The son of a bitch had the effrontery to tell me to my face that he was going to make sure my little one warmed Rocco’s bed.
His promise to put me in a coffin didn’t trigger the monster in me as much as the way he spoke about Celine like she was a worthless piece of shit.
He got what he deserved.
Her soft voice, laced with urgency, still echoed at the back of my mind:“Artur!”
After the shot that silenced the entire building, only the two of us were left standing. Celine must’ve recognized him because she apologized for what happened.
Her voice cracked when she spoke, and she couldn’t even look me in the eyes. She knew she had messed up when she stood up for him. And now, the same man was behind the disaster.
Celine was overwhelmed by guilt, and the tears streaming down her cheeks told me she was already blaming herself.
Perhaps I was too hard on her by walking away when she needed comfort the most. I tried to justify my actions by telling myself I didn’t yell at her, despite my anger. However, the stern glare I cast on her was enough to crush her spirit.
Inmydefense, I was mad at myself because if there was anyone to blame for this whole thing, it was me. I should’ve been more prepared, especially after my encounter with Rocco at the club.
The next morning, after the cleanup, I doubled the security around the mansion. Things were starting to fall back into place, but I could still sense unease among my domestic staff.
It was expected. They needed some more time to adjust.
I figured it was time to check on Celine because we were both calmer now. I walked down the hallway and headed straight to her room. Without knocking, I grabbed the door handle and pushed it open.
“Jesus Christ!” she yelped, her hands flying up to her chest. “Can’t you knock?”
My brows arched at the sight before me.
She was naked.
Stark naked.
Her damp curls and the faint steam swirling around her skin hinted that she’d stepped out of the shower. She crossed her arms in an attempt to hide her breasts while her knees knocked together, concealing her tunnel.
“Sorry,” I murmured, my eyes dropping to the floor after taking a mental picture of her.
It was a subconscious act. Not deliberate. And now, I couldn’t unsee what I’d just seen. For some reason, I lingered a bit longer than I should, but she didn’t yell again.
When I glanced up at her, I noticed she was somewhat relaxed, as though she was grateful I was the one who walked in. Not someone else. I met her eyes in a split second, and my heart melted like fuckin’ ice cream.
She didn’t lower her hands, didn’t part her legs, but she also didn’t send me away. She just stood there, holding my gaze. It took everything in me to get a hold of myself and break the spell cast on me.
I scratched the back of my head, clearing my throat. “I’ll uh…I’ll come back later.” With that, I stepped out and closed the door behind me.
My heart was hammering in my chest as I recalled the curve of her breasts and the smoothness of her skin. That sight was imprinted on my mind like a tattoo that wouldn’t come off. I didn’t want it to anyway.
All day, her fresh, alluring legs, shaved pussy, and killer body occupied my head, distracting me from work. I told her that I would come back later, but I didn’t. Instead, I locked myself in my study, hoping to go find her after regaining control over my own thoughts.
That sight had awakened something dangerous in me, something primal. And even though I’d never force myself on her, I still stayed away so she wouldn’t see how much I wanted her.
After hours of wrestling with my lust and sexual desires, I emerged triumphant. I was ready to meet her again. This time, in total control of the situation.
She wasn’t in her room, but according to one of the maids, she was up on the flat rooftop. I used the steps, not the elevator, yet it only took a short while to get to her.
When I arrived, I spotted her across the way, hands resting on the waist-high concrete parapet that ran along the edge of the roof. It was late in the evening, and the sun was dipping behind the horizon.
Its yellow glow draped over everything it touched as a gentle breeze teased the hem of her nightgown.
With one hand in my pocket, I walked over to her, my footsteps soundless against the floor. She sensed my presence but didn’t turn back to look at me.