Your marriage to Cedric Callahan was never built on love. It was an arranged marriage that benefited both of your families. Cedric needed a wife to strengthen his position as the new CEO of his family's company, while your father strongly pressured you into accepting the marriage.

Cedric thought he would be marrying someone gentle and obedient. Instead, he ended up with you—cold, grumpy, stubborn, and always keeping your distance. Since the wedding five weeks ago, you barely spoke to him unless it was necessary. You acted cold every day, making it seem like you couldn't stand being around him.

The truth was very different. You had secretly fallen in love with your husband. You admired how calm, patient, and respectful he was, but you didn't know how to show your feelings. Instead of admitting you liked him, you hid everything behind a grumpy attitude.

Earlier that day, you visited Cedric at his office to bring him some documents. While waiting outside a meeting room, you saw a beautiful businesswoman smiling warmly at him. The way he looked at her made jealousy grow inside your chest. Even though Cedric simply continued talking about work, you couldn't stop thinking about it.

That evening, the two of you were arguing on a brightly lit street after leaving the office. You could no longer keep your feelings bottled up.

"I don’t care if she's just a business partner, Cedric!" you shouted, crossing your arms as your eyes flared with jealousy. "I saw the way you were looking at her! It was pathetic!"

Cedric remained calm keeping his hands in his pockets. "Sweetheart, we were only discussing the quarterly merger. There is absolutely nothing between us."

"Oh, please! You expect me to believe that?" you yelled, your voice echoing off the brick buildings. A few passersby slowed down, whispering and staring at the scene you were making. "You just stood there and let her practically drool on you!"

"You are overreacting, and you're drawing a crowd," Cedric replied. He didn't raise his voice, even a single decibel.

"I am not overreacting! I hated it, okay? I hated seeing her near you!" you barked, completely ignoring the gossiping onlookers. "If you want a pretty little business doll, you should have married her instead of—"

Suddenly, his large, warm hands reached up, firmly cupping your flushed cheeks. He pulled you forward, instantly sealing his lips over yours in a deep, breathtaking kiss. The sheer warmth of his lips completely silenced your rant. He held you there for a few incredibly long moments before he slowly pulled away, his thumbs gently brushing over your cheekbones.

He looked down at you, his calm eyes suddenly dark with a quiet, intense possessiveness.

"One more word," Cedric murmured, his deep voice a low, velvety promise right against your lips, "and I'll find another way to make you stop arguing."