Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Seline's Pov

He was standing shirtless by the island, wearing only black sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips. His back was a masterpiece of muscle and tension. He was drinking whiskey, staring out at the dark ocean. He turned when he heard me, and our eyes met. For a few seconds, neither of us spoke. His gaze slowly traveled down my body. I was wearing a short silk robe over lingerie, nothing too revealing, but enough.

“Lost?” he asked, his voice rough.

“Thirsty,” I replied coldly, walking to the fridge. I could feel him watching my every move. As I reached for a bottle, he suddenly appeared right behind me, caging me against the counter with both arms, and my breath hitched.

“Get away from me,” I warned.

“Make me,” he whispered against my ear.

The heat of his bare chest pressed against my back. I hated how good he smelled and how my body reacted. I spun around in his arms and shoved his chest, but he didn’t move an inch. “You’re playing with fire, Riker.” I said. His hand came up, and his fingers lightly brushed my jaw. “And you’re soaked for it, Whitmore," he replied.

I slapped his hand away. “In your fucking dreams.” I said, but my voice came out breathier than I wanted. His eyes flared with hunger, and he leaned in like he was going to kiss me, then stopped just before our lips touched.

“Eighteen months,” he reminded me softly. “I can wait.” He stepped back, grabbed his glass, and left the kitchen without another word. I stood there with my heart pounding and my thighs pressed together. Fuck. This was going to be much more dangerous than I had anticipated.

Three days later, the first real sabotage happened during our first official public appearance as a married couple. We were attending the annual Innovation Gala. I wore a stunning backless red gown, and Knox looked lethal in a black tux. In front of the cameras, we were the perfect power couple, his hand on my lower back, and both of us were smiling, but behind closed doors, it was war.

While Knox was giving a speech on stage, I quietly leaked the information about his interest in acquiring Hamilton Media Group to three different journalists I trusted.

By the time we got back to the estate that night, he was furious. The moment we stepped inside the mansion, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the library, slamming the door shut.

“You leaked the Hamilton deal?” he growled, backing me against the bookshelves. I lifted my chin. “Did I?” I asked.

“Don’t fucking play with me, Seline," he growled. His body pressing against mine. The chemistry between us was violent.

“You blocked my acquisition of Starlight Studios last week,” I hissed. “Did you think I wouldn’t retaliate?”

His hand slid to my throat, holding me there possessively. “You’re my wife now,” he said, his voice dangerously low. “Whether you like it or not.”

“On paper,” I shot back. “Not in real life.”

His thumb brushed my pulse point; my heart was racing, and then the tension snapped. He crushed his mouth against mine in a brutal, angry kiss. I hated myself for kissing him back just as hard. His hands gripped my hips, lifting me up and my legs wrapped around his waist instinctively as he pinned me against the bookshelf. The kiss was all teeth and fury pure hate and raw need. I bit his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood and he groaned and kissed me deeper.

For a moment, I let myself drown in it. The feel of his hard body against mine, the taste of whiskey on his tongue, the way he held me like he both hated and needed me.

Then reality crashed back. I pushed him away. We were both breathing heavily, staring at each other like wild animals.

“Don’t ever touch me again,” I said, voice shaking with rage as he wiped the blood from his lip, his eyes burning.

“Too late, wife. "You kissed me back," he said. 

I stormed out of the library, my heart hammering, my lips swollen, and my thighs wet. This marriage was going to destroy both of us.

I woke up with a headache and the taste of Knox still on my lips. Fuck.

I stared at the ceiling, my fingers touching my swollen bottom lip. The memory of last night played on repeat in my mind. Knox pinning me against the bookshelves, his mouth devouring mine and the way I had kissed him back like I was starving.

I hated him and I hated myself more for wanting more.

My phone vibrated on the nightstand. Ashely.

Ashely: The Hamilton Media deal officially collapsed. Riker lost $180M overnight. Nice work, boss.

A small, satisfied smile touched my lips; at least one thing went right. I got dressed in a sharp white power suit, my armor for the battlefield I now lived in. When I walked into the main kitchen for coffee, he was already there.

He looked fresh out of the shower, wearing a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposing strong forearms. His blue eyes immediately locked onto me.

“Morning, wife,” he said, his voice rough with amusement. “Sleep well?”

“Better than you, I’m sure,” I replied coldly, pouring myself some coffee. “Considering you lost almost two hundred million dollars last night.”

His expression didn’t change, but I saw the muscle in his jaw tick. “So it was you,” he said, stepping closer. “You’re getting bold.”

I turned to face him, the cup in my hand. “And you’re getting slow; maybe marriage is making you soft, Riker.” I said with a smile.

He caged me in against the counter again, the same position as last night. The tension was instant and suffocating. “You keep pushing me,” he murmured, his eyes dark, “and one day I’m not going to stop.”

My heart was racing, but I refused to show it. “Good,” I whispered, leaning in until our lips almost touched. “Because the second you touch me again, I’ll make sure you regret it.” We stayed like that for several dangerous seconds, breathing each other’s air, hate and lust twisting together. The sound of someone clearing their throat broke the moment.

Augustus Riker was standing in the kitchen entrance, looking between us with cold calculation. “Am I interrupting?” he asked dryly.

“Not at all,” I said, stepping away from Knox. “Your son was just reminding me how much he enjoys losing money.” Knox’s eyes promised murder. 

Augustus ignored our hostility. “Tonight there is a family dinner with both families. The consortium wants to see unity; don’t embarrass us," he said, then he left without waiting for a reply. Knox looked at me. “Try not to wear something that makes you look like a whore tonight.” he hissed.

I smiled sweetly. “Try not to bring your side piece, darling.”