Tessa's tears paused. She stared back into his eyes like she wasn't sure of what he just said.
" You. You.." she stuttered.
" Yes." He dropped his hands to her shoulder. " We can still have our kiss, Tessy. I promised you remember?"
He said, his voice so hoarse it made her cheeks burn. " I told you to get your lips ready for me."
Her lips subconsciously pressed together. Her body trembling slightly." You're going to.. kiss me?"
He smiled. " I want to taste you."
Then he began leaning closer.
Her lashes fluttered like it felt so unreal, that Tyler was going to kiss her, finally. Her breath shook as she inhaled, slowly closing her eyes and waiting for his lips to touch hers.
' You're married, Tessa. This is wrong.' her mind screamed, but just then, a deep baritone voice came, sending shivers down their marrow.
" Get your fucking hands off my wife!" He thundered.
Tessa flipped her eyes open to see a heavy punch landing on Tyler's jaw and sending him to the floor.
" Tyler!" She screamed and rushed to his side but before she could get to him, a strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled her back so hard she nearly crashed into him.
" Let go of me! How could you hit your own brother?!" She yelled and fought to get out of his hold.
" You touch him and everyone would hear about this promiscuous act of yours." His rigid voice threatened.
She stilled.
The gaze in his eyes, sharp and cold, the most terrifying dark eyes she's ever set eyes on, they sent fear right to her core and she could tell he meant what he said.
" Is this who you are? Adulterous woman." His face twisted in disgust.
" I did nothing wrong." She fired back.
" You didn't? Making out with your husband's brother on your wedding day." He let go of her arm like she was a stain. " I wonder what everyone would think of that."
Fear tangled in her chest. Her breath trembled as she imagined the look of disappointment that would be on her parents' faces, and what that would do to their reputation.
" Hey, back off, Grayson. She did nothing wrong. She was hurting and I was comforting her." Tyler defended, getting up on his feet.
" Is that so?" He arched an irritated brow. " Care to explain why your lips were almost touching hers then?"
No one answered.
" I guess as much."
Then he turned to Tessa, shooting her a dagger glare. " I wonder what the reporters would think of this."
Her head snapped up. " You can't do that!" She nearly shouted, frightened.
" Yes, I can." He said calmly. Then stepped closer, close enough for her breath to stutter as she refused to inhale his cologne. " I heard your parents need this marriage, but too bad, I detest promiscuous beings, so we're ending it, right here, and right now."
" Please don't." She glanced up, her eyes watery.
Grayson's jaw clenched at the sight of it, his fingers curled, his eyes darkened.
" That would ruin my family and I can't bear that."
" Then let this be the last time I see you with my brother."
She nodded, clenching her fist so hard at her sides.
Grayson turned to Tyler, eyes cold and unreadable. " And you? The next time I see you with my wife? You'd doubt if I ever was your brother."
With that, he grabbed her wrist, firm and steady, and began pulling her away.
Tyler stood, watching as their figure slowly faded before a smirk curved at his lips.
" You still couldn't let go of her, can you?" His smirk curved deeper. "Let's see how you'll keep her away from me. She's mine. Always."
Cameras flashed as soon as Grayson and Tess stepped out. When they reached the car waiting outside, he paused before opening the door for her.
" You may have loved my brother," he said quietly, his voice smooth and controlled. " But you are my wife now, and I don't share what's mine."
Her throat tightened, her body trembled as her eyes flickered with pain, anger, and humiliation.
" Get in, Mrs. Beaumont." He opened the door.
With tensed shoulders, she entered the car. Even in the car, she maintained a distance as if he were a disease, said nothing to each other in the gravely silent car till they arrived at the mansion.
He stepped out first.
She followed.
The moment they entered the living room, her defiant voice halted his step mid-way.
" Just because I am your wife doesn't mean I belong to you or I'm yours."
His jaw flexed, and slowly he turned to her.
" I may be your wife, but I would never love you." She added, eyes blazing with fire.
" Love? You're one to say that," He said softly, tone filled with resentment. " You couldn't even recognize the man standing in front of you."
He stepped closer, voice dropping. " Yet you talk about love."
" This marriage is mere business." She asserted fiercely. " I'm not yours so don't expect anything from me, not loyalty, or love, cause I'd never stop loving him, Tyler."
For a brief second, something flashed in his eyes, something that seemed like a betrayal, or amusement.
His lips curved. " Interesting. And he? Does he love you?"
The mockery in his tone, it made her inside twist, but she hated it instantly when she couldn't give him an answer immediately, it was as if her tongue was tied.
She inhaled shakily. " He confessed his love to me today."
" Yet, he didn't choose you."
The word slapped hard. Her breath caught like he'd poured her cold water.
" He had the chance to take your hands and become the groom, but he didn't. Did he?"
Her breath quivered. He could see the resentment and anger in her eyes but that only hardened his voice.
" Hate me or not, you're my wife now, Tess. Don't expect divorce from me, cause I'm not giving, and I will perform my husband duties.." his voice dropped an octave. "..In the morning. In the afternoon. At night. Whenever and however. Till death do us part."
Cold shivers ran down her spine. It wasn't a vow, more like a terrifying promise.
" Now go get ready, wifey, our flight leaves in thirty minutes."
" I'm not going anywhere with you."
He smirked. " Guess, I have to call Mrs. Ciara Beaumont, because her daughter-in-law just refused her honeymoon preparations. You'll have to explain why yourself."
He said already bringing out his phone.
His mother.
Her eyes widened, she quickly stepped in and snatched the phone away, glaring murderously at him.
