The Don's Unwanted Bride

CHAPTER 21

Hayden’s POV

Alyssa had been in the bathroom for almost an hour.

I checked the time again, letting out an irritated sigh as I paced back and forth in the bedroom. The hotel suite was massive, penthouse, of course, but it suddenly felt too damn small with the tension hanging thick in the air.

If we hadn’t already had sex before, I might’ve assumed she was being shy.

But Alyssa wasn't shy. She was calculating. Guarded. Always in control, even when she pretended not to be. And right now, she was playing some kind of mind game I couldn’t quite figure out.

I stared at the bathroom door, then finally snapped.

I walked over and pounded on it, hard.

“Are you building a spaceship there?”

From inside, her voice echoed, annoyed and unbothered. “I said I’m coming!”

“Yeah,” I muttered under my breath, “that’s what I’m waiting for.”

No response.

I ran a hand through my hair and leaned against the wall beside the door. I wasn’t usually impatient. Hell, I was the definition of calm under pressure. But tonight felt different. This wasn’t just sex. This was something else.

This was our wedding night.

This was a line being drawn.

Finally, the door creaked open, and she stepped out.

And I froze.

She wore a silk robe that barely covered her thighs, clinging to her curves in a way that was both infuriating and hypnotic. Her hair was damp, cascading over one shoulder, and her skin glowed like she'd just stepped out of a fantasy.

“Holy hell,” I muttered, staring.

She raised a brow. “What?”

I didn’t answer. I just reached for her.

She let out a small shriek, half-laughing as I grabbed her waist and pulled her flush against me. “Hayden! Seriously?”

“You’ve been hiding in there long enough,” I said, my voice low. “You trying to torture me?”

“I was getting ready.”

“For what? War?” I slid my hand down her back. “Because that’s what it feels like waiting on you.”

She rolled her eyes and pushed at my chest. “Let me go. I need a minute.”

I tightened my hold. “Nope. No more hiding.”

She sighed dramatically. “Hayden, seriously—”

“Don’t forget,” I cut in smoothly, “you’re my wife now.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You mean your contractual obligation.”

I smirked. “Semantics.”

“You agreed,” she said firmly, poking a finger into my chest. “You said this would be an open relationship. No rules. No expectations. No claiming.”

I leaned closer, letting my breath ghost over her lips. “I said it could be open. That doesn’t mean I won’t fight for what’s mine.”

She laughed once, a little bitter. “I’m not a prize.”

“No,” I said, eyes locked on hers. “You’re a storm. And I’d be a fool to let another man try and weather it.”

Her breath hitched.

There it was. That flicker of hesitation and I took advantage.

I backed her toward the bed, slow and steady, like a predator stalking prey. She didn’t move away, but she didn’t give in either. She just watched me, guarded and daring.

“You really don’t know how this works, do you?” she said softly.

“Enlighten me.”

She stopped at the edge of the bed, lifting her chin. “An open relationship means I don’t have to sleep with you.”

I leaned down, lips brushing her ear. “But you want to.”

“Cocky,” she breathed.

“Confident.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“And yet, you’re still here.”

She said nothing.

I brushed my hand over her hip, grazing the curve of her thigh beneath the silk. She inhaled sharply.

“You’ve been thinking about that night,” I murmured. “So have I.”

She scoffed. “I’m not going to beg, Hayden.”

I grinned. “Then I’ll make you.”

She grabbed my wrist suddenly. “You think you own me now? Because of a ring?”

“No,” I said, twisting my hand to lace our fingers. “I think I own this moment.”

She blinked, caught off guard.

And then she shoved me.

Hard.

I stumbled back with a laugh as she stood there, arms crossed, glaring at me like she hadn’t just set my entire body on fire with a single touch.

“You don’t get to control me,” she snapped. “Not in here. Not in bed. Not ever.”

I held up my hands. “Noted.”

“But I’m not some doll you can throw words at and expect to fall into bed.”

“You’re right.”

She blinked.

I walked toward her slowly. “You’re not a doll. You’re a weapon. You walk into a room and everyone holds their breath.”

She stared at me.

I reached out and traced a line down her arm, watching her shiver. “But with me? You don’t have to pretend.”

Her lips parted slightly.

“I see you,” I said, voice low. “Every broken piece. Every wall. Every secret you try to bury. And I still want you.”

She stared at me like she couldn’t believe I was being serious.

Then she whispered, “You want me?”

“Yes.”

“Even if I never love you?”

I smiled faintly. “Even then.”

She stepped closer, eyes scanning my face. “Even if I sleep with someone else?”

My jaw clenched, but I forced myself to stay calm. “I’ll still want you.”

“Even if I leave?”

“I’ll find you.”

She was silent.

I let that silence hang, heavy and charged. Then I slowly reached for the belt of her robe, giving her every chance to stop me.

She didn’t. I tugged gently, letting the silk fall open. She didn’t move. My hands slid up her sides, over bare skin, and her breath came out in a soft gasp.

I leaned in, kissing her shoulder. “Still want your privacy?”

She shook her head.

“You sure?”

She nodded.

That was all I needed.

I picked her up, earning another soft shriek, and laid her down on the bed like she was made of glass. Her eyes stayed locked on mine the entire time.