Ch. 116..120: OMG My Crippled Husband is a Hot Powerful CEO Chapter 116-120

Chapter 116: Chapter 116 - Not even a towel robe

Alex looked embarrassed, hoping Joanna would understand that he was doing all this for her.

"I was testing all the gadgets in the kitchen to make sure there were no more surprises and didn’t know what this was." He gestured towards a broken bottle on the counter.

"I tasted it and realized it was hot sauce, but when I was putting it back, it fell and splashed on me."

Joanna wasn’t upset about what had happened, except for what Alex was wearing.

If he had taken off his shirt before entering the kitchen, she wouldn’t have been so bothered.

"So, you ruined my shirt," Joanna said with a hint of bitterness. Alex realized he had forgotten to take off the shirt to save it for her as he had promised.

The realization filled him with guilt like never before. "Let me wash it for you. Can you make us something to eat, please?"

He was also hungry, or else he wouldn’t have bothered to check the food items in the kitchen after ensuring the safety of the gadgets.

Alex walked past her to the bathroom with a great level of self-control, as she was only in a towel.

The inconvenience was too much for them to bear, and he wondered how long they were meant to stay here together.

The King’s standard duration for a honeymoon was two weeks, but Alex had already explained to Grandpa how he could not bear to spend two weeks away from his businesses.

However, from the way things turned out, he could not confirm if Grandpa bent the rules for him a little.

Since it concerned conception, Alex was certain that even the old man would be happy with this arrangement.

Having come to terms with the fact that Joanna was indeed a very good woman, the only thing holding him back from claiming her was the promise he made to Dion, which he never planned to go against.

When Alex returned, he had not only washed the shirt but also showered. He had cut his trousers into shorts and was only wearing a singlet on top. However, the blazer and Joanna’s wedding gown would require professional cleaning.

As he mentioned that the shirt would air dry in the bathroom, his words caught in his throat when he saw Joanna. "You look... sexy," he said in a hoarse voice, causing Joanna to feel embarrassed in her lingerie.

The comment made her uncomfortable as he was not her partner, and she didn’t want to be exposed in front of him like that.

How could she have known that being offered so much meant there was more to being Mrs. King than met the eye, even if it was a fake arrangement?

"This is well planned. Not even a towel robe," Joanna spoke without looking at him, feeling embarrassed in what she was wearing.

If there was at least a towel robe, it would have been more comfortable for her to wear on top of the lingerie, but there wasn’t.

Alex recalled the deal as he did not want to think about the trap anymore. The most important thing was for them to survive in chastity when they were finally able to make it out of the cabin.

"Do you still need my help?" he asked. Joanna shook her head. She was just fixing a sandwich for both of them since she wanted something fast.

There wasn’t much left to do as she had already done everything.

"No. Please wait for me at the table and close your eyes," she said, hoping to get him away from the kitchen. The lingerie made her so uncomfortable that she wanted to squirm at the sight of Alex.

Agnes was a terrorist and, in the end, she emerged as the victor in this game.

Alex obeyed until he smelled the aroma of the food and heard Joanna’s voice, "you can open your eyes now."

Joanna sat in front of him, this time with a towel wrapped around her chest. Alex didn’t understand why he felt disappointed that the view was now blocked.

However, dinner diverted his attention from all the challenges they faced. This was the first time so many burdens were lifted off him because there was no network.

If problems arose, Aiden and Dario would both have to come up with ways to address them. This is delicious," he complimented. As usual, it tasted just like his mom’s cooking.

"Thank you," Joanna forced a smile and replied. Seeing him eat her food so heartily was quite comforting.

Nevertheless, this wasn’t the kind of food someone would eat on a honeymoon, but then again, it wasn’t even a real honeymoon to begin with.

Joanna was packing the plates after they were done eating, but Alex took them from her.

"You cooked, so let me do this."

As he carried the unwashed plates away, Joanna began to think about the sleeping arrangements and quickly came up with a plan.

However, when Alex was done and returned, he was surprised to see her still sitting on the chair close to the dining table.

"You can sleep on the bed, and I will sleep on the floor," Alex proposed, but Joanna, not wanting to seem heartless, suggested instead,

"It’s cold. You will need the duvet, but there is only one. We will have to share."

The idea of sharing the small bed made her heart race, but Alex adamantly refused, saying,

"It’s not right. You sleep on the bed and have the blanket. I will sit on the chair and rest my head on the table."

He had occasionally slept that way in the office, leaning against his desk, finding it more comfortable than the dining table.

While his office chair was luxurious, the dining chair was not. Joanna was about to decline when he added,

"When you wake up to make breakfast, I can sleep on the bed for an hour."

It seemed like they were going to take turns with the bed, but as Joanna considered it, she pointed out a significant flaw in that plan.

Chapter 117: Chapter 117 – Joan, where are you?

Knowing Alex grew up in luxury, Joan feared him catching a cold from sleeping on the floor.

What should she tell Grandpa if something happened to him after the honeymoon?

They were responsible for each other and she had come to the understanding that this was the Kings way of making sure that she conceived before the end of their honeymoon.

However, since that was not going to be possible, the least they could do was to watch over or protect each other.

"It’s cold. Leaning on the table means no duvet for you. What if you catch a cold? There’s no way to call an ambulance, and you already disconnected the cameras so no one would know."

Her words struck a chord in Alex, helping him understand how affected he was by the installation of those cameras.

He began to realize that the cameras were meant for emergencies but should not have been planted everywhere, including the bathroom.

He should have left the one in front of the door to send information in case of an emergency.

"I guess you have a point, and I will be a gentleman," he promised. He wouldn’t take advantage of her, especially when she had been playing her part so well.

The two lay on the bed like statues, but Alex asked with concern, "Isn’t the towel uncomfortable? You can remove it. After all, we are covered by a duvet, and I can’t see anything."

He couldn’t directly address his discomfort and instead hinted at hers.

Joanna was slightly uncomfortable with the suggestion but knew it was the right thing to do, as she was not comfortable with the towel wrapped around her chest. In the middle of the night, she noticed Alex tossing and turning, disrupting her sleep.

If she hadn’t been sleeping close to the wall, she might have fallen off the bed. She was amazed at how Alex managed to move so much without falling. He seemed to quickly regain his balance each time.

"What’s keeping you from sleeping?" she asked. Alex couldn’t bring himself to say. It was too embarrassing to confide in a contract wife, but if it had been Aiden, things would have been different.

"It’s nothing. I’ll get used to it," he reassured her. Joanna didn’t believe him this time, wishing she could see his facial expressions in the dark.

She didn’t ask anymore, but as she tried to sleep, he kept tossing and turning, so she asked him again.

"Since we are stuck together, can you at least be honest with me, just in case something happens since we have no one?"

If he should die in his sleep from tossing, she should be able to give some form of explanation or hint to whomever would come to their rescue, right?

"It’s nothing. I’ve just never slept on the same bed with a woman who isn’t family before," Alex said truthfully, but it was still far from the real reason behind his constant tossing and turning.

Joanna’s thoughts ran wild. Alex did say he had a woman but just did not give her the details, so though she did not doubt him, she could not also believe him.

"Didn’t you say that you had a woman?"

Alex felt tricked into revealing something he never thought about revealing before but replied with a perfect explanation.

"I have a woman doesn’t mean I’ve slept with her." The understanding was clear. Alex was a decent man, and Joanna was happy about that, though she felt slightly jealous of the other woman.

Sometimes, she would wonder what if Alex never divorced her, but during moments like this, she always knew that Alex was a man of his word, and in five months, they would go their separate ways.

As painful as it was for her, she felt like she had broken the first rule. "Where is she now? Is she aware that this marriage is fake?" She asked, knowing she wasn’t ready for the answer but still insistent on it.

"Yes, she’s aware of everything," Alex’s voice turned cold as he recalled Dion’s mood the last time he spoke to her but knew that one day, she would understand his reasons for the choices he made.

Joanna was more sensitive than he thought, and each word she spoke stabbed his conscience.

He knew she would fall in love with him if he showed her his true self, like he was doing now, and yet he told her not to.

Still, she was the one who proposed the fake marriage, so in the end, he could not bring himself to feel any more guilt about it. I sense there’s more to this. It’s not just about having me in bed. You seem uncomfortable in that singlet," she pointed out, her eyes adjusting to the darkness, unable to appreciate the beauty of the room as before.

The atmosphere was peaceful, but it would have been better with some neighbors around and, of course, if they had some decent clothes as well.

Being honest with her wouldn’t hurt, so he decided to speak up. "Alright. I’m not used to sleeping with clothes on. Would you mind if I sleep naked?"

Joanna froze momentarily at the request, unable to accept it. "Hell no," she exclaimed. Alex laughed, not offended by her refusal. It would indeed feel odd for him to sleep naked beside her, even with the lights off.

Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her, expecting her to push him away, but she didn’t. It was comfortable that way, given the size of the bed.

Before they knew it, the sunrays were flashing through the windows. Alex checked the time and realized they had slept for close to thirteen hours, which was unusual for him.

He had never slept for so long in his life, not even when he was drunk. What was so special about Joanna that made him sleep so peacefully, just like when he ate her food?

His fingers reached out to the side of the bed, finding it empty and cold. "Joanna, where are you?" He panicked.

 

Chapter 118: Chapter 118 - Exactly What I Want

Alex didn’t hear any sound from the bathroom or the kitchen, so he went to check, but Joanna was nowhere to be found.

Those were the only likely places he perceived her to be but since she wasn’t, he checked the closet.

Joanna never liked it when she went it there because of the things kept there but at this time, Alex felt she could be anywhere including the places she didn’t like.

His panic grew when he noticed that the white shirt he had washed and airdried for her was missing, frantically calling out, "Joanna, where are you?" He was met with deafening silence.

Leaving the cabin, he heard the sound of water splashing in the distance.

A mix of emotions flooded through him as he wondered if someone had intruded on their space.

Following the sound of water, he spotted his white shirt hanging on a tree, explaining why he couldn’t find it in the bathroom where he left it, seeming likely that Joanna had worn it, as she wouldn’t have gone out in the lingerie from the night before.

"Joan, are you here?" Alex called out as he approached the water, which resembled a pool surrounded by vegetation.

There was no sign of anyone, and he debated whether to jump in or search elsewhere, especially since his shirt had mysteriously made its way out of the cabin.

As he was about to turn around, he caught sight of a figure approaching the water’s surface. "

Joan," he sighed in relief as Joanna emerged from the water, wiping droplets from her face with her hand.

"Alex," Joanna felt slightly embarrassed as she came out of the water, feeling exposed in her clinging lingerie due to the moisture.

Alex’s focus was not on her alluring body but on the relief of seeing her safe. He embraced her wet form tightly, expressing his concern, "Please don’t disappear like that again without letting me know. You scared me."

Joanna was touched by Alex’s caring nature, knowing he always looked out for her. She had her reasons for leaving the cabin without informing him, "I’m sorry. You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn’t want to disturb you."

"You should have," Alex responded seriously, pulling away to assess her well-being. The thought of anything happening to her filled him with dread.

Gently, he brushed strands of hair from her face and kissed her forehead for an extended time, causing Joanna to stiffen instantly.

His actions were innocent but stirred something within her, a feeling she couldn’t quite pinpoint or articulate.

Their intimate moments had always involved others being present, so being alone this time felt unfamiliar and strange. Sensing Joanna’s discomfort,

he quickly pulled away. "Alex, you’re overreacting," she said, trying to bring him back to reality and avoid escalating the situation unnecessarily but Alex was rather unremorseful.

"I understand, but please don’t do that again, okay?" His eyes reflected genuine worry as he gazed towards the water, wanting to keep her safe in the cabin.

"Fine, next time I feel like swimming, I’ll make sure to wake you up, even if you’re sound asleep," Joanna teased, but Alex took her words seriously, leaving her to question his sense of humor.

"That’s exactly what I want," he replied earnestly.

Recalling something, Alex walked to where he saw his shirt, picked and covered Joanna’s shoulders with it.

His actions made herself conscious but then, it wasn’t her fault that they didn’t have descent clothes to wear.

Upon reaching the cabin and opening it, they were surprised to find a new set of groceries along with a bottle of red wine.

Alex had forgotten to lock the door while searching for Joanna, allowing whoever was responsible for their supplies to enter at the opportune moment.

Joanna panicked, questioning, "How is this possible? Is someone watching us?" However, Alex remained calm and assured her that the person who brought the groceries meant no harm.

"It only means that should there be an emergency, there would be someone to take care of us."

Alex appreciated the arrangement, especially since they might stay for at least a week. The variety of groceries provided would sustain them throughout their stay.

Despite this, Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that the camel rider was the mysterious person who delivered the groceries, and was curious to confirm it.

The hot air balloon pilot could also be a candidate, but the Kings could consider anyone for the role.

Joanna immediately relaxed upon hearing the explanation. She was grateful that they were not completely overlooked, and her heart was filled with gratitude for the thoughtfulness of Alex’s extended family.

Alex poured two glasses of wine for them both. They hadn’t had a chance to celebrate the previous night as he deemed it unnecessary, but this time they had a genuine reason to celebrate - finding Joanna safe and sound in the water.

"Let’s at least celebrate this moment. Things will get busy once we leave here." Alex knew there would be a lot to catch up on after leaving everything in the hands of Edmund, Dario, and Aiden.

There would be lengthy reports awaiting his approval, as some matters required his personal attention. While he had worked on most of them before embarking on this journey, he anticipated more to come.

Joanna, who may have not appreciated it before, was becoming accustomed to Alex’s presence, and the thought of returning felt like losing something precious.

They would sleep in separate rooms and no longer be as close. Would Alex revert to his usual cold demeanor towards her, or would he continue to treat her with the same warmth after their return? Joanna accepted the glass and took a sip, then another, and another.

Not accustomed to heavy drinking and unsure of her limits, she quickly became tipsy. Wanting to hide her light drinking habits from Alex, she deflected by asking about breakfast plans.

"What do you have in mind for breakfast?" she inquired as Alex pondered. While he thought about their meal, Joanna began unpacking the groceries, accidentally dropping something from the bag.

"What is this?" Alex’s expression darkened.

Chapter 119: Chapter 119 – These Wines are Special

"It looks like a piece of paper," Joanna observed, hesitant to touch it. After all, she had experienced within these few days as Alex’s wife, she could not trust the King family organizers of the honeymoon and had to handle everything with caution.

Alex picked up the paper, but it appeared blank. He couldn’t believe someone would send them a blank sheet, so he stood on a chair and held it up to the light to reveal a coded message.

The message read: ’The news of your wedding is all over the media, and all invitations for the handover ceremony have been confirmed. Logan is spreading rumors that he suspects you are Salvador. Be prepared.’

After reading it, Alex crumpled the paper in his hand, understanding it was a warning from his grandfather. It seemed challenges were awaiting them, but Alex was ready.

"What did it say?" Joanna asked curiously, a yawn escaping her.

Alex remained silent, simply saying, "Don’t worry about it." He was about to shred the paper, but upon turning it around, he noticed another writing on the back of it. It read, ’These wines are special. Trust me, it will put you in the mood.’

As Alex compared the two sets of handwriting, the second one appeared to be imitating the first. He suddenly stood up, went to the toilet, and checked the contents there. Joanna was intelligent, so what if she connected the dots?

After deducing that one note contained two different messages from two different people, he shredded and flashed the note down the toilet.

When he came out, he noticed Joan staring seductively at him and pointed out. "You seem drunk. Joanna slurred, "and you’re quite handsome."

He was surprised that this unexpected temptation came from someone like her. "I’m not drunk, just stating a fact," she slurred again as Alex sat in the chair beside hers.

"I think you should rest. I’ll handle a snack until you wake up," he suggested, but Joanna shook her head, staring at him oddly as she got up.

"Do you know that something stirred inside me the moment I laid eyes on you?" She slurred, taking a step and losing her balance. She fell into Alex’s safe arms, wrapping her hands around his neck.

"Kiss me," she whispered, moving closer to him. Alex felt a strange sensation as the drunk girl tried to seduce him, but he knew he would never cross that line.

It was against their agreement. A deep kiss was the limit, and he was determined not to complicate their relationship.

"You’re drunk," he said as he lifted her and carried her to the bed. Despite being dropped onto the bed, she clung tightly to his neck.

"Why can’t you love me? We could be happy together. I can make you happy," she pleaded. Alex felt a pang of sadness. He knew her words were coming from her true feelings, hidden in her subconscious.

"Stop talking nonsense. The alcohol will wear off soon, and everything will be fine," he reassured her, but she continued to hold on to him.

"I’m not drunk, and you’re even sexier when you act cold," she said, her fingers tracing his abs and moving lower.

Before she could go any further, he caught her hand. "You are breaking the rules," he said sternly, removing her other hand, which was still holding his neck, and joining it to the one in his hand before pressing her firmly onto the bed and covering her with a duvet.

"I love you, Alex," Joanna said. Alex mumbled, "You aren’t supposed to fall in love with me. You would be hurt in the end."

He watched as she slept peacefully, finding comfort in the thought that they would see less of each other after they returned. This way, whatever she felt for him would fade.

Alex felt uneasy as he gazed at Joanna’s sleeping form. Something didn’t feel right as he remembered the second part of the note: ’These wines are special. Trust me, it will put you in the mood.’

It occurred to him that the new wines might have been specially designed to enhance their libido. Realizing that staying to watch Joanna sleep might lead to actions he would regret, he decided to go for a swim.

He didn’t know how long it took, but when he returned, he emptied the remaining wine into the sink before stepping into the shower.

The water was pleasantly warm, fueling his desire as he soaked in it until the cold shower tingled on his skin.

It felt so invigorating that he lingered under the stream for a while. Suddenly, the bathroom door slid open, and Joanna walked in.

Despite knowing the effects of the special wine were still lingering in her system, he scolded her, "You’re not supposed to be here."

Joanna simply smiled and wordlessly removed her transparent lingerie. Alex was momentarily stunned but quickly composed himself, averting his gaze.

As she approached him, he gently guided her into the shower and closed the door behind her.

"Alex, open the door," Joanna yelled from inside. Alex, with wet hair, was dressing in front of the translucent door as he responded, "You wanted to shower, so do it before you come out."

"Really?" Joanna asked, sounding confused. Alex felt sorry for her. "Yeah, I think you had too much wine and barged in when I was bathing."

Silence filled the shower room, and the next thing he heard were sniffs. Through the glass, he saw her sitting on the floor, sniffing.

"Alex, what’s going on? Why did I behave like that?"

It was evident to him that whatever was in the wine was wearing off, as Joanna sounded more like herself.

"Don’t worry. You just drank too much and even said that you loved me. Is it true?"

He didn’t know what answer to expect but wasn’t prepared for any at all. The next thing he knew, laughter echoed from inside the shower room.

Chapter 120: Chapter 120 – Goodnight, my Angel

Alex was perplexed by the changes in Joanna’s behavior. One moment she was one way, and the next she was different.

"Why are you laughing?" Alex inquired.

"Because it’s in the script. Rule number one," Joanna replied from the shower room, indirectly reminding him of why she can’t fall in love with him.

Alex felt a pang of sadness. It was the right response, but it stung coming from her.

Joanna, a strong woman, believed that even though her subconscious mind revealed her feelings, she could control them in her conscious mind.

"Okay, I was worried you might break the rule, but since you didn’t, we have nothing to worry about," Alex said nonchalantly, but Joanna remained silent.

Alex didn’t press for an explanation and went to dry his hair. In the shower room, Joanna stood up from the floor as she heard the bathroom door close, letting the shower mask her tears.

Why did her heart ache for him so intensely when her mind warned her to keep her distance?

As the sun began to set, Joanna prepared a meal for both of them. Despite Alex’s presence and his help around the cabin after cleaning, their communication was minimal.

After Alex tasted the food, he exclaimed, "This is delicious, Joan. I really love it."

"I’m glad you do," Joan replied.

As days passed, they both struggled to suppress the growing affection between them during their eccentric honeymoon.

Despite this, they managed to maintain their routines until the days came to an end.

"Are you sure it’s only going to be a week? I’m starting to miss home," Joanna confessed as she lay in bed next to Alex. By this point, she was no longer shy about him seeing her in lingerie, as it had become a regular occurrence.

She also didn’t shy away from admiring his sexy abs and six-pack, which only fueled the attraction between them.

They had made a conscious decision to let their minds lead the way and not let their hearts dictate their actions to avoid any complications.

"Are you already bored of me?" Alex asked, a hint of irritation in his tone. Joanna chuckled and replied, "What if I am?"

She turned to face him daringly, adding, "It’s not like anything could happen between us. In five months, all of this will be over," her words pierced Alex’s heart, and he struggled to contain his emotions.

"I’m glad you understand the rules, but I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I had accepted your offer to seduce me," he teased. Joanna frowned slightly, unable to recall the conversation.

"No, I didn’t," she denied, unable to remember. However, she recalled seeing the empty wine bottles in the trash.

"Did you finish all the special wine?" she inquired, and Alex smirked. "You still remember that?"

Joanna had a nagging feeling about the wine but chose not to dwell on it.

"Goodnight, Alex," she said subtly, to which he replied, "Goodnight, my Angel."

Joanna tensed at the endearment, turning to him. "What did you call me?" Alex did not deny it, turning to face the ceiling. "

You appeared when I needed you the most and played your part well in the end. I promise to keep every promise I made to you."

With the atmosphere calm, Joanna took the opportunity to ask him, "Can I ask you a question?"

Alex smiled at her. "Anything for you, except if it’s about the woman in my life."

Every time she mentioned it, he felt crippled and wished he hadn’t told her. Looking back, he would have to spend some days with Dion to address the woman she had been pestering him about.

Alex knew he would never find another woman like Joanna, but a promise was a promise.

"Do you have feelings for me?" Joanna asked. Alex swallowed tightly, realizing that discussions about their emotions could also cripple him, not just questions about Dion’s savior.

He turned to face Joanna, asking, "Are you sure you want an answer to that question?"

His words caused Joanna’s heart rate to increase, sensing there was more to his response. Despite this, she was determined to hear his feelings.

"I would appreciate it if you could tell me how you feel about me, but rest assured, I will honor the contract regardless."

Her words seemed to satisfy him, and instead of answering her question, Alex turned off the light, disappointing Joanna. "I guess you’re not going to tell me," she remarked.

Suddenly, warm lips met hers, sending a shock through her heart. Alex’s muscular body pressed against her slender frame, his warmth more comforting than the duvet.

It took a moment for Joanna to respond to his kisses, his fingers exploring every inch of her partially exposed body. Joan moaned as he kissed her chin and sucked her neck, leaving hickeys.

Joanna’s moans intensified as Alex’s fingers caressed her thighs. Just as she was about to open them, a realization hit her.

Despite being married, Alex never acknowledged his feelings for her. Moreover, sex was not part of their arrangement, especially since Alex was involved with another woman.

"Alex, please stop," Joanna finally regained her senses and spoke up. Alex immediately halted, his erection pressing against her thighs. The hardness of it startled her.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep," Alex apologized, but Joanna felt hurt. "Please excuse me."

She got up from the bed and hurried to the bathroom, allowing her tears to flow freely.

Behind the closed door, Alex tried to apologize, promising not to lose control again, but his words only added to her pain. Joanna washed her face with warm water before opening the door and accidentally bumping into Alex.

He placed his hands on her shoulders and asked, "Joan, please tell me you’ve forgiven me."

Seeing his concern, Joanna mustered a smile and reassured him, "Alex, you did nothing wrong. Let’s just go to sleep."

Despite her attempt to comfort him, Alex noticed her puffy eyes, indicating that something was amiss. They still fell asleep in each other’s embrace, but their rest was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Joanna asked anxiously, prompting Alex to investigate. "Don’t worry, I’ll check," he assured her.