Rozen’s POV
Chapter 15
The morning sunlight filtered through the ivory curtains, casting a soft golden hue over the room. I stirred slowly, eyes fluttering open to the sound of Jasmine’s gentle breathing beside me. Her face, half–buried in the pillow, looked so peaceful–so real–that for a second, I feared it was a dream. But when I reached out and my fingers brushed against her bare shoulder, warm and soft, I knew this was reality.
She was here. She was mine.
I turned on my side and just looked at her for a moment. Her lashes fluttered slightly in her sleep, her hair spread out like ink over the white sheets. She looked… content. And I realized that this–this quiet moment–was something I never thought I’d have again. Not after Mina.
Mina.
Her name still left a bitter taste in my mouth. Once upon a time, I thought she was the one. My childhood friend. My first love. The girl I planned a future with–until she betrayed me. She didn’t just fall in love with someone else; she threw away everything we built like it meant nothing. I remembered the numbness I felt for months, the walls I built after. I told myself love was an illusion. That loyalty was a myth. And that I’d never let anyone close again.
But then came Jasmine.
Unexpected. Bold. Reckless, even, when she barged into my bar asking for a contract marriage like it was a business deal. I thought she was insane. And maybe she was–but I was too intrigued to say no.
And now, here we were.
I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face and smiled. Of all the insane things I’ve done, marrying her was the only one I didn’t regret. She made me feel something again. At first, it was annoyance. Then fascination. Then curiosity. And before I realized it, I was craving her laughter, her fire, even her silence. She had become the calm to the storm inside me. I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her temple.
“You’ve ruined me, Mrs. Blackwood,” I whispered. “In a good way…”
Carefully, I slid out of bed, making sure not to wake her. I pulled on a shirt, padded down to the kitchen, and started brewing coffee. I glanced at the marble countertop and imagined her perched there like she usually did, teasing me while I cooked. A grin tugged at my lips. While the eggs sizzled and the bread toasted, my mind went to less pleasant things. Thomas.
He still hadn’t stopped. My team informed me of a few sightings, too close for comfort. He’d been trying to contact Jasmine–emails, fake invitations, and once even a bouquet delivered anonymously to her project site. Jasmine didn’t know. I made sure of that. She
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didn’t need to. I had already pulled some strings to shut those paths down. Security was tightened. My legal team was on standby. And if Thomas dared to cross any lines, I’d make sure he regretted it.
I also handled her sister Amber and also her family just to make sure they wouldn’t do anything to hurt her again. Not on my watch.
Jasmine was mine. She chose me. And I’d burn down the world before letting anyone hurt her.
I heard soft footsteps behind me, and I turned just in time to see Jasmine rubbing her eyes, walking into the kitchen in one of my shirts–one that hung too big on her but made her look ten times more beautiful.
“You’re up,” I said, softening.
She yawned. “You left me alone.”
I smirked and handed her a cup of coffee. “Just for breakfast. I’m not going anywhere.”
She took a sip, leaning against the counter. “You always this domestic?”
“Only for my wife.”
She raised a brow. “I thought this was still no–strings–attached?”
I walked over, placing the plate on the table. “Well, the strings are tangled now. Might as well enjoy the knot.”
She chuckled and took a seat. “You’re cheesy.”
“And yet, you’re still here.”
We shared breakfast, laughing quietly, brushing against each other too long to be accidental. It was natural now–the closeness. I didn’t have to pretend, and neither did she. After we finished eating, I stood up and offered her my hand. “Come with me.”
She tilted her head. “Where?”
“A honeymoon.”
She blinked. “Now?”
“I figured we owed ourselves one. We skipped that part when we were pretending this was all fake.”
She hesitated. “I don’t have anything packed.”
“I’ll take care of everything. Just say yes.”
She stared at me for a beat, then nodded slowly. “Okay. Where are we going?”
“That’s a surprise.”
Her lips curved. “Do I get to bring a bikini?”
I narrowed my eyes. “If you do, I’m not letting anyone else look at you.”
She laughed, standing on her toes to kiss my cheek. “Possessive much?” “Only when it comes to you.”
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I meant it.
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As she went to pack, I walked over to the side table and checked my messages–updates from my security team. Thomas had been seen near one of her research sites yesterday. I sent a quick reply.
Handle it quietly. Make sure he doesn’t get within ten feet of her again.
I stared at the message for a moment before locking my phone.
This was my life now. Not boardrooms or empty estates or broken hearts. But waking up next to Jasmine, making her laugh, protecting her, loving her even when I didn’t say it out loud. I had been cold for so long I forgot what warmth felt like. She brought it back.
When she returned with her bags, she looked at me with a hesitant smile. “You’re really taking me away?”
“Only for a few days.”
“I thought you had meetings.”
“I’d cancel the world if it meant more time with you.”
Her cheeks flushed. “You’re dangerous when you talk like that.”
I grinned, walking over and brushing my knuckles down her cheek. “That’s because it’s the truth.”
And as we stepped out of the estate, bags in hand and hearts slightly lighter, I realized something simple, undeniable:
I was in love with her. Completely.
And I wasn’t going to let her go.
Not now. Not ever.
