HIS PRETENSE BRIDE

CHAPTER 19

Xander's POV
 
For a sizzling moment, I wish all of this wasn't just a facade, but the reality of me walking down the aisle with a woman I love and not one I needed.
 
Thinking of everything, I feel stupid for venturing into this. For coming this far. I didn't have to be married to have a child. Why the hell did I agree to marry her?
 
Tonight is just meant to be our first night together. It's not like a real-life honeymoon, where the couple would be ecstatic about sharing a bed.
 
A genuine marriage goes beyond that.
 
Beyond simply sharing a bed, beneath the duvet. 
 
A real marriage means falling in love with each other. Becoming committed to each other.
 
And that damn sense of commitment, which I do not believe in and would never believe in.
 
“I…I didn't come along with a towel,” Alex's voice breaks into my thoughts, making me dart my eyes open to see her standing in nothing but a short and a tank top.
 
She wants to shower.
 
Then what next?
 
Without a word, I point to the closet, and she follows my hand's direction before grabbing my towel and disappearing.
 
I took a shower before she came up, and I am also wearing shorts and a shirt, forcing myself to concentrate on the work in front of me rather than on this honeymoon.
 
After everything was done and we had been declared man and wife, I began to regret it all. Questioning myself about why I had to stoop so low to do this.
 
Buy a bride.
 
Settling for a child from a woman I don't feel any kind of attachment to.
 
Is this all going to be worth it?
 
I don't realize how long I sit in front of the laptop, staring absentmindedly at the screen, until Alex walks out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel around her waist, showcasing her long, beautiful legs.
 
Her wet hair provides the impression of a woman who is attempting to project a seductive and sexy demeanor.
 
In slow motion, she swings her hair to the right, her eyes fixed on mine, until my phone rings, jerking me out of my reverie.
 
I turn to the screen to see my mother's name flashing across it, and my heart skips a beat before a wide grin spreads across my face.
 
She must have heard about the wedding. If the former was fake, then this isn't.
 
Suddenly, hope flares up in me. Coupled with contentment. This would be worth it. This is the right thing to do.
 
It will be worth it to witness the horrifying expression on her face when we meet again and she discovers that Alex is legally mine and pregnant.
 
I will watch her crumble. And ensure she regrets every single thing she has done to me.
 
Like a predator, I shoot to my feet instantly and take long strides towards her. She freezes, her mouth slightly open, when she realizes what is about to happen.
 
There is no time to waste.
 
We got married because of this. So we could have sex and have a baby. 
 
Taking the other short towel from her, I wiped her hair dry enough for me to pack it up for her and caress her face.
 
“I….I…should get a dress…”
 
“You don't need to get dressed,” I say to her in a low tone, watching every flicker of emotion darting across her expression.
 
Anxiety. Fear.
 
She turns her face away, and I grab her hand, slamming her body against mine. The towel almost drops to the floor, but she is quick to hold it back in place with a gasp leaving her mouth.
 
When she locks eyes with me, I inch closer to kiss her lips, and she shuts her eyes. 
 
Not because she expects me to kiss her. Not because she wants it, but because she is scared.
 
Why would a woman be scared of having sex? This is just sex, nothing more.
 
After all, we are married because, as she specifically mentioned, she can't sleep with me until we are married.
 
Here we are.
 
I slam my lips against hers, not wanting to change my mind about everything. The earlier we get to it, the better.
 
The earlier she conceives, the better it is for us both. 
 
Her lips go still, but I push myself in, venturing fully to explore every corner until she gives up and opens her mouth willingly.
 
When my hand caresses her body, the towel slips down from her chest, and I groan in desire before dragging her to the bed.
 
As soon as I place her on the bed and remove my shorts, she immediately squirms up, her eyes filled with fear once more.
 
“Xander,” she calls, almost stuttering. “I need to tell you something.”
 
Desperation fills me inside, and I join her on the bed, sticking my forehead to hers to calm her down. “Whatever it is, can wait, babe.”
 
Confusion replaces the fear in her eyes. And I realize what it is.
 
Babe.
 
Shit!
 
I try to take her lips again, but she moves away, holding onto her towel. “Xander, I know this is what I signed for, but please, I need to tell you something.”
 
With a deep sigh, I step away from the bed, sitting on the edge with my back to her, waiting for whatever she wants to say.
 
Ignoring the rage flaring up in me, I turn back to ask why she is silent when she clearly mentioned she had something to say.
 
As soon as our eyes interlock, her fingers tremble, and she mutters. “I am a virgin, Xander.”
 
Silence falls.
 
“I…I…know I shouldn't be saying this, but I'm just scared. This is my first, I don't know if what I am doing is right or if…”
 
“You are what?!” I exclaim when it dawns slowly on me, shock submerging my whole existence.
 
Slowly, she replies back. “A virgin.”
 
“What the hell!”