11. Experiment

Ariana struck the man's hand hard enough that her own hand hurt afterward. "What are you doing?!" the man asked in a drowsy voice. Ariana turned over, her head turning to the right to look at the face of the stranger who was now her husband.

"I should be asking you. What are you doing?!" she retorted sharply, accusingly. "Didn't you say last night that you would take me home?"

Instead of answering, the man slid closer and nestled his head against Ariana's neck, wrapping his arms around her waist and entwining his legs tightly. He didn't seem bothered at all.

"I did take you home, dear. I brought you to bed, and I even kindly took off your clothes. What's wrong?" he said with a muffled voice against the curve of Ariana's neck. Ariana shuddered at his breath.

"But why bring me here? Why not take me to the apartment?" Ariana now spoke softly.

"Because your home is here. Where your husband is," he replied curtly.

"Don't forget that I married you as a stand-in for Karenina," Ariana r