Mr and Mrs Sullivan: Standalone Arranged Marriage Romance

by Simone Nicholls

  "I have to say you two make the cutest couple." Jessie grinned beside me. "I always knew Dane would find someone insanely gorgeous."

  Emerald smiled and didn't have to say anything because the food had arrived. Within minutes, everyone was going on about how amazing the food was.

  And for the first time, the conversation was off us.

  I didn't let go of her hand for the whole dinner. She didn't seem to complain either. I was more focused on drawing circles on the back of her hand than I was eating.

  Emerald had kept her promise when she said she wouldn't be on her phone during dinner and my friends would have her full attention. But by the continued buzzing in her clutch all night I wasn't half surprised that the first thing she did when we were back home was pull her phone out.

  She groaned.

  "Everything alright?" I asked behind her, closing the front door.

  "Just my stupid mother and agent." She started flicking through text messages. "I swear people just like parading my name around."

  "Well, you do have a good reputation. Unlike some." I smiled before taking the stairs after her. Watching her ass sway from side to side.

  She came to the top of the stairs, "Thanks for tonight." She looked up from her phone. "Your friends are nice."

  "You're the one who is nice. Are you tired?”

  "No, actually."

  My pulsed raced at that. Maybe I wouldn't be seeing her disappear into that room so soon.

  "Want to watch TV?"

  "It's late, doesn't your training start tomorrow?" She looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

  "I'm a morning person."

  "I'm not. When I was younger, I had a rule no one was allowed to talk to me before ten."

  "Did it work?"

  She laughed. "Trust me, they only had to break it once, to not break it again."

  "So is that your way of telling me to be quiet in the morning?" I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms.

  "I didn't say that rule applied to you." She smiled sweetly at me. Showing her dimples. I liked the fact she had an exception for me, but I wasn’t crazy enough to wake her in the morning. Women needed their beauty sleep.

  "Do you want to watch TV?"

  "But you have an early morning."

  "Just training and media conference. I'll be fine."

  She debated on whether to agree or not. Come on Emerald.

  "Okay, but I need to get changed." She started walking backwards. "You find us something to watch."

  “I’ll be in my room waiting for you." And if I had it my way she wouldn't be leaving my room tonight.

  I walked into my room, ripping my shirt off. I’d never wanted my body to impress a female before. Sure, I’d gotten compliments and women always seemed to like it, but Emerald was all that mattered now.

  I sat up in bed and turned the television on.

  What would she want to watch? I started flicking through the channels.

  "I think I packed everything but pjs." I heard her say as she walked in. She paused as soon as she saw me, taking in a deep breath and her eyes widening slightly. She quickly looked down at the ground.

  "Sleeping in nothing is fine by me." I wanted to make her blush and when she did, I couldn't stop smirking. "Come on, help me find us something to watch."

  She automatically walked to the other side of the bed. And I noticed how she sat on the very edge of the side. Like she didn't trust herself to be closer to me.

  I kept flicking through the channels. Not watching the television but watching how her breathing was coming out sharper. Her chest rose and fell quickly. Her breaths were ragged, and it only spurred me on more. I wanted her in my arms. I wanted her screaming my name. . God, the way her breathing pushed her breasts out in that low tank top, was making the blood pump downwards.

  "Oh, go back!" She said.

  What? On the television. Right I was changing the channels. I went back.

  "Keep going." Her face lit up. "Okay stop." She snuck a glance at me. "You don't mind Bondi Vet do you?"

  I didn't care what we were watching. I just didn't want our evening to be over yet.

  "Nope." I turned it up and put the remote down.

  She tucked her legs under and focused on the television. My eyes were on her, not the television.

  How did I get her to come closer?

  "You cold?" I asked.

  She glanced at me. "How did you know that?"

  What a good guess and a great excuse to get her in bed. I pulled the blankets back and she looked between me and the blankets. Finally, she crawled up the bed and slipped into the bed next to me.

  I got up and pulled my jeans off. She was looking at me for a second and then her eyes were glued back on the television.

  I slid into the bed until I was next to her. Was it too soon to make a move?

  I wasn't sure. But I didn't stop myself from putting my arm around her and pulling her to my side. When she didn't push away from me, I was more satisfied. Her skin was cold, so I pulled the blankets up around her. When she placed her head on my chest, I smiled.

  I placed my hand on her hip and her tank top had worked its way up, so my hand was on her skin. With her head on my bare chest, I’d never been more turned on by a woman.

  She was so focused on the television that she didn't seem to care that I pulled her in even closer, till she was right against me. She curled into my side, watching the tv.

  I’d never enjoyed watching the television with someone before. But her reactions were so cute. She squirmed whenever they showed a dog in pain or the surgeries. She held her lips tighter whenever they showed animals that had been mistreated.

  Her hand clenched into a tiny fist when they showed a pair of dogs that had been left at the house with no water and no food. And she sat up.

  "How can people do that?" She snapped. "Seriously, who would just leave their pet to die?"

  She hadn't calmed down till she saw them get adopted. I pulled her back down. Not liking the fact she was out of my arms.

  The episode finished, and she sighed. She placed a hand on my chest and pushed herself up.

  "I should let you sleep." She stared down at me biting her lip.

  I didn't even think about it, I just reached out and gently pulled her lip from her teeth. My thumb ran over her bottom lip. Did she only do that when she was nervous?

  "Stay," I said. Not wanting her to go.

  "I don't think that's a good idea." Her breath blew across my face and I was positive I had never had more of a brilliant idea, than wanting her to sleep with me.

  My hand ran up her back, under her tank top. "I'll stop touching you, if that is bothering you?" As much as it would kill me to not touch her I would stop if it was making her uncomfortable. It was like when I was around her my hands had a mind of their own. They had to be on her.

  "I wouldn't let you touch me if I had a problem with it." She smiled shyly. "I'm not used to being touched though."

  "Weren't your other boyfriends affectionate?" Even though I wasn't her boyfriend. How could a man not want to touch her? I usually had control but when it came to her. I was hopeless. I needed to touch her soft skin. I wanted to make sure people knew she was taken. Even if it was just pretend. Right now, I wasn't pretending to be with her. I wanted to be with her.

  "I don't do boyfriends."

  "Well, the other men you have been with then?" I wasn't stupid. There was no way, she hadn't been touched before.

  She frowned. "I just told you I don't do boyfriends. I usually don't let men touch me at all. I actually have a thing about it." She sighed. "Normally, it bothers me." She looked like she found that confusing.

  "So this," I ran my hand up her bare back under her tank top. "Does this bother you?" Was it wrong of me to want her to want me as bad as I wanted her? I wanted her to want me to touch her. I wanted to touch every inch of her body.

  She shook her head. "As wrong as that is, it doesn't."

  "I think that say
s it's not wrong." One day. That was all it took for me to get hooked on my pretend wife. If I hadn't been a drunk prick on the wedding night, maybe things would’ve been different. I hoped the impression I gave her today was a better one than last night.

  "I should let you sleep." Her hand pushed on my chest and she was gone before I could stop her. I wanted to groan but didn't.

  "You could stay?"

  She shook her head. "I've never shared a bed with someone before," She winked at me. "Not even with a pretend husband." I watched her move around the bed.

  "We can change that." I wanted her to want to share a bed with me. And damn, I liked the fact she hadn't shared a bed with anyone else. I wanted to be her first. What else could I say to convince her to stay?

  "Night. Dane." She smiled and left.

  Leaving me wanting her more.

  Chapter 6

  Emerald

  School. I'd love to say I enjoyed it, but I quickly realized that studying on campus was harder than I would’ve originally thought. Having a massive chunk of my day, blacked out. I wasn't used to it. Like Mom expected, I fitted in perfectly when it came to grades and the work. I was capable of it. However, finding a balance between school, the university studies I was doing, as well and modeling was the problem. Work was applying more and more pressure. Demanding more of my time.

  I rushed into the shoot. Megan spotted me right away.

  "Okay, so we have an hour and half here. Then you are off to do a runway appearance. It's Kyle’s new line. From what I can work out, you are required to attend the after party." Megan started throwing details at me as while walking to the wardrobe.

  Indigo, the man who loves to be behind the camera at my shoots waved at me to come over.

  "Coming!" I called out. "Okay at Kyle’s new line, how many hands do I have shake?"

  "Just the CEO. You are booked in with him after the after party for cocktails. I know you don't drink but just one won't kill you." Megan kept up with me as I walked to Indigo.

  "Emerald." He quickly pulled me in for a hug. "How was your first day at school?"

  "Perfect." I lied. It was far from perfect. When I wasn't lost, I was tripping over my own damn feet. When I wasn't cursing at myself, I was getting behind with assignments. Which reminded me, "Oh Megan." I turned to her. "You have to black out my schedule on Tuesday at five. I've been roped into a group assignment. I know I'm booked that date. But they picked the date and I didn't have a choice in time. Seeing as I'm new."

  Megan nodded her head and threw down a stack of pictures. "Sign these."

  I started signing, “What did you want Indigo?" I asked as I scribbled my signature across images of me in my underwear. "Wait a sec, Megan, who are these for?"

  "Your fans tonight. I'm guessing you won't have time to do a meet and greet?"

  I nodded. She was right.

  "Em, I was thinking." Indigo started.

  "What’s up?" I smiled and kept signing as Megan removed one picture and I signed the next.

  "Yeah, you and this school dress. Do you mind if we do a few pictures?"

  I looked up at him. "You're joking right?"

  "You're hot as hell in it and they will sell." He shrugged.

  "I'll pass."

  "Come on Em."

  "No."

  "Emerald. It will fulfil fantasies and you're killing it in the dress." Megan started.

  I groaned. It was bad enough that it was small on me, making my breasts stand out. When it came down to it, it was just a school dress. "It's a school dress. It doesn't scream sex appeal."

  "Yeah it does." Indigo pressed. "Come on, Em. The commission I'll get off of it, should have you reconsidering. Come on, for a friend?"

  "Fine." I put the marker down, signing the last one. "But after the shoot." I took off towards wardrobe. "And that's if I have time!" I yelled over my shoulder.

  Megan was at my side. "I know we spoke about you doing a dawn shoot this week. Well, I've locked in the next five days."

  I undid the buttons of my dress. "So, is that night shoot as well?" I pulled the dress off. I was so used to being half naked in front of people. I didn't even think twice about it. There were only professionals in the studio.

  I sat down in the makeup chair and the makeup artist started to work her magic.

  "Yes, I've updated your schedule. Reflecting the changes. I know it is working you to a thin line but it will only be for the next month."

  I scoffed. "Really, are you are lying to me?"

  The makeup artist started to apply foundation.

  " We will try to balance them better." Megan smiled. And I pulled out my phone going to my schedule. "Also, Midnight Angels want you to front line a show."

  "What date?"

  "They've given us a couple. But..."

  "But?" I glanced from my phone to her.

  "They’re all weekend shows. They clash with Dane's games."

  "Dane comes first." I looked back at my phone.

  "Front lining you is a big deal, Em. You know they don't usually have models who aren't owned by them modeling their clothes."

  "I can't back out of Dane's games."

  "I'll talk to them and see if we can get a week show. They have a new lingerie line coming out and they want your face on it. The money they are willing to give you as well is ridiculous."

  "I have money."

  "This could be the crown on top of your career."

  "How much access do they need to me?" I asked while reading the new contracts for a dress I was meant to be modeling tomorrow night. "Has Tony looked at these contracts? For Vine Dress?"

  "Yes, he has. They just need your approval. As for access, I'm not going to lie and say they won't need you full time."

  "I can't fit in the jobs I have now along with school and give them full access."

  "Think about it, Em. I really think this is your next big move and so does your Mum."

  The hairdresser started to curl my hair.

  "See if they can even consider a mid-week show before I even glance at what they are offering."

  "I think they'll be willing to arrange their whole show around you launching this brand. They want your fans and they want your success."

  The makeup artist applied lipstick and as soon as the hairdresser finished the last curl, I was out of the chair and heading for the clothes rack. Taking the first outfit off the line and heading for the changing room.

  I closed the door. "When is Dane's first game?" I asked the closed door, knowing Megan would be there.

  "This Saturday. You might have noticed you have an interview with Dane and a blog this week as well. It's covering the wedding."

  I opened the changing room doors. "Is it scheduled?"

  "Yes."

  "Then I'll be there."

  Megan nodded and went to the side lines and I went to Indigo.

  "Okay, I'm all yours." I smiled at him. Time to smile and pretend like my life wasn't going to hell around me. I acted like I didn't have a drop of doubt and pretended like I didn't care how these pictures turned out. I made them believe I didn't care. So if I had to reshoot it wasn't a big deal. But I swear if they pulled me in one more direction I was going to spill.

  I closed the bedroom door. It was after two in the morning and I had to be up and gone by six. Three hours of sleep wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. I took my heels off and unzipped the dress I’d modelled earlier this evening.

  The after party was like all the others. The cocktails with the CEO was just him going on and on about how happy they were I was on board for the night.

  I stepped out of the dress and collapsed on the bed. Sleep. I swear I hadn't had much since school started earlier this week.

  I hadn't seen Dane either. He probably thought he married a ghost.

  I set my alarms and rolled over in bed. Too tired to even get in the blankets. I still had makeup on and as much as I knew I should take it off, I couldn't be fucked. I'd just have to get up earlier than si
x and squeeze in a shower.

  So I fell asleep. On top of the blankets, with my school books on one side. Yep, I was really succeeding at this school and work balance shit.

  I had two hours of sleep. I was showered and it was five-thirty-six. I picked up my school bag, had my phone in hand and was trying to be quiet. I hadn't seen Dane in days. And I wasn't about to wake him up.

  I went down the stairs quietly. And was at the front door when the thought I had earlier this morning came back to me.

  Should I leave Dane my number?

  I stopped at the front door. Should I or shouldn't I?

  I dropped my bag on the floor and pulled out a note pad and pen.

  Giving him my number wasn't a big deal. Was it? I scribbled a note with my number and left it on the kitchen island.

  Maybe he wouldn't even see it.

  I guess I tried. I didn't want him to think I’d completely forgotten about him.

  We’d only spent one day together. I’d spent more days without him, then I had with him. Still, I felt like I needed to justify myself to him. Like I had to tell him where I was. I wanted to slap myself. Just because I wanted to tell him where I was, didn't mean he wanted to know.

  I opened the front door and closed it softly behind me.

  I unlocked my car buried deep in thought. Why did I care so much if he didn't message me or call me? Wasn't like I depended on him. I didn't need anyone. Not my parents. Not my brother. Not my pretend husband. All I needed was me. I looked after myself.

  I pulled out of the driveway, pulling up to the gate and punching in the code.

  I was reminding myself just how independent I was when I pulled away from the house. I could and would handle my growing career and studies. I didn't need a man to hold my hand.

  The only reason I had agreed to marrying him was to get men off my back. Which had worked so far. At least the marriage proposals had decreased.