The time is always
right to do
what is right.
-
Martin Luther King Jr.

_______________

My gaze settled on Daniel. A white bath towel, held closed with one meaty fist, and nothing else. His hair is wet. His broad chest glistens with droplets of water. The towel looks so small on him such that it gives me glimpses of his thighs.

Now, we're talking!

Staring wide eyed at his leg, I say, "Uh.."

Well now do you really think he is not that handsome?

Okay, I'll give him this: he is hot. My ovaries are fanning themselves. But he's obviously full of himself. And who walks inside a room half-naked when a delicate woman is sitting on the bed —trying best to not fall for his charms? 

My innermind rolls her eyes at me.

We've already broken 'the sex after a week' rule. Though we didn't exactly have sex but coming on his fingers cannot be excluded from rule breaking. I thought I had better control when it comes to men and sex. Who knew this man can turn me into a horny tennager with those strong muscles, mesmerizing eyes and sweet words.

Though my ego hurts I still have to admit that I have a handsome husband that any girl would wish for. What the hell... I really can't blame Annabelle. He's worth fighting! I smiled at the thought.

"Stop checking me out." A blush stole on my cheeks as I watched him.

"You can't complain about me staring at you after you walked out with just a towel to cover your.." I trail off, not knowing the exact to describe his jewels.

He stares at me with a smirk and I immediately my inner parts tighten. I bite my lip hard as I turn my gaze away from him.

"Your neck turns red when you blush," he states, walking towards the bed. He grabs his sweats which was placed on the bed. His hand moves to take off his towel causing me to turn away from him immediately. Jesus!

He did it purposely!

I don't care. Just turn and look at him.

Just shut the heck up!

C'mon just a glance!

I bite my lip harder as I slowly turn my head his way. I sigh in relief when I find him fully dressed, staring at me with a huge smile. I turn my head away from him again, trying to control my rapid heartbeats. Butterflies has already started their dancing.

Hip-hop or jazz?

Damn innermind.

I brush my thoughts when I feel the bed dip slightly. I turn towards Daniel to find him reaching down to grab a firm hold of the duvet and threw it back allowing him to slide his figure in the bed beside me.

"Excuse me, this is my bed," I inform him, a frown plastered on my face.

"We've already crossed 'the separate bed deal' yesterday," he replies, smirking at me.

I open my mouth to say something but I don't find words that can help me right now.

How about 'let's sleep?'

Shut up!

"Doesn't matter. Go and sleep on the couch," I insist, trying to push him away from the bed but in vain. "You're fat."

He smirks at me. "It's called muscles." I roll my eyes.

"Go, I have to sleep." I tired to shove him but once again I failed miserably.

"No," he said, throwing a glare at me. "Just go to sleep, Allison." He sighed and closed his eyes, ignoring me completely.

"You trying to steal my bed," I snap loud enough for Daniel to open his eyes, only to throw a glare at me. Suddenly he tugged at my wrist, pulling down to the bed. I landed on him with my hand on his bare chest and my face just inches away from his face. He pushed me slightly and I land beside him on the bed.

"You need rest, Allison. You've a case tomorrow so shut that smart mouth of yours and sleep."

Hours passed and I was still staring at my husband who was asleep now. I tried to look away but I couldn't help but feel an irresistible urge to admire him.

I hate him.

Stop exaggerating, woman.

I mean I should hate him but I can't. With great effort, I turn my gaze away from him.

Suddenly I realized something, the distance between us has reduced slightly. And to my horror, I found myself moving closer to him.

Why the hell can't you control yourself?

Well... Its not bad to cuddle him. After all he looks like a teddy and I don't think it's a bad idea.

Seriously? He looks like a teddy for you?

Okay... Maybe not a teddy but still him sleeping is a sight you don't want to miss. I have this urge to wrap my arms around him, placing my face in the crook of his neck and sleep. It's easy, just cuddle into him and move away from him before he wakes up. Not a big deal.

Then what are you waiting for? Just wrap your arms around him.

Well... My inner self isn't that bad. I moved again and we're just inches apart. It surprised me more when I found myself enjoying it. Cuddling was never my thing unless it involves my teddy. Night stands were common but staying the night with someone wasn't. Attachment has never worked well with me until he came in the picture.

Will you stop moving like an ant and just hug him? Its like a never ending procedure.

I'm trying to not make any noise.

You're crazy. It's so annoying when you make me wait like this. Why can't you just finish it off and go sleep?

I sigh and finally closed the distance between us by wrapping my arm around his torso, moving closer to him.

"If you want to cuddle, all you have to do is ask." My eyes turn wide in shock. How come he didn't sleep yet? I immediately tried to move away but he stopped me by pulling me closer to him. He stares at me with a smile, leans in and places a soft kiss on my lips and all my emotions melts into the kiss.

"Now stop doing another tantrum and sleep," he said, pulling away from the kiss and wrapped his arms around me. I bite my lower lip to stop myself from smiling. I rest my head on his chest and listened to his rhythmic heart beats and soon the exhaustion pulled me to a deep slumber.

I clear my throat when I felt light hitting me. I stretch out as open my eyes, I turn my head towards the glass window. What a view! I guess the sun has come early today, I want to sleep more. I turn towards my right to see Daniel fast asleep. I think that this is a far better view.

He is cute when he is sleeping. His lips are slightly parted, his clean black hair in a mess. He looked so lovely and relaxed. I could stare at him all the day. He is an arrogant jerk and intimidating but he isn't that bad. I think so. I leaned in and pressed my lips on his forehead.

"Good morning Daniel. Sleep well, I have some work to do." I slowly slip out of the bed and walk through a door to the bathroom.

Half an hour later, I was seated on the chair in the dining room with Ryan beside me.

"Why are you glaring at me? What did I do?" Ryan asks as he turns his attention towards me. I look at him, then around the dinning table to check on Thomas. He's talking to Carla, his wife.

"I asked you to give me the list of Daniel's board members," I say, my brows pulling together.

"I can't tell you without Daniel's permission," he replies, trying to maintain his voice low.

"Pardon?" I say though I heard him very well.

"You heard me. Now shut up and let me eat my food."

"Yeah, I heard you but that's not something I want to hear."

"Not my problem; just yours."

"Ryan, last chance." He stops eating but doesn't face me.

"No."

I open my mouth to argue but stops when I notice Thomas' gaze on me.

"Allison, Daniel told me that you work but didn't elaborate. What are you doing right now?" Thomas asks smiling at me. He's sitting on the chair which is at the head of the dinning table, to his left sat Carla and beside her sat Leila, his daughter. I sat at the right of Thomas, just opposite of Carla and Ryan sat beside me such that he's opposite to Leila.

"Actually, I'm an attorney." Ryan choked on his food. I pat his back hiding a grin. I pass him a glass of water which holds and drinks it immedaitely.

"You own Allison firm?" Thomas asks, raising his eyebrows. He must have heard about the firm.

"Yeah, along with my three friends."

"What're you practising?"

"I'm a Criminal lawyer," I reply, meeting his eyes sternly.

"I see," he mumbles and turns his attention to his food. I turn to see Leila smiling wide at me. I wink at her.

"Did you decide to get married just because your dad insisted?" Carla asks, her face filed with concern. For me? For Daniel? Maybe both.

"Yes," I mutter. Ryan chokes again, he curses something but I couldn't catch it.

"So you don't like Daniel?" Carla asks looking at me. I can feel Ryan pinching my arm. I stomp his feet causing him pull his hand away from me.

"I like Daniel. Our marriage was an arranged one but I choose it. If I said no then this wedding wouldn't have taken place. I agreed to this marriage only because I saw the man who was carving for some love and care. I saw the desperation in Daniel's eyes and I wanted to wash away all the pain he had hidden inside. It's been just three weeks but today he's means a lot more than I ever imagined it to be."

Carla and Leila smiles at me while Thomas continues staring at me, his face filled with doubts. Looks like this old man isn't falling for my lies.

"Where did you go for honeymoon?" Carla asks out of blue. I choke while Ryan spills the water he was drinking. I cough and reach for the glass of water. Ryan pats my back trying to hide his grin. I glare at him. The whole attention is now towards me. "Sorry dear, I didn't mean to startle you," she mutters feeling sorry while Thomas glares at her.

"No, it's fine. I was just surprised. Well, now the answer to your question is we didn't go anywhere."

"What? But why?" Leila asks immediately. Her tone loud enough to know that she's confused with my answer.

"I-I-" I don't know what to say. The only answer I know is that he wanted to go after we take a decision about Annabelle.

"It has been just a week since their wedding and Daniel is quiet busy with his work so they decided to go once he's free from work," Ryan tells them by saving me but his lying skills are so worst that made Thomas raises his eye brows at me.

"He's right. Daniel is very busy," I say with a smile.

Thomas narrows his eyes. "If Daniel doesn't have time for his wife then he shouldn't have got married," he whispers but it's clear that he's angry. He didn't like this wedding, it's evident from his words but why?

"Is Daniel nice to you dear? You must have felt bad when he postponed your honeymoon," Carla says softly. Oh dear, she sounds very sweet, just like Phoenix, I thought.

"No Carla, it's not the way you think. We both agreed to postpone the honeymoon and Daniel was very upset about it. I convinced him that it was fine and we'll go once he's free. Daniel tries his best to keep me happy and gives me more than I deserve. He's the best thing that has ever happened to me." Carla smiles at me. "Daniel doesn't want to stay away from me. He tries his maximum to work from home so that he doesn't have to stay away from me," I tell them looking down. My eyelashes batting in shyness.

I turn my head towards Ryan who is staring at me in disbelief. "I never knew you were such a good liar. You deserve an A+ in lying," he mutters, his face covered with shock.

"I have many talents you're unaware of," I whisper grinning as he shakes his head.

I turn my attention towards my left when I hear footsteps nearing me. My smile flatters when I notice Daniel, he looks thoroughly fresh and active. He gives everyone a small smile but when his gaze lands on me, his smile turns to a frown.

"What in the world are you doing here? You have a hearing today," he snaps, glaring at me.

I roll my eyes. "The hearing is at eleven and Hope is not here yet so I still have lots of time." His eyes softens and I realize the interest he has in this case.

"You're working today?" Leila asks, fixing her gaze on me.

I nod my head. "This is an emergency hearing regarding a custody case."

"You told us that you're a criminal lawyer," Thomas retorts. I sense anger and accusation in his voice. He definitely isn't fond of me.

"This case comes under criminal offense and this is a favor for someone I know," I reply, rising to my feet when I notice Hope walking towards us. 

"Supporting a criminal?" Thomas asks, my gaze meets his and I notice the fury in his blue eyes.

"None of your business," I snap back, grinning wide at him while Thomas continues throwing daggers at me with his eyes. The whole room becomes quite, Carla and Leila stares at me with wide eyes. Ryan sighs as if I messed up everything. From the corner of my eyes, I see Daniel smiling causing me to relax internally. I really didn't want to pick up a fight especially in a house where I'm a guest but someone questioning my career and intention isn't something that I can let go. 

I turn my gaze towards Hope who's concentration is on her work. She has already placed all the papers on the table. "Any news?"

Hope lifts her gaze from her iPhone, nodding her head at me. "Mr. Leo decided to close the deals since his emails and calls were ignored by the firm and from my investigation I think he's right. The functioning of the firm isn't going well. Cassy missed one of her hearing and Mr. Moorehead will talk to after today's hearing. Your parents has moved forward with the divorce, they're living separately."

I wait for two seconds for the information to sink into my head. "Great," I mutter, sighing. "Change the the firm's email ID password and give the new password only to Greta and me. Nobody else."

Hope's eyes widen but she manages to nod. Changing he password and not giving it to the partners is an extreme move but I need to know what's actually happening. 

"Ask Marco to call me, it's an emergency and suspend the General Manager and I need a report from the HR department within two days about closing the deal. How's Adrian?"

"He's okay from what I heard," Hope replies. "You're not changing?"

I look down at my turtle neck and skinny pants. "No, I'll change from the office," I mutter, turning my attention back to the table only to find everyone staring at me.

"You're talking like a professional," Ryan says, frowning 

"She is a professional," Hope replies, smiling at me.

I ignore both of them as I step towards Daniel. "Wish me luck, hubby."

His lips curves into a smile. He pulls me forward, startling me. "Wh-" He cuts me off my placing his lips on mine. I don't hesitate for a second as I accept his wishes. I kiss him back softly, taking my time to taste him, not bothered about the audience we have. I pull away slowly, my hand on his shoulders as I smile shyly at him. He leans in, pressing a soft kiss on my temple. I close my eyes as I inhale the smell of cologne, emotions fills my chest but I don't let it out. I always wanted for someone to give me a hug at times like this.  

I open my eyes only to find Daniel staring down at me in envy. I grin at him once more and before stepping back from him, letting my hands fall at my side. I turn towards Thomas only to find him relaxed, he gives me a small smile which surprises me but still I return the gesture before walking out of the house to deal with the case.