The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

The two of them stayed in the booth until 1 AM before parting ways. Lucius quietly entered his own bedroom in the villa. He reached to turn on the bedside lamp and was startled to suddenly see Magnus sitting in a wheelchair by the floor-to-ceiling window. It took him by a big surprise. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack, sneaking into my room at this ungodly hour?" Lucius kept his voice low.

"If you don't feel guilty, why would you be startled?" Magnus wheeled himself smoothly to meet Lucius.

"Your secretive return at this late hour suggests that you're the one with something to hide," Magnus' deep, penetrating gaze bore into Lucius as if trying to read his very soul.

Lucius strode over to Magnus, "And what's your excuse for playing the night owl in my room? Can't satisfy your desires with your new bride? Let me remind you, Magnus, you chose to marry an imposter. Deal with it. Don't expect me to be your pawn in any of your twisted games."

Magnus smirked, "Well, the cat's out of the bag, and grandfather knows. Given his temperament, what do you think he'll do? Better keep a tight leash on your woman. I couldn't care less about her. But grandfather, that's another story."

Lucius looked at the man in the wheelchair, and for a moment, he felt a bit dazed. He suddenly sensed that this man seemed to exude an invisible force, exerting an intangible pressure on him from an unseen place. "Your affection to your new bride seems genuine. I doubt you'd want her snatched away by grandfather. And she's quite protective of you. Don't get too greedy, Magnus. Coveting what's not rightfully yours will only bring trouble."

Magnus chuckled, "Let's not forget, Lucius. Kendra and I are still legally married. Despite my disdain for your woman, she remains my wife in the eyes of the law. Even if I couldn't care less about her, that doesn't mean you have no right to cavort with her behind my back. I advise you to stay in line, or you might lose everything."

After Magnus finished speaking, a sly smile played on his lips. He wheeled away, and the man left behind stared at his departing figure with a malevolent glint in his eyes.

Lucius thought to himself: "Losing everything? Huh, I will show you what I got soon enough; no matter how much Morgan may love you, you will always be a cripple who can't even get up."

Magnus returned to the bedroom and saw the girl sleeping soundly in the bed. Her petite face was flushed like an apple, and he gazed at her affectionately. Then, he stood up, removed his clothes, and lay down. With a gentle sweep of his large hand, he pulled her close, holding her tightly in his arms.

In Natalia's dreams, she felt a presence. She curled up, whispering in her sleep, "Magnus..."

His heart melted. He held her tighter and kissed her forehead, "Sleep, my sweet."

Her petite body was so small and so delicate, it drove him crazy. This time he took her, and enveloped by her tightness, he almost lost control again.

The thought of their intimate moments drove him to the brink of insanity. He looked at her peaceful sleeping face, whispering to himself, "You chose this, my dear. No matter what happens, you are mine. I will keep you safe."

The next day, Natalia opened her eyes, feeling sore all over. She immediately remembered what she and Magnus had done last night, and a sense of numbness crept into her heart. God! She actually slept with Magnus.

She looked up, and nearly jumped out of her skin to see him hovering over her. His eyes were closed, and his breath came out in deep, even exhalations. His scent, that intoxicating masculine aroma, filled her senses. His eyelashes were impossibly long. She remembered him calling her "my wife" in the heat of passion.

Her entire face was red. But it wasn't her first time last night, he should have known that, he didn't ask her. This man sometimes was so gentle that it captivated people, and sometimes so cold that you couldn't even look at his face.

She gently extricated herself from his hold and attempted to head for the bathroom.

Magnus snapped his eyes open, catching sight of her fleeting figure. With a swift motion, he pulled her back into his embrace, "Sleep a little more."

Natalia's heart pounded, "I need to change. What if the maids come in and see us?"

He looked at her, "You screamed so loudly last night. Weren't you worried about the maids hearing you then?”

His voice was husky and sexy. It made Natalia blush from ear to ear. "That was all your fault."

He buried his face in her neck, murmuring, "From now on, you're my woman. No matter what, you have to stand by me. Understand?"

Natalia blinked, "Magnus, I may have taken my sister's place to marry you, but that doesn't mean I wish to harm you. I just want to take care of you. If there comes a day when your legs recover and you don't need me anymore, I can leave. Just promise me you won't hurt my father. He's the only family I have."

Her eyes were misty, like a rose in the rain, blooming in his embrace. How could Magnus blame her for anything. Ever since their first night together, the thought of her had been tormenting him. He was unsure of his feelings towards her. He knew she wasn't legally his wife, but he wanted her nonetheless. He was even thankful that the Clarkson family had switched to Natalia.

If Kendra had been the one to marry him, his life might have been consumed by revenge. But now, he had her.

He gently caressed her face, "Alright, I promise not to hurt him."

Natalia smiled, "Thank you, Magnus."

He pinned her under him, "How about showing some gratitude in a more tangible way?"

She blushed, "Didn't we already do that last night?" Was he suggesting they do it again? A flurry of vivid images flooded Natalia's mind. Even she herself was taken aback by her own thoughts. How could she have such ideas? Oh my!

"It wasn't enough." He leaned in to kiss her.

Natalia's heart raced. But before she could utter a word, his lips silenced her. His intoxicating masculine scent filled her senses. She pushed him away slightly, "Magnus, listen, I haven't brushed my teeth yet."

"I don't mind."

"You... don't you have anything to ask me?"

"Ask what?"

"Last night, it wasn't my first time." With that, Natalia shut her eyes.

The man stopped kissing her, lifting his head slightly to look at her with fiery red eyes. "I know."

"So... you don't mind?"

"Not at all, because it was also me who took your first time."

Natalia stared wide-eyed at the man atop her, disbelief written all over on her face, "You...your leg...uh."