Chapter 2 Happy couple

I haven't been the same since I realized what I'd done last night. I'm not just filled with disgust and mortification; my heart is also gnawing with guilt.

I feel like I've betrayed Seb, even though it wasn't intentional.

Getting dressed for work in the same space as him, my pulse quickens as he moves around our bedroom.

He's talking to me about something, but I can hardly comprehend what he's saying because my thoughts are too preoccupied with the remnants of last night's shenanigans.

I've tried dismissing this hollow feeling in my stomach, but it's been impossible. All I can think about is him—Zane Thorne, my fiancé's brother, who I came to his pic last night. I don't think I can ever move past this, especially since I'm literally so disgusted with myself right now.

What's even crazier is the fact that I'm interviewing this same man in the next ten hours or so—I'll be forced to be in the same space with him throughout the entirety of the interview.

How the hell am I going to behave in front of him and act normal when I know full well what I did?

Knowing Zane and how much he enjoys making people uncomfortable in their own skin and coaxing out their secrets with those judging eyes of his, that meeting will likely be a disaster.

I don't think I can do it...

"Are you listening to everything I've been saying, baby?" my fiancé's question slices through my thoughts.

I freeze, like a bucket of ice water has just been poured over me. My fingers tremble slightly before I swallow and regain my composure.

Facing him, I nod with a feigned smile. "Yeah."

"Hmm... So you're totally cool with it, I see? No dramatic protests today," he arches a brow in mild surprise.

Now I'm confused—cool with what? What does he mean?

I'm hesitant to voice my puzzlement because then he'll realize I wasn't listening to him. But since I'm completely clueless about what he's talking about, I stutter a response. "Y-yeah, sure."

Seb comes up to me with narrowed eyes. "You weren't listening, were you?"

I absorb his piercing gaze and accept defeat.

"Fine, you caught me..." I sigh uneasily, licking my lips. "I got carried away, sorry. I was thinking about this interview I have later today. Kind of nervous."

I am a financial journalist. My job is basically hosting interviews and uncovering fascinating stories behind some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country. It so happens that it's this jerk I'm interviewing next—he's a wealthy billionaire who has remained in the top three richest people in the country for the last five years.

Seb teases, oblivious to my tumultuous thoughts, "Hmm, so which millionaire—or rather billionaire CEO—are you interviewing today?"

My expression twists slightly with a wince. "Your older brother."

"Zane?"

Seb only has one, so of course it's him.

"Yeah," I reply, licking my lips.

The enthusiasm on his face fades instantly before he pulls back from me, displeasure etched across his features.

"Seb..." I call softly, knowing he's probably upset at the mention of his brother.

Zane and Seb do not get along. A lion and an antelope would likely coexist more peacefully in the same space than the two of them. I don't know what the real deal is between them, but their feud has created a rift in any potential friendship I could have had with Zane.

In fact, because my fiancé greatly dislikes him, I dislike him too. But even that aside, Zane is an unbearable asshole with a terrible personality—an arrogant, egotistical maniac who provokes people for sport.

We've only met a few times at the Thorne family’s occasional gatherings, and every damn encounter with him has been a complete disaster. When I say the guy is an asshole, I mean he's the father of all assholes there is. And I'm not exaggerating.

Seb eventually turns back to me, forcing a smile despite his displeasure. "It's fine..."

I'm surprised he's so calm about this. So I stand up, furrowing my brows skeptically. "You sure?"

"It's just an interview, baby," he says with a shrug. "And it's work. I wouldn't let my rivalry with him get in the way of your career. So it's fine... just be... careful."

"I will."

He adds softly, "You know he has a tendency for prying where he's not supposed to. Don't talk to him about us... just do the interview and come back home, okay?"

I nod before closing the gap between us. I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him deeply in appreciation of his understanding and consideration. I was thinking this would be an issue, but he's understanding enough not to make it one.

When I break away from the kiss, I stare into Sebastian's green eyes, his arms wrapped around my waist and mine around his neck.

A beat passes before I eventually ask.

"So what were you asking me about earlier—whether I was cool with it?"

"Celine..." He replies, "She will be my partner on this new project at work."

My chest constricts painfully, like a pin has been driven through my heart.

My arms loosen around Seb's neck, a tight lump clogging my throat. "Celine?"

As in his ex-girlfriend, who is still obsessed with him and who doesn't know when to back off despite knowing he's now engaged to me?

That Celine?

That conniving bitch who I've caught trying to seduce Sebastian in his office more times than I can count?

That one?

Hell no!

"Yeah... what's with the long face, baby?" Seb asks, lifting my chin to study my disappointment and annoyance. "It's just work. I was newly promoted, remember? She has more experience than I do in this area of expertise. It's why I need her perspective on most things," he explains.

But regardless of that explanation, I'm still not satisfied. As much as I love and trust my fiance completely, I still don't like seeing him with that woman. Because if I'm being honest, the few times I've caught them together, he seemed very different from how he is whenever he's with me.

I can't explain it.

"Come on, baby, say something... you've been quiet," Sebastian's voice pulls me from my conflicting thoughts.

I spare him a glance and reply, voicing my concern. "How long will you two be working together?"

"Just for a few weeks until I complete this project..." A smirk tugs at his lips. "Why? You jealous?"

"Yes, I am..." I sigh sharply, my voice low. "You know I am."

"Hmm, you don't trust me?" He cocks a brow.

"I trust you, Seb," I say truthfully, swallowing hard before admitting, "However, it's her I don't trust so much..."

"Why?" he chuckles in amusement. "Because she's a temptress? Way sexier than you?"

I frown, giving him a pointed look.

He reads my hardened expression and scoffs. "Come on, it's a joke, Dahlia. I literally tease you like this all the time—you should be used to it by now."

I counter, "It's not funny, Seb. It takes a lot for a woman to admit jealousy, and I just did, and you're laughing about it."

"Fine, I'm sorry. That was insensitive..." He tucks strands of my raven-black hair behind my ear, his touch barely sparking anything within me.

Sometimes I fear the sexual and emotional tension between Seb and me is dead, but I'm clinging to the hope that I haven't been feeling him much recently because of our sex-related problems.

Nonetheless, I still love him very much; there's no doubt about that.

So when he speaks in his soft voice, I relax into the warmth enveloping me.

"Celine and I are just friends, baby. We've been over for a long time. I'm with you now, and I love you with all of my heart." His smile makes my chest swell with affection. "You're going to be my wife soon, and I can't wait for you to be the mother of my children too. I love you, baby. Please stop worrying about Celine. Just trust me, okay? Can you do that for me?" he asks, stroking my hair gently.

All the annoyance I once felt gradually dissipates, and I let out a sigh. "Sure, okay."

"Okay," he pauses. "We're good, right?"

Images of me holding a vibrator against my pussy while I came to the imagination of Zane fucking me ruthlessly suddenly flash across my mind, without any warning.

I stiffen in shock, my throat tightening as my heart hammers.

What the fuck is this memory?

I quickly shake off the thought, refocusing on my fiancé, who is waiting for my response. I hope he doesn't notice how pale I've become.

Hesitantly, guilt pressing against my chest, I nod briskly. "We're good, Seb."

He kisses me again before releasing me. "See you later... Good luck on your interview, and don't hesitate to call me if that prick tries to do anything, okay?"

"I can handle myself, Seb." I force a smile. "But sure... noted."

He presses a kiss to my forehead before grabbing his briefcase and exiting the master bedroom.

Upon Seb's departure, I sink onto the couch beside me, my thoughts scattering in every direction.

With the remnants of last night filling my head, my pussy clenches at nothing, and I can't understand what the hell is wrong with me.

I think I need to see Jasmine.

---

Eight hours later, I'm back in the office of my therapist and friend, Jasmine. It's been a week since I last visited, but she's not surprised to see me since I'm a frequent visitor.

As usual, our topic for today is the unresolved intimacy issues I'm having with my fiancé. Only now, there's a slight twist because I might have had an orgasm while looking at a photograph of Seb's brother yesterday. But of course, I don't tell Jasmine that.

"So why are you feeling bad?" Jasmine asks softly after I narrate my ordeal, "You relieved yourself by watching porn and using a vibrator... I don't see what's wrong there."

She doesn't understand. I didn't have an orgasm from the porn video.

I sigh heavily. "I just feel like... it's so wrong. Having to... you know," I stutter incoherently.

Jasmine gives me a reassuring smile. "You're alright, Dahlia. You didn't do anything wrong. It's not your fault—you simply satisfied yourself."

I pause. "But how long is this going to keep going on?" I complain, running a hand through my hair. "I mean, I love Seb so much, and I don't want to jeopardize what we have—what we have is rare. But this... this is a real problem, Jas. And I don't know how to fix it."

"Since last time, have you tried talking to him about it again?"

I scoff, shaking my head. "Last night I literally begged him to make love to me, but he said he was tired. He didn't care that I was horny..." I sit up, a pang of frustration gripping my chest. "I'm literally getting married to this man in two months, yet this problem still stands. I don't know what to do."

"Are you sure you really want to marry him?"

"What do you mean by that? Of course I want to marry him!" I scowl.

Jas says calmly, "I understand, but how would you cope in marriage?"

"I don't know. That's why I'm here seeking your advice."

"Okay... how about this?" She suggests, "Since you've already found a new way of relieving yourself last night, how about you stick to that? At least until this issue clears up?"

She means I should keep fantasizing and getting off to Zane Thorne thirst traps?

I already feel terrible enough—so hell no, I'm not resorting to that.

I swallow, unsure of what to say.

As Jasmine notices my hesitation, she starts jotting something down on a small card.

She hands it to me afterward, and I'm confused as I take it from her. "What's this?"

"It's a key insight of what you've shared with me so far. Basically a summary of the last two years. I want you to go through it and ask yourself if you're really willing to settle for your fiancé in the end." A warm smile touches her lips.

My brows knit as my eyes scan the card, the contents pricking at my heart.

Like she said, it's everything I've shared with her so far—how awful Seb is in bed, how he doesn't let me finish before he gives up, how I like to be fucked more intensely but my fiancé won't give me that, how I like...

Fuck. It's a lot. I didn't even realize it was this bad.

I sigh again in resignation, slipping the card between my notebook before tossing it into my bag.

"I hear you. I'll look through it."

"Give me feedback within the week, Dahlia. I want to see our progress here."

I nod with a feigned smile as I stand. Glancing at my wristwatch, I notice it's almost 7 PM.

Fuck, I'm going to be late for my interview.

I quickly grab my bag and coat, assuring Jasmine I'll get back to her soon.

With that, I leave her office.

As I hastily head to my car, my heart races with trepidation, knowing that in a matter of minutes, I'm going to be sitting face-to-face with the devil named Zane Thorne.