CHAPTER 0008 +15 BONUS CHAPTER 0008 Meadow's POV : This man was delusional . Straight up delusional . And insane . Maybe , along with spreading rumors about how cold and brutal he was , people also needed to add the fact that there was a loose nut in his brain . I shook my head , dropping the fork onto the plate . " And how long have you been stalking me , exactly ? " I expected him to deny it . Say that he hadn't been stalking me , but the more he remained silent , the more chill that ran down my spine . Because he didn't deny it . Instead , he said , " That's not a matter of immediate importance , Meadow . " I scoffed . " If that isn't important , what is , then ? " Alaric leaned forward , keeping his hooded eyes on me as he linked his hands together and rested them on the table . Panic coursed through my veins as I wondered what next he would say . But it wasn't the kind of panic that was associated with fear , it was the kind that made my legs press together under the table . Which was exactly the problem . I shouldn't be feeling this way . Not when I was sitting across from a lunatic who'd claimed we'd gotten married . Not when I was trying to piece my life back together from the wreckage Juniper and Tyler left behind . Not when I knew nothing about this man except that he was terrifying , powerful , and had no business knowing my name - let alone slipping a ring on my finger . And yet , here I was , legs crossed tightly , my thoughts all over the place because he was staring at me like I was the most interesting thing he'd ever seen . But if I had to admit it , I liked that . " Like I said , " he stated , his voice deep and low . " You're my wife now , and we need to discuss the next steps to take . " " Alaric , I have no recollection of last night , " I said , throwing my hands up exasperatedly . " I woke up with a giant rock on my finger , and as far as I know , you forced it on me . So , no , I'm not your wife , and there is absolutely nothing to discuss . " 1/4 CHAPTER 0008 +15 BONUS I jumped down from the chair , fed up with his evasiveness , and , frankly ? His entire bullshit . Right now , all I wanted to do was grab my phone and text my best friend , Nova . And then hop on the next flight back to Seattle , away from all this toxicity . So much for a get - away weekend . I was relieved when Alaric didn't follow me into the bedroom , but that relief was cut short when I couldn't find my phone anywhere . Not in my purse , not on the bed , not anywhere in the room . And even worse , I had no idea whether I even had it on me last night . " Looking for this? " I whipped around , my breath stuttering as I came face to face with Alaric . He towered over me , and my eyes widened as they landed on my phone . Clutched in his hand . Relief washed over me for a single , stupid second . " Thank- " A gasp escaped my mouth when Alaric tossed the phone behind me without a single hesitation . I spun around to see it land on the bed . " Are you kidding me ? " I shot him a glare . But before I could take a step toward the bed , his hand clamped around my waist and pulled me into his body . " Alaric , " I warned , trying to ignore the warm feeling that had pooled at the bottom of my stomach . " Let me g- " " You don't remember what happened last night , yeah ? " he said , voice dark . " Then allow me to refresh your memory . " And before I could utter a word . Before I could even blink , he picked me up and tossed me onto the bed . A shocked gasp tore from my throat as my back hit the soft mattress , And I stopped breathing , because within seconds , Alaric was on me . One of his hands pinned both of mine above my head with minimal effort , the other supporting his form as he slid between my legs , his body hovering but not touching . " This counts as assault , " I hissed , even though my traitorous thighs had locked around his hips without thinking . " I really hope you know that . " His mouth twitched and I glared at him , hating how my body responded to his touch . " Add to that your 2/4 CHAPTER 0008 +15 BONUS stalking habit and we've got ourselves a criminal . " " Meadow- " " Get off me . " " You don't really want that . " His voice was a whisper , and it pulled at my chest . " Oh really ? " I scoffed , wiggling harder against him . " And who the hell are you to think that ? " Alaric's eyes darkened , his lips curling sinisterly . " I'm your husband , Meadow . " I froze . My heart pounded hard against my ribcage , but what I felt wasn't fear . Not entirely . His breathing was heavier now . Ragged , but controlled . It was like he was on the edge of something and was barely hanging on . He leaned in slowly , his face only centimeters away from mine . " You want me , Meadow . " His minty breath fanned my face as he spoke and my mouth parted in return . " You've wanted me since the second you saw me looking at you from upstairs . " " I haven't- " " Don't deny it , baby girl . " His thumb brushed the side of my neck and I trembled . " I feel like your memories are coming back now , " he muttered , eyes dropping to my mouth . " Are they ? " I reluctantly shut my eyes as memories began to assault me . My legs thrown wide , his mouth on me . The feeling on being deliciously and completely wrecked . But that was just a dream , wasn't it ? Or was it- " We didn't do anything , " I said , swallowing hard . " You said so yourself . Or did you lie ? " Alaric hummed as his mouth grazed my jaw , and then he chuckled . " I'm a lot of things , Meadow , but I'm not a liar . " His lips brushed the shell of my ear . " And you'd remember if I fucked you . " I couldn't help the whimper that escaped my lips . Oh God . I was totally done for . I tried to wiggle out of his grip , but all my efforts proved fruitless . " Let's not waste anymore time with this , " his voice went deeper as he raised his head to glance at me . " I can give you what you want . Just say the word " 3/4 CHAPTER 0008 +15 BONUS His mouth twitched . " Surely , you remember me saying that ? " I did . I definitely did . I tried to gather the last of my rational thought . " Revenge . You mentioned that , right ? Well , sorry to burst your bubble , but I wouldn't waste your time trying to get revenge on someone who always wins . " Something thick clogged my throat and I swallowed hard . I didn't lie . Juniper always won . Always . " I'm not talking about revenge , Meadow Russell . That's not what you really want . " I opened my mouth to snap at him but stopped short when his fingers began to trail slowly down my side . " I'm talking about this . " My breath hitched as I felt the hem of his t - shirt lift upward , his hand brushing over my thigh , edging toward my panties . I squirmed under his touch . It didn't feel like a question . It felt like a promise . " Alaric ... " My chest heaved up and down , my mouth parting as I tried to take deep breaths . He was touching me, hooking his fingers slightly into the waistband of my underwear . Teasing . My core throbbed nonstop . " You want me to take your virginity , yeah ? " I couldn't speak . Couldn't . Fucking . Breathe . " I will ," he said softly . " And I'll even give you the revenge you're pretending not to want . All you have to do is keep my ring on your finger . " His other hand finally released mine , but he paused , raising my left hand between us and linking our fingers together . " Be my wife , Meadow . " Title: Cohabitating Lover by CrushReel In the romantic tale "Cohabitating Lover," Corinne, a runaway bride still donned in her wedding attire, and Andre find themselves mistakenly tangled in a leasing office mix-up. Despite initial reluctance, they become unexpected roommates after a series of arguments lead to an unconventional living arrangement. Exploring themes of love, transformation, and the magnetic pull of opposites, this modern romance unfolds against the backdrop of a luxurious mansion and a high-powered office setting. As Corinne and Andre navigate their differences and shared living space, their individual glow-ups and personal growth intertwine in a heartwarming display of vulnerability and resilience. This sweet romance novel stands out for its portrayal of characters grappling with unexpected circumstances while discovering the true meaning of companionship. 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