THE MAN FOR ME

The tension in the air was so thick I could cut through it with a knife. Austin's gaze remained on me as he asked again. "How did you get married to a stranger within twelve hours?"

I didn't know how to explain it to him without breaching the contract. Mr. Greystone looked at me with a sly smile on his face and asked too. "Answer him darling, when did you get married to me so fast? Or a better question, why? I know I am the most eligible bachelor in the country right now but I didn't know I was that irresistible even to foreigners." He peered at me in amusement.

I glared at him as there was nothing, absolutely nothing amusing about this situation at all. The glint in his eyes made it clear that he was enjoying my plight and was somehow testing me. According to what I read, if I breach the contract, Mr. Greystone is at liberty to decide my punishment. Judging from the look on his face, I doubt his punishment was anything but sensible.

"Austin, it's complicated. I will explain everything to you later but not today." Probably when I get out of this sticky situation, I will tell him. "Please, don't tell my family about it. I already have a lot to settle with them." I pleaded. Though it didn't erase the confusion in Austin's eyes, it certainly made him direct his anger at Mr. Greystone.

"Mr Greystone, if I find out that you caused any form of harm to my friend, I will make you regret it. You shouldn't make me your enemy." Austin threatened as he glared at Mr Greystone. Both of them were almost of the same height, only that Mr. Greystone was a few inches taller.

"Who are you again?" Mr. Greystone asked. Then a second later he continued. " Nevermind. You are certainly not someone important. If you were, I would know your name at least." Just like that, he dusted Austin's threats like they were specks of dust, undeserving of his attention.

"Let us leave, darling. Some disgusting is oozing here." Mr Greystone didn't wait for me to comply, he simply held my hand and dragged me away.

"That was very rude of you. Mr. Greystone." I said as I struggled to break free from his grip. He took me to a corner in the garden, somewhere far from anyone. The part of the garden he took me to had a lake at its centre. The moonlight reflected on its surface and everywhere lit up beautifully. If I wasn't so caught up with Mr. Greystone's shenanigans, I would be admiring the picturesque view.

Suddenly, he let me go and I pointed my index finger at him. "That was uncalled for. Do you even know how to be polite, Mr. Greystone? All you have been since I arrived here is rude, stubborn and utterly unwelcoming. How are we supposed to have effective therapy sessions in the future when you have made it a point to traumatize me." I ranted.

"You look stunning tonight." He suddenly complimented me, staring at me like it was his first time thoroughly seeing me that night.

"No, you don't get to do that. Complimenting me after what you have done will simply not work, Mr. Greystone." I said firmly as I glared daggers at him.

"If only you knew how ravishing you look right now. I like this side of you better than the docile one in the hall." He said, ignoring my rants, and that irked me more.

"I have never been docile," I said firmly.

"You have been, darling. Throughout this night until..." He walked closer to me, causing me to shift backwards until I hit a shrub with my behind and almost fell backwards. He quickly held me by my waist, leaning close to me until we were a few inches apart.

"Who is that man to you?" He asked as I was taken aback by the question.

"He is my friend." Flustered by our sudden proximity, I responded quickly.

"He certainly didn't act like he was only a friend to you. Tell me, is he your boyfriend back in Nigeria? When I checked your file, you were certainly single." He whispered against my lips.

I looked away so we wouldn't accidentally kiss. The last thing I would do on this planet Earth is kiss a man like him. He chuckled at my action. "You are certainly an interesting one." He whispered in my ear and for some reason, I forgot to breathe. Strangely, my heart raced against my chest and everywhere was suddenly too hot. Even though we were outside, on a cold night with a lake close to us, I was not feeling cold, not even in the slightest.

"I will enjoy every moment with you darling. Don't worry, nothing tragic will happen to you like it did the rest. I will protect you. You are definitely my favourite of the lot." He whispered against my neck. I stopped listening to what he was saying from the moment he said the word "darling" in his deep husky voice. All I could do was feel. His breath tickled my skin, sending a pleasurable sensation down my body. Specifically, between my legs.

The tone of his voice wasn't helping matters as it made me feel like I was somewhat high on dopamine. I got so dizzy with lust when he dropped a light kiss on my neck. "As much as I would love to ravish you tonight as my new bride, I don't think you are ready for it yet."

When he said the word "bride", I woke up from whatever sex-laced enchantment he had on me. I pushed him away so I could move and breathe in fresh air. Fortunately, the cool wind washed away any prior sensation and made me remember why I should not be in any compromising situation like that with my patient. I turned to face him and was struck by his handsome features.

Under the moonlight, he looked like some fae warrior, tall, brooding and irresistible. Something described in many novels and trust me I have read enough to feed my imagination.

His dark shoulder-length hair was styled differently for that night's event, different from the one he had on when I met him earlier that day. I just had not noticed until that moment.

The suit he wore could barely hide his muscular frame. His jacket was unbuttoned so I could clearly see his chest fighting to be released from his shirt. I looked down to notice his pair of long legs that were every bit as muscular as his upper half.

"You are lucky you have a handsome husband like me, darling. I know any ladies in that hall that would kill to be my wife. You should be grateful." Immediately he said those words, I snapped out of my trance and glared at him. Who the fuck does he think he is?

"If I wanted one of you, all I need to do is go to the gym. There are a lot of guys that look like there. Besides, you are not even my type." I said with visible irritation as I walked past him. The cold air was starting to get unbearable. He seemed so shocked that I wasn't interested in him romantically and it made me wonder how he must have grown up having whatever he wanted, especially the ladies.

He followed me as he asked. "What's your type, then?"

I turned to face with a straight face. I decided it was better he knew right from the start that nothing unprofessional would happen between us. "I like tall, dark guys. When I say dark, I mean the skin colour. I like a guy with nicely shaved hair; I mean up here. And definitely, a man who is reasonable and caring, something that doesn't drag me around like a rag doll. S

Definitely someone, who knew the meaning of being polite and respectful, someone who wouldn't trick me or imprison me in a contract marriage without my consent, someone who gives me the freedom to love him, someone willing to be vulnerable. And, someone that doesn't cheat!" What had begun as a calm discussion became a rant. At the end of my speech, I was breathing unsteadily.

"I will never cheat on you. Even when we are in a contract marriage, I still wouldn't." He said firmly. A part of me wanted to believe him but after all that I had experienced in the past, I just couldn't trust a man that easily. Especially not one that tricked me into a marriage.

"You look like you would. With that ego of yours that is the size of the moon, I am sure you wouldn't call it cheating when you sleep around. Not that I care though. There is nothing real going on between us." I looked at him squarely. "You are just my patient. Remember that." I said before storming off. I noticed he didn't follow me this time. When I got inside the hall, I was somewhat breathless. Everywhere felt too stuffy and my social battery was low. I could not tolerate anyone at the moment so I decided to leave and rest for the night.

Just when I was about to go for the stairs, someone blocked my path. It was Mrs. Beatrice Greystone, Mr Rowan Greystone's mother. I sized her up and said.

"Get out of my way. I do not have the energy for you." I pushed her aside.