CHAPTER 9: WEDDING NIGHT III
James had barely fallen asleep when a sharp kick landed on his shin. He groaned in his sleep, rubbed the spot instinctively, and tried to drift off again. But just as he was about to slip into unconsciousness, another kick landed—this time on his knee.
James shot up in bed, glaring through the dim light at the culprit. Diana was sprawled out in a bizarre karate-style sleeping position, her face peaceful and oblivious to the damage she was causing. His eyes involuntarily drifted down and caught sight of red panties peeking out from under her oversized nightie. He swallowed hard and quickly shut her legs, shaking his head.
Tempting. Too tempting.
He laid back down, hoping that would be the last of her sleep-induced attacks.
Two minutes later, a sharp jab to his stomach nearly sent him tumbling off the bed.
James sat up again, rubbing his stomach in disbelief. The so-called "wall" of pillows Diana had placed between them was now scattered across the floor. He sighed deeply and decided that if she kicked him one more time, she was going to pay for it.
To prevent further onslaught, he grabbed her legs, locking them in place.
Diana mumbled in her sleep, grumbling as she twisted and turned. James sighed in frustration but reluctantly let go.
Half an hour later, just as he was finally settling into a proper sleep, pain shot through his groin.
"ARGH!" James roared, sitting up in agony.
The sudden outburst startled Diana awake. She sat up groggily, blinking in confusion.
"What's wrong with you?" she mumbled. "You should watch where you're going at night instead of yelling and disturbing someone's sleep. Goodnight."
With that, she yawned, lay back down, and instantly dozed off.
James: ...…!
He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. Was she serious right now?!
For a brief moment, he entertained the idea of strangling her. But instead, he gritted his teeth, exhaled sharply, and moved as far to the edge of the bed as possible. If she kicks me off, I swear…
At dawn, just when he thought he could finally catch some sleep, a final, forceful kick sent him crashing onto the floor.
James lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, utterly defeated.
Then he stood up and laughed dryly at himself.
If word of this ever got out… No. He wouldn't even let himself think about it.
He sighed, stretched his sore limbs, and dragged himself to prepare for work.
Diana stirred awake around 7:00 a.m., stretching lazily before sitting up. It took a second for her to remember where she was.
When it clicked, she quickly glanced to the other side of the bed and raised a brow. The pillow wall was completely gone.
Huh. He must have kicked them off in his sleep, she thought. I'll have to remind him to sleep properly.
As she touched the space James had occupied, she noticed it was still a little warm. That meant he hadn't been up for long.
The sound of a door opening drew her attention.
James stepped out of the walk-in closet, impeccably dressed in a dark gray three-piece suit. His sharp, clean-cut look was almost unfair.
Diana stared, unable to look away. Tall, muscled, broad shoulders, long legs… And those blue eyes—calm but intense—had a way of making any woman feel exposed under his gaze.
He exuded power, confidence, and danger all at once.
James caught her staring and cleared his throat.
"Diana."
Diana blinked and grinned sheepishly. "Oh my! Don't you look amazing this morning? And so handsome!"
James: ...!
Since when did we become best friends?
Diana tilted her head. "Oh, I also noticed you kicked the pillows off the bed last night. You should really learn to sleep properly."
James: …WHAT?!
He stared at her, his face blank, his soul questioning everything.
Oblivious, Diana continued. "And your eyes are bloodshot. You must've tossed and turned all night."
James rubbed his temples. Thick-skinned. Completely thick-skinned.
He finally found his voice. "Diana, do you watch a lot of action movies?"
Diana frowned. "Not really. Why?"
James exhaled sharply. "Never mind."
He turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Diana shivered. What's his problem? Did he wake up on the wrong side of the bed?
Shrugging it off, she headed for the bathroom.
Downstairs, Jared was lounging on the couch, flipping through TV channels like he owned the place.
James walked in, took one look at his younger brother, and immediately slapped him on the back of the head.
"What the hell?!" Jared yelped, spinning around to curse, but he instantly shut up when he saw James's stormy expression.
Jared quickly switched to survival mode.
"My amazing, sweet, adorable brother," he gushed, flashing an exaggerated smile. "I see you had a rough night. Sister-in-law must've kept you very busy. What a considerate wife you have!"
James: ...…!
Was the entire world conspiring to drive him insane?!
Upstairs, Diana sneezed.
Angelo, James's assistant, rolled his eyes at Jared's shamelessness. Wasn't this the same guy who bet that James would kick his wife out within two days?
James slapped Jared again, this time on the forehead.
"Shut up and stop talking nonsense. Don't you have work to do?"
"I do!" Jared insisted. "I just came to escort my dear brother to work, seeing how stressed you must be."
James shoved him off and kicked him in the butt. "Get out."
Jared rubbed his backside dramatically.
Nicodemus, the butler, approached and bowed slightly. "Sir, will you be having breakfast now?"
James straightened his suit. "Keep your breakfast. Make sure she eats properly before she leaves. Tell Antonio to drive her wherever she wants to go."
He turned to Angelo.
"Angelo."
Angelo immediately stood at attention. "Yes, Chairman."
Jared smirked. Someone's on edge.
James shot him a look. "You're driving."
"Yes, Chairman," Angelo responded and hurried off.
Inside the black Bentley, James sat in the back, arms crossed, brooding.
Jared, riding shotgun, cracked the window to let in some air. The tension was suffocating.
James growled. "Close the damn window before I personally throw you out."
Jared shut it immediately.
Angelo muttered under his breath, This particular brother is just useless.