Chapter 12 – Honeymoon Phase
Jasmine’s Pov
I chewed my salmon as I wondered why Silas had left so suddenly.
I was sure it had to do with work
I chewed slowly, letting the silence fill the huge bedroom. This mansion was a palace, but it felt emply when Silas wasn’t around.
Not that I was missing him. Not that I was thinking about last night… and how his lips felt like silk and fire at the same time !!
Ugh. Get it together, Jasmine
After my shower, I slipped into a soft blush dress. One of the many new outfits the maids had delivered.
I guess being a temporary wife came with wardrobe upgrades
As I walked around the villa, I found myself in the library. The scent of old books pulled me in like a magnet
I trailed my fingers over the spines–Tolstoy, Austen, Garcia Márquez..
A voice broke the silence.
“Well, someone looks like they’ve been kissed recently.”
I tumed. Rose stood at the doorway, arms folded, a teasing smile on her lips.
“Kissed?” I laughed nervously. “No, I just had a good night’s sleep.”
“Hmm. Sure.” She walked over and pulled out a chessboard. “Come on. Let’s play. I want to see what kind of brains my daughter–in–law
has.
Isat opposite her. “You’re going to regret this
Ten minutes later, I was staring at my defeated king.
“Checkmate,” Rose said, smug. “Told you. I always win.”
I groaned and leaned back. “I went easy on you.”
She chuckled. Where’s Silas?”
I shrugged. “Work. Something urgent.”
Her smile faded. “He left you alone on your honeymoon?”
I nodded, and she whipped out her phone. “Not on my watch.”
“Wait-
Too late.
“Silas Larkin, you better get your ass back home,” she snapped into the phone “This is your honeymoon, not a board meeting”
I could hear his voice faintly through the speaker!
“I don’t care,” Rose cut in. “Ten minutes. Or I swear I’ll drag you back myself”
She hung up and smirked at me. “Men respond better to threats.”
Exactly ten minutes later, Silas stormed into the house.
“You called the army,” he muttered, tossing his phone on the couch
Rose crossed her arms. “Don’t act like a victim. You’re going with Jasmine to the honeymoon games.“8
He blinked. “Wait, what?“”
“You heard me,” she said. “And don’t even think about refusing. I already signed you two up “X
I was already giggling. “Honeymoon games?
“You’ll love it,” she winked. “They help couples band. You know, get all close.”
Silas groaned under his breath. “I hate those things.“)
She kissed his cheek. “Too bad.”
Once she left the room, I turned to him. “Are you always this dramatic?“!
He rubbed his face. “You have no idea what she’s signed us up for. These games are public, over–the–top, and–worst of all–monitored. She probably planted spies there just to see how convincingly in love we act
I smiled “So ready to be my loving husband?*%
He glanced at me “That depends. Are you ready to be my smitten wife?”
We both stared at each other. It was stupid, but I felt my cheeks warm.
He cleared his throat and looked away. “Let’s just get this over with
We pulled up to a glass building tucked behind private gates X
Couples milled around inside, laughing, hugging, feeding each other chocolate–dipped strawberries.
“This is way too cheerful,” Silas muttered.
We walked in hand in hand–his idea, surprisingly A hostess with bright red lipstick and a clipboard approached.
“Mr. and Mrs. Larkin! You’re just in time,” she beamed. “We’re starting with a round of Truth or Dare!”
Great!
12:45 PM
We were led to a circular setup. Cameras, Applause. Laughter.}
“And since they’re our newest couple, the hostess said, motioning to us, “Mr. and Mrs. Greyson will go first!
I froze.
Everyone stared at me.
The hostess grinned. “Truth or dare, Mrs. Larkin?”
I looked at Silas. He gave me a lazy smirk.!!
“Truth,” I said carefully
The hostess leaned in. “How was your first night as newlyweds?”
Silas’s eyes locked onto mine. I blinked, frozen.}
We didn’t..
We hadn’t even–X
My lips parted. I didn’t know what to say.
Silas leaned closer to the mic and said, “She passed out from exhaustion. Guess I wore her out.“!!
The crowd howled with laughter.”
I elbowed him under the table, my face burning.
He whispered to me, “You’re welcome. T
