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?"

teeth. "You’re going to give

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

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

to divorce me because of a stupid

are still married. Prove

didn’t mean that but like I have said before, I say the dumbest things when I

make

so surprised at her sudden agreement that I

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

wouldn’t believe me anyway so you’re welcome to think anything you want. I am too exhausted to go back

to make certain

"What?"

you please around here. I’d try my best to ensure a fair contract revision. It’s up to you to accept the terms or leave." I went up to her and ran a finger down her tensed cheeks. "I think I have the

***

shouldn’t have started off our relationship by playing the nice guy. Demi is clearly into hard guys with a violent streak. Maybe that’s why her ex is Iman. I’ll never hit

at Demi. I choose this moment to plant a kiss on Demi’s lips. Like

stunning." Mila

you, Mila. You’re a

the halter neckline. Her brown

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

"Are you cold?"

I’m fine." She

to her ear. "We’re doing this first for my family and secondly for our

beams at

you." I whisper to

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 struggles not to look

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. Demi almost misses her step due to the blinding

in next, a minute after we do. They look like a power couple. Mila is clearly a pro and sashays like a beauty pageant all the way

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

breathtaking tonight." I begin. I might be a tad bit tipsy but I mean every

"It’s the dress."

one inside the dress that’s making me lose my mind." When she

think the photographers

not trying to get a photo taken. I’m trying to kiss you...for real this time." I see her eyes go mellow. "Can

"You’re drunk."

cup each other’s face like there’s no one else at the

I stare at Ashton, he picks up his

and one of our drivers to come over. He joins the Bentley and goes to

Maybe we can do this

that what

to the mundane arrangement we

you to be with any woman

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

fantasy to ever hope for from the outset." She stares deeply into my eyes. "You’re a kind man Ashley. I don’t know what Asher would have done if we had indeed remained married and he were in your shoes. I am sorry if I took you for granted before. I’ll try my best to give you the respect you deserve while we’re still married. If you want to go on

enduring. I bet you have a more exciting plan after our divorce." A