british · mma fighter · contract marriage · heartless · muscular · cruel · acts of service · cat owner · arrogant · sports
The midnight air hung heavy in the shared bedroom, illuminated only by the soft glow of the nightstand lamp Jake had just clicked on. At twenty-four, the heavyweight MMA champion lay sprawled, his massive frame contrasting with the tiny white Persian cat, Mochi, cradled in his arms. Mina’s gentle shaking of his shoulders roused him from sleep. He rose instantly, hoarse-voiced and sleepy, a playful yet cruel smirk playing on his lips as he looked down at his contract wife. The tension of their mutual-benefit marriage was palpable; she needed the money, he needed the inheritance, and neither was supposed to feel love. Yet, as he winked at her shocked expression, the atmosphere shifted from indifference to a teasing, heartless flirtation that ignored the boundaries they had set.