Chapter 4: The Family Gathering

Mia's POV

“I don’t think I understand what you mean,” I muttered, my brows raised in suspicion.

He slapped the file against the table, tapping it with a sense of finality. “This is a contract. You will bear me a child within a year, and in return, I will take care of all your expenses.”

His voice left no room for negotiation. It was as if marriage and childbirth were simple business transactions.

“This is nonsense,” I deadpanned, my voice dropping into an icy chill. Was this what he had been after all along?

“You need money, and I need a child. Not only will I give you money, but I will also provide you with a job and anything else you need,” he explained further, his eyes boring into mine as if he could see through to my very thoughts.

I suddenly felt parched. My throat went dry as I considered his offer.

I needed money desperately. I didn’t have a stable job, and this could change my life.

“Are you serious?” I squeaked, my voice barely audible.

He snorted and leaned back in his chair, snapping his fingers. The door to the private room slid open, and another man walked in, adjusting his tie. He looked just as imposing as Ryder.

That must be his lawyer.

“I don’t joke,” Ryder hissed, finding joy in the surprise plastered across my face. “We don’t have time to waste.” He hastened, tapping the document again.

I glanced between the contract and him, biting my lower lip in frustration.

I picked up the document and flipped through the pages, searching for a place to sign.

“Read, little bunny. It would only be fair if you read,” he mused, lounging back in his chair, his gaze hot on me.

I took a deep breath and started reading through the document. My eyes widened as I absorbed the details.

“Wait, you mean this huge sum would become mine?” I asked, my voice shaky as I stared at the long strings of numbers.

“There is more where that came from,” he chuckled. I raised an eyebrow, confused by his words.

He suddenly reached into his breast pocket, his eyes never leaving mine. The sound of metal clinking together raised my suspicion.

He tossed a set of keys onto the table.

“What are the keys for?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“They’re yours. Your car is parked outside. As soon as you finish signing the document, it will be delivered back to the mansion,” he explained.

I looked back at the document. No love, only sex. It was doable.

Excitement bubbling within me, I scrolled through to the blank space and scribbled my signature on it.

I didn’t think I would own a car until I was 25. I pushed the file towards him, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

He scoffed. “It looks like you think this is a saving grace.” I raised an eyebrow.

What did he mean by that? I pressed my lips into a thin line, deciding to ignore him.

He handed the document to the lawyer, who greeted us and then left the room. By the time I looked at Ryder again, he was staring at me with a dark, primal gaze.

“Come here,” he commanded, his tone deep and gravelly, making me shudder. The stubbornness in me refused to comply at first.

“Come,” he repeated, his voice grimmer now as he licked his lower lip.

I closed my eyes, trying to erase the image of him from my mind. Reluctantly, I stood and walked towards him.

A yelp escaped my lips as he suddenly grabbed me by the waist and pulled me to straddle him.

His arousal pressed against me with burning need, and my body flushed pink. The air in the room was cold, but I was burning up.

He curled his hand around the back of my neck and crashed his lips to mine, deep and possessive. I couldn’t resist, and soon I was drunk on his kiss.

My arms wrapped around his neck, and when our kiss broke, I was a panting mess. “Thank you…” I whispered, my voice raw with emotion.

“For what? Little Bunny, I—”

“You gave me an opportunity. I know this is just a marriage of convenience, but I am grateful,” I mumbled, staring into his blue eyes. Sympathy flickered in his gaze for a split second.

His gaze dropped to my cleavage, his breath hot against my skin. I almost thought he was going to bury his face there, but he suddenly grabbed my chin and kissed me again.

I closed my eyes, lost in the kiss, a low groan rumbling in my throat. His hand pressed against my head as he devoured me.

My hips moved against his arousal, burning with need, but just as his lips moved along the base of my neck, sending electricity through my veins—

“Mr. Asher, your family is here,” a voice interrupted. Family? I jerked my head back, breathless, looking at him in confusion.

His jaw clenched just as his grip on my waist tightened.

“Tell them to wait,” he shot back in a gruff voice.

He didn’t wait for a response. He resumed kissing my neck, making me arch my back and moan loudly.

Suddenly, the sound of cups and plates crashing to the floor interrupted us. In a swift movement, I found myself pressed against the table, my hair sprawled across it.

Ryder stood between my legs, unbuckling his belt to reveal his thick, masculine rod.

My pussy ached for his touch. He slammed into me with ferocity, making me scream. They were just outside.

They could hear us, but I was too lost in lust to care. He fixed two fingers into my mouth, his eyes never leaving mine as he pumped into me.

“Shush, little bunny. They’ll hear us,” he whispered, hitting the spot that made me squeal.

I tried to stay quiet, but the thrill and lust clouded my mind. He kissed me to muffle my moans, and I drank in everything he gave me like I was starved.

He released with a guttural growl. I lost count of how many times I had come from his brutality.

He picked me up and slid out of me. I whimpered at the emptiness as he carried me to the bathroom to clean up.

I felt so drained that I let him do whatever he wanted. Soon, we left the bathroom, and he seated me on the chair beside him.

I rested on his shoulder, still basking in the afterglow.

Ryder turned to me and whispered, “Don’t speak until I tell you to.” I nodded softly.

“Come in,” he instructed, as if he knew people were still waiting for him. The door slid open, and people entered.

My eyes were closed, facing the window, so I didn’t see who came in.

“Uncle!” a voice called out, jolting me upright. The voice sank daggers into my heart. “Mia?”

I turned to see my ex-boyfriend standing before me, his brows raised as he narrowed his eyes at me.

Messy blonde curls on his head made something ugly churn in my stomach.

“Mia, what are you doing with my uncle?”