Chapter 10

Alana’s POV. Alec continued his efforts to change his clothes, unbothered by my presence. His voice remained casual as he responded, "I wasn't planning on stripping in front of you; you just never left the room." I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling a mix of irritation and curiosity. "You didn't say anything," I retorted, wondering why he hadn't mentioned his intention to change. Alec, now in his swimming shorts, calmly explained, "I assumed you would've left after seeing me carry my swimming shorts." He glanced at me, his gaze unwavering as he adjusted the strings on his shorts. "Why exactly were you changing into your shorts here?" I pressed, not entirely satisfied with his explanation. Alec let out a small sigh, perhaps sensing my frustration. "Well, Alana, I was planning on making use of the great hot tub that sits outside," he said, gesturing toward the balcony where the inviting hot tub awaited. My frown deepened as I realized our conflicting plans. "But I was planning on getting into the hot tub as well," I admitted, a hint of annoyance in my voice. All the original plans had been abandoned now that I was here with my substitute husband instead of the man I was supposed to marry. If it was Daniel we’d be under the covers for at least three days straight. Alec, however, seemed unfazed by the situation. He shrugged casually and responded, "Okay, and? It's big enough for both of us." Then, with a sly grin, he looked at me with a raised brow and added, "What's next? You'll expect me to sleep on the floor or the couch?" I couldn't help but be taken aback by his audacity. "Were you planning on sleeping on the bed with me?" I questioned, our attention now directed at the only bed in the room, adorned with roses. There was no sign of an additional bed, as this was, after all, the honeymoon suite deluxe. Alec remained firm in his stance. "I certainly am not sleeping on the floor, Alana," he declared, his attention fully engaged in our conversation now. The bed in the room was reasonably sized, but it would be a tight fit for both of us, considering the pillows, blankets, and other paraphernalia. Feeling a hint of irritation creeping in, I suggested, "The couch is also an option. It seems comfortable enough." Alec didn't seem impressed by the couch idea. He shook his head, his expression serious. "I'm taller than that couch, Alana, and I already have back problems. Sleeping on it would only make it worse." I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his convenient back problems. It seemed like he always had an excuse ready. "Oh wow, now you have back problems, how convenient," I quipped, clearly exasperated. It appeared that there was no way around this, and the coming week of my honeymoon was bound to be challenging, to say the least. Honeymooning with my rival was not something I had ever imagined. I stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out what else I could see but it was clear that only I had a problem with sharing the bed and if I continued to complain longer he might suggest the one thing that would work but I didn’t want: Me using the couch. Alec decided to leave the room, stating, "I'll wait outside the room for you." With that, he exited the room. I retrieved my bag and carried it to the bedroom on my own. After rummaging through its contents, I found my swimwear. It was an olive green one-piece with intricate cutouts that required some effort to figure out. Once I managed to put it on correctly, I was pleased with how it hugged my curves and brought out the color of my eyes. I ran my fingers through my hair, untangling the locks, and then picked up a brush to sweep my hair into a bun, ensuring it wouldn't get wet. I put the brush down and examined my reflection once again. Despite my confidence and the hard work I put into maintaining a balanced life, I couldn't help but think about the relentless media scrutiny. Since I began my relationship with Daniel, there have been comments and remarks here and there, although they eventually died down. Now, as the heir to the Jordan Empire, I couldn't help but wonder if my every move would be scrutinized once again. I had already seen comments about my wedding dress, and while I was content and healthy with my body, some people still thought they had the right to comment on it. I glanced at the bikini I was wearing and started to feel a bit exposed. I had worn similar outfits before, but never alone with someone and certainly not with Alec. He might not be my true husband, but I still cared about what he thought. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and I hurried to open it. "Our hot chocolate..." Alec began, but his words trailed off as his eyes roamed up and down my figure. He seemed momentarily speechless. "What?" I asked, feeling a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity about his reaction. "Nothing… You look breathtaking, Alana," Alec complimented, a soft smile forming on his lips. I blushed and responded, "I- thank you," while maintaining eye contact with him. He seemed momentarily lost in thought before regaining his composure. "So, uhm, this is for you," he said, placing one of the mugs on the table, his gaze still locked on me. His intense stare made me feel like a priceless work of art in a museum. "Thank you," I replied, but my phone buzzed on the table. I picked it up and saw a message from my mom, reminding me to take a couple of photos together and post them online. "Everything alright?" Alec asked, his attention still firmly fixed on me. He took a leisurely sip of his hot chocolate and seductively licked the cream from the cherry before devouring it. "Mhm, we should take those photos," I suggested shyly, uncertain about how he would react. "Oh, right. Where?" Alec inquired, setting down his hot chocolate. I considered the options. "Hm, right here in front of the mirror," I suggested, positioning myself to show my best side and glancing into the mirror as Alec moved closer. "Can I hold you?" he asked, and I nodded, a shiver of anticipation running down my spine. He placed one hand on my hip and the other on my side, drawing me closer until my back was pressed against his front. He leaned over and planted a soft kiss on my cheek. I snapped several photos, but with Alec's thumbs gently caressing my skin, the atmosphere grew increasingly heated. I set my phone aside and turned around to look up at him. Hunger and passion gleamed in his eyes, and our desires aligned as we both yearned for more.