"You want a hug?" His words were enough to make her mind go blank.
'How can I answer such a question?'
She did not answer him, nor did she reject him. She just froze while looking into his eyes unblinkingly, as if she was under his spell.
And sure enough, her shameless husband didn't let her stay in a daze for too long. He pulled her closer, and she was in his arms in no time.
'Oh, Lord! This is equivalent to keeping me awake until morning!' She cried in her heart. 'How can I sleep in his arms!?'
In Xander's arms, Scarlett could only close her eyes while listening to her loud heartbeat. She could also feel her blood boiling, unable to stand the heat inside her mind.
Too scared to move, making her body feel stiff in his arms. She couldn't enjoy this intimacy at all. Instead, she was so nervous.
"Babe, breathe!" Xander's voice sounded like a beautiful melody to her ears.
Scarlett suddenly opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She was too stupid to hold her breath, afraid that this man would hear her loud heartbeat.
"Ms. Riley, relax! I promised you I won't eat you if you don't want to..." Xander kissed the hair on top of her head and then hugged her tightly. "Let's sleep...Or people will think I tired you out all night. You know what I mean, right!?"
Even though Scarlett didn't have this kind of experience because she never had a boyfriend, she knew precisely what he meant!
'Shameless!! He really is shameless... Why did he say those words so casually!?'
Scarlett scolded him in her heart and tried to close her eyes while enjoying his unique aroma. She can't help but start to feel addicted to his scent and his warmth.
Next morning...
Scarlett awakens in Xander's arms as the first rays of sunlight enter the bedroom.
She tried to remember what had happened last night for a moment. And why was she sleeping in his arms!?
It only took a few seconds for her to remember everything.
She moved slowly to break free from his embrace but felt Xander awake before she could do it.
"Babe, can you not move? Or my little brother down there will wake up! You could be in trouble if he wakes up..." His hoarse voice made her freeze.
'Little brother? Who!? Carter!? Since when did Carter enter this room!?' She was confused. Before she could ask him, she heard him continue his words.
"Let's sleep more. We still have plenty of time to cuddle. I'm not done hugging you yet!" He said, hugging her thighs and resting his chin on her head. He tried to feel her warmth — It felt like he didn't want to wake up and just wanted to hug her like this all day.
Hearing his seductive words made Scarlett blush. She hid her face in his firm chest. While trying to remember what happened last night to make their relationship change rapidly.
This felt unreal to her. Their contractual marriage relationship becomes a real marriage when Xander tears up the agreement they made before deciding to get married.
And now, they have become husband and wife for real!? At least, that's what he said last night.
"Our marriage is no longer bound by an agreement!! You can completely own me and do whatever you want to do..." Xander's words are still ringing in her ears.
'This man, Xander Riley, is now my husband….' She couldn't help but smile silently. What she wished for finally came true.
However...
Despite the happiness she felt, something was bothering her mind and heart.
ραпdα nᴏνa| сom Last night, she had been so happy that she had forgotten that her decision would cause someone to get hurt. Now, she feels terrible because she promised that person she would never fall in love with Xander.
But everything changed! She couldn't lie to her feelings — She liked him. And she can't and won't blame her heart for that.
Later...
Xander and Scarlett woke up at seven in the morning and got ready to start this blissful day.
Today marks the start of their relationship without a marriage agreement. Their new beginning!
Xander was so quick to show his affection for Scarlett without looking forced. He is very relaxed doing it, like holding her hand, pulling her into his embrace, and kissing her lips. He seemed to have experience doing it, and it amazed Scarlett.
As for Scarlett, she wasn't used to getting so much attention and sweetness from Xander. It was strange for her to feel this kind of attention and intimacy from her opposite sex.
She also doesn't know how to please a man. Because so far, she has never had a romantic relationship with a man — one might say that her love experience is non-existent.
"What are you thinking?" Xander asked when he saw her eating breakfast in silence. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist and pulled her close. "Why are you silent? Something is bothering you!?" He continued.
Just about to stuff her scrambled eggs into her mouth, Scarlett stopped in midair. She put her spoon on the plate and turned to look at Xander.
"...I still can't believe what happened to us. Our relationship, which started oddly, has become what it is!" She smiled shyly before continuing, "We've only been together for over a month, but my feelings for you are strong..."
Scarlett couldn't finish her words, embarrassed to say them. She tried to hide the redness on her face by looking away.
Xander smiles lovingly to hear this girl finally express her feelings. Since last night he had felt the same way, knowing that his feelings were not one-sided, enough to make him feel like he was on cloud nine.
"Thanks, Scarlett! I know you still feel awkward around me, but I hope you can try to be more natural around me..." He stroked her back gently to make Scarlett's face turn red again.
She looked at him with a smile shining through her eyes. She said, "I'll try. But bear with me, because I've never been in love before... So this is new to me!"
