Astrid wilder
The room was too quiet. Too large. Too luxurious.
I blinked awake, my lashes brushing against the silk pillowcase. For a second, I forgot where I was. Then it hit me like a bucket of cold water ,I'd agreed to a contract marriage with Jaxon Voxx.
Why?
What had possessed me? One night with him and I had surrendered my name, my freedom, my soul for fifty million dollars.
I groaned softly, dragging a hand down my face. What the hell did I get myself into?
Before I could think any further, there was a soft knock at the door.
"Come in," I called out hesitantly.
The door creaked open and an elderly woman entered, her white hair tied in a neat bun, eyes kind and twinkling behind her glasses. She wore a soft blue dress and smelled faintly of lavender and cinnamon.
"Good morning, sweetheart," she said with a warm smile. "I'm Madam Pat. I handle the affairs in this house. Come, let's get you something warm to eat. You must be famished."
I blinked in surprise. "Uh… thank you. That's very kind of you."
"No need to thank me," she said, smiling wider. "Any friend of Jaxon's… well, anyone under this roof is family."
I wasn't sure how to respond, so I just nodded and slipped out of bed, following the gentle woman to the massive breakfast table downstairs.
It was like something out of a movie crystal pitchers of orange juice, golden croissants, platters of berries, eggs, and a soft piano melody floating in from somewhere.
I'm
Jaxon walked in minutes later, looking like he was carved from steel—black slacks, black shirt unbuttoned at the collar, eyes is and unreadable. His gaze flicked to me and then away like I was just another piece of furniture.
"Good morning," I said, unsure.
"Morning," he replied flatly, sitting down and cutting into his eggs. "Luca will be taking you for a makeover. We have an event tonight."
"Event?"
"The launch of my new company. Voxx Luxury."
He didn't elaborate. Just went back to eating. After breakfast, he left with nothing more than a clipped, "Behave."
Charming, I thought.
Hours later, Luca arrived—devilishly handsome with a sarcastic smile and surprisingly polite. He took me to a boutique that looked like it served royalty. The stylists transformed me into a goddess in red—silk dress hugging every curve, gold heels, hair swept up. My face glowed with soft makeup and mystery.
That night, the event was unlike anything I had ever seen ,billionaires, celebrities, models, politicians all under one breathtaking chandelier. The room shimmered with power.
Then Jaxon took the stage.
"This company represents power. Legacy. The future of the Voxx name. I want to introduce the woman who will stand beside me as I build this empire ,my fiancée, Astrid Wilder."
Gasps. Flashbulbs. Cheers.
I froze.
Jaxon walked over and pulled me to his side, expression cool, hand possessive on my waist. I forced a smile as cameras captured a moment I didn't fully understand.
Rafael appeared from the shadows soon after, jaw clenched, eyes burning.
"Don't trust him," he whispered harshly as I stepped out for air. "He's only using you."
"Why do you care?" I snapped.
"I don't," he said with a smirk. "I just don't want to see another girl chewed up and spit out."
I turned to leave only to pause as I overheard voices in the hallway.
Jaxon. Luca.
"…she's not like Aveline," Luca said.
"I hope so," Jaxon replied quietly.
My heart skipped. Aveline?
who is Aveline?
Then Rafael again, mocking. "Marrying someone from the club, Jaxon? That's new even for you."
"I'm doing what I need to take this empire from you. Once Grandpa's dead, she's gone."
The words hit me like a slap.
Gone?
Just a pawn?
fifty million felt like blood money tonight.
I turned and walked away, biting back tears. So much for believing there was something real in that night we shared.
Back at the house, I said nothing. Just showered, changed, and kept my distance.
I couldn't sleep and went down to the sitting room and was headed upstairs to my room when
Jaxon eventually found me near the stairs. "You're quiet."
"Nothing's wrong," I lied.
He stared at me like he could see right through me.
As we ascended the stairs, the lights suddenly flickered and died.
Of course.
He pulled out his phone and turned on the flashlight. "Come on. I'll walk you to your room."
The hallway was bathed in pale gold light. I reached for the doorknob but he pulled me back gently.
"Astrid…"
he said coming close, God I want him to kiss me,I was a little bit hesitant going inside.
My back pressed into the wall as his body hovered just inches away. His eyes searched mine. Then his lips brushed against mine—soft, slow, like he was testing my resolve.
I didn't resist.
The kiss deepened. Hot. Intense. My arms curled around his neck and I tugged him inside the room with me, never breaking the kiss.
He pressed me against the wall, his tongue slipping past my lips. I gasped as his hands roamed my body, caressing the sides of my breasts through the silky fabric.
My hands trembled as I reached for his belt, unbuckling it with urgency. But he caught my wrists.
"Didn't you say no sex?" he murmured with a wicked smirk.
I hissed. "Either fuck me or leave."
His eyes darkened. "I'm not going to fuck you tonight."
Before I could protest, he took my hand, guiding it between my thighs. I inhaled sharply.
"I… I've never…"
"Touched yourself?" he said with a grin. "Well, now you will. For me."
I moaned as he lifted my dress, then slowly undressed me, his eyes watching my face with intensity.
He lay me down on the bed, kissing me again, his lips soft and deep. Then he placed my hand between my legs and whispered, "Touch yourself."
With a blush and shaky breath, I obeyed.
His hand slid up to my breasts, fondling them with slow circles, drawing soft gasps from my mouth. My body trembled under his attention my own fingers moving as he whispered encouragements.
It wasn't just sex. It was something deeper, hotter, more confusing.
And then he abruptly stopped and kissed me softly.
"Goodnight, Astrid." and Walk out looking like a damn jerk
I blinked, dazed and breathless, as he left the room.
What the hell just happened
I lay there breathless, naked, aching for a man who just kissed me like a promise… and walked away like I was nothing.