Chapter 69 - His Trap
Adeline could not look away from him. His eyes were narrowed, sharp, cold, and livid. There was no warmth, no humor, no amus.e.m.e.nt. He was truly furious. One wrong word could tip him off. For once, she felt like an enemy, a horrible person. But he was the one who had pulled up her dress without warnings. Why did he do that?
"Tell me," he growled in a deep voice.
The hair on her nape and arms stood up, as goosebumps speckled through her skin. A shiver shot down her spine. She had never heard him address her like this, in a venomous voice that made her tremble.
"T-the t-the—"
"Breathe."
Adeline's breath was caught in her throat. How could she dare to breathe in a situation like this? He had a murderous glint on his refined features. He was devastatingly beautiful.
"M-M—"
"Breathe." This time, it was an undefiant command. He was not going to take a no for an answer.
His jaw was slack. The usual rigid lines were ticking with fury. She felt the mattress being bunched by his long, calloused fingers. Through the corner of her eyes, she saw his fist, right beside her neck.
Adeline forced herself to suck in a breath of air. Then she released it through her nose. His pressing glare forced her to repeat the action. Again and again—until her mind was no longer foggy and her tongue was no longer shaking.
"Viscount Marden, my uncle…" she said in an incoherent voice.
Adeline might've not stuttered, but her tone was barely above a whisper. From his proximity, he heard her perfectly.
Elias's face instantly froze over. His infuriated features softened to a cold aloofness. The fire in his glare died down, turning into stinging ice. The silence was so loud, she could hear a feather fall. Without warning, he rose from his position and sat upon the edge of the bed, back turned to her.
Adeline shakily sat up, a hand pressed to her c.h.e.s.t. She felt like she had just finished the hardest examination of her life. Her heart could not stop racing. Her mouth was dry. She warily watched his silhouette.
Even his figure was handsome. He was dressed in his usual professional attire, a black suit, with a black-tie, and another black button-up. It wasn't hard to figure out what his favorite color was. Even though the tailored suit, she saw his flawless body. Rigid and hard, his body looked like it was carved from stone.
When his shoulders began to shake, her heart plummeted to her stomach. Was he upset?
"Elias…" Adeline had subconsciously shifted closer to him. She didn't realize it until the tip of her fingers graced his shoulders. For some reason, she was always drawn to him.
He was a flame that'd burn her to ashes, and she'd gladly let him do it.
"Are you angry with me?" Adeline asked in a sullen voice. She rested her face upon his large, reliable shoulders. She felt like a fool. She was practically walking on eggshells, yet didn't hesitate to comfort her tormentor.
"Why are you so kind?" he angrily breathed out.
Elias let out a loud exhale through his nose. It heightened her senses, as she placed more weight upon his shoulders.
"Worry about yourself first," he harshly said.
Adeline pressed her lips together. That was not what her mother taught her. Her mother used to say "surround yourself with happy people, and you will be happy."
"You're crazy, my sweet," Elias added on. There was a softened edge to his tone, almost as if he was apologetic for his actions.
"How can you hug me after I treated you so roughly?" he quietly demanded.
Adeline found herself wondering the same thing. She didn't respond. Not wanting to just talk to his back, she reached her hand out to grab his.
Surprisingly, he let her do so, her thumb brushing his rough, scarred knuckles. She realized his hands were always rough and calloused as if he was consistently using them.
"You're the type to go back to your abuser even after getting hit."
Adeline stiffened.
Elias finally turned around. It was without warning, and she fell forward in surprise. But he caught her. He always would.
"How can you be so naive, my darling Adeline?" Elias murmured whilst cupping her face. He brought her closer to him until she was practically sitting in his l.a.p again.
Adeline didn't realize how correct his statement was. She had always felt that way but didn't understand the depth of her emotions. Asher had mentioned something similar… even with the Marden family's treatment, she still wanted to see them.
No matter how many times they hurt her, her heart still beats for them. But things were beginning to change.
"And I just did the same thing to you," Elias said with great disappointment in his voice.
Adeline was confused by the pained look on his expression. Guilt was written all over his features. His brows were taunt, his lips drawn into a straight line. His masculine scent surrounded her, tickling her senses.
"The next time I get angry, you must not come to me willing. Not until I admit my wrongdoings," Elias warned her.
Adeline's eyes flickered to his mouth. He was just a hair away, but he wasn't even focused upon that.
"Do you understand, Adeline?"
Adeline wasn't a child. She knew what he meant. "Of course," she softly said.
Elias let out a small sigh of relief. Then, without warning, he brought their bodies even closer.
Adeline was on her knees now, her body in between his t.h.i.g.hs. He hooked one arm under her backside, and for once, she was taller than him. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders, touching his body.
"You will never see the Mardens."
Adeline's voice was caught in her throat. His words terrified her poor heart that threw a loud tantrum, beating like a drum in her ears. Her logical brain instantly accepted his words without an argument. Her mind and heart were at war.
"There's something I have to deal with."
"Adeline," Elias sighed.
Adeline's heart skipped. He said her name like a man before a shrine. She peered down at his worried face. His features had softened, but he still had lines on his forehead, and his mouth was pursued.
Elias had the face that painters would kill to draw. Sculptors would go crazy just to create a statute of him. He was so breathtaking handsome, she couldn't even breathe.
"My sweet Adeline," Elias gently murmured in a lowered, sultry voice.
Adeline's stomach fluttered. Suddenly, she felt two pulses, one at the top, and one at the bottom. She didn't even know this was possible. Her eyes widened when he reached a hand up and cupped the left side of her face. On cue, she leaned into his touch, his gaze going tender with the reaction.
Adeline saw her reflection in his sharp, clear eyes. She was being seduced by him. Despite this awareness, she let herself fall deeper into the trap.
"You must obey this command," Elias said with a voice that dripped with sweetness like honey.
"I'm not a pet that heeds orders," Adeline finally responded.
Elias's lips twitched with amus.e.m.e.nt. He turned his head and kissed her upon the palm. "Then, please listen to my suggestion."
It was the first time he said please. He had never begged her to do anything. She was always at his mercy. This rare moment blinded her. She couldn't contain herself as she smiled a bit.
"Alright, I will follow your suggestions," she said.
Elias carefully studied her.
If this was a fever dream, he never wanted to wake up.
If he could stay in this paradise forever, he'd do so.
She was so close to him, all he had to do was lift his head and capture her lips. Soft as they were, like petals after dripping rain. Her skin was smooth and creamy, begging his hand to run over it. Her naive little smile did wonders to his hardening friend.
"Good," Elias quietly said. His eyes flickered to her lips, and back to her expecting stare.
Elias leaned forward. He could hear her heart race, her breath hitching. His long, fingers c.a.r.e.s.sed her chin, bringing her face towards him. His other hand slipped under her dress, her legs shaking when he explored her soft skin.
"Elias," she murmured, just as her eyes fluttered shut.
"Hush, my sweet, I know."
Elias's hand continued moving upwards until he tightly gripped her mid-t.h.i.g.h. She let out a quiet whimper when his thumb brushed upon the s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e spot of her inner t.h.i.g.h. Just a little bit more, and his thumb would touch a soaked spot.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders. Her breathing became a bit labored, as he rubbed circles upon her inner-t.h.i.g.h.
"W-what are you doing to me?" Adeline asked in a soft gasp.
Elias brought his lips closer to hers. Her hand touched the side of his neck, her hair tickling his face. He was going insane from her scent. She was so sweet, and he wanted to taste her nectar once more. He'd give everything in the world to have her in his mouth.
"Please," she g.r.o.a.n.e.d, just as his thumb briefly touched her u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r.
Elias's gaze darkened. It took everything within him to not push her against the bed, and have his way. He had never felt this type of desperation before. For a split second, a primal instinct surged from within. He nearly yanked off her dress and ripped off her u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r.
"And that Asher boy," Elias suddenly said.
"W-what?"
Elias kissed her jaw, his lips nibbling at the soft skin. She buckled towards him, her eyes closed sensually.
"You won't see him as well."
At this, Adeline's eyes snapped open. But it was too late for her to run. Before she could protest, he kissed the corner of her mouth.
"Just one more suggestion," Elias murmured.
Adeline shifted her h.i.p.s, attempting to pull away. She yelped when his hand clutched her womanhood, her knees instantly giving out. She regretted it, for he pressed a finger upon her moistened area. She bit her bottom lip to suppress a m.o.a.n. Memories of that night came flooding back. Her seduction, her pleas for him to continue, the raw hunger she felt.
"Once more and that's it."
Adeline wasn't thinking properly. What the hell was he doing to her? She quickly scrambled out of his l.a.p. But he worked smoothly. He followed after her, until her back was pressed upon the mattress.
Adeline was suddenly aware of her position. By now, she was a lamb in the jaws of a tiger. She had fallen into his trap.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel