DREXON.

The Laurent Hotel was one of my properties-every detail from the Egyptian cotton sheets to the heated marble floors had been selected to meet my exacting standards. Yet as Luneth disappeared into the bathroom, I found myself second-guessing whether the jasmine-scented bath oils I'd mandated would be to her taste.

A ridiculous thought. Since when did I care about a woman's preference?

The water shut off abruptly. "Drexon?" Her voice carried an edge-not frustration, but something far more intriguing: flustered pride.

I was at the door in two strides. "Problem?"

"This damn dress." A huff. "The laces won't- I can't reach-" She exhaled sharply. "Could you call a maid to help?"

A slow smirk curved my lips. "You have a husband right here, sweetheart." The endearment slipped out before I could stop it.

Her sharp inhale when I stepped closer was more satisfying than any corporate takeover. My fingers brushed against the delicate skin of her back as I worked the intricate laces, feeling her shiver beneath my touch.

I should have stopped there. But the way her breath hitched when my knuckles grazed her spine sent heat pooling low in my gut.

"Are you helping or torturing me?" she snapped, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her.

"Impatient little thing, aren't you?" I teased, deliberately slowing my movements.

The more I fumbled with the stubborn ties, the more her flush deepened. I enjoyed it, but I didn't expect it to take so long. I could negotiate billion-dollar deals with steady hands, but these damn laces were defeating me.

"Are you even capable of this?" Her barb hit its mark.

My grip tightened involuntarily, and the delicate fabric tore with a soft rip, exposing the smooth expanse of her back.

"Was this your plan all along?" she demanded, twisting to glare at me over her shoulder, her cheeks flushed crimson.

In one fluid motion, I pinned her wrists against the wall, my body pressing hers into the marble. The torn dress gaped open further than intended, revealing more skin than either of us had planned. My breathing grew ragged as I watched the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

Christ. I'd had women before - beautiful, sophisticated women - but this wildcat somehow ignited me like no one else.

"Enjoying the view?" Her sharp tone snapped me from my thoughts.

"We are married," I murmured against her ear, feeling her pulse hammer beneath my fingertips. "Unless you're having second thoughts?"

Her eyes flashed with defiance. "Is this some kind of test?" That stubborn chin lifted. "I told you I'm not some spoiled child playing house."

When she swallowed hard, that delicate throat working, something primal stirred in me. Then she rose on her toes -

The shrill ring of my phone shattered the moment.

I nearly growled in frustration. Only Marcus would dare call now. Only a true emergency would make him call at this hour.

"My apologies," I said stiffly, watching her flush deepen as the spell broke.

Wrapping a towel around her shoulders, I made sure the fabric covered every inch before stepping back.

"Don't worry about the dress." My voice came out rougher than I intended. "I'll have a new one delivered by morning."

The cold night air slapped my face as I walked to the terrace, Marcus's call flashing on my screen. I stabbed the answer button harder than necessary.

"Congratulations, you bastard!" Marcus's booming voice could probably be heard across the city. "I leave for one business trip, and you go get married? To the woman who was supposed to marry your nephew?"

My grip tightened on the phone. "Watch your tone when speaking about my wife." The possessive word tasted strange but right on my tongue.

Marcus laughed, unfazed. "Damn, you've got it bad already. When do I get to meet the legendary woman who-"

"There are more pressing matters," I cut in, irritation flaring at his interest. "The Singapore deal?"

"Right, right." I could practically hear him rolling his eyes. "But first-your idiot nephew just tanked the Brisbane acquisition. Wanna guess how much he lost?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Let him fail. Moreaux men build their own empires." A thought struck me. "Besides, my wife would skin me alive if I bailed him out after today."

Marcus's knowing chuckle grated on my nerves. "Speaking of your fiery bride, when are you bringing her to-"

"Not now," I snapped. "She's... adjusting."

"Uh huh." The bastard had the audacity to sound amused. "Well, don't take too long. The boys are placing bets on how soon you'll-"

I ended the call before he could finish that sentence.

The suite was dark when I returned, save for the moonlight painting silver streaks across the bed. Luneth lay curled on her side, one hand tucked beneath her cheek like a child's. The tightness in my chest eased... followed by an unwelcome pang of disappointment.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I wasn't some hormone-driven boy who'd take advantage of a marriage of convenience. Not until we were both certain this was what we wanted. But as I watched the steady rise and fall of her breathing, I couldn't deny the truth:

I wanted her to wake up. Wanted those sharp eyes challenging me again. Wanted another round of that intoxicating back-and-forth that made me feel more alive than any business deal ever had.

Running a hand through my hair, I turned toward the couch. This would be a long damn night.

I was in a hurry to leave the hotel for wherever Drexon called home, but the Moreaux family had more plans for us than I could imagine. Things had not been like this in the past when I had married Kellan. After the wedding, we were sent home under the watchful eyes of Tema, who nagged me about everything.

"Mom said you and that girl should come down for breakfast." I pretended to lie asleep on the bed with my back to the door as I listened to the conversation between Tema and Drexon. "Your wife", she corrected herself, and even though I can't see Drexon's face, I wonder what kind of look he could have given her to have her change her words so easily. When I chose to be his wife, I knew that there would be persecution from Tema and her sister-in-laws, and to be honest, I was ready for that, but I did not want to forge my way into battle so early in the relationship.

"Why do we need to have breakfast?" Drexon's voice was smooth and commanded more authority than Tema's whiny voice.

"I do not know why; maybe you and your wife can come down and ask her yourself," Tema replied. It was obvious she was having a hard time addressing me as his wife. She must hate it, and it must make her blood boil, but then she had to get used to it.

"We will be going home directly," Drexon said, and Tema sighed.

"Do you also think everyone else at that table wants you there? We do not want you there either, but your mom keeps insisting, and even when I tell her that I am sure you would not agree to come, she asks me to make sure I do not attend breakfast unless I bring you both down," Tema added.

It was obvious that Tema did not hold as much power as she had portrayed in my previous life; she was as powerless as I was. I need to make things different this time; I need something bold and powerful to make sure that I do not get to sit at the edge of the table or wait tables during family gatherings again. I have had enough of it, and I have no desire to go down that path again.

Drexon inhaled sharply. "We will be there."

"Okay, good, I might be forced to come back up to you if you are not down in a few more minutes," Tema said, and then I heard the door shut. I felt my body stiffen. I had been sure that I was going to escape this with the aloofness of Drexon, but he did not manage to be able to slip out of it as I would have wanted.

I hear him move to the bathroom, and I only sit up when the sound of the shower goes on. I wonder how I would escape this; he knows very well that his family does not want me down there and that this would end in a horrible disaster. I think of ways to escape this; should I play the sick and tired card to make him go down alone, and then afterwards we can retire to his house? I stay pondering for a long time; the only thing that snaps me back to my senses is the sound of the shower going off and then the door clicking open.

I drop back to the bed quickly, as I do not want to see him naked; the image of what happened last night is still so fresh in my memory. I did not expect us to live lovey-dovey as a couple, and I think even if we were to have sex, it was too early for him to see me naked, and I was not willing to return the favour just yet. My mind began on the topic of intimacy; we had yet to discuss the topic, and I do not know him well enough to conclude on that. I force myself to push the thoughts out of my mind as I fall back to bed.

"You can drop the act; my family is waiting." His question hovered around the room, and instead of sitting up and admitting that he had caught me, I tightened my shut eyes and kept my body still. "You heard Tema; we have to go down for breakfast." I pretended to stir as if I were just getting up, and I sat in bed rubbing my eyes gently.

"What?" I pretend to yawn, and surprisingly, it turns into a real one.

"Get up and get ready."

"But I have nothing to wear," I lied, hoping that would be the way I escaped the breakfast or maybe bought myself a little more time.

"I will go over and get your suitcase," he replied. I knew about the suitcase next door, but I wanted to let go of it. It was my past, and I did not need to be associated with it. "Just fish something out of it and wear it for now; we can get you new clothes later," he added as if reading my mind.

I throw off the blanket and walk to the bathroom, knowing there is no escape for me regarding this. I stood in the bathroom and washed until I felt better; at least this morning, we did not need to call multiple times for hot water to come up. I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped firmly around my waist, and I saw that he had picked out a yellow sundress that went down to my knees. I look at it and wonder how he knew how much I liked the dress. I quickly slip it on and join him in the room.

He was dressed in grey pants and a white button-up shirt; he had the sleeves rolled up and the first two buttons left undone. I tried not to stare, but the way he wore that shirt - casual yet commanding - made my breath catch. "Shall we?"

"Yes, but before we go, I have a favour to ask," I say, making sure it was not as if I was begging.

"A favour?" His eyebrow goes up in a questioning manner at me, and I struggle to stand still. I wanted to be at the head of the table, and I had thought long about it; I just needed his yes to get the ball rolling. "What is it?" he gave in and asked.

I cleared my throat and closed the gap. "Promise me you will do it."

"I don't make empty promises, so I have to hear it first."

"I want to sit at the head of the table."

LUNETH

We walk down the stairs and enter a banquet hall. The Moreaux had turned the hall into a dining hall with a long table across and chairs scattered opposite each other. I glance at the seating arrangement, and I feel my stomach tighten; I remember this all too well, the end of that table and everything wrong with it.

We walk to the head where the matarich is seated. "Drexon, you came," the woman said with a smug smile on her face. She beckons to us, and we stand before her. She inspects us like some goods she was about to purchase, and I see the question lingering on her lips even though she seems careful not to say anything. She nods her head without a word and motions that we go to sit. "We can begin breakfast now."

It was then that I realised they had all been waiting for Drexon to show up. Drexon strolls casually to where he was supposed to sit. The seat was clear, and there was no arguing about it. Kellan was seated right next to him, with Kellan's father on the other side of him. I look to the back of the long table where the women sat with the kids, and I no longer want to sit there. I see Melissa already helping Tema and the other women put food on plates.

I knew that if I was supposed to sit according to the structure, I would be sitting beside Tema and Melissa at the end of the table. I stopped behind him because I had no idea what to do. He had not responded to my favour from earlier and had just started walking away. I did not want to act like a clingy child, so I let it go and walked behind him. I know very well that if I do not assert dominance today, I may never be able to do it, and he knows this as well.

"What are you doing there?" Tema asked as she stalked towards me and tried to pull me away. I pray desperately that Drexon will do something and not let her drag me away. He was the only one who could save me.

"Wait, Tema," Drexon's cool voice came through. He turned to Kellan and made a head motion, asking him to get up. My heart beat against my rib cage as I thought about what was going to happen. They were not going to like it, but no one could really question his decisions. It was no secret that the Moreaux family would be bankrupt if not for Drexon, so everyone tried not to get on the wrong side of him.

"Uncle Drexon?" Kellan's voice came out cold and scared. "What is it?" he asked, and Drexon pressed his lips together. He did not look too pleased that he had to explain what was going on to him.

"Get up," he said, and Kellan looked as if he had been asked to commit the gravest sin.

"Why? This is my seat; I have always sat at this part of the table all my life," he said, trying to explain. He knew that Drexon's mind was made up, and his explanations were falling on deaf ears.

It's no longer your seat," Drexon said and let out a sigh. Everyone's eyes were on him, wondering what he was about to do.

"Drexon, what do you mean? Kellan's rightful place is right here beside you," Tema interjects quickly. There was no way she would go down without a fight, especially against injustice done to her son.

"He can no longer sit there," Drexon replied calmly to Tema before facing Kellan again. "You can no longer sit there because my wife has to sit there now."

"What?" The gasp from the table made me feel super special.

"That is nonsense," Andrew Kellan's father said. Drexon's siblings had been quiet through the fiasco from yesterday. They had all kept to themselves, but it seemed like this was the thing that broke the camel's back for them. "Women have never sat at the head of the table since..."

"But Mom sits there." Drexon cut the man off, pointing to the old woman who sat at the head of the table, relaxed, watching the scene unfold before her eyes.

"And that is because she is the head of the family. What does your wife have that would qualify her to sit here?" Andrew shot back at him.

"She has me, and I want her to sit by my side so she shall," Drexon talks back. It seems that this is the most I have ever heard him talk to his family. They all seem worried about how this would unfold. I take in their faces, and I feel a bit bad about what is about to go down, but then I do not care. If I go down, they would all trample on me at the very first chance they get; I would rather stay here and be the bad guy in their eyes.

"Drexon", the old woman called calmly from the table. "She can't sit there," she said as if her words were the law.

"And even more, you can't ask her to take Kellan's place." Drexon pushes the chair he had drawn for himself back into the table and steps back. His hands find mine and hold onto them tightly. His actions catch me slightly off guard, but I ignore the feeling in my stomach and hold my head high.

"Then we shall not be having breakfast here," he announced. "We will go home and have breakfast there; after all, newlywed couples should be allowed privacy for the first few days after they get married," he adds, and I know I am not supposed to, but I can't help the way my mind spins out scenarios to think about.

The table fell silent as Drexon cast an intense look on his mother. There were unspoken words flying around the room and I wished that I could tell what they were. The woman takes a deep breath and pushes herself into an upright position.

"Kellan, get up," she said at once, causing everyone to turn to her with shock written on their faces.

"Mother, you can't allow this; this is wrong," Tema cried, moving to the head of the table.

"I will allow what I want, and this is final," she said without looking at Tema, who was ready to burst. "Kellan, move a seat to the right and everyone move accordingly," she ordered.

Kellan stood up, and without even thinking twice about it, he moved, and I sat down. I was overjoyed, but then I did not allow it to show because this was just the beginning of all I intended to do here. The entire breakfast was quiet until the old woman spoke.

"Kellan and Melissa, Drexon and Luneth, you must go on a honeymoon."