4: The F

heir unspoken conflict. She had tried to push him away, tried to convince herself that she could keep him at arm's leng

couldn'

the feeling of his fingers on her skin. She couldn't even get the image of his smirk out o

The silence of the mansion pressed down on her like a weight, but she knew that si

clock on the wall. It

or startled her, and h

ed out from the other

ng around her waist. She did

itant, but she quickly recov

responded, his voice smoot

. It wasn't a reque

e side of the bed and stood, her movements slow but deliberate. She approac

he moonlight that streamed through the large windows behind him. He was dressed in a black shirt that cl

e asked, her voice sharp, though she coul

adable. "I don't need to announce myself t

ver her chest. "What is it you want, then

dancing across his features, but there w

ce low, almost dangerous. "I came because you need to understand yo

ped, though her voice shook sl

overpowering, his presence overwhelming. He could've pushed her against the doo

soft yet filled with an edge. "But you will learn to respec

e upward. Eliana froze, her breath caught in her throat. She could feel the heat radia

oice stronger now, though her heart

s brushing against her ear. "You're not in contro

Every word he said twisted in her

e name-held her in place. The way he spoke to her, the way he touched her, it was like he knew exactly how to ge

The coldness that had always defined him was gone,

voice dangerously soft. "But the truth is, you c

ides, her nails digging into her p

confidence that made her blood boil. "But I'm not here

bled, her heart still racing in her chest. The room felt su

nsity that sent a chill through her. "You have one hour," he said, h

d away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway

-

ho

e ticking seemed louder now, like th

esson"? Was it some cruel form of puni

rous. More dangerous than she had first realized. She had thought she could h

ntense it got, she wouldn't give him the sa

lack pants-and changed quickly, barely glancing at her reflection in the mirror. It didn

y, each one echoing in the quiet hallway. T

pen. The study was dimly lit, the only light coming from a few sc

round, his voice a mix of amusement a

I wanted to," she said coldly. "I came because

e low light. "Choice is a luxury, Eliana," he said softly,

oth anger and something else she couldn't

ent," he said, his tone dr

at this would be part of it. But hearing him

puppet, Desm

closer until she could feel the heat radiatin

ce, sending a shiver down her spine. "You've already st

ed away and walked to the desk, p

t her to refuse, to turn around and

sank into it, the weight of the sit

with intent. "We have much to discuss. But

bove a whisper, betraying the uncerta

rangely soft. "I'm here to teach you your place. To show

er heart racing. But sh

e yours," she

but it didn't reach his eyes. "We'll