Rogue Tide, Clean Heart novel Chapter 2

Yanet swiped her keycard and stepped inside, slipping into the house slippers left by the door. She immediately started looking for her cat. Molly had been missing when Yanet got home from work, so she assumed the cat and all her supplies had already been brought to the new house.

"Molly?"

As she walked further in, the heavy, thudding footsteps of a massive creature rapidly approached. Before Yanet could even react, a giant shadow lunged directly in front of her.

Even though Yanet was usually calm and collected, she couldn't stop the scream from tearing from her throat.

Almost at the exact moment she screamed, the lights in the house flickered on in sequence, illuminating the grand interior. The decor matched the exact style she had picked out.

Yanet stood completely frozen, staring at the massive dog baring its teeth at her. She was fairly certain that if the beast stood on its hind legs, it would be as tall as she was.

"Princess, sit," a deep, magnetic male voice commanded.

The aggressive dog instantly plopped down on the floor, perfectly obedient.

Realizing the immediate danger had passed, Yanet finally looked up toward the staircase.

The man standing there wore only a black bathrobe, clearly fresh out of the shower. He had a towering, imposing build. She recalled hearing that he had served in the military and had planned a career in politics and defense, but an injury had forced him to medically retire.

He had then taken over his family's empire, Cloud Horizon Holdings, a massive conglomerate spanning manufacturing, energy, pharmaceuticals, tech, real estate, and automotive industries.

The Sloans had arranged the marriage with the Jamieson family, and this brief resume was basically all she knew about him. The rest didn't matter to her. All she knew was that her new husband was a brilliant, highly successful young billionaire—and her mother was thrilled about the match.

Barrett Jamieson's dark hair was still damp, pushed back carelessly away from his face. His sharp, devastatingly handsome features carried a cool, evaluating look as he stared down at her.

Yanet met his gaze in silence, suddenly feeling entirely out of her depth.

He was incredibly tall. As he descended the stairs, he nudged the massive dog aside with his foot. His towering figure cast a long shadow that almost completely engulfed her.

"If you can't even recognize your own family, I'll have the housekeeper turn you into stew," Barrett muttered in exasperation.

Yanet wasn't entirely sure if he was insulting her or the dog, but she figured she might be overthinking it.

The man radiated heat. Even standing a few feet away, she could smell the fresh, masculine scent of sea salt body wash clinging to his skin.

"Have you eaten, Darling?" Barrett asked, letting the pet name roll off his tongue with a slow, deliberate drawl that sounded undeniably intimate.

Since they were complete strangers, Yanet answered awkwardly, "I ate at the theater cafeteria. I'm going to take a shower."

Barrett watched his new wife practically flee the room, one eyebrow arched in amusement. What? Was he really that scary?

The master suite looked exactly like the 3D mockups she had approved, right down to her preferred brand of toiletries. Molly, evidently terrified of the giant dog downstairs, was huddled on top of Yanet's suitcase, refusing to move. The moment the cat saw Yanet, she purred and rubbed her fluffy tail against Yanet's legs.

Yanet crouched down and scooped her up. "Sorry I'm late. Did he scare you?"

She glanced nervously at the door, half-expecting the towering man to appear, but the hallway was empty.

Yanet hung up instantly. When she turned back around, Barrett was staring at her.

"Satisfied with the medical report?"

"It's fine."

Barrett arched an eyebrow. "So, what are your expectations for this marriage? Are we doing a sexless roommate arrangement, or are you willing to sleep with me?"

Yanet looked at him. "I have no intention of living like roommates."

Though she had no idea how long this marriage would last. In their social circles, most couples lived entirely separate lives. A genuinely loving marriage was practically a myth.

Barrett understood her meaning perfectly. A flicker of genuine surprise crossed his stoic features. "Alright then."

Yanet climbed into bed and turned off her lamp. Barrett struck her as a man of action, straightforward and decisive. She could feel the intense heat radiating from his side of the mattress.

She waited for him to make a move.

But after a long time, he still hadn't crossed the invisible line between them. Eventually, Yanet couldn't fight her exhaustion anymore and drifted off to sleep.

Halfway through the night, she felt a strange ticklish sensation. Still half-asleep, she reached down to scratch it, only to feel the soft tickle of hair. Instinctively, she tried to close her legs, but large hands firmly gripped her knees, pushing them further apart.