Chapter 22 YOU ARE MINE
Chapter 22 YOU ARE MINE
Esmery barely had time to react before Akilah’s teasing voice cut through the room.
“Why would you marry a man who’s impotent? Don’t you love pleasure?” Akilah asked dramatically, flipping her long braids over her shoulder.
Esmery’s face turned beet red. “Who told you he’s impotent?!” she blurted out, then immediately slapped a hand over her mouth.
Akilah and Damien exchanged mischievous glances, their smirks widening like two devils enjoying a sinner’s downfall.
“Ohhh?” Damien drawled, crossing his arms. “So, you mean to say he’s not?”
Esmery looked like a deer caught in headlights.
“I-I mean…” she stammered, but it was too late.
Akilah gasped, clutching her chest. “Oh my God, Esmery! Are you telling me you’ve tested the goods already?”
Esmery let out a strangled squeak, her entire body heating up with embarrassment. “That’s not what I meant!”
But Akilah and Damien weren’t buying it. They leaned in closer, grinning.
“Just admit it,” Akilah whispered. “You’re getting a cock. An Italian coc...”
Before she could finish, a deep, authoritative voice cut through the air like a whip.
“What exactly were they saying to you?”
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. The teasing atmosphere vanished as Akilah and Damien stiffened.
Esmery turned to see Jayden standing at the door, his towering frame radiating dominance. His piercing golden eyes locked onto her friends like a predator evaluating his prey.
He strode toward them with the effortless power of a king surveying his kingdom, his tailored suit fitting him like a second skin.
Akilah, who had been fearless just seconds ago, suddenly looked like she wanted to shrink into the floor.
Jayden reached Esmery’s side and pulled her against his chest, his grip firm but not painful. His fingers brushed over her waist possessively as if staking his claim.
Esmery’s heart pounded at his touch. She wasn’t sure if it was from embarrassment or the undeniable attraction she felt whenever he was close.
Damien cleared his throat. “Uh, we were just, you know, making conversation…”
Jayden’s gaze didn’t waver. “Making conversation,” he repeated slowly, his voice smooth yet laced with a dangerous edge.
Akilah, regaining some of her boldness, crossed her arms. “We just want to know how Esmery, our sweet, innocent best friend, ended up married to you.”
Jayden smirked, his grip on Esmery tightening slightly. “That’s simple,” he said smoothly, his golden eyes darkening with possession. “She belongs to me.”
Esmery’s stomach flipped, heat rising to her cheeks at the finality in his words. Akilah and Damien exchanged glances. This wasn’t just a normal marriage, there was something deeper, more intense.
Damien swallowed hard. “Uh… cool.”
Akilah, however, wasn’t ready to back down completely. “Well, since we’re her best friends, I guess we should get to know the man who stole her away.”
Jayden’s lips curled into a smirk. “Then let’s have dinner.”
Esmery blinked. “What?”
Jayden turned to her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’ll take you and your friends to dinner tonight.”
Damien and Akilah looked at each other in shock. Their CEO, who never socialized, was inviting them to dinner?
In the car on the way to the restaurant, Esmery turned to Jayden, curiosity burning in her eyes. "Why are you so possessive?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Jayden’s golden eyes flicked to hers, amusement dancing in their depths. "Because you’re mine," he said simply, his voice rich and unwavering.
Esmery scoffed, rolling her eyes. "That’s not an answer."
Jayden smirked, leaning closer. "It’s the only answer that matters."
She huffed, crossing her arms. "You act like I’m some kind of treasure."
"You are."
Her breath hitched at the conviction in his voice. Before she could respond, he leaned in, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "You have no idea how badly I want to claim you, Esmery. To remind you who you belong to."
A shiver ran down her spine, her thighs pressing together involuntarily.
Akilah, sitting in the front passenger seat, suddenly spoke up. "Hey, no plotting dirty things in the backseat! We’re right here!"
Damien, who was driving, snorted. "Yeah, save the sinful thoughts for later, CEO Vermillion."
Esmery took the opportunity to tease Jayden. She turned to him, her lips curling into a playful smile. "You really are possessive, huh?"
Jayden’s smirk widened. "If I wanted, I could finger you right now, and no one would notice."
Her face flamed instantly. She slapped his chest, glaring at him. "You wouldn’t dare!"
Jayden arched a brow, eyes gleaming with challenge. "Wouldn't I?"
His hand slid under the hoodie, creeping along her thigh. At first, he only rested it there, his fingers barely grazing her skin. Esmery exhaled in relief, thinking that maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't actually follow through with his teasing.
But she was wrong.
His fingers slowly began moving, tracing lazy patterns on her inner thigh. Esmery stiffened, her heart pounding wildly. She turned to glare at him, her eyes pleading for mercy, but Jayden only raised an eyebrow, daring her to stop him.
At that moment, the car jerked to a stop, saving her from whatever sinful act he had planned next.
Damien, who was driving, glanced back. "We’re here."
Akilah, sitting in the passenger seat, stretched. "Finally! I’m starving."
Esmery practically bolted from the car the moment Jayden let her go, her face still burning. He chuckled darkly, watching her reaction with amusement before stepping out after her.
Inside the restaurant, they were led to a private table. As they settled into their seats, Esmery reached for her menu, but before she could even glance at it, Jayden pulled her into his lap.
"Jayden!" she squeaked, struggling slightly.
"Sit still, sweetheart," he murmured against her ear. "I just want you close."
Akilah nearly choked on her water. "Okay, wow. You are so whipped."
Damien smirked. "Totally."
Jayden didn’t seem fazed. He only tightened his hold on Esmery, resting his chin on her shoulder. "And?"
Esmery’s face burned even hotter. "This is embarrassing…"
"Why? They should get used to seeing you in my arms."
Their meals arrived, and just as Esmery thought she’d finally get a break from his teasing, Jayden did the unexpected, he picked up her fork and held a bite of food to her lips.
"Eat."
Her mouth opened automatically, allowing him to feed her.
Akilah gaped at the scene before her. "Oh my god, he’s really doing it."
Damien leaned in, whispering, "He even wiped sauce off her lips. That’s not just marriage Akilah that’s obsession."
Esmery nearly choked on her food, her gaze snapping to Jayden, who smirked in satisfaction.
Just as she was about to protest, an eerie sensation crawled up her spine.
Unbeknownst to them, across the restaurant, a pair of sharp eyes watched the scene with growing disgust.
Monica Hale gripped her phone tightly, her nails digging into the case.
Her plan had been simple, humiliate Esmery, make her suffer for daring to exist in the same world as her daughter. She had expected Esmery to be heartbroken and miserable after losing Diego.
But here she was, draped in luxury, sitting on the lap of a rich, powerful man.
Monica’s lips curled into a sneer.
"So, this is what she’s been up to… whoring herself out to some wealthy older bastard."
She discreetly lifted her phone and snapped a series of pictures, making sure to capture Esmery looking comfortable and spoiled.
Though she couldn't see the man's face, it didn't matter. The images alone were damning enough.
Slipping her phone back into her bag, she smirked to herself.
"Let’s see how you handle this, Esmery."