“Naturally.” Sven get up from his chair. “I had Sebastian collect your bags and deliver them to our room.” He opened one door near the bookcase and breezed in.
Annalise stopped in her tracks. Wait, did he said “our room?” She hurried after him.
The room clearly belonged to Sven. It was spacious, drenched in luxury. The décor was masculine, modern and slick. Dark walls paired with monochromatic draperies and beddings. Expensive-looking furniture. Marble flooring with sable-colored rugs. Abstract paintings graced one wall, above a gas fireplace. She found her suitcases and bags had been placed near a tall dresser.
“Please don’t tell me we’re sharing a room,” Annalise said.
“Is that a problem?” Sven’s tone was pure innocence.
“You’re taking this too far!”
His shoulders shook with silent laughter.
“Sven, I understand you want to make our marriage look as genuine as possible, but this?” Annalise brandished her hands in exasperation. “I can’t do this. I just met you this morning. Besides, there’s a lot of married folks that don’t even share a bed.”
“Anna, it is my understanding that now we’re married, you’ll be my only sexual partner from now on.”
“I, what-what?”
“Are you planning on having affairs with other men behind my back?”
“I wasn’t planning on sleeping with anyone.”
Sven cocked his head aside. His eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me you’re a virgin.”
“No way. I’ve had a boyfriend before. We did stuff. But that’s none of your business.”
“Then you shouldn’t be so immature about what two adults do in the bedroom. When I married you, I pledged my fidelity to you. You and you only. I won’t have sexual relationships with other women. I expect you to do the same. No. I insist you do the same.”
“Why do we have to have sex at all? The girls at the diner said that’s the point of being married. Once you wear his ring, you stop having sex with him.”
Sven burst out in laughter. “I must assume you’re being sarcastic.”
“Whatever.” She huffed. “But I’m not sharing a bed with you.”
“Are you sure you’re not a virgin?”
“No!” Her face went hot.
“You’re acting like one.”
“Am I?” She thought of her first and only boyfriend in high school, Cole. They both didn’t know what they were doing. Cole insisted on putting his thing inside her, and it hurt like hell. She ended up crying, making Cole frustrated. Their sex attempt failed miserably. She started avoiding him, and Cole promptly dumped her afterward. “I don’t think I like sex. Sex is overrated.”
“Is that so? Care to explain?”
“No. Sven, I’ve thought of you as a great guy up until now. You’re handsome, rich, and very smart, but you’re also pervy. I’ll be sleeping in the other room. Good night.” Annalise patted his shoulder and strode to the door. She yanked it open and went out.
She looked around. Huh? This wasn’t the study room. His place had so many doors and rooms that she couldn’t remember the way out.
“Anna, that’s the closet,” Sven called out.
She quickly retracted her step and went to a different door.
“That’s the bathroom.”
Aww! What was this? A maze? She covered her ears. “Whatever. I like it here.”
Three