Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 35: Chapter 35

ASHLEY

| knew she was going to look beautiful in the sexy number | picked out for her but | didn’t expect she'd look this

good. Lust crawls up my belly as Demi steps out of the elevator clutching a shimmering gold purse. The red crop

top fits her body like paint. The cut out at her torso exposes her flat tummy just enough for any man to drool.

The skirt starts just above her waist and ends above her knees. A huge white bow dangles by her left side where

the shirt slit begins. The entire living room falls silent till she makes her way in and stands next to me.

"Wow, you look great Demi." Mother compliments her. It's Saturday and we all have sfree taway from

work. | manage to pick my jaw off the ground as Demi stares up nervously at me. She hadn't wanted to wear this

particular outfit but I had insisted. | want to make a clear statement to all my brothers standing in this very

room.

After the night at the groom, we got into a heated fight. Just as we went past Demi’s room towards mine

down the hall, Demi tried to pull her hand away. | forcefully pulled her all the way to my room and shoved her

inside.

"What?" | asked when she stared angrily at me. "Did you get your second wind?"

She shook her head. "You didn’t believe a word | said back there, did you? Is that why you've broughthere to

interrogateagain?"

"Can you blme? So much has been happening with you and you didn’t even say a word to me. If | hadn't

walked into that scene back there, | still wouldn't know you were being blackmailed." | backed away from her

and inhaled sharply. "Simply because we aren't a regular couple doesn’t mean you get to keepin the dark

about things like this. | am still your husband and | deserve to know what's going on with you."

Demi’s eyes softened. "I wanted to tell you but then Asher hinted earlier tonight that you wouldn't give a damn

about our divorce. He toldyou wouldn't save me." Fresh tears cloud her eyes. "Why didn’t you confront him,

Ashley? Why didn’t you confront him about that other night after what happened? Can’t you protect me? How

am | supposed to trust you if you act like Asher runs the show here?"

"| told you he already apologized. | didn’t think he’d dare try it again." When | reached for her hands, Demi

pulled away.

"| kept thinking about the reason why Asher hatesso much. It just wasn’t enough that he felt super

protective of his brothers and family in general. He has been hating onsince the first day | stepped into this

mansion with my aunt and niece." Her teary eyes found my anxious face. "I can’t believe he was the one | met at

the Blue Cove. Tellyour brother lied to my face once more. There's no way he’s the sman | met that

night. He is too different to be him."

| couldn’t believe Asher tried to ruin everything with his ego. How could he have gone that far and told her about

the blue cove?

"Calm down, Demi."

"You know what, forget it. | don’t care anymore. | know you'd always stand by your brothers." She dabbed her

tears with the back of her palms. "I understand your filial love but | wish you would be just as protective of me. |

wish you wouldn't let Asher get away with accusing and tormentingwhile you claim to be my husband.

Maybe that’s why | prefer to run to Ashton. Asher would never have messed withtwice if | had told Ashton

everything from the onset."

My rage unlocked at the blatant comparison. "Ashton! Ashton!! Ashton!!! I've had enough. Is that your type,

Demi? You love men with a tendency for violence?"

"Ashton is not violent!"

"Now you're defending him? Wow. Asher is right after all. Whatever's going on between you two is definitely

beyond what you say."

Demi didn’t even bother to deny it again. "I guess we're done with this conversation. You're free to believe

whatever Asher feeds you. And for your information, I'm not going on any double date with you."

That's when | snapped and yanked her arm as she tried to leave.

"What did you say? You aren’t going? Why? Because you can’t bear to see Ashton with another woman on his

arm?"

"Let go ofAshley. You're hurting me."

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"I don’t give a fuck about your feelings for him but what | won't tolerate is your disrespect and betrayal while we

are still legally bonded. I've told you that before." | pulled her face close to mine. "You'll go on this date and on

as many dates as | want to dispel the ridiculous suspicions flying around this mansion before they spread

through Danvarr. | am sure as hell not letting another woman cornerwith her theatrics. If you have a problem

staying away from my brother and showering your legally wedded husband with all the love and care you clearly

show to Ashton, then | don’t see any reason why we should keep this sham of a marriage."

| release her and noted the palpable tension in the room. Demi clearly didn’t like the thought of an early divorce

if her wide eyes and discomfort were any indication.

"Let’s end it this weekend like Asher planned."

"You don’t mean that."

"Did | stutter?"

She sucked in a breath through her teeth. "You're going to give Asher his wish?"

"No. | am going to give you YOUR wish. This marriage appears to mean nothing more to you than a pretense to

stay in this house. If you cared about fulfilling mom's desires, you'd pay attention to me. She chose to keep you

in this family because of me. You're welcto ask her." | added when Demi’s eyes widened with surprise.

"I'm done being made to look like a fool in front of my own family. | won't wait till you make a fool ofin front

of the entire country."

"You're going to divorcebecause of a stupid date?"

"It's not a stupid date. It's your way of proving tothat despite your feelings for Ashton, you'd respect me

enough to put my honor first while we are still married. Prove to everyone, especially Ashton, that no one else

has a shot with you while you are still my wife. After our divorce, you can bang him for all | care."

| didn’t mean that but like | have said before, | say the dumbest things when | am angry.

"Fine! We'll make the date."

| had been so surprised at her sudden agreement that | instantly felt annoyed.

"Are you agreeing because you want to prove tothat you are not sexually attracted to my brother or because

you don’t want the divorce and to be away from him?"

"You wouldn't believeanyway so you're welcto think anything you want. | am too exhausted to go back

and forth with you about my feelings for Ashton."

"In that case, we'll have to make certain revisions to our marriage contract."

"What?"

"You heardright. You won't get a free rein to do whatever you please around here. I'd try my best to ensure a

fair contract revision. It’s up to you to accept the terms or leave." | went up to her and ran a finger down her

tensed cheeks. "I think | have the perfect date night outfit for you."

ork

Now, as she stands next tosmelling divine, | know | made the right decision in being tough with her. |

shouldn't have started off our relationship by playing the nice guy. Demi is clearly into hard guys with a violent

streak. Maybe that’s why her ex is Iman. I'll never hit her obviously but | will be firm with her from now on.

One look at Ashton and I can tell he his thoughts are far from holy as he stares at Demi. | choose this moment to

plant a kiss on Demi’s lips. Like we agreed, she doesn’t reject me. She kissesback and smiles at everyone

after | pull away. Ashton shifts uncomfortably.

"You look stunning." Mila compliments Demi.

"Thank you, Mila. You're a vision." Demi replies.

Mila’s elegant bulk is spilled into a sleek yellow jumpsuit that skims her ankles. Her cleavage peeks rosily from

the halter neckline. Her brown hair is swept up in a semi-messy bun atop her head. From her ears, crystal drops

dangle and twinkle in the light.

Amidst the cheers from everyone, we all get into our latest Rolls Royce and head out for dinner. The evening is

still young. Ashton and Mila sit across from us. While Mila coaxes Ashton to share a flute of champagne with her,

| whisper sweetly in Demi’s ears to keep her at ease. | know she isn’t thrilled about tonight but | want her to try

to enjoy the evening.

"Are you cold?"

"No. I'm fine." She replies stiffly.

| lean close to her ear. "We're doing this first for my family and secondly for our union. You can at least try to not

look constipated."

She beams at me. "I'll try."

"Thank you." | whisper to her.

Ashton thankfully tears his eyes off us to indulge Mila. | can only asshe is choosing to ignore Demi just as

she clearly is ignoring him. He clinks his glass with Mila and they both take sips of each other’s champagne with

their hands interlocked. This time, Demi struggles not to look jealous.

We eventually get to Mila’s father’s restaurant. We've already been prepped on how to step out of the car. | step

down first and help Demi out. | help her fix her dress and hair before gently leading her out of the waning light of

dusk into the glamor of the restaurant. Amidst our entry, cameras flash, taking pictures of us. Demi almost

misses her step due to the blinding light but luckily, | anticipated this and ensured | walked directly in front of her

to shield her from the bright flashes. She pulls off the first stage when we successfully settle into our seats.

Aston and Mila cin next, a minute after we do. They look like a power couple. Mila is clearly a pro and

sashays like a beauty pageant all the way to our table. They get seated with sweet smiles on their faces.

We place our orders immediately. By the tthe first courses arrive, Ashton and | have had more photos taken

while leaning in and whispering to the girls. The night wears on better than | hoped. Demi eventually relaxes and

even spoon feedsat one point. Mila keeps eating from Ashton’s place and he doesn’t seem to mind. | am

really glad how everything is turning out. Each couple eats like they're the only ones on a date.

"You look breathtaking tonight." | begin. I might be a tad bit tipsy but | mean every word. My hand cups Demi’s

cheek. "You are so beautiful."

"It’s the dress."

"No, it’s not. It's the one inside the dress that’s makinglose my mind." When she coyly looks around our

table, | steer her chin back to my face. "It's okay."

"I think the photographers have enough pictures."

"I'm not trying to get a photo taken. I'm trying to kiss you...for real this time." | see her eyes go mellow. "Can |

kiss you?"

"You're drunk."

"Even so, | know | want to kiss you badly." I lean forward slowly and intentionally pause hoping she meets me

halfway. When her lips tease mine, | go in for the kill. Our hands cup each other's face like there's no one else at

the table. Demi matches my pace and leans back to allowto taste her. | struggle to keep my hands on her

face but in my head, I'm ripping her skirt and clearing the table to have her flat on her back.

"Get a room." Mila’s laughter faintly filters in my head. Demi stiffens and pulls back. She pats her lips and lowers

her eyes in embarrassment. | on the other hand feel strangely invigorated. When | stare at Ashton, he picks up

his wine glass, toasts toin the air and downs everything in one gulp. He and Mila had locked lips several

times tonight but it was nothing nearly as intense as what Demi and | just shared.

We ride hin different cars. Ashton orders for an extra car and one of our drivers to cover. He joins the

Bentley and goes to drop Mila off while Demi and | return with our original driver in the Rolls Royce.

"That wasn’t so bad now, was it? Maybe we can do this often but just the two of us and without the paparazzi."

"Is that what you want?"

"That's what I'd prefer to the mundane arrangement we have going on."

Demi rubs her neck. "This mundane arrangement allows you to be with any woman of your choice despite being

married to me."

The alcohol is already wearing off as a small frown creases my brow. "Why are you okay with that?"

"Because | never planned to have you to myself exclusively and love was a silly fantasy to ever hope for from the

outset." She stares deeply into my eyes. "You're a kind man Ashley. | don’t know what Asher would have done if

we had indeed remained married and he were in your shoes. | am sorry if | took you for granted before. I'll try

my best to give you the respect you deserve while we're still married. If you want to go on more dates, we'll do

just that."

"Still married, huh? You say it like it's something you're enduring. | bet you have a more exciting plan after our

divorce." A short laughter escapes my lips. Maybe | am not sober after all. "Was that kiss also an act? Gosh,

you're a talented actress."

Now | am getting frustrated. I've had better kisses and sex from a variety of women. Why does it matter so much

that Demi wouldn't givethe tof day? She’s drivingcrazy.

"Ashley, please don’t get upset. We had a lovely evening. I'd like to remember it that way."

| ignore her words. | need to get this woman out of my head. It’s clearly not going to work with her still in that

dress and our kiss still fresh on my lips. When we pull up by the gates of the mansion, | ask Demi to get down.

"Aren't you coming?" She asks surprised.

"Like you give two cents where | go or who | sleep with. Get srest. We'll resacting class bright and early

tomorrow." | shut the door and have the driver speed away. Through the rearview mirror, Demi stands in the cold

night air and watches the car leave.

What exactly does she want? Why is it so impossible to givea shot? | am the one stuck with her for the next

ten months. If she has desires, why wouldn't she cto me? | have been a gentleman despite the lust | feel for

her. | have been respectful and trusting but all she does is stay faithful to the contract with no wiggle room for

romance between us. It sucks.

And Ashton? | bet she can’t resist him. If they haven't already done it, I'd credit it to Ashton’s self-control and

discipline. If he were ever to make a move on Demi, she wouldn't care about any damn contract. | whip out my

phone and text Nicola to meetat a hotel. Maybe a night with her will flush thoughts of Demi out of my head.

ork

| was wrong. Even while Nicola rode me, | kept seeing Demi in my head. Dissatisfied, | have no choice but to

stoop low and call Asher. He might be a dick but at least he doesn’t pretend to be anything else. | can always

count on him being predictable.

"Do it." | tell him.

"Are you sure?

"I want to confirm it for myself. I'll be hin an hour."

| shrug into my clothes while Nicola twitches the blanket around her chest and scowls on the bed.

"It's past one am. Can't you at least spend the next few hours withbefore dawn?"

"You said you were prepared to warm my bed in spite ofhaving a wife. Don’t act like you have rights now."

| get hjust before two thirty am and stroll to Asher’s room.

"| sent the message on the group chat. Pretended it was an accident but Ashton did see it. I'm sure he'll head to

Demi’s room soon if you don’t reply on time. | mentioned she’s been crying since you left her by herself to go be

with Nicola after your date. Has he called you yet?"

"He's been callingbut | have ignored all his calls. Let's see how long he waits."

Ashton doesn’t wait long. Thirty minutes after | arrive, he goes to knock on my door and calls my phone. Asher

and | watch him from a corner as he gives up and heads towards Demi’s door. He knocks softly and calls out to

her.

"C’mon Demi. Open up. | know you won't keep him waiting." Asher chimes with a crooked smile.

Ashton knocks a second time.

"Why is she taking so long?" | murmur.

"Maybe she’s sleeping." Asher replies.

Ashton knocks a third and fourth tand now | am genuinely worried about Demi’s silence. Before | can voice

out my concerns again, | watch in shock as Ashton punches in a passcode and Demi’s door unlocks. He marches

right inside and shuts the door behind him.

My jaw drops to the floor just as Asher’s.

"He has the passcode to your wife's bedroom door?"

| am too stunned to process anything as the circuits in my brain fry up instantly. | finally remember how to speak

after ten seconds.

"WHAT THE FUCK???"