Heir of Deception | (for mature audience)

Chapter 6: Christian

Christian

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I was raised with the belief that men should be the providers, and that's what I was trying to do. But here I was, faced with a stubborn princess who seemed determined to challenge every expectation I had. So, I spent all last night writing up a list of things I expected from her now that we were going to be living together and getting married.

The thought of being married still scared me-especially to a stranger, albeit a hot stranger. After my father lost my mother in a tragic accident, I had vowed never to get married. My old man was in shambles after her death. He was the toughest man I knew, but he was nothing like himself after her passing. He has remarried simce then.

Now, with Alexandria, I somehow felt an overwhelming need to protect her with every fiber of my being. Even though we didn't particularly like each other, she still had people who cared for her, and I would do anything to prevent them from losing her too.

"Morning," I said as she walked past me in her workout attire.

"Morning," she replied, her eyes barely meeting mine.

We grabbed our water bottles and stepped into the elevator together. I couldn't help but notice her hair was different today; she didn't have the sleek back ponytail but instead wore a messy bun perched atop her head. She still looked beautiful. I had underestimated her height; without heels, she reached just over my shoulder, and with them, we were about the same height.

"Did you finish your list?" I asked her, breaking the silence.

"Yes," she answered, her gaze fixed on the door in front of her.

"Can you send it to me? I'll have my lawyer draft an agreement so we can stick to those boundaries," I told her.

"Sure," she replied, her tone indifferent.

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out into the lobby, heading toward the gym. She put her headphones on and started playing her music, while I slipped on my own pair, tuning into my playlist as we walked.

After our workout, I went directly to my room and took a shower. The hot water washed away the tension from my muscles, but I still felt a knot of anxiety in my stomach. After drying off, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my waist before heading to my walk-in closet. I pulled out a sharp blue suit and a crisp white shirt, quickly getting dressed before heading downstairs for breakfast.

When I entered the dining room, I found Alexandria already seated, waiting for me. Her hair was still in that messy bun, and she wore a hoodie that looked two sizes too big, yet she managed to make it look like a couture piece. I sat down next to her, and my breakfast plate was accompanied by a letter; I assumed it was her list.

"I'll get it to my lawyer, and she'll have the agreement set up by tonight," I told her, trying to keep the tone professional.

"You are allowing a working woman to do her job and not depend on her husband," she said, rolling her eyes as she picked at her breakfast.

"Two things," I paused, wanting to clarify. "Taylor is not in a relationship with me, and number two, she's gay and married."

"Oh," she replied, and I let out a soft chuckle at her expression.

"Are you doing anything today?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Yeah, I have a meeting with my agent. Do you have a problem with that?" she shot back, locking her eyes onto me.

"No, but I've decided to hire your security. He'll drive you wherever and ensure that you're safe," I informed her, and her head shot up at my words. "He's in the living room with Jackson."

"Will he report to you whenever I do something that's not up to your standard?" she asked, a hint of defiance in her voice.

"Only when you purposely disobey me," I answered, holding my ground.

"Can I add one more thing to that list?" She stood up, walking toward me, attempting to grab the paper from my pocket.

"Too slow," I smiled, tucking the paper deeper into my jacket.

"I despise you," she said as she sat back down, crossing her arms over her chest.

"And you frustrate me," I shot back, feeling a mixture of amusement and annoyance.

We finished the rest of our breakfast in silence. She nibbled on her food, and I couldn't help but notice that she never finished her meals. When she did manage to eat, it looked like she was forcing it down her throat.

"Jackson, can you bring in Diaz?" I called for my driver.

Travis Jackson had been my driver and personal security for a couple of years now. He used to be in the military, as did his buddy Diaz, and they both worked for the same security company now.

"Alexandria, this is Maurice Diaz. He will be there for whatever you need," I introduced him, watching her reaction closely.

"Everything?" she asked with a playful smile, her eyes sparkling as she looked directly at me.

This damn woman.

"You can leave now, gentlemen," I said, dismissing them with a wave of my hand.

I got up and walked over to her, pulling her chair out so she could sit directly in front of me. I leaned over, our faces inches apart, and I could smell the faint perfume she wore. With every breath I took, I inhaled her scent, a mix of floral and something uniquely her.

"Ever talk to another man like that, and I promise you, that man won't see the next day. The same goes if you let anyone touch you, besides me," I said, looking directly into her eyes, my voice low and serious. "Understand me, princess?"

"It was just a joke," she said, her voice softer than normal, but I could see the determination behind her gaze.

"Do you understand me, Alexandria?" I repeated, wanting to make sure my message was clear.

"Okay," she said, her voice small.

I pulled myself back up, smoothing out my clothes. "I'll be back before 6."

It had only been two days, and this woman was already driving me fucking crazy. I couldn't imagine what the rest of my life with her was going to be like if, in just the first two days, she had already riled me up and made me mad because she had flirted with another man.