Chapter 37 CHAPTER 0037 Meadow's POV: I wasn't sure when I fell asleep, but the moment I woke up the next morning, I knew Alaric hadn't slept in here with me. Just to make sure I wasn't just assuming, I reached behind me to touch his side of the bed. It was cold. And then I turned on the bed, shifting to look at it. To see with my own eyes. It was made. Alaric had whipped me with his belt and left me hanging. And he didn't even come back after he'd made me believe that we would sleep together. Maybe he changed his mind. A rock formed in my throat at the realization that Alaric didn't want to stay in the same room with me. He was probably repulsed by the fact that I'd been willing to take a few painful strokes just to save a man that wasn't even worth it. I got out of his bed, still in his shirt, and then I decided to go downstairs and get a cup of coffee. It was too early to overthink shit. The moment I walked into the kitchen, a deep voice stopped me in my tracks before I could head for the espresso machine. "Na, fick mich doch zärtlich." 'Well, fuck me gently.' I blinked, turning around to meet the gaze of the man sitting at the kitchen island. Nolan Ashford. Alaric's brother. I hadn't seen his face last night since he was on the floor, away from view most of the time I was here, but holy fuck... "I'm sorry," I breathed, brows furrowing. "What?" Nolan was the real definition of a pretty boy. His hair was dark blond, long enough that it was nearly shoulder length, blue eyes lighter than Alaric's, a slightly crooked nose that was bruised blue and black thanks to his brother's punch, a strong, chiseled jaw with a dimple in his chin. And then there was the silver ring on his brow that glinted as he arched it at me. "You're a pretty little thing, aren't you? I can see why my brother must've been taken with you." I was frozen in place under his gaze. 1/3 CHAPTER 0037 +15 BONUS Apparently, the intensity ran in the family. "Though," Nolan continued, eyes narrowing as they swept over me from top to bottom. And then the corners of his mouth pulled downward in the most degrading sneer I'd ever seen in my life. "I can't see why he wifed you up." That snapped me out of my speechless trance. I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Well, nice to meet you too, Nolan." His eyes wrinkled mischievously in response, and he didn't take them off me as he bit into an apple he must've taken from the fruit basket. I turned away from him and walked over to the espresso machine like I wasn't reeling from the subtle insult that my brother-in-law had just tossed at me. "So, what's the deal anyway?" I heard him mutter as I poured some water into the machine. "What's so special about you? I mean, apart from the fact that you're obviously a gold digger." I froze. Nolan just kept on going. "Was it blackmail? Do you have something on him? I can assure you, whatever it is-" "You're quite the judge of character, aren't you?" I cut in, finally turning around to face him. Nolan's gaze narrowed into slits as he tilted his head. I crossed my arms in front of my chest. "Never knew you could tell a gold digger just by looking at someone." He arched a perfect brow. "What other reason would a woman want to be permanently tied down to an emotionally unavailable man like my brother?" And then he bit into the apple again like he hadn't just said something that had my heart and mind racing. Alaric wasn't...emotionally unavailable, was he? I mean, he took care of me, was kind to me and had barely ever yelled at me. He also seemed determined to go to every length to protect me. But I'd only known him for less than two weeks, and this was basically a marriage of convenience. I didn't know him that much. I didn't know him at all. Then again, I dated Tyler for over two years and thought I knew him, so maybe I really was just a terrible judge of character. Kinda like this asshole sitting across from me. I stepped toward the counter, arms still crossed. "Well, now that you seem to have me all figured out, you wanna know what I think of you?" 2/3 CHAPTER 0037 +15 BONUS "What?" he asked. I leaned forward, resting against the counter. "You're an asshole." One side of Nolan's mouth pulled up in a dark smirk, but before he could say anything in response, Alaric stepped into the kitchen, dressed in a black t-shirt and a pair of shorts with running shoes. I'd come to learn that he ran every single morning without fail. His eyes narrowed briefly at his brother before they shifted to me. The expression on his face was indifferent, but it still made my heart stutter. I hadn't seen him since last night, and seeing him now... God. He was so hot and intense. And he'd left me in his bed alone while he took off to god knows wherever the hell he slept. Rolling my eyes at him, I turned back to the espresso machine to pour myself a cup just as I heard Nolan say to Alaric, "I like your wife. She's feisty." Alaric muttered something under his breath, not in English though. It sounded exactly like the language Nolan had spoken to me when I walked in. Dutch, maybe? Or German? I had no idea that he had German roots. Nolan scoffed. "Right." But amusement laced his tone. I wondered what Alaric must've said to him. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't even realize Alaric was walking over to me until I felt his hand snake around my waist from behind. I froze, my heart beating hard against my ribcage as he pulled my back to his chest and pressed a kiss to the side of my neck. "Al-"I started. "Shhh," he whispered into my ear. "You seem upset. Are you?" I swallowed, deciding to give him a half-truth. "Maybe." He hummed, arm tightening around me as I instinctively melted against his chest. "I'll make it up to you. But for now," his warm breath fanned the side of my face as he sighed. "I'm going to need you to play along. Can you do that for me, baby?" I instantly knew what he was asking me to do. It was as I suspected-his family had no idea that this was just a marriage of convenience. Although, now that I thought of it- I had no idea what Alaric stood to gain from this marriage. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!