It’s hot, thick, and absolute. I watch, breathlessly, as she swallows all of it.
I’m completely taken aback. My mind blanks, every tactical thought dissolving. The depth of her willingness to obey, to devour the evidence of my claim, is a terrifying, total victory. She has given me everything.
Chapter 19 – Elara
I wake to gentle kisses on my forehead. My eyes flutter open, surprised to see Roman still in bed beside me, his gaze fixed on me, full of something I can’t quite name—something soft and dangerous all at once.
“Good morning,” he says, his voice low and warm. I feel my cheeks heat up and hide a small blush.
“Good morning,” I murmur back, trying to act casual though my heart skips.
“You should shower and get ready,” he tells me, eyes still on mine.
I frown. “Why? I’m not in the mood for anything right now.”
He just nods, calm as ever. “Then I guess I’ll have to call Sasha and Vivian and tell them to go back.”
“What?” I freeze. “Vivian is in New York?” I blurt, practically falling off the bed in excitement.
“Yes,” he says, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I arranged for her to come with Sasha so you can go out and enjoy yourself.”
A rush of happiness swells through me. I can’t help but grin.
“But,” he adds, eyes sharpening slightly, “you must go with your guards.”
I lean over and press a quick kiss to his cheek, my heart racing, before dashing into the bathroom, eager for the day ahead.
I barely close the bathroom door behind me before I start humming quietly to myself. Excitement and nerves twist together in my stomach. Vivian in New York, Sasha by my side, and Roman letting me go…well, letting me go with guards. I canalmost hear him hovering just outside the door, making sure I don’t try anything reckless.
By the time I leave the bathroom, he’s still lying in bed, his dark eyes watching me like a predator sizing up his territory. I feel self-conscious in my robe as I head toward the closet, trying not to let my nerves show.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” I ask, trying to mask the flutter in my voice.
“I’d rather watch you dress up,” he replies, voice low and deliberate.
I hide another blush, fumbling with my clothes. My fingers tremble slightly as I slip into a black dress that clings and whispers over my skin, elegant but bold. By the time I choose my shoes, there’s a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I say.
Luka steps in. “Sasha and Vivian are in the foyer,” he says.
I barely contain my excitement and race toward the door, my heels clicking against the floor.
Roman clears his throat behind me, and I freeze. My back stiffens as I turn to face him. His eyes darken, and he frowns. “No goodbye kiss?”
I roll my eyes, cheeks heating, and step closer. Pressing my lips briefly to his, I let the kiss linger just long enough to feel the pull between us.
When I pull away, he rises from the bed, his movement fluid and commanding, and follows me down the hall. By the time we reach the foyer, the soft murmur of conversation stops as Sasha and Vivian see us. Their faces light up, and I rush forward, embracing them.
Roman hangs back slightly, his gaze still on me. There’s that familiar tension, the kind that makes my heart race. Sasha and Vivian chatter excitedly, catching me up on the plan for the day, but I can feel Roman’s presence like a shadow behind me.
As I move toward the door with the girls, I hear him give a quiet order to the guards:Eyes on her at all times.His voice is calm, but the threat in it makes the hair on my arms rise.If anything happens to her, I’ll take your lives.
Sasha and Vivian climb into the backseat of the waiting car, chatting and laughing, their energy infectious. I am about to follow when I feel Roman’s hand slip over mine. The touch is deliberate, strong, claiming. He pulls me close and presses his lips to mine in a quick, sharp kiss, the intensity of it making my knees weak.
“Behave,” he murmurs against my lips, and I catch the low edge of warning threaded through the word. Then he releases me.
I step into the car, sliding into the leather seat, trying to focus on the girls’ conversation. But my pulse won’t settle. My mind can’t stop replaying that kiss, the weight of his hand, the fire in his eyes.
