Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 285

Chapter 285: Marriage First, Love Later 1 (Zachary & Olivia)

Olivia Summers didn’t have a choice.

When she was six, her parents got divorced and started their own separate families. Olivia didn’t have a choice then; she had to go with her grandfather.

Growing up, she never had the financial independence to make her own decisions.

Now, her grandfather was in the terminal stages of cancer, and she couldn’t afford the medical bills. She had to beg the Blackwoods for financial support. So, when her grandfather arranged a marriage for her, she didn’t have a choice this time, either.

Zach Blackwood. He was ten years older than her.

Olivia was ready to settle. She had already braced herself for a miserable ending, expecting a life without happiness. She had simply accepted her fate.

Aubrey had lost the baby, so she wasn’t needed there anymore.

Her future mother–in–law, Victoria Stone, took her to Zach’s residence. It was a massive, traditional estate. The layout and size were similar to Blackwood Crescent–just as grand–but in other ways, the two places couldn’t be more different.

Just looking at the crude plaque over the door made Olivia cringe. It read: The Free Den.”

While Blackwood Crescent was filled with lush gardens and vibrant flowers, this place was overgrown with weeds. Even the massive trees looked like they were half–dead.

They stepped inside, and Victoria opened the shoe cabinet, hoping to find a clean pair of slippers for Olivia. It was completely empty. Victoria sighed and shut the cabinet. “Liv, let’s just keep our shoes on. My oldest son is the complete opposite of my youngest. He’s… well, he’s a bit of a brute. A real rough–around–the–edges guy. He’s blunt and doesn’t care about the little things, so try not to let it get to you.”

“I got it, Auntie,” Olivia Summers said as she walked into the living room. She dropped her duffel bag onto the sofa and spotted a couple of dirty shirts and a pair of socks tossed nearby.

Victoria Stone noticed them too. She hurried over to grab the clothes and socks, an awkward smile on her face. “Zach is always so busy, and he hates having a cleaner around. He can’t keep up with the chores, so I drop by to help him tidy up every now and then.”

As she spoke, Victoria carried the laundry to the laundry room and tossed it into the washer.

Olivia Summers felt a weight in her chest. She stood there, stiff and awkward, looking around the house that was supposed to be her home for the foreseeable future.

Zach came from such a wealthy family, and his looks and body were top–tier. Yet, he was thirty–two and still hadn’t found a wife. There had to be a catch. Either he was physically broken, or his personality was a nightmare.

A sudden wave of anxiety washed over her. She couldn’t shake the feeling of dread settling in her gut.

A physical defect wouldn’t be the worst thing. At most, she’d just have a sexless marriage. But if he was violent? With those sledgehammer fists and that massive, powerful frame, she wouldn’t last an hour.

Whatever. She was already here. Might as well make the best of it.

Meanwhile.

Victoria Stone looked all over the house, but Zach was nowhere to be found. She tried calling his phone, but it was switched off.

Liv,” Victoria said. “Zach must be out on a mission. He’s not home and his phone is off. Just get settled in. Call me if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

Ill head out then.”

“Wait, which room should I take?” Olivia Summers asked, taking a nervous step forward.

Victoria Stone gave a soft laugh. “You two are getting married soon. This is your home now. Pick whichever room you like. No need to be so formal.”

“Where is Zach’s room?” Olivia Summers asked.

Victoria walked to the back door and pointed across the courtyard. “The first room down that hallway.”

Olivia followed her gaze and gave a polite nod. “Thank you, Victoria.”

Victoria beamed, her heart full of joy. She was certain that Olivia wanted to stay close to Zach so they could bond.

Once she got Olivia settled, she headed home.

Olivia gripped her bag and walked past Zach’s room. She didn’t stop. She kept going, heading all the way to the end of the reached the very last guest room.

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<Chapter 285. Marriage First, Love La…

Six rooms separated them.

Menu

She tidied the place up, hung her clothes in the closet, and put on fresh bedding. By the time she finished scrubbing and cleaning, it was already evening.

Her stomach growled.

She grabbed her phone and headed out, planning to raid the kitchen for a snack.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a notification.

She checked it.

It was a notice that her phone bill was overdue.

She was paying it as she walked, but as she passed Zach’s door, she suddenly slammed into a warm wall of muscle.

Her heart skipped a beat. Her phone hit the floor with a loud thud, and she scrambled back, gasping.

She didn’t even think about the phone. Her eyes snapped up to the mountain of a man standing right in front of her.

Zach was just as stunned. He frowned down at her, his eyes wide with shock.

Their eyes locked. Olivia’s ears burned, and heat flushed her cheeks. Because Zach was standing there completely shirtless.

His short, wet hair stood in sharp spikes, with a few unruly strands damp against his forehead. His features were deep and rugged, sharp enough to cut.

His broad shoulders and thick arms were all lean, hard muscle. His chest and abs were perfectly defined, radiating raw, masculine power. He was as solid as rock and as hot as wildfire.

He smelled like soap and raw body heat. Looking at him made her feel like she was catching fire.

He wasn’t completely naked–he was wearing a pair of gray boxers–but the fabric was so tight it left nothing to the imagination. The bulge there was massive.

One glance was all it took for her to feel scorched. She spun around, turning her back to him, her voice trembling.

“Put some clothes on!”

“What are you doing here?”

They both spoke at the exact same time.

Zach looked down at himself. It finally clicked. He turned and ducked back into his room instantly.

The sunset glowed like spilled rouge, washing over her.

Her eyes were downcast, lashes fluttering like a startled butterfly. Her cheeks were flushed a deep crimson as she crouched to grab her phone and shove it into her pocket.

Zachary Blackwood went back into his room and pulled on some loungewear. He walked past Olivia Summers, his voice flat. “Living room. Let’s talk.”

Liv fiddled with the hem of her shirt, her chest still burning. She turned and followed him to the couch.

They sat across from each other, the coffee table between them.

Liv kept her legs pressed together, hands gripping the edge of the cushion. She stared at her knees, her heart racing with nerves.

Zach sat with his legs spread wide, relaxed and imposing. His shoulders were steady as a rock as he stared at her, his gaze intense and unblinking.

The air grew heavy, thick with an awkward tension.

Zach watched her for a moment. Afraid he was being too intense, he softened his tone. “Liv, who brought you here?”

“Your mother, Liv whispered, her head still bowed.

“Why aren’t you staying at my brother’s place?”

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