-like stare glued on her. She completed her packing and zipped up the suitcases. Picking up the clothes she wanted to wear to the airport, she trudged towards the en-suite. She couldn’t look at the man at all. He had disrupted her peaceful and enjoyable life. Now she had to live with him in an unknown place for two years, away from her home and her friends.
When she emerged from the washroom, ready to leave, Christian had gone downstairs with her luggage. She could hear him talking to Mrs. Jules. Could she escape in the meantime? She rushed towards the balcony to check if she could jump. The height was too much and she would definitely break her bones and land in the hospital!
Suddenly, two muscular arms grabbed her and picked her up. “Don’t even think about it,” warned Christian, hoisting her on his shoulder and striding off as if she was a sack of potatoes.
“Put me down this minute.” She struggled, but his grip only tightened under her butt. It was like banging her head against a rock.
“I hate you, Christian! Just put me down!” she yelled, but he just strode out of the house with her.
“Oh, that will change soon.” His cocky attitude annoyed her immensely.
“No, it won’t. I’ll hate you all my life,” she swore with conviction.
“We’ll see!” It didn’t seem to affect him at all, which made her seethe even more.
“I’ll lock up the house and leave, Mr. St. James,” said Mrs. Jules with a warm smile.
“Yes, please. Mrs. Jules, if you need work, you can meet my grandpa, Benjamin St. James.”
She smiled at him gratefully. “Yes, I’ll do that. Thank you. Have a wonderful married life. I hope to see you both soon.”
Skylar seethed at their interaction. How could he win Mrs. Jules over so easily? Was he a wizard in disguise with a magic potion to cast a spell on innocent people?
She watched his hot butt encased in the pair of figure-hugging jeans he wore. What else could she see from up above, hanging from his shoulder? He might be hot, but he was intolerable.
He deposited her into his car and sat down beside her. They sped away towards the airport while Skylar sulked inwardly. This was so sudden, she couldn’t inform her friends.
She refused to look at the man who had manhandled her against her will. The prospect of spending an uncertain future with him made her apprehensive. She just had a sneak preview of his sheer physical strength. She was a tiny insect in comparison! If she had to beat him, she had to use her mental strength.
Christian didn’t acknowledge her presence thereafter. With a scowl, he kept himself busy on his phone. Maybe he was celebrating his victory over her with her family! What did they see in him?
They reached the airport and instead of the usual security check-in, he led her towards a VIP check-in. Soon they were bundled into a car and headed toward a sleek silver private jet. She could see Christian’s company logo emblazoned on it.
Within minutes, they boarded the majestic aircraft, and Skylar looked around with awe. She had never been on a private aircraft before. They took off and Skylar settled down on a window seat.
“Welcome aboard, Mr. St. James. What can I get you?” asked a pretty flight attendant, clad in a blue and white uniform.
“Coffee, please. What do you need, Skylar?” he asked her.
“Just water.”
“I’ll get them for you.” She left, and Christian turned his attention to her.
“You can rest in the bedroom. We won’t reach home today.” Skylar’s eyes popped out with surprise. Would she have to spend the night with him here?
“What? How? Isn’t it a six-hour flight?”
“Yes, but we’ll go to Florida first.”