Ruby St. Clair's POV

On my first morning living with Roman, I was waiting for him to come out of his room in the living room. I feel lighthearted while sitting casually on the couch, probably because last night while twisting and turning in my bed in the guest room unable to sleep. I finally thought of a solution to my current problems.

I heard his bedroom door. I sat straight in the place and waited for him. I saw him ready to leave for the office. "Good morning, Roman."

He stopped dead in his place and stared at me for a moment. I suddenly wanted to laugh because of his expression. He wasn't expecting my greeting. "Is this the end of the world, Red? Because if I heard you right you greeted me with a cheerful 'good morning'."

"That's correct." I nodded with a smile. "Are you running late? Do you have a moment to chat with me, darling?"

His beautiful eyes narrowed like slits. "Now I'm nervous." He slowly sat on the couch across from me with wary eyes. "So what's going on, wife? I believe last night you still hated the fact that I commanded you to live with me until the remaining months of our bargain. What's with the change of heart?"

I smiled sweetly in his direction. "Nothing. It's just I've been thinking last night and I thought of a solution to our dilemma. Here take a look." I placed a neat bond paper on the coffee table that separates us. As I said, I would not let anybody rile me whenever they want. It's time for me to have an upper hand in this crazy mess.

He stared at me for a moment before picking up the paper in front of him. Roman's eyes widened when he read the title. "House Rules." He stared at me in disbelief. "Seriously, Red?"

"I find the perfect solution, don't you think?" I asked brightly, crossing my arms in the middle of my chest. "To prevent ourselves from killing each other in two months living together we might as well create house rules so we cannot invade each other's privacy. This way we can live harmoniously under the same roof."

"You thought this matter seriously last night, aren't you?" A reluctant smile fitted his lips. He stared at the paper in his hand. "Rule #1: Ruby is always right." He frowned in my direction. "What kind of rule is that?"

I smirked at him. "An accurate one. Now read everything if you don't have any protest please sign at the bottom of the page."

He looked back at the document in his hand and amused himself by reading the rest of the articles. "Rule #2: Roman is forbidden to enter Ruby's room unless it's a life and death situation." He scowled in my direction. "Seriously, Red? What about my rights as your husband?"

I raised an eyebrow at his scowling face. "You don't have any rights in my body, darling. So stick to rule number two."

He made a face. I suddenly wanted to laugh but I held back myself. I need to look stern here or he would not take this seriously. "At least once a day, wife."

"No."

He sighed and continued to read. "Rule #3: There should not be a hired housekeeper in this house to avoid unwanted rumors that might reach Ruby's family. Rule #4: Since there is no housekeeper Roman and Ruby should equally divide household chores." He raised an eyebrow. "You've got to be kidding me, Red. What's with this nonsense?"

"I told you, they are the new house rules of this house," I answered smoothly. I felt like such elation seeing his annoyance. "Read the rest."

"You're the one who doesn't want to hire a maid now you are spouting nonsense about sharing household chores. Do you think that I know such a thing? I hope you are not serious about these house rules."

My eyes narrowed in his direction. "You have no choice but to agree, Roman. If you want me to stay here you have to agree with those rules."

He focused his eyes again on the paper. "Rule #5: Ruby will cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided Roman will automatically wash the dishes afterward. Rule #6: Roman is forbidden to talk lewd things to Ruby throughout the day. Rule #7: Ruby will have once a weekday off she can spend it however she wants without Roman questioning her. Rule #8: From 6 am to 6 pm Ruby has the sole right in the living room while Roman's turn is from 6 pm to 6 am. Rule #9: No invasion of personal property such as mobile phones, emails, and other stuff. Rule #10: If Roman thinks Ruby is mistaken he can always refer to Rule #1." He stared at me with dead-set determination in his eyes. "You thought this very carefully, aren't you? How clever of you."

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Think what you like, dear. But it doesn't change the fact that you need to follow those rules whether you like it or not."

"Humor me," He said, placing the paper on the coffee table. He focused his intense eyes on me. I nearly squirmed at his hot gaze. "What if I break a single rule in this paper? What will do then? I'm curious, though."

"Simple," I answered with a smile on my face, placing the pen in front of him. "If one of us breaks a rule then she or he should move out of the house."

He barked a laugh. "You can't be serious. You're going to throw me out of my own house, Red?"

"I can and I will," I said firmly, refusing to look away from his powerful eyes. "You don't want to try my patience, Roman. I will not let anyone outsmart me." I smiled deep into his eyes. "Now if you don't have any questions, sign the paper."

"Very well," He said, refusing to look away in my eyes. He uncapped the pen and signed the document without even breaking our eye contact. "There. I hope you are very happy with this little paper you have, Red."

Taking the piece of paper from the coffee table, I grinned at him mischievously. "You have no idea how happy I am, dearest. Now I already cooked our breakfast. Come let's have breakfast together before you go to the office."

"Do you expect me to wash the dishes afterward wearing like this?" He asked me with a grim expression.

I laughed, as I marched towards the kitchen. "Okay, fine. Today I will wash the dishes for you. But tonight you're going to clean them, are we clear? If you don't want that kind of step-up you are always welcome to eat somewhere."

He shook his head in resignation but still followed me into the dining room. "You are more devious than I gave you the credit, Red."

"I know," I agreed with him cheerfully. "You should have thought that before you ruthlessly blackmailed me into this kind of set-up, Roman. Now you have to deal with my new bargain if you want me to stay here."

He smirked at me. My eyes narrowed at him. I expected him to be angry as hell by now because of the rules I made. But the way he smiled makes me wonder if I had the upper hand here. "I wouldn't look so smug if I were you, my wife. There is always a loophole to a not well-laid business proposal."

I frowned at his words. "What do you mean?"

"Since you made that house rules with such haste, you forgot to include such important matters." He smiled wolfishly which made me shiver.

"What are you talking about?"

He ran his finger in my bare skin. I fought back the temptation of his touch. "For example, the house rules don't state that I cannot kiss you whenever I want." He moved closer to where I'd been standing. He whispered in my ear seductively. "I will kiss you from breakfast until after dinner every day. You cannot escape me."

I gasped at his words. He was far too close for my comfort. I tried to step backward but I was trapped between him and the dining table. "Rule #6—"

He chuckled darkly making uneasiness sneak into my spine. "I am not talking lewd with you, Red. I am just stating the facts here. There is no rule saying that I cannot kiss you if I remember correctly."

I glared at him fervidly. "It doesn't matter. That should be covered by Rule #2 you are banned from my bedroom and especially in my bed!"

"Ah, that's another thing, wife." He answered breezily. He tucked some wayward strand of my hair behind my ear, as he studied my face attentively. "I might be banned in your bedroom but you are very welcome to enter my room whenever you want. I will welcome you with open arms especially at night if you want me to cuddle you."

I barked a humorless laugh, as I sat on the chair of the dining table. "In your dreams, dear husband. Like I will do such thing."

"Oh, believe me, you will, mi esposa." He replied with such a sardonic manner. He also slid on the chair next to me effortlessly. I found myself gritting my teeth. "When the right time comes you will find yourself knocking on my bedroom door. I will be patiently waiting for that day to come."

I snorted, pouring my cup of coffee. "Then you like to wait for like an eternity before I would let it happen."

"You will be surprised, Red." He said arrogantly, taking a bite of his breakfast. "That I don't need to wait for an eternity to witness that day. Hell, I'll say before our three-month bargain is up you will find yourself sleeping in my bed every night."

I eyed him dryly, sipping my coffee. "Oh? How will you do that, Roman? Do you mind if I ask?"

"It depends. Do you want an honest answer or a lie?" He inquired with a devilish glint in his eyes that made me frown. I hate having banter with him because in the end our conversation only leads to sexual innuendos.

I scowled at him openly. "What kind of question is that? Of course, I want an honest answer from you."

"Fine." He said with triumph in his voice. "I will seduce you physically and mentally day and night until you can't think of anything other than your husband."

I gasped at his brass announcement. He's the devil himself. I never met a man who would announce so casually that he was going to seduce a woman he was talking with. "What a crude thing to say."

He smiled ruthlessly in my direction. "I'm a businessman, my lovely wife. I'm not a reckless person like you. When I make a move I plan carefully. You started this little game with your house rules now we shall play it."

"This is not a game, Roman!" I glared at him vehemently. "This is a serious matter between us. We need these damn rules so we couldn't clash with each other's boundaries."

Amusement showed in his steel-grey eyes. "From what I've read, darling. The only person who will benefit greatly from those house rules is no other than you."

"Roman—"

"Don't worry," He cut me off. "You don't have to explain, wife. That doesn't bother me at all. I will have just to play with your game."

"How will you do that?" I asked nervously, playing with the rim of my cup unable to meet his burning gaze, his stares made me uncertain.

"Like this..." Before I could comprehend what was happening. He claimed my mouth in a seductive kiss that made my toes curl at the sensation. This man really could kiss! When he was finally satisfied with his assault he drew back and stared at me with unholy light in his eyes. He sensually traced my bottom lips with his thump. "...You are mine, Ruby. Always remember that. I'm a very selfish man I don't like sharing what's mine."

I was so stunned by his declaration that I hadn't managed to utter even a single word of reply. My brain had stopped functioning altogether at his words. He raised my chin to kiss me briefly on the lips before taking his leave. I only watched him march out of the dining room silently while my heart beat so loudly in my chest that I'd run a mile without stopping.

That's when I realized that I was in danger of losing this battle...