Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 58

Chapter 58 Like You Mean It

:

Finished

He was everything she’d ever been into. That reckless charm, the smug little smirk, the kind of handsome that didn’t even feel fair–like someone drew him in a comic book and then he just… stepped out into real life.

And back then, all she could think was–if only she hadn’t still been in high school.

If she’d already been grown–confident, seductive, the kind of woman who knew how to work someone like him–maybe things would’ve been different.

But that one glance across a smoky bar had burned itself into her memory. That tall figure, standing in front of her like a shield, had haunted her dreams for

years.

“You still mad?” Arden’s eyes stayed on his face.

He looked even better than he did four years ago—more defined, more dangerous. His jaw was sharper, his eyes colder, like someone had carved the softness out of him and left nothing but edge.

Too bad he hadn’t even recognized her when they met again.

“Let’s sleep,” she said, trying to slide out of his arms.

But Dorian just wrapped her right back up. “What’s the rush? We’ve still got time. Might as well do something else.”

“Like what?”

She’d already turned her back to him, but his arms were already around her again, pulling her in close. “You tell me.”

Arden didn’t reply. He leaned in to kiss her. She dodged–barely. A subtle tilt of her face. But of course he noticed.

Dorian didn’t miss things like that. His eyes darkened just slightly, lips curling into something colder. And now? He wasn’t asking.

She couldn’t push back too hard–not in this house. Eugenia was downstairs, and so was Theresa. The walls weren’t exactly soundproof.

And let’s be honest–Arden was all small limbs and soft resistance. She didn’t stand a chance. So yeah, he kissed her everywhere anyway.

Pinned her beneath him like she belonged there. Like he wasn’t giving her room to run.

1/4

14:48 Tue, Feb 3

Chapter 58 Like You Mean It

44

Finished

But this time, he was more careful. He used protection, took his time, asked questions that were way too shameless.

At one point, he pinned her hands beside her head, fingers laced tight with hers. His voice dropped to a rough whisper as he leaned in close.

“You feel good?”

She was flushed all over, heat pooling in every part of her body. Her eyes shimmered with tears she wasn’t crying, and he was looking at her like he was trying to memorize every second.

She was mortified. There was no way she was answering that.

But he wouldn’t let up.

He just kept coaxing, teasing, pushing her until she finally whispered something soft–sweet- so full of heat he nearly lost it right there.

And then he asked, like it was the most casual thing in the world, “Arden… you know Vincent?”

“Yeah. We were neighbors when we were kids.”

Dorian gave a humorless little smirk. “Say it.”

“…Say what?”

“You know what.” His tone dipped.

She bit her lip, refusing. So he tilted her chin up, made her look at him.

Arden was completely thrown off by him. Her voice came out soft, almost afraid, “…Babe.”

Something in the man’s eyes flickered–his expression eased a bit, like her words had disarmed him.

Then he leaned in again, this time his voice lower, coaxing, “Call me babe.”

Arden was stunned. “….Seriously?”

His voice had gone hoarse, eyes dark and full of heat. And yet, somehow, his tone was absurdly gentle. Like he was teasing and spoiling her.

Arden can’t take it when he talks like that. Her defenses crumble. “…B–Babe.”

The veins on Dorian’s hand suddenly tightened beneath his skin. And just like that, he was back to his usual demanding self.

2/4

14:48 Tue, Feb 3

Chapter 58 Like You Mean It

“From now on, you only call me babe. No other man gets a title out of your mouth.”

“But-”

44

Finished

She didn’t even finish the sentence before his mouth was on hers again–fast, possessive, all- consuming.

Two hours later, the sound of water echoed from the bathroom.

A pale, delicate hand pressed against the frosted glass. It slid down, leaving a smudged trail- then was caught by a much larger hand. Inside, another series of soft, fragmented sounds followed.

Another half hour passed. Arden lay limp in Dorian’s arms as he carried her out of the bathroom.

His back and arms were lined with fresh scratch marks, but his face held a rare look of satisfaction. He carefully laid her down on the bed.

The girl sprawled out on the sheets was covered in faint traces of what had just happened. Most were around her waist and chest, but they were everywhere. She was completely spent, fast asleep, eyes shut tight.

One long leg was half–exposed, her skin covered in deep red marks left behind by his mouth.

Dorian pulled the blanket over her, then climbed into bed himself. He wrapped an arm around her and strangely–fell asleep almost immediately.

Arden was woken by her alarm. The other side of the bed was empty.

She blinked, disoriented, her mind still foggy from sleep. She didn’t even remember when she’d passed out. Her legs were sore, unsteady, as she dragged herself out of bed. Then the chaos from last night came rushing back–and she mentally cursed Dorian many times.

She washed up, changed into fresh clothes, and was just about to take the birth control pills on her nightstand when the door opened.

Dorian walked in. The pill was already in her hand. She was just about to toss it into her mouth when she caught the dark look on his face.

Then he walked over and snatched the pills right out of her hand. “I used protection last ni Don’t take that anymore.”

Arden was speechless. What is wrong with this man? Why is he like this?!

“You were the one who told me to take them.”

3/4

14:48 Tue, Feb 3

Chapter 58 Like You Mean It

“Not anymore.”

“…Okay.”

༩

44

Finished

She stood up, not wanting to argue. Honestly, she didn’t like taking those anyway. Too many mess with your body.

Dorian glanced over at her. The marks on her neck had been carefully covered with concealer. You couldn’t see anything now.

Without another word, he grabbed the full bottle of pills off the nightstand, tossed it in the trash. Then dug it right back out and shoved it in his pocket.

“We’re going down for breakfast.”

“Okay,” she said quietly, eyes avoiding his.

Damn, Isla was right. He’s amazing in bed. And the food’s not bad either. Whatever. May as well enjoy the perks while I can. Feels like I scored a free night with a Calvin Klein model.

She followed Dorian downstairs. Theresa, Eugenia, Elias, and Gideon were already seated, waiting.

The moment they saw the two of them come down one after the other, Theresa waved her over cheerfully. “Arden, come on, breakfast is ready!”

100

B