Hateful Games: (An arranged marriage billionaire romance) (Arranged Games Book 2)

Rosalie has erected a wall between us after the epic disaster of the afternoon, followed by an unforgettable kiss that still has my cock rock hard. It was evident in the firm and impassive set to her jaw as she glided downstairs, dressed in a loosely fitted top and black denim jeans that hid every inch of her skin.

A hidden message her body was off-limits.

Too bad she doesn’t know that the feel of her naked curves against my body is seared into my brain.

Every time I close my eyes, I’m taken back to that moment.

The way she fit perfectly against my hard edges. The soft sigh when she melted into my arms. Her pliant mouth tenderly and teasingly exploring mine, kissing me with a shy passion. The longer she kissed, the bolder she became. Grinding and moaning. Letting me feel her wet cunt against my abs, soaking my shirt right through.

A sexy siren with a bite.

Demanding.

Seductive.

Slutty.

I was a goner after that.

If she had asked me for the world in that second, I would’ve given it to her in a heartbeat. Hell, I would’ve carved my heart out and laid it at her feet, if she asked.

Because as those lips laved and tangled with mine, she owned me.

Rose has me bewitched, cast in her spell, and she doesn’t even know it.

It’s why it’s eating away at me that she’s shut me out. Like I’ve traveled back to the past. To the morning when she gave me the silent treatment the first time. I’m once more on the receiving end of it as she’s locked herself away in the library.

Instead of going after her, I distracted myself by calling cleaners to sort the mess in the kitchen and dining area. So it doesn’t look like a storm swept in here. If her true motive was to cancel the dinner, she’s succeeded.

I was already on my way for lunch when my phone pinged with the notification of the fire alarm going off.

My first reaction was panic at imagining the worst.

Still, I wasn’t prepared for the sight that greeted me. Both the girls had looked so disheveled and were arguing among themselves when Dash and I entered. The mayhem all because Rose didn’t want to admit she couldn’t cook.

She rightfully deserved to be spanked.

“Fuck,” I groan, remembering her little cries and moans. I badly wanted to sink my fingers in her heat and feel her come on my hand.

Just like that, I’m back to obsessing over my wife.

Every step we take forward, we take two backward.

I’m a man with patience, with carefully laid plans and determination to win smartly, not with brute strength. Around Rosalie, I have to constantly remind myself of my rules because all she makes me feel is the need to coerce or demolish every obstacle she throws at me.

I tell myself it’s the only tactic to ultimately possess her body.

Or at least, that’s what I thought until today.

Perhaps I’ve been going about tearing down her walls all wrong. The gentlemanly treatment isn’t taking me anywhere. I’ve been holding back, going against my darker instincts. When has that ever worked for us?

The earlier encounter all but proved my spitfire wife craves a firm hand.

Filthy commands.

Her will stolen.

As though you didn’t already know.

Checking the time on my wrist, it’s six in the evening and she’s yet to emerge from her little refuge. Maggie and Bunny are with her while Fire is keeping me company. The little shit was back to humping my leg. So, I put him on one of the tall chairs. Now, he’s fooling me with sad puppy eyes to let him down.

He jumps when I approach and pick him up with one hand.

Holding him, I stride toward the library. I’m patting myself on the back for not putting a lock on the door because it’s slammed shut. No explicit songs today. Without knocking, I push the door open and find her sitting crossed-legged on the couch. Her laptop perched on her lap.

Despite sensing my gaze, she doesn’t acknowledge my presence.

Red hair twisted in a bun, her fingers fly over the keyboard. I scowl at the device in distaste. Solely because I’m unaware what has her undivided attention.

I swear to God if she’s back on those stupid dating apps, I’m going to turn her ass red with my palm.

“We’re going to my parents’ for dinner,” I announce from the doorway. “Get dressed.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

“I told them we’ll be there by seven.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

“You’re aware your silent treatment brings out my asshole tendencies, Rose.” Fire licks my neck and I mutter to him, “Does your mommy always get this mad?”

“Woof!”

His little yap draws Rosalie’s attention and those pretty dark eyes collide with mine before switching to her puppy. They flare in jealousy. “Are you resorting to stealing my dogs?”

“Will that stop you from ignoring me?”

“Manipulative jerk!”

“Always with the sweet compliments.”

Shoving aside her laptop, she stands and stomps toward us. She raises her arm to grab Fire from my arms but he turns his head against my chest at the last second.

Her lips part in a wide O.

She blinks back in shock. My amusement dies when tears gather in the corners of eyes at his refusal. They lift to mine filled with hurt and betrayal. “I hate you, Nova!”

Oh fuck.

Pushing past me, she runs down the hall.

“You’re supposed to help me win her over, you goof.” Putting him down to join his troop, I stalk my wife upstairs.

Walking into the bedroom, I hear the telltale noise of slamming and banging from inside the walk-in closet. A black dress is in the crook of her arm while she rises on her tiptoes to pull out her heels on the top shelf.

A shiver runs down her spine when I approach from behind and grab the pair before passing them to her. I don’t let go when she tugs. I softly murmur, “He didn’t mean it, Rose.”

“Great! Now you know him better than I do.”

Turning her around, I lift her chin. “I’ll ignore him until he comes to his senses that I’m the big bad villain.”

“I love him too much to do that.”

My lips twitch at her adorable expression and obvious dilemma.

“But if you want to make up for it, the dogs will sleep in our bed.”

She stares with a smug smirk while I remember my epic fall. And yet, I find myself saying, “Okay. They can sleep with us.”

I should probably order an even bigger bed.

“Now, get out so I can change.” Without giving me a chance to respond, she pushes me out of the closet and locks it. I stare at the door with a sneaking suspicion I just got tricked.

***

I can’t concentrate on the damn road.

Not with Rosalie’s floral perfume distracting me. The hem of her skirt teasing me with the glimpse of her soft skin from the wind coming through the window, which she’s left down. Usually, women bristle at the thought of their perfectly styled hair getting ruined.

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I’ve always admired how she’s comfortable in her own skin, the view of the rest of the world be damned. She wears a fierce shell but underneath lies a deeply emphatic woman, whose softness and vulnerability shines through when least expected.

I thought we were different.

But I was wrong. Because she’s surprised me at every turn.

We’re both hiding secrets that’ll only tear us apart rather than bring us closer, if brought to light. A part of me wonders if I should’ve taken her offer of keeping our lives separate behind closed doors.

However, the thought has my vision turning black.

I crave her thorns too much.

“Eyes on the road, hubby,” she teases.

I lift my gaze from her bare thigh to her face and scowl. “Did you really have to bring your Kindle? We’re not on a road trip.”

Luckily, we’re on my parents’ street, about to reach my childhood home in a few minutes. It’s the first time Rosalie will be visiting, which I’m only realizing now.

“Of course.”

She’s more attached to her e-reader than her phone, which I’ve kept in my pocket after I saw her forgetting to grab it. Not that she knows.

“You aren’t even reading,” I point out.

“I’m not in the mood right now.”

“Then why bring it?”

“In case I wanted to.”

I shake my head at her logic. “Also, how come you’re a foodie and you can’t even cook?”

“A foodie is a person who loves to eat, not cook,” comes her sassy response.

“Why couldn’t you tell me this before?” I ask, just as we reach my home. The security guard opens the gate and I speed down the driveway. Switching off the ignition, I twist toward Rosalie. “Had your grand plan worked, how long do you think you could’ve kept up the act?”

“Not long.” She smirks. “Since I have no intention of spending the rest of my life with you.”

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m going to make you bow and beg to be mine forever,” I vow. “I won’t stop until I’ve possessed every morsel of you, Rose. Until I’m the very air you breathe.”

Stealing a kiss, I grab her Kindle and step out of the car.

Rosalie slams the passenger door and shouts over the hood, “Give it back.”

“You’ll be the focus of my parents tonight, little hellion. I would rather read your fave book porn than be bored.”

“It’s called spicy romance, you condescending prick.”

“I thought food was supposed to be spicy.”

She throws up her hands while taking an exasperated breath. “I can’t with you.”

When I circle to her, as expected, she attempts to grab her precious Kindle but I lift it out of reach. “Haven’t I told you sharing is caring?”

“You’re a hypocrite and a thief.”

“Lower your voice before my parents hear you insulting your husband,” I scold as I intertwine our hands. “I haven’t told them they have a hellcat for a daughter-in-law.” Wisely, she obeys and lets me guide her up the short stairs. Just as I knock, I pat her ass and sternly warn, “Behave.”

My mother opens the door and a bright smile lights up her face upon seeing us. Behind her, I see my dad hovering with his hands in his pockets. Even though I’ve taken over as the CEO, he still has an active role in our company. It’s why I knew my mom was not lying when she said he’s spending more time with her.

“Hi, my sweet Rosalie,” says my mom as she pulls a tense Rosalie in her arms. Soon, she relaxes and returns the hug. “I was so happy when Nova said you’re coming to our place instead. I’ve been telling him for some time now.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry we had to cancel at our home.”

I pull Rosalie against my side and lie, “Our cook canceled at the last minute.”

Rosalie looks up at me in surprise before nodding along. “Sadly, I’m not a good cook.”

“By that she means, not at all.”

She elbows me hard in retaliation and goes red as a beetroot, realizing my parents saw it. Hand flying to her mouth, she mumbles, “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“Someone should keep our son in check,” says my dad with a small smile. My mom chuckles and caresses Rosalie’s arm in affection. Dad gazes down at my mom and teases, “Are you going to invite the kids in or not, Teresa?”

Rosalie observes us with a comical expression, as though we’re alien creatures. I wish I could read her mind and what is swirling in them. The look is gone as soon as my mom takes her hand and they both walk away, leaving me and my father alone.

“You’re smitten with her, aren’t you?” he asks, as I step up by his side.

The denial is on the tip of my tongue but I can’t get myself to say it. “You would like that, wouldn’t you? It works out perfectly for you. Bringing our families closer brings you closer to her.”

His smile falls and expression hardens. “I’ve told you this marriage has nothing to do with her or my past.”

“Your whole life has been about her,” I sneer. “You might fool Mother, but not me.”

“People change, son.”

“If that were true, I wouldn’t be married to your enemy’s daughter.”

His lips twist in displeasure and his eyes penetrate into mine before he slowly warns, “Whatever qualms you have about my intentions or your in-laws, you will do nothing to sabotage your marriage, Nova. Rosalie is innocent in all of this, I will not let you ruin her life.”

“See, it didn’t even take you long to accept her as your daughter.”

“Don’t ruin the one good thing that’s happened to you.”

“You’re making a mistake trusting Mihir,” I flatly tell him. “Snakes might shed their skin but underneath, they’re still treacherous and venomous backstabbers. You want to turn a blind eye, be my guest. Don’t expect me to fall in line.”

Pushing past him, I storm inside the house.

My father is losing his touch, and tonight he proved me right. Between him and the narc amidst my office, I’d be putting out fires left and right.

With it, the sinking feeling in my gut solidifies that something perilous is on its way.