Arranged: Betrothed

chapter 36

I had been lying awake for about fifteen minutes, enjoying the warmth from his body. My tank top had become a little crop top now. One arm was wrapped around me just under my boobs and the other was pushed under my head. I was extremely comfortable up until now. My bladder was begging for mercy. I tried to slide out from under his arm, but he pulled me back up and tightened his grip. I gripped his arm and pulled it off me. He grunted, annoyed.

"Lay still." His voice was deeper than usual. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I need to use the bathroom."

"No, you don't." He replied gruffly.

I squirmed and pushed him with both my hands.

"I'll pee myself." I threatened.

"Then we will shower together."

"Naked?" I mumbled stupidly. Of course, one showers naked.

"Obviously."

He loosened his arm. I took the chance and ran to the bathroom. I sighed, finally relieving myself. I washed and dried myself, pulling my sweatpants back up. I washed my hands and then decided to freshen up even though I was just going to go back to bed. I came back out after another fifteen minutes to see him laying there with his eyes closed, but what I wasn't sure of was if he fell back asleep.

I let myself admire him from afar. I never took my time to appreciate how handsome he was, bare or clothed. His chest rose and fell. I trailed my eyes lower and gulped. His stomach was defined, and his chest lightly dusted with hair. I liked the hair on him. I never really knew I had a preference about that, but it made him look more masculine.

Before coming back, I decided to take it slower than before, but I don't think my body agrees. I took a breath and walked towards the bed again. I climbed in beside him and closed my eyes. A soft touch caressed down my cheek, over my jaw, and then rested on my neck. I peeked up at him to see a look of disappointment and regret. That's not what I was expecting.

"How are you feeling?" He asked before I could complain.

"Better."

"I'm glad to hear that." He smiled, but it wasn't as bright as usual. It looked forced.

"What about you?" I asked before my doubt could overshadow last night's events. I thought his reaction was positive.

"Same as you."

I frowned. "Then why do you look disappointed? Should I have not come back yet? I thought -"

"I'm happy you returned, Zahara. I regret the level I had dropped to in anger. I'm disappointed in myself when you thought so highly of me. I didn't think you looked at me for any guidance." He explained, sighing.

"It's over now. You didn't know anything about me before marriage, neither did I about you. I was raised in a different way from all my friends and you, and I knew that. My life had just been from home to school and school to home and only went out on special occasions like birthdays and anniversary."

He narrowed his eyes angrily. "That's not acceptable. Sheltering children too much reduces their confidence to explore and socialise."

"Yeah, I read about that. But I'm doing okay. You were a great help." I smiled, hoping it would lighten the mood.

"I'm sorry, baby." He murmured sincerely, his anger softened, but the frown remained.

"I'm sorry too. Do you think we can be the same as before?" I replied softy.

"I think we will be better." He sounded very confident about it. And I believed it too.

"Then let's work on that. I don't want to give up before we have even started."