Chapter 11
Miles
After putting on my suit, I grabbed the small velvet box from the dresser, flipped the lid, and stared at the white gold diamond band—the ring I’d place on Stella’s finger. Today would be the day my entire life would change. The thought had me rattled all week. Getting married and having her move in with me was enough to drive me over the edge. This was never part of my life’s plan, and my mother knew it. This was just another ploy on her part to ruin my life.
“I can’t believe you’re going through with this, Miles,” my driver, Sean, said as he drove me to Stella’s apartment.
“I don’t have a choice.” I stared out the window.
He pulled up to her building, and I took the elevator up to her apartment. Knocking on the door, Jordyn answered.
“Hello, handsome.” She smiled. “Come on in. Your bride is almost ready.”
My stomach twisted in a knot at her words. Perhaps I should have brought Stella some flowers. Shit. I wasn’t any good at this. I had never been.
“Hi.” I heard her voice from behind as I stood in the living room with my hands tucked into my pants pockets.
Turning around, I lost my breath as she stood there in a short, white beaded cocktail dress.
“Wow. You look beautiful.” I smiled.
“Thanks.”
“Is this everything?” I pointed to her luggage and boxes that sat against the wall.
“Yeah. That’s everything.”
“The movers are coming to collect your things and bring them to my penthouse. Are you ready to do this?”
“Are you?” Her brow arched.
A small smile crossed my lips as I placed my hand on the small of her back, and we left the apartment.
Levi and Jordyn were our witnesses. I slipped the diamond band on Stella’s finger, and she slipped the black tungsten band on mine. When the magistrate pronounced us husband and wife, I inhaled an uneasy breath. Leaning in, I softly kissed Stella’s lips.
“Congrats, you two.” Levi smiled. “Never thought I’d see this day.” He patted my back.
“Be quiet. You know it’s not real.”
“I tend to disagree with you, my friend. I can’t wait until you introduce your wife to your uncle tomorrow night.”
“I don’t want to think about that right now.” I sighed.
Sean drove Stella and me back to my penthouse.
“Welcome to your new home for the next year,” I said as we stepped off the elevator.
* * *
Stella
My new address was on Park Avenue, Penthouse 16B. I stepped off the elevator and lost my breath at the beauty of the home that was mine for the next year. A grand foyer with beautiful Parquet wood floors and floor-to-ceiling windows with the most spectacular view of the city and Central Park.
“How big is this place?” I asked.
“It’s thirty-five hundred square feet with three bedrooms and four bathrooms.” He smiled.
“Kind of big for a bachelor, don’t you think?” I glanced at him as he showed me around the monstrous place.
He chuckled. “It was in foreclosure, and I got a hell of a deal—too good to pass up. This is your room. Feel free to decorate it any way you want.”
“It’s beautiful the way it is.” I smiled.
“Monday, Dora, my maid, will be here. She works Monday through Friday. You’ll like her.”
“She’s not working today?”
“Under the circumstances, I gave her the day off. “Come on. I’ll show you the other wing where my bedroom is located.” He took hold of my hand.
“Wow. Your room is double the size of my apartment.” I smiled.
“And my bed is very comfortable.” He reached around and unzipped my dress. “We do need to consummate our marriage.” He slid the dress off me.
“Yeah. I think we do.” I wrapped my arms around his neck.
Before I knew it, he had me lying on the bed, fully naked, exploring me with his mouth as my body trembled. He thrust inside me as his muscular body hovered over me. Intoxication took over as our lips tangled and his thrusting increased. I was in such bliss that I didn’t even realize he forgot to use a condom. Shit.
“God, that was good,” he breathlessly spoke, pulling out of me and rolling onto his back.
I looked over at him. “You didn’t use a condom.”
“Why would I? You’re on the pill. We didn’t use one last time.” He reached over and softly stroked my cheek. Sitting up, he pulled on his underwear. “We need to go over some rules, Stella.”
“Okay.” I held the sheet against me as I sat up.
“This marriage isn’t real, and it can never be. We made an arrangement, and now you’re five hundred thousand dollars richer.”
“I know that, Miles.”
“I don’t answer to you, and you don’t answer to me. We live our separate lives for the next year.”
“I’m fully aware of that.”
“Okay. I just want to make sure you understand that. Get dressed, and I’ll show you my office.”
I furrowed my brows as I slipped on my white beaded cocktail dress and followed him.
“You can use this office anytime you want for your studies,” he spoke. “As long as I’m not using it. I do a lot of work in here at night.”
“Okay. I have my laptop, so I can do my studies anywhere.”
“My driver, Sean, will be available when you need him as long as I don’t. If he’s not available, take a cab. I don’t want you to take the subway. Understand?”
“Yes.” I smiled. “I won’t take the subway.”
“Good.” He kissed my forehead. “Tomorrow night, we’re meeting my Uncle Ben for dinner, so you’ll need a nice dress. I’m unsure if you have any, so I want you to buy one at Bergdorf’s. You can put it on my account there.”
“Okay.”
He gripped my hips. “I have to go into the office. I’ll be home later. Get unpacked and make yourself comfortable.”
“I have homework to catch up on.” I smiled.
“That’s good. Your studies are important. I’ll see you later.”
After he left, I went into the open sun-flooded kitchen with Glasso’s countertops, custom white cabinetry, two oversized sub-zero refrigerators, top-of-the-line stove, and four built-in ovens, graced the chef’s kitchen. This was every woman’s dream. I opened the fridge and saw it was fully stocked with meats, fruits, and vegetables. Grabbing a bottle of water, I took it to my bedroom and changed into more comfortable clothing.
I stared at the diamond band on my finger, which alerted me that I was now Mrs. Miles Bradshaw. I barely knew my husband, and even though this was a marriage of convenience, I really didn’t know anything about him.
I walked up the marbled staircase in the hallway, which led to a room with a sectional, TV, a large bar, and a black baby grand piano. A glass door led to the rooftop terrace, which housed potted plants, lounge chairs, and a large outdoor table set. I stood and stared at the view of the city. It was indescribable, and I could see myself doing a lot of studying out here, at least in the warmer months.