Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 35: Chapter 35

ASHLEY

I knew she was going to look beautiful in the sexy number I picked out for her but I didn’t expect she’d look this good. Lust crawls up my belly as Demi steps out of the elevator clutching a shimmering gold purse. The red crop top fits her body like paint. The cut out at her torso exposes her flat tummy just enough for any man to drool. The skirt starts just above her waist and ends above her knees. A huge white bow dangles by her left side where the shirt slit begins. The entire living room falls silent till she makes her way in and stands next to me.

"Wow, you look great Demi." Mother compliments her. It’s Saturday and we all have some free time away from work. I manage to pick my jaw off the ground as Demi stares up nervously at me. She hadn’t wanted to wear this particular outfit but I had insisted. I want to make a clear statement to all my brothers standing in this very room.

After the night at the game room, we got into a heated fight. Just as we went past Demi’s room towards mine down the hall, Demi tried to pull her hand away. I forcefully pulled her all the way to my room and shoved her inside.

"What?" I asked when she stared angrily at me. "Did you get your second wind?"

She shook her head. "You didn’t believe a word I said back there, did you? Is that why you’ve brought me here to interrogate me again?"

"Can you blame me? So much has been happening with you and you didn’t even say a word to me. If I hadn’t walked into that scene back there, I still wouldn’t know you were being blackmailed." I backed away from her and inhaled sharply. "Simply because we aren’t a regular couple doesn’t mean you get to keep me in the dark about things like this. I am still your husband and I deserve to know what’s going on with you."

Demi’s eyes softened. "I wanted to tell you but then Asher hinted earlier tonight that you wouldn’t give a damn about our divorce. He told me you wouldn’t save me." Fresh tears cloud her eyes. "Why didn’t you confront him, Ashley? Why didn’t you confront him about that other night after what happened? Can’t you protect me? How am I supposed to trust you if you act like Asher runs the show here?"

"I told you he already apologized. I didn’t think he’d dare try it again." When I reached for her hands, Demi pulled away.

"I kept thinking about the reason why Asher hates me so much. It just wasn’t enough that he felt super protective of his brothers and family in general. He has been hating on me since the first day I stepped into this mansion with my aunt and niece." Her teary eyes found my anxious face. "I can’t believe he was the one I met at the Blue Cove. Tell me your brother lied to my face once more. There’s no way he’s the same man I met that night. He is too different to be him."

I couldn’t believe Asher tried to ruin everything with his ego. How could he have gone that far and told her about the blue cove?

"Calm down, Demi."

"You know what, forget it. I don’t care anymore. I know you’d always stand by your brothers." She dabbed her tears with the back of her palms. "I understand your filial love but I wish you would be just as protective of me. I wish you wouldn’t let Asher get away with accusing and tormenting me while you claim to be my husband. Maybe that’s why I prefer to run to Ashton. Asher would never have messed with me twice if I had told Ashton everything from the onset."

My rage unlocked at the blatant comparison. "Ashton! Ashton!! Ashton!!! I’ve had enough. Is that your type, Demi? You love men with a tendency for violence?"

"Ashton is not violent!"

"Now you’re defending him? Wow. Asher is right after all. Whatever’s going on between you two is definitely beyond what you say."

Demi didn’t even bother to deny it again. "I guess we’re done with this conversation. You’re free to believe whatever Asher feeds you. And for your information, I’m not going on any double date with you."

That’s when I snapped and yanked her arm as she tried to leave.

"What did you say? You aren’t going? Why? Because you can’t bear to see Ashton with another woman on his arm?"

"Let go of me Ashley. You’re hurting me."

"I don’t give a fuck about your feelings for him but what I won’t tolerate is your disrespect and betrayal while we are still legally bonded. I’ve told you that before." I pulled her face close to mine. "You’ll go on this date and on as many dates as I want to dispel the ridiculous suspicions flying around this mansion before they spread through Danvarr. I am sure as hell not letting another woman corner me with her theatrics. If you have a problem staying away from my brother and showering your legally wedded husband with all the love and care you clearly show to Ashton, then I don’t see any reason why we should keep this sham of a marriage."

I release her and noted the palpable tension in the room. Demi clearly didn’t like the thought of an early divorce if her wide eyes and discomfort were any indication.

"Let’s end it this weekend like Asher planned."

"You don’t mean that."

"Did I stutter?"

through her teeth. "You’re going to give

to mean nothing more to you than a pretense to stay in this house. If you cared about fulfilling mom’s desires, you’d pay attention to me. She chose to keep you in this family because

of my own family. I won’t wait till you make a fool of

me

way of proving to me that despite your feelings for Ashton, you’d respect me enough to put my honor first while we are still married. Prove to everyone, especially Ashton, that no one else has a

said before, I say the dumbest things when I am

make the

been so surprised at her sudden agreement

me that you are not sexually attracted to my brother or because you don’t want the divorce and to be

so you’re welcome to think anything you want. I am too exhausted to go back and forth

that case, we’ll have to make

"What?"

up to you to accept the terms or leave."

***

in being tough with her. I shouldn’t have started off our relationship by playing the nice guy. Demi

far from holy as he stares at Demi. I choose this moment to plant a kiss

stunning." Mila

you, Mila. You’re a vision."

neckline. Her brown hair is swept up in a semi-messy bun atop her head. From her ears, crystal drops dangle and twinkle in the

dinner. The evening is still young. Ashton and Mila sit across from us. While Mila coaxes Ashton to share a

"Are you cold?"

I’m fine." She replies

for my family and secondly for our union. You can at least try to not

beams at

you." I whisper

he is choosing to ignore Demi just as she clearly is ignoring him. He clinks his glass with Mila and they both take sips of each other’s champagne with their hands interlocked. This time, Demi

Mila’s father’s restaurant. We’ve already been prepped on how to step out of the car. I step down first and help Demi out. I help her fix her dress and hair before gently leading her out of the waning light of dusk into the glamor of the restaurant. Amidst our entry, cameras flash, taking pictures of us.

clearly a pro and sashays like

our orders immediately. By the time the first courses arrive, Ashton and I have had more photos taken while leaning in and whispering to the girls. The night wears on better than I hoped. Demi eventually relaxes and even spoon feeds me at one point. Mila keeps eating from Ashton’s place and he doesn’t seem to mind. I am really glad how everything is turning out. Each couple eats like they’re the

tad bit tipsy but I mean every word. My hand cups Demi’s

"It’s the dress."

not. It’s the one inside the dress that’s making me lose my mind." When she coyly looks around our table, I steer her chin

photographers have enough

taken. I’m trying to kiss you...for real this time." I see her eyes go mellow. "Can

"You’re drunk."

intentionally pause hoping she meets me halfway. When her lips tease mine, I go in for the kill. Our hands cup each other’s face like there’s no one else at the table. Demi matches my pace and leans back to allow me to taste her. I struggle to keep my hands on her face but in my

strangely invigorated. When I stare at Ashton, he picks up his wine glass, toasts to me in the air and downs everything in one gulp. He and Mila had locked lips several times tonight but it was nothing nearly as intense as what Demi and

He joins the Bentley and goes to drop Mila off while Demi and I return

Maybe we can do this often but just the two of us and

what you

I’d prefer to the mundane

mundane arrangement allows you to be

as a small frown creases my brow. "Why are you

into my eyes. "You’re a kind man Ashley. I don’t know what Asher would have done if we had indeed remained married

A short laughter escapes my lips. Maybe I am not sober after all. "Was that kiss also an act? Gosh, you’re a talented