Chapter One Hundred and forty

Damien's POV;

"Babe, Marissa's here." I announced glancing at the text message mum, had sent to inform me.

"I'll be down in a minute." She said, barely looking at me.

We were going to renew our vows on our first wedding anniversary and of course there was planning to be done. This time, I wanted to be more present during the planning process.

But first, there was a matter more pressing to handle.

"Ariana what's wrong? You've been cold all morning."

"It's nothing." She gave me a half-hearted response, like she had been doing all morning.

She stood up to leave without looking at me. Something was definitely up.

In one swift movement, I grabbed and locked her in my grip.

"Babe you know communication is key to a great relationship right?"

No response.

Her eyes looked at anything but me.

"Come on, tell me what I did wrong. If you don't tell me I'd never know and we'll never actually move past it." I said as calmly as I could.

"Marissa's waiting for us." She muttered.

"She can wait. Mom is probably already keeping her company. Tell me what the problem is." I insisted.

"Ariana?" I tilted my head to look at her beautiful features at a closer range.

She swallowed and threw me a skeptical glance before sighing in resignation.

"Last night, I, you," she stuttered before releasing a breath.

"I don't like the way you treated me last night." She eventually went past her struggle and said.

"What do you mean?" I was puzzled.

"I mean, it felt like I was an object to you. I felt like a toy, specifically for your pleasure. I didn't like it and it hurt like a bitch." She finally opened up.

"Why didn't you say something ever since?"

"I was hurt."

"I'm sorry you felt like that. I was only trying to spice up our sex life, I wanted to try something new. I'd never objectify you, especially not for sexual pleasure. I love you and you mean a lot more to me than you know." I said sincerely.

"You want us to scrap off the BDSM?" I asked.

I didn't want anything coming between us.

"I'm not averse to new things. I just want us to properly discuss these things, don't just drop it like a bolt from the blue on me. It actually was overwhelming." She said exhaling tiredly.

"We'll discuss everything sexual tonight, fantasies and all, you good?"

"I'd appreciate that." She said with a nod.

"I'm really sorry about last night." I apologized once again.

"It's okay." She shook her head and finally gave me a smile.

"But baby, whenever there's an issue, I'd like for you to tell me instead of giving me attitude. Can we work on that?" I held her face in my hands as I asked.

"Yeah. Sorry I was acting up, I just don't how to express how I feel sometimes."

"All is forgiven. I love you." I kissed her.

"I love you too. Now, let's get to Marissa."

Hand in hand, we made our way down to the living room and saw mum and Marissa seated at one of the settees chatting animatedly.

"If it isn't my favorite couple." Marissa grinned coming over to hug Ariana while she shook hands with me.

"Marissa, you look so good." Ariana complimented.

"Thank you. It's been a while you know."

"You planned the baby shower." I deadpanned.

"Yes but it doesn't mean I got to work with her. Let's not call you into the bargain cause you are never helpful with planning." She rolled her eyes.

"Well this time, for a change, I'm going to be more present."

Ariana turned to thoroughly scrutinize me with her gaze. I believe she thought I was joking.

"Are you sure about that babe? I know how crazy work can be for you." She sounded concerned. How cute!

"Yes I'm sure. The earlier we start planning, the better." I ushered her to a seat and plopped down next to her.

"So, first things first, it's a summer wedding. I'd suggest you go for a theme, different from your first wedding cause of course it's going to be mundane if you do all that flashy stuff again."

"Yeah of course." Ariana piped up. "I have something very simple in mind."

Marissa glanced at me to seek my approval.

"Whatever my wife says, goes." I announced with a relaxed shrug.

"So what are you thinking?" She asked Ariana.

"I want it to be right here in the villa. At the garden maybe. With the sun up and all."

"Classic." Marissa hummed. "Number of guests?" She asked.

"Just family, few close friends and the workers here." I said.

There was a relieved smile on Ariana's face as I said that. I was willing to give her the simple things she craved because I wanted to make her happy no matter what.

"Simplicity is key." Marissa commented, jotting it down.

"Catering services?"

Ariana turned to me to answer the question.

"Yes. Workers are going to be guests that day."

"Honestly we could plan this wedding in a week, I don't know why you're calling me a month before."

"We just want to make sure everything's perfect." Ariana giggled, leaning to rest her head on my chest. I wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Now this is the love I was hoping to get the last time. I'm glad you two have finally found it." Marissa smiled.

"Thanks Marissa."

"Thank you."

We spoke at the same time.

We talked about themes and all that stuff that came with planning an event. I actually learned a lot that day and I felt like a real groom this time around.

I felt the true excitement of getting married to the woman for you. Something I never thought would ever happen.

***

"So I had these drafted out for us to review." I passed her a sheet of paper before sitting opposite her on the floor at the terrace.

She set Mico aside and urged him to go play before taking the sheet from me.

"What's this?" She questioned tilting her head as she skimmed through the list.

"Sex is a very vital part of a marriage and if we're going to have it, it shouldn't be a mundane affair. I want us to discuss whatever it is that we would like to try out in the bedroom." I informed.

"Kinks and Fetishes?" She read out. "It's a no for me. What do you think?"

"Strike that out then." I drew a line over the item and so did she.

"Anal?" I asked.

"I don't think I'm comfortable with that." She shifted nervously showing her discomfort.

"Babe, I'm not going force you into anything you aren't comfortable with. Just tell me what you want." I pacified her by rubbing assuringly in her ties.

"I just don't want to feel like I'm being punished when I want to enjoy myself. I love it when you spank me but whips and cuffs and all that crazy stuff, isn't something I want to try. I want to feel loved when we have sex, not thrashed around like a plaything. I don't want you to get bored with me, so..." She trailed off.

I raised her chin so she could stare at me.

"Look at me. There are lots of things we could try that doesn't require me manhandling you so don't think I'd be bored because we don't do kinky shit. Okay?"

"Okay." She nodded slowly.

I drew back and picked up the list again.

"Try new places?"

"Places like where?"

"Like every corner of the house." I grinned

"I don't mind." She smirked before biting on her lips in seduction.

"We're not done here babe, don't have any funny ideas." I teased, ticking the box next to the option. She giggled.

"Role-playing?" She questioned.

"Yeah, what do you think?"

"As long as you're not wearing a Spiderman costume, I'm good." She chortled as my eyes went wide.

"Have some faith in me wifey." I laughed.

"We're going to have to work on you dominating more often." I said more seriously.

"It's not so easy." She sighed.

"Well you can't leave all the work to me. Sometimes, I need to relax and have you take care of me."

"Sure, we'll work on that." She grinned.

"Quickies?" I asked.

"Lots of them." She said cheekily. I chuckled.

I ticked the box, so did she.

"Threesomes?" She piped up.

I skimmed through the list. I didn't put that in there.

"Hell no. I don't want to share you with anyone else."

"Phew. That's a relief." She sighed.

"Toys?"

"Maybe. Not frequently though."

"Noted. I guess we're done here." I picked up the sheets and arranged them into a file for reference purposes.

"It's time for Mico to go to his doghouse, don't you think?"

"But babe-"

I hushed her with a kiss.

"I need to make up for last night. Give you the queen treatment that you deserve." I said squeezing on her butt as I did.

"I want you to sit on my face." I said in her ears. Her breath hitched as she licked on her rosy lips. I smirked loving the effect my words had on her.

"I'll call Fiona to come get him right away." She nodded quickly, scrambling for her phone so she could make the call.

Fiona was here in no time and gave us suspicious glances as we hurried her out of the room and locked the door.

"Now where were we?"