Mar and Aftan

Mark

"You cannot be fucking serious?!" I yell at my father across the giant mahogany desk that dominates his office.

"I assure you I am. You will marry Aftan Andrews," he says calmly. Too calmly. Like he hasn't dropped a bomb on my life.

"Why the fuck would I do that?" I ask incredulously.

"Do not curse at me, Mark. I am your father, and you will show me respect," he says as he steeples his hands before him. "I made a promise to her father on his deathbed I would care for her once he was gone."

"YOU made the promise. Not me. What's wrong with her? Why am I to be sacrificed to this woman? I Will. Not. Fucking. Marry. Her."

My father stood so fast it knocked his chair down as he stalked around the desk to point his finger in my face.

"I am head of this family. You will not question how I choose to fulfill my vows."

"YOUR vows. Not mine. It is 2024 and I am a grown man." I yell back at him. "You can hardly compel me to be part of an arranged marriage I do not want."

"Can't I?" My father almost croons and he moves back around the desk and rights his chair before taking a seat.

"You live at my discretion. I pay for your home. I fund your lavish lifestyle. I employ you. I control your trust. You'll find my dear boy; I can compel you to do any number of things."

"Do you take this woman to be your wedded wife?" Did I? I did not. But as my father had so rightly said, I was compelled to marry this woman. He held my life or rather the taking away of everything in my life over my head.

I looked across our clasped hands at my bride. She wasn't unattractive. She had deep auburn hair twisted into some elaborate up do, dark moss green eyes and curves in tantalizing places. Too bad I couldn't muster much enthusiasm for her.

I supposed I should say the words that would seal our fates.

With a grimace I said, "I do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

I kissed Aftan roughly on the cheek before turning from her. Offering her my arm I nearly dragged her down the isle.

We made our way to the tent erected in the garden behind the house. When you throw together a wedding in mere weeks your venue selections are limited.

Upon entering the tent, I grabbed two champagne flutes. I practically threw Aftan's to her before downing my own in one long gulp. She tentatively takes a sip of hers.

"You might as well enjoy the booze," I snarl her way.

I lead her to our table taking another glass of champagne from a passing waiter and motion for her to sit. I take another long swallow before I sit as well.

I'm hardly able to sit through all the well wishers that file before the table. I supposed that we'd have to do all the kitschy wedding things like the cake cutting and first dance. This was miserable. If I could just make it through this day. I'd somehow convince Aftan to annul this marriage as soon as we returned from our fake honeymoon.

Before long, my father stands before us. Aftan stands and grasps him by the arms and kisses him on the cheek.

"Derrick, thank you so much. Everything is beautiful."

My father returns the kiss and gives my bride a hug. A hug. He has never hugged me in my life.

"It was my pleasure, my dear girl."

My fathers gasp my hand to shake it pulling me in close.

"I expect this marriage to be consummated."

I look at him in horror. That would certainly make my annulment plan hard to achieve.

"I'll keep it in mind," I grind out. There was no way I was going to keep it in mind. I had no plans whatsoever to consummate this marriage.

Aftan

"I expect this marriage to be consummated." Holy gods. I doubted very much that was meant for me to hear but I heard it all the same. I also saw the horror on my groom's face. Well then. Wasn't that nice. I knew my groom was a reluctant one, but I had no idea he saw me as such a monster.

I ignored him. I literally ignored my groom during my own reception. I ate when appropriate, I smiled when appropriate, and I certainly drank when appropriate. I wouldn't go to my wedding night drunk, but I would go mildly numb. At least numb enough to help me forget just how much my groom didn't want me.

Thankfully there was no first dance and the cake cutting was quick and relatively painless. It wasn't long before people lined up outside the tent to make an isle to the limo.

We dashed along the impromptu isle as rice rained down over our heads. We squeezed into the limo each taking one of the bench seats. We rode to the hotel in silence.

We made it to our room with little fuss. Derrick had planned everything to a "T". Mark keyed into the room and ushered me inside.

"Do you need the bathroom?" He asked snidely.

Geez being married to this man was going to be a joy.

I slowly took the pins holding my hair out placing them on the console table. Shaking my head and running my hands through my hair, I turned to my groom.

"Actually, I do, but I'll need help out of this dress."

I snapped my back toward him. He jerked the zipper of my dress down then strode out of the room.

Great. I made my way to the bedroom where our luggage had been stored. I searched through my belongings for my fuzzy pjs. I had packed something sexy just in case, but it was obvious it wouldn't be appreciated. I might as well be comfortable.

I shimmied out of my dress hanging it up in the closet. Someone would come and collected it tomorrow to take and have it preserved. Preserved for what I'm not sure. I didn't think I'd have fond memories of this day to look back on.

I looked in the bedroom mirror at myself in my white corset and stockings. Humph. Too bad I'd wasted all that money on bridal lingerie.

I made my way to the bathroom and took the hottest shower I could stand. Maybe I could wash the horror of this day away.

After dressing in my fuzzy pjs I climbed into the bed with my Kindle. I might as well read about romance even if I wasn't going to experience any.

Mark stalked into the room. I noticed he'd removed his tie and his jacket. He looked through his own luggage pulling out items then stalked into the bathroom.

Steam boiled out from under the door. It seemed he was washing away the day as well. Before long the door opened in a cloud.

Mark took one look at me and declared, "I'll take the couch. You stay in here."

Not. A. Problem. Gods what an asshole. I didn't know what his problem was, but I was quickly getting sick of his attitude. This may not have been the wedding either of us had dreamed of nor the partners we had dreamed of, but he'd had an opportunity to say no just as I had.

I tried to read my book for a few minutes before I gave up and turned off my light. Maybe I could just sleep this horror away.

Mark

What in the hell was she wearing? I stared at her before I stalked into the bedroom. Fuzzy pjs? Had she thought that was going to be the key to seduction?

Taking the quickest, hottest shower I could I slipped on my lounge pants and went back into the bedroom.

"I'll take the couch. You stay in here."

I made my way to the living room of our suite and looked through the drawers of the TV table for a blanket. Finding one I dropped to the couch. This was such a nightmare.

I yanked the cover to my chin and turned out the light. Maybe I could just sleep the horror away.

I woke the next morning to Aftan fiddling around in the kitchenette of the suite. I assumed she was making coffee, and she wasn't being quiet about it. I guess I hadn't given her much of a reason to be polite. Stretching I got off the couch and made my way to the kitchenette.

"Is there enough for me?" I growled.

Aftan poured a mug and slammed it down in front of me spilling a little of the coffee.

"Of course," she said saccharine sweetly. "Anything for my dear husband." She rolled her eyes and started to walk away. She got a few steps before turning to me.

"I get that you didn't want this marriage. That you don't want this marriage. But do you think you could turn down the hostilities a few notches? Believe it or not, I'm trying to make the best of this situation and quite frankly I'm sick of your crabby ass."

I stared after her as she stormed off. So, my new wife had a little bite to her. I could actually like that about her if I wasn't so pissed at the entire situation.

"We should get ready," she called over her shoulder as she walked away. "We wouldn't want to be late."

"We can't be late. The flight is chartered and can't leave without us!" I yell back.

Aftan

We boarded the plan that was indeed chartered for us. Derrick had planned a trip to Italy for our honeymoon. He had said every great marriage started with a great honeymoon. Little did he know it was not starting out to be a great marriage. What was that about anyway? I thought. Surely, he had been given the same choice I had for this marriage. While I knew my motivations for this marriage, I wasn't so sure about Mark's.

We took our seats on the plane, Mark as far away from me as possible. That's alright. I had my Kindle and would read over our flight. I didn't need him to entertain me. That being said it did irk me that he could so thoroughly ignore everything about me.

The flight was uneventful, and we made it to our destination without difficulty. A quaint hotel situated on the side of a hill overlooking crystal blue water.

"You can take the bedroom again," Mark snarled.

"Don't worry, I will." I stormed off into the bedroom slinging my luggage into the corner. I was definitely getting tired of his attitude.

"I'm going down to the bar!" Mark yelled as he slammed the suite door.

Good riddance, I fumed.

Mark didn't return to well after I'd gone to bed. I heard him getting situated on the couch well into the night. He stumbled around like he was drunk. It irritated me beyond words. There was no way, however, I would ever let him know just how much it bothered me.

The next morning, I slept in then ordered room service just to be sure it woke him when it arrived. If he wanted to stay out late drinking, I certainly wasn't going to make his morning an easy one.

The waitstaff arrived with a flourish and I made sure they set up breakfast in the sitting room where Mark was sleeping.

Rubbing the sleepiness our of his eyes he sat up on the couch. Gods but he was beautiful. Golden brown skin stretched taut across well muscled pecks and abs. He even had those delectable little notches that disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants. Too bad all that male beauty was attached to such an asshat.

"Good morning husband," I said sickenly sweetly. "I thought you could use a little breakfast."

Mark grimaced and held his head. Good. I hope he suffered. I made sure to make as much noise as I could while dishing food onto my plate and sitting at the small table to the side of the room.

Mark looked a little green as he got up and made his way to the bathroom.

I smiled a little to myself. If he was going to be hostile, I could certainly give as good as he dished out.

Mark

This woman was going to be the death of me. Didn't she understand I had the monster of all hangovers? Truth be told I think she realized just that and was punishing me for it. Honestly it was no more than I deserved. I really was being an asshole. I had spent the night before drinking and thinking over my situation. There was no way out of it. I needed to find a way to make the best of it.

After being sick I made my way back to the sitting room and took a seat across from Aftan at the little table. She clattered her silverware on the plate loudly. It reverberated in my head. Oh my god. I needed to get this rage I was feeling under control and try to turn this around.

"What are your plans for the day?" I asked quietly.

Her eyes rounded and she frowned.

"I have plenty to read. I may go to the pool and read there. And you?"

"Maybe I'll join you," I hedged. Maybe spending time with my new bride would help me learn to tolerate her.

"Please don't on my account. I'm perfectly fine being alone." She snarled at me.

I felt a small sense of shame. I'd been nothing but an asshole to her since this marriage had been planned. It was no wonder she has reacted in turn.

"If it is all the same, I'd like to join you."

"Do whatever pleases you." With that Aftan left the table and went into the bedroom and slammed the door.

I grimaced with the increase in my headache. Really it was no more than I deserved.

Aftan stayed locked in the bedroom a couple hours before coming out in a deliciously cut red swimsuit and cover up. She really was a goddess. Full round hips and ass, heavy breasts, her auburn hair piled high on her head. She carried a straw bag and large hat in her hands. She strode to the door opening it to leave. Not waiting for me. Thankfully I had used the time she had been locked in the bedroom to change into my own pool attire. I was able to rush out after her.

Aftan didn't speak to me on the elevator ride down to the first floor.

"You look lovely," I said softly.

"Humph," was all the reply I received.

We made our way to the pool and Aftan set down her bag and hat on a little side table. She arranged her lounge chair in the shade the landscaping threw. Grabbing her bag and and throwing on her hat she stretched out. I arranged a lounge chair beside her.

"I really don't like you," she snapped. "You have made it obvious you don't like me. Why are you here with me?"

Sighing I opened my mouth to respond shutting it quietly. What did I say to her? She was right. I had made it very clear I didn't want to be in this marriage.

"I spent some time last night- "

"Getting rip roaring drunk and stumbling back to the room? Is that what you were going to say?"

She frowned.

"Actually no. I was going to say, I spent some time last night thinking over our situation. We are both stuck-" I started but hurriedly continued, "Committed to this marriage. For different reasons but committed just the same. Maybe we should try to make the best of it."

Aftan looked at her Kindle like she hadn't heard me. Or rather like she was ignoring me. I sat in silence. I would wait for her to speak next. I waited approximately an hour before she did.

"Why did you agree to this marriage?"

Blowing out a long breath I hesitated. Did I tell her the truth? I supposed it was the only way forward.

"To be honest, my father threatened me. With everything. My home, my job, my trust, all gone."

She seemed to be considering what I'd said.

"So, this is you trying to keep money?"

Didn't that sound dickish when she put it like that?

"I suppose it is. I'm beginning to realize that's a horrible thing to admit."

Aftan went back to her book. It was another thirty minutes before she spoke again.

"I'm here because I wanted to honor my father's last wish. I know you know that. It feels stupid now that I'm here."

Turning to her and sitting on the side of the lounge, I take her by one hand. "It's not stupid. It's far more noble than my reasons."

I let her hand go and stretched back out on the lounge.

"You know, you don't have to be such an asshole."

I dipped my head in shame. "I know. I have been so angry with my father for forcing me into this situation that I've taken it out on you. I apologize."

Aftan shook her head and went back to her book. We sat in silence for a couple of hours as she read, and I contemplated what to do next. Aftan stood, taking off her coverup.

"I'm going to swim a while."

I'd told her she was lovely in the elevator. Lovely didn't cover it. My mouth watered as I watched her slide into the water. She was a goddess. Suddenly I wanted nothing more than to get closer to my wife.

Aftan

I could feel Mark watching me as I slid into the water. What was that about? He'd hardly paid any attention to me from the moment I'd agreed to marry him. What had him showing interest now?

I swam a few laps before returning to where Mark still sat. Climbing the stairs out of the pool the water ran over my breasts and hips. Mark sat with his mouth slightly agape. Well, maybe he wasn't unaffected by me after all.

"I'm a little hungry. I'm going to go back to the room and order lunch." I walked away without expecting him to follow. I noticed him out of the corner of my eye keeping step with me.

"How about we go out to eat? I'm sure we can find somewhere good."

Without answering him I went to the bedroom and dug a flowy dress out of my luggage. I made quick work of drying my hair and putting on a little makeup.

I half expected to find Mark still sitting in his pool clothes when I entered the living room. Instead, he was dressed in nice linen shorts and a shirt, his sunglasses propped up on his head.

"What are you in the mood for," he asked.

"Anything really,"

"I know just the place."

Mark ushered me out the suite door with his hand on my lower back. I don't know why but my skin tingled at his touch.

Mark took me to a small out of the way restaurant a few minutes walk from the hotel. He translated the menu for me and ordered when the young waiter came by.

"I didn't know you spoke Italian."

"Derrick loves it here. That's why he chose this place. He used to bring me and my mother here every year before she died."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. She was a wonderful lady, and she had a wonderful life. The cancer that took her was quick."

I didn't know what to say to that, so I sat drinking the wine Mark had ordered. It was delicious. It was light and citrusy.

We ate in silence for a few minutes once the food was brought to us.

"This is wonderful," I said after swallowing a mouthful of pasta in a light lemon sauce.

"It really is. I love this place."

"Tell me about yourself, Mark. We really hardly know each other."

Mark sat back in his chair with wine glass in hand. "Honestly there isn't much to tell. I work for my father. I'm realizing I'm a bit of a spoiled brat if truth be told. I've lived my life with no responsibilities."

"Sounds kind of boring."

"You know, it really kind of is. Sure, I've made myself believe I've lived the way I wanted but looking back it seems kind of hollow."

"What now?" I ask.

Mark leaned forward taking me by the hand. "It seems now I have something else to live for."

My hand tingled where Mark clasped it. I wan't sure what to think about that. Was I attracted to my husband? Maybe?

"Let's go back to the hotel and get a car and take a drive. There are so many beautiful things to see here." Mark suggested.

We walked back to the hotel. I don't know what miracles Marked worked but it wasn't a few minutes before a sleek car pulled up in front of the lobby.

Mark opened the passenger door for me holding out his hand to help me inside. He took the drivers seat revving the engine before pulling out into the street.

We drove around looking at the beautiful countryside, stopping here and there to take pictures or to buy trinkets at roadside stands.

The more time we spent together the more I started to actually like my husband. I laughed as he told stories from his childhood. He was actually quite charming when he wasn't working so hard not to be.

We stopped at a public beach taking our shoes in our hands and began walking in the sunshine.

Mark clasped my hand in his.

"I'm sorry I was such a dick." I let the statement hang for a few minutes.

"It's okay. Maybe we can start over and make a better go of things."

Mark stopped turning me toward him. "You really are very beautiful." He slid his hand up my arm and over my shoulder. He cupped my jaw with his hand.

"Aftan, do you think it would be okay for me to kiss my wife?"

Little electric sparks tingled all along where he touched me.

"I think it would be okay."

Mark leaned in touching his lips to mine softly at first, then with more passion. He slipped his tongue into my mouth massaging my own.