Scandalous Games (Arranged Games Book 1)

This isn’t how I planned to spend my day.

Bianca gave me a fright that told me I’m way too deep into her than I imagined. I was ready to kill whoever had hurt her. Ever since my talk with her dad, an irrational fear has settled in my bones that something will happen to her while I’m gone.

It doesn’t help that I’m lying to her every day. The longer I don’t tell her the truth, the harder she will hate me when she inevitably learns about it. Suddenly, Justin’s warning begins to play in my head. I hate to admit that he was right.

She believes I went to my city for a business emergency, when it was the opposite. On my flight back here, I decided to confess to her about that night. Because there’s no denying that I crave Bianca with a passion; that it’s more than just obsession and I want her to give me—us—a real chance.

And it can only happen once there are no secrets between us.

No shadows of the past haunting us.

Most importantly, her heart is unguarded and willing to love again.

The glimpse I saw beneath her walls when she woke up and smiled at me is forever painted in my soul. It gave a silly hope that she isn’t as unaffected by me as she lets on. I just need to prove she can trust me.

I’ve only gone for an hour, but I miss her with an urgency that’s foreign to me. I drive faster as concern for Bianca overrides every other feeling in my chest. I kept picturing her crying face as I left her on the couch.

It’s not long until I’m back and riding up to our apartment. I’m careful as I approach her sleeping form on the couch where I left her. I try not to disturb her but when I move in the open kitchen, she stirs awake.

“Dash.”

I carry one of the bags I brought, along with a plate and ketchup, and rest it on the table in front of her. She rubs her eyes before sitting up, and I’m torn when I catch her wincing. I hate that she’s in pain and I hate it even more that she has to go through it every month.

Who takes care of her then?

I frown when she fixes her wavy hair, even though they’re perfect as always. Primal possessiveness and satisfaction roars in my chest at seeing her looking comfortable and sexy in my clothes. I like that something of mine is touching her skin, a sight of my claim.

I’m turning into a caveman for this woman.

Settling beside her, I unpack the food I brought and push the plates toward her.

“Eat,” I order.

Her gaze flies from my face to the plates in front of her and she blinks twice at the sight of her favorite cheesy chicken burger that the restaurant no longer serves. Well, they didn’t until about an hour ago.

Bianca gasps, “How?”

“Doesn’t matter. All you need to know is it’s back on the menu.” When she makes no move to eat, I pick the plate up and place it on her lap. “Would you like me to feed you, wifey?”

That puts her into action and I smile when she takes a huge bite, moaning happily at the taste. Her adorable nose is pink from all her earlier crying yet she’s the most breathtaking woman I’ve ever seen. The little joys she finds in life both fascinates and inspires me, especially as she enjoys the food.

“Seriously, how did you make it happen?” she mumbles between bites.

“Whatever my wife wants, she gets.” It’s as simple as that.

I itch to kiss her, even with a drop of tomato sauce on the corner of her mouth while a blush darkens her cheeks and her lashes lower to hide the desire in her soft eyes at my words. It makes the bribe I gave to the restaurant’s chef to continue serving her favorite burger worth it just to see the smile on her lips.

And I might have also issued a threat to close down his place if he thought of defying me. Bianca doesn’t need to know any of that.

Once she’s finished and attempts to stand, I stop her. I grab the plate from her hand and carry it to the kitchen. I saw the exertion on her face as she walked. Returning to her side, she notices the other bags in my hand.

“Don’t tell me all those have burgers in them,” she jokes.

“I got some other stuff I thought might help.”

With a curious expression, she takes the bags from my grip and rummages inside. For the first time, I feel unsure and wonder if I forgot something. Her gaze softens at every item she unpacks. When she looks up, the corners of her eyes tear up again and my chest expands with concern.

“Kitten.” Wrapping my arms around her, I sit down with her on my lap and murmur, “Why the tears?”

“I can’t believe you went and bought all of this,” she whispers, waving her hand at the dessert I bought. Red velvet cake, of course. Chocolates, among some other snacks she loves. Ice cream, too, which I put in the freezer. And lastly, a heating pad for her pain, and medicine, just in case. “I thought I scared you away.”

“You think I’ll leave while you’re in pain?” Silly girl. I tease, “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” I breathe easy when she laughs, a sweet and throaty sound. “Let me know if I missed anything.”

“Miss? You’ve bought, like, a care package that a girl could only dream of.” In a flash, her gaze narrows playfully and with a bit of jealousy. “I think you lied when you said you’ve never had a girlfriend. How else would you know what to buy?”

“I might have asked for Rosalie’s help,” I confess, her eyes turning wide as saucers. Fitting. I couldn’t believe I called her too. “Pretty sure I ruined my broody asshole reputation. I’m never going to hear the end of it, am I?”

“Afraid not. But it’ll get you brownie points.”

“Speaking of brownies, do you want to have your dessert here or in bed?”

“Bed.”

Nodding, I stand while cradling her bridal style, making one of her arms wrap around my neck and other clutching the pastry box. She opens her mouth to protest but I cut her off, “You’re not walking today.”

As I climb the stairs, Bianca is quiet but I feel her gaze burning into my face and making me wish I could read her thoughts. My cock jerks at her close proximity, her soft skin pressed against mine and soft breaths tickling my neck. Never imagined I would feel content just holding a woman. With Bianca, I’m learning new things about myself every day.

If Justin witnessed the way I am with her, he’ll think I have a doppelganger he didn’t know about.

In the bedroom, I lay her down on the bed, then stuff pillows behind her back so she can lean comfortably, before I switch on the TV. I scroll through the selection of movies and put on some random horror flick with a good rating, knowing she enjoys the genre despite the fact that they make her scared shitless.

I twist around to catch her watching me intensely. I approach and lean over her frame, my hands on each side of her hips. “What are you thinking, kitten?”

“You remembered I love horror movies?”

“Watching you was my favorite pastime.” That blush is going to be the death of me.

“I didn’t think you actually paid attention when you watched me all those times.”

“You mean when you pretended I didn’t exist and failed,” I tease, making her roll her eyes. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I confess, “I noticed every little thing about you, kitten. I still do.”

Our gazes remain locked for the longest second and I don’t care if she peers down to the deepest, cracked parts of my soul. Never thought I’d find someone who could mend those pieces, but she has me feeling differently. When she speaks, her voice is a teasing whisper.

“You’re suspiciously good at being a pretend husband, Dash. A secret kink, perhaps?”

“I have a you kink, Mrs. Stern.” Placing a kiss on her pink cheek, I straighten. “Enjoy the movie. I’ll take a shower.”

Her soft hand captures my wrist, stopping me before I’ve even taken a step.

“I miss— I’m glad you’re back, Dash.”

When was the last time another person cared enough to miss me? The answer is never. Bianca doesn’t realize what the magnitude of hearing her say that does to my heart. Or maybe she does. My voice comes out gravelly with emotions clogging my throat. “I missed you too.”

Minutes later when I come out of the shower, the sight that greets me is funny and I laugh under my breath. Bianca sits with her arms clutching the pillow like a lifeline and peering at the TV screen from behind it. I stifle another laugh when she mutters at the actors, warning them not to go inside where they’ll run into the ghost.

“They can’t hear you, kitten.” A scream rips from her throat and she hurls the pillow in my direction. It lands at my feet and I quirk an eyebrow. “Is that how you’re going to defend yourself if a burglar ever attacks?”

“No. I’m going to use you as a human shield and run away.”

“A human shield, huh?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll come back for you.” Mischief flickers in her pupils as she mutters, “Eventually.”

I cross the distance while she feigns innocence after running her hot gaze over my abs, but she gives it away when she licks her bottom lip. I hate that I have to wait another few days before I can ravage her body.

She scoots to the side, making space for me as I sit with my back against the headboard. Laying down, she snuggles into my side with her head resting on my chest. I play with her silky hair, my attention riveted to her while she focuses on the movie. Every time a scary scene comes, she shudders and scratches my abs with her nails.

My cock involuntarily reacts at being surrounded by her scent, innocent touches, and it’s not long before I’m pulsing and rock hard. She can’t see because of the fluffy blanket and remains oblivious to my silent torment. At one point, I’m certain I’m going to die.

Death by blue balls—it would make one memorable headline.

I distract myself by focusing on the movie and it’s not long before she drifts off to sleep with my fingers still sifting through her tresses. Instead of taking a nap like I should after the long hours of traveling, I stare at Bianca’s sleeping form.

I smooth the frown lines that appear on her forehead whenever a cramp hits her while in sleep, hating the sight of her discomfort. Her lips form a small pout that I can’t resist but bend to softly kiss until she tightens her arm around my waist.

I’ll never get enough of her. She’s under my skin.

My obsession.

My wife.