Ethan's POV

I was currently on my way to Skylar's room. Her hips were swaying in front of me and I couldn't stop my imagination from running wild. She looked gorgeous tonight with a skinny jeans, high heels and an off shoulder top. I had never really seen her casual, it was either her formal wear or night dresses , not that she didn't look good in them.

She opened the door to her room and went into the bathroom without saying a word. We were in the middle of a fight, this was expected.

I took a seat on the bed. 

This morning I just couldn't think straight when I got to know that Skylar was adding finishing to my project. The worst part is that she kept all of this from me for a month. I was oblivious and when Mr. Zane asked how she was handling the final stage, I was caught off guard but played along but on the inside I felt like a fool.

A fool who didn't know about his own wife.

Why did he ask Skylar to do it for him? Was I not good enough? But before I could think, I marched into her office and told her off. It was good to know that she didn't back down from a fight but the fact that she intervened in my project was unsettling--even though it shouldn't be.We're one now, our companies are merged.Despite having a firm and leading it , the only thing that truly belongs to me there are my ideas, my original works and I get defensive when someone adds changes to that against my will.

My insecurities should not reflect this much.But I had given into them the moment I tore up those plans impulsively--something that I've regretted since that moment itself. I should apologise to Skylar but I didn't have the courage to be an asshole and then simply say sorry.

I got up and started looking around and came across her childhood pictures. She looked like she had the time of her life.However, most of them were with her mother. She must have been very close to her.

The bathroom door clicked and she came out in her pyjamas.Before I could say anything, she walked out of the room. Great.

I hopped in the shower and when I came out, she was standing there with a t shirt and a pair of sweatpants.

"These are Asher's." She said as a way of explaining me. I nodded and took the clothes.

How long are we gonna ignore each other? I hate it when she doesn't say anything.

After a while I heard a knock and Ava came in. "Hey! Where's Skylar?"

"I don't know." I breathed out while hanging up the towel.

"Oh she must be downstairs already then. Anyways, we're having a movie night, you guys have to join us."

I looked at her skeptically.

"It's compulsory." She said in a bossy tone as she closed the door after herself.

I love the fact that she gave me a choice. Not.

I walked down to the tv room and saw Asher and Ava on the couch under a blanket, Emilia sitting on a bean bag. She smiled at me, "It's a tradition, whenever we have a sleep over, we have a movie night." I smiled at her. Good for them, cherishing their childhood memories. I barely had any as Dad had always drilled me to work on myself so that I can take over the company one day.I didn't have traditions with my sibling.

Skylar walked in with three bowls of popcorn followed by a staff member holding some drinks. She was shocked to see me, I guess she didn't really expect me here.She walked to the other recliner and made herself comfortable, everybody including her looked at me expecting me to sit with her. I wordlessly moved towards her, lifted her and positioned myself underneath her. She hesitantly sat on the space beside me with half her body on mine.

This was cozy.

The movie started, Skylar was twitching the entire time so I finally grunted because of the discomfort down there.She then gradually made herself comfortable.We were sharing a blanket and I hadn't realised.It was weird, being so close to her. Her familiar blueberry and citrus scent had invaded my senses.It felt so warm like I was with someone who knew me inside out.

We were an hour into the movie when Skylar's hair fell open, making her scent even stronger. She then stretched both her hands to tie it up. Oh boy, this is not going to be easy. I was getting turned on so I shifted to my side. I didn't want her to feel anything, much less embarrass myself. She gave me a weird look and continued with the movie.

--*--

The movie was over and Asher and Skylar were asleep.

"Ash, wake up. Let's get you to bed, big guy." Ava said, waking him up.

Emilia was already gone after saying her good nights.

"I assume, you'll take care of Sky?" Ava asked, looking back at me.

"Yeah." She nodded and left.

I picked her up and started towards her room. But before I could put her to bed, her eyes popped open.I was startled and dropped her on the bed.

"What the hell, Ethan?" She said rubbing her head.

"What? I was startled." 

She glared at me, nothing new. I walked away, not in the mood to start an argument.

I took a seat at her desk and started working on my laptop. I was done within half an hour, I looked around and realised there was no couch in the room. Where will I sleep?

"It's fine you can sleep on the bed. Don't worry I won't touch you." She said teasingly , without looking up from her phone. She has been awake? And how the hell does she know what I was thinking about?

I made my way to the bed and settled in. Aunt Eden was right , it had been raining heavily outside for the last three hours. Good thing we stayed.I looked at Skylar and she was still staring at her phone.

"Could you turn that off? The light is not helping me in falling asleep." I asked her.

"You're such a cry baby." She reluctantly put her phone away.

Before I could say anything there was a loud thunderclap outside. Skylar came closer to me with a shiver and she was holding my t shirt bunched up in her hand.

After realising, she cleared her throat and moved away. Suddenly I felt cold. Why is this happening? Whenever she comes close to me, I'm surrounded by warmth and the minute she gets away it gets cold, like an empty dark room.

"Sure, I'm the cry baby." I teased her.

"Shut up."

"I thought you weren't talking to me after what happened this morning." I decided to bring up the topic --very daring of me.

"Technically, I'm still not. You should apologise to me."

"I should apologise to you? You were the one who took my client."

"I didn't take your client , he willingly came to me to ask for a finishing."

"Yeah, well, you should've turned him away."

"Why would I refuse our client ? "

"Because , he is my client. I was the one assigned with the project. I was the one who designed the entire thing. I should be the one to conclude it."

"Have you noticed how many times you've said 'I' and 'My' in the last 1 minute. This just shows how self centred you are. Somethings are not about you--"

I opened my mouth but she put her finger on my lips.

"I'm not done yet. Despite whatever happened today , both of us were at fault. You should accept the fact that our companies have merged and we might cross paths from time to time. I on the other hand should've told you about this before taking it up and working on it."

I didn't say anything. I knew she was right.

"Fine, I'm sorry." I was being petulant, I know. But no one had ever told me off before , except my Dad and it was hard for me to accept the facts.

She finally gave me that beautiful smile that I was craving for since the evening, "I'm sorry too." I didn't say anything as she finally dropped her book and closed her eyes. She forgot to make the pillow border today but I didn't particularly mind.

She looked so calm with some of her hair strands falling around her face, she looked like an angel.But I stopped my thoughts right there--I can't look at her like that. Despite having a choice, she took the deal. Now both of us are shackled into this marriage, binding me to the company for a lifetime. I already gave up my dreams to support our family's empire and now I had to give up my personal life too. 

However, I still felt like  she was breaking down all my walls and reservations. Last week when she looked after me, I was surprised by her gesture. No one had cared for me like this in a long time. Did she actually care about me?

I wanted to care about her too, but I'm too afraid to get my feelings involved for nothing. Skylar doesn't care for me, she cares for the business. That's the only reason she married me and that's the only truth.

I looked at her parted lips, controlling my urge. I had not been with anyone for the last month , for the sanctity of this so called marriage. And in my heart deep down, I hoped she wasn't too.

I suddenly felt a hand on my chest , I didn't shove it aside and let it be there.