Chapter 8
Aria’s POV
That sentence made my heart race like crazy.
“Anything you want to add to the contract?” he asked.
I thought for a second.
The financial terms he was offering were already more than generous–enough to pay off my debts and even move my grandma into better nursing home.
If I really had anything to ask for…
“Can we
not have sex during the contract period?” I asked.
He raised an eyebrow, and I immediately felt my face heat up.
“I know this makes me sound like a hypocrite, given..what happened before,” I stuttered. “But I was desperate back then and did something really stupid without thinking it through.”
“Of course. If that’s what you want. He leaned back, looking completely unbothered.
I still felt the need to explain. “I know the whole ‘no sex before marriage‘ thing sounds ridiculous. But where I’m from, that’s part of our belief. It’s what my mom taught me too.” Until she abandoned us, anyway.
“You’re from Frostpine Pack, right?”
“Yes.”
“I respect your beliefs. It doesn’t affect our agreement at all,” he said calmly.
I felt a little embarrassed. Honestly, what was I thinking? Even if I hadn’t brought it up, he wouldn’t want to sleep with me anyway. He had way too many better options.
“If there’s nothing else, can I take this as your agreement to sign?” he asked.
“Y–Yeah. Of course.”
“Then sign here.”
He leaned forward to point out where I needed to sign. I instinctively leaned in too.
That’s when I caught it again.
The strong scent of pine.
As I said,
our scent only got s stronger when we were either fighting, mating, or… aroused.
I snapped my head up, looking at him. And yet his expression stayed perfectly calm, completely at odds with what his scent was giving
away.
“Think carefully. Once you sign, there’s no backing out,” he warned.
He was watching me with those dark gray eyes. A spark ran through my whole body.
I let out a nervour Laugh. “What’s there to regret? The chance is golden.”
I quickly grabbed the pen and scribbled my name down. And a strange feeling bubbled up inside me. Well, who would have guessed? I was now officially tied to Grayson Hart.
“So… Do you want to sniff me now or something!” I asked after the signing.
He chuckled lightly. “Not now. Like I said, most of the time I’m fine,
9:46 AM
Chapter 8
“Well.. great.
He
glanced at his watch. “Maids will show you to your room. Sleep well. I want you fully rested and prepared for this job.”
He made it sound like I was about to start some grueling physical labor. I was getting more and more curious about what I needed to do exactly.
The maids had filed into the room, ready to take me away.
But I didn’t want to leave yet, I wasn’t ready for this perfect day to end yet.
And yet I had no reason to stay.
He stared at me and then suddenly moved. Before I could react, he had walked up to me and cupped my face with one hand.
My heart almost burst out of my chest.
A quick kiss landed on my cheek, and a second later, he had pulled away.
“Sleep well, Aria,” he said, his voice a low, sexy murmur.
I had the best night’s sleep of my life that night.
The soft mattress, the silk sheets, the scented candle on my nightstand…everything was perfect.
When I woke up in my new room feeling brand new, the maids were already waiting at the door with breakfast, politely offering to set the table for me.
And after an amazing breakfast, I found myself completely free.
My supermarket job was obviously gone. I didn’t have any new assignments from Grayson yet, I was basically free to do whatever I wanted.
So after a litle hesitation, I pulled out my phone.
He had given me his personal number last night–for work emergencies, I assumed I wasn’t sure if I could text him anytime I wanted.
Are you coming home for dinner tonight?] I sent.
He replied almost instantly. (Why?]
II’m cooking. Wondering if you’d want to join? No pressure though! I know you’re busy.]
[OK. I’ll be there.]
My heart fluttered. His response made my day.
I quickly asked if he had any allergies, but he didn’t reply. Probably busy again.
I left the mansion in a hurry and rushed to the nearest grocery store. After a quick thinking, I decided to keep the dinner menu simple yet classic bruschetta for the starter, roast chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans for the main.
Mrs Jones was surprised to see me carry bags of groceries into the mansion, “You went shopping for food, Ms. Collins? Maids could have done it for you.”
“No I want to do it myself,” I replied with a sheepish smile. “I’m cooking dinner for Alpha Grayson.”
She raised her eyebrow even higher. “Have you asked Alpha Grayson first?
Yeah. Why?”
“Well..” She was trying to find a delicate way to put it. “Because Alpha Grayson has a very high standard for food. I can’t remember how many chefs we have fired.”
9:46 AM
Chapter 8
OK now I’m sweating
But I had already asked Grayson, and the frozen chicken was melting in the bag as we speak. There’s no turning back.
“I’ll try my best,” I told Mrs. Jones, trying to hide my panic.
“Of course, Ms. Collins. Kitchen is this way,”
Cooking wasn’t hard for me. I was independent at a very young age, and I liked to study various recipes during my free time.
But I had only cooked for myself and grandma. Having a very picky Alpha taste my food–that’s a first.
So I spent the entire afternoon hustling around in the huge kitchen, trying to make every detail perfect. The time flew by, at 7:30 sharp, I heard engine noise from the front door. A car had just pulled up. The timing was great because the roasted chicken was just done to perfection.
I rushed to the front door to greet him without even taking off my apron. My heart was racing.
“Hey. Welcome back!” I blurted out as the door swung open.
Yet the next second, I froze.
Because it wasn’t him who just walked in.
It was a tall woman in a Chanel suit, blonde curls, absolutely stunning–like she’d just stepped off the cover of Vogue.
Fucking hell…
It’s Delilah Harl
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