FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO

Henry could barely contain his excitement after hanging up on Sarah.

He set the phone down and quickly scanned his room, adjusting the sheets, fluffing the pillows and ensuring everything was perfect.

A sudden worry hit him as he checked his breath. He grabbed his mint spray, gave two sharp bursts and smiled at his fresh breath.

Then he slipped on a clean white T-shirt and ran his fingers through his hair, while sparing ba glace at the wall mounted mirror.

Three minutes had already slipped by and Sarah was yet to show up.

"I hope she didn't change your mind." Henry frowned slightly, glancing at his phone. "Relax Henry, she'll show up." He took a deep breath to steady himself and was about to sit when the softest deliberate sound broke through the silence.

Tap...Tap...

His breath caught. His hands, now slightly clammy, went to his hair as he ran his fingers through it again and tried to calm his racing pulse.

He took three long stride to the door and opened it slowly but careful not to let it creak too loudly.

And there she was, glowing under the hallway light like a dream.

Her velvet-red robe clung to her petite frame, the belt tied delicately around her waist. Her golden blonde hair cascaded so softly down her shoulders in tender wave and her breath rose in small puffs from the night chill. Her cheeks flushed pink and her deep blue eyes were shy but full of something electric.

"Are you going to let me in or continue staring at me like a lost puppy?" Sarah whispered.

"oh...sorry." Henry chuckled feverishly, opening the door wider. "Please come in, your majesty." he whispered, awe written across his face. He stepped aside silently, holding the door open like a gentleman, but his heartbeat thudded like a war drum in his chest.

"Thank you " Sarah smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her eyes as she stepped in gently, her arms folded tightly beneath the robe, more out of nervousness than cold.

Henry shut the door, slowly as if the sound of the latch might break the spell between them. But he was.unaware of some secret pairs of eyes spying at him and giggling softly.

Inside the cozy room, a small bedside lamp dimly lit the surrounding, casting golden shadows across the bed and wall.

Everything around Sarah suddenly felt smaller, warmer and heavier. She turned around to look at Henry, her heart pounding widely in her chest, words suddenly failing her.

Henry was also rendered speechless and for the next couple of seconds, they stood in that fragile silence, their hearts speaking a language their lips hadn't yet dared to confess.

"I don't bite," Henry finally spoke, his words teasing and his humour breaking the tension as he gestured to the bed, taking the lead. He sat down at the edge while watching her fight the urge not to laugh. "Unless… you're into that." he added, sprinkling just the needed spice.

"Henry!" Sarah cupped her mouth with both hands, laughing in that shy, airy way that made Henry's heart squeeze. "You're terrible."

"There... I just wanted to hear a sweet voice," he said, his tone quieter now. "I didn't realize how much I've missed it until you walked in."

Sarah lips parted slightly, a wave of heat rushing up to her face. But before she could respond, the room's warmth got the best of her.

Forgetting she was no longer in her bedroom and acting in a usual free spirit, she untied the belt of her robe and slid it off her shoulders, draping it over a nearby chair.

Henry's eyes darted to her immediately and then froze.The way her nightwear clung to her body like a whisper completely stole his breath away.

The fabric shimmered gently in the lamp's golden glow, slightly transparent where it caught the light. It wasn't revealing that much. But it was enough. Enough to send his body into an instant rebellion.

"God help me." Henry blinked hard and looked away, clearing his throat, trying to adjust his position casually as he pulled the duvet slightly over his lap.

"It feels better." Sarah cooed softly

Still blissfully unaware of the fireworks she had ignited in Henry's world, she climbed into the bed beside him, curling her knees to her chest like it was the most innocent thing in the world.

"This bed is warmer than mine," she murmured.

Henry chuckled tightly.

"Don't look… don't you dare look." He kept chanting in his head while he tried to maintain a healthy conversation.

"Must be all the lonely dreams I've been having..." He replied, forcing a smirk as he leaned back.

Then she did the last thing he expected. She rested her head gently against his shoulder, letting her fingers tangle with his under the covers, inches away from his stiff rod.

Her intoxicating scent of a blend of vanilla and something softly floral wrapped around him like a second skin.

"Henry..." Sarah called in a hush. "Are you okay?" she asked, observing how stiff he had become

Henry throat suddenly felt dry, and his voice came out hoarse. "Yeah. I just… I'm trying not to fall apart."

"Huh!" Sarah tilted her head up at him, looking confused. "What do you mean?"

Henry looked down at her with a pained grin, his eyes full of fire and restraint.

"You're curled up beside me, looking like a fairytale dream in that nightwear..." His Adam apple bobbed up and down fascinatingly as he spoke. ".. and I'm a man with blood running through his veins, Sarah."

"What!" Sarah chuckled feverishly, not still understanding what he was driving at. She followed his lustful gaze and then her eyes widened.

"Oh," she whispered pulling away from him as if she had touched an electric hot kettle.

Her cheeks burned with sudden embarrassment as she started to pull the duvet higher to cover herself, but Henry gently stopped her.

"No...you don't have to. You're beautiful just the way you are. I just needed to catch my breathe."

Sarah paused, staring at him, completely flushed, embarrassed and nervous. But she was also moved by words.

"I' am ..." She held her breath as Henry leaned closer, thinking he was about to kiss her. But instead of a kiss, he rested his forehead softly against hers, his hands snaking softly around her waist, sending electrifying shivers down her spine.

"I could hold you like this all night," he murmured.

Sarah smiled, biting down on her inner lips. "Then do it." she whispered, surrendering herself to the warmth of his touch.

They stayed that way for a while, tangled in each other, the silence comfortable and their breaths syncing.

Eventually, she murmured.

"how about that moonlight walk you mentioned? Can we take a walk? We could use some fresh air."

Henry blinked, surprised, but then grinned. "Of course, my lady."

He stood up and help her to her feet. He grabbed a hoodie and slipped it on while sarah pulled her robe back on.

Staring lovingly at each other, they held hands tenderly and worked out of the room side by side.

Amid the silence of the night they slipped out quietly through the back exit and stepped into the cool night.