Loving the Devil

6. DINNER WITH THE SEDUCTRESS

Jackson's POV

I was sitting in my office, working on my latest project. Every now and then, my thoughts drifted to Hannah and what happened in the morning. I didn't expect her to slap me but what surprised me more was that I didn't feel angry. Instead, I felt remorseful. I felt ashamed of being the reason of hurt in her eyes. I felt ashamed for calling her a slut.

When I woke up today, I felt soft fingers tracing my jaw. Following my instincts, I tackled the invader to the bed. But when I saw Hannah's beautiful face inches away from mine and her soft body beneath mine, my body stiffened. Her face was without any makeup, looking so soft and fresh. I feigned anger to control the desire to touch her.

But when started stuttering, my eyes moved to her soft, red lips. Without thinking, I grazed my lips over her jaw and gave in to the pleasure I was feeling. She smelled of lavender and rose. Her soft skin was tempting me to continue but her soft moan brought me back to reality.

I could not give in. She was a seductress, hypnotizing me with her beauty. But I had to control my urges. I didn't want to give her any wrong idea so I insulted her and called her a slut. I expected her to shed some tears and cry like last night but instead, she slapped me, right on my cheek. Nobody had ever dared me to lay a hand on me. I should have felt angry, I should have felt repulsed but her flushed face, red nose and quivering lips were like another tight slap. I instantly regretted my words.

"Sir! your father sent these tickets.", my secretary's voice penetrated my ears, bringing me back to reality.

She handed me a packet containing two tickets to Paris. My blood began to boil. First, he forced me to marry a girl of his choice who had ruined my peace, now he wanted me to go on a f**king honeymoon trip with her. I had no intention of fulfilling his wish. Suddenly, my phone beeped and my father's number emerged on the screen.

"I am not going to Paris with her. Stop interfering in my life.", I growled with anger.

"I have better work to do than interfering in your life, son. But people are bad-mouthing about our company. Media is saying that your marriage was just a stunt to expand our business. You have to go on this trip to prove their accusations wrong. Now, it's up to you.", with that, he cut the call. As much as I would hate admitting, he had a point. If press or our business rivals found out anything about this arranged marriage, they would use it against us.

Paris held so many memories of Emily for me. Each night I spent there with Emily enveloped in my arms, each moment we spent in the heat of our emotions, kissing each other, making sweet passionate love, everything was intact in my mind. Going there would bring back every memory of our love and her betrayal.

I was stuck between my past and present.

When I reached home, I made my way directly to my room. Entering the shower, I allowed the cold water to numb my senses. I stayed there for half an hour, the water cleared my mind that was impregnated with anger, confusion, hate and most of all, annoyance. After dressing up, I made my way to the lounge. A savory aroma filled my nostrils. I followed the smell and went to the balcony. In the center of the balcony lay a table for two with candles in between. But what caught my attention was my wife, who I have been trying my best to avoid. Her back was facing me as she was leaning forwards, setting the plates on the table.

She was wearing fitted top and tight jeans, the small of her creamy waist showing. The blue pants were hugging her curvaceous bottom perfectly, her toned legs stirring a raw emotion inside me. My legs started walking towards her on their own and stopped when I was right behind her. As she acknowledged my presence, she turned around. Her tight top was accentuating her curves and my hands itched to touch her. She had applied a little makeup too, but I prefer her face without any.

"I- uhmm- I prepared lasagna for you.", she stuttered, bringing me out of the trance. I nodded and she served me a plate of lasagna that looked heavenly. I poured some wine for both of us and took a bite of lasagna. It tasted as good as it looked, my taste buds exploded with this savory delight. She looked at me, probably wanting to hear some appreciation but I couldn't give her the satisfaction.

"I have tasted better.", I said dryly. Her face fell, all the shine from her eyes vanished. I felt familiar guilt filling me again.

The dinner went in silence. She didn't look at me again, her eyes remained fixed on her plate. After we had finished our plates, she walked away, leaving me sitting there alone. I knew she had tears in her eyes. Guilt filled my mind again. Pushing the image back in the corner of my mind, I settled in the study room and completed my presentation.

It was almost 2am when I decided to go back to my bedroom. I thought she would be sleeping by then but as I entered, I found her sitting on the couch, her face was drained of energy and her eyes were red. She probably had cried. My heart clenched at her sight. I wanted to go to her and hold her in my arms to comfort her but I refrained.

This is just an act. She is just like Emily. I reminded myself.

"Pack your bags in the morning. We are going to Paris tomorrow.", I ordered in an emotionless voice and lay down on the bed, sleep enveloped me soon after.

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