“Do you have feelings for me?”
The question cut deep, reopening the wound from last night. She had slapped a bandage on it to face him, and here was, mercilessly ripping off the fragile bandage.
Luke wet his lips, his expression grace. Aurelia didn’t know which was worse, was it the expression on his face or the coldness in his tone? She didn’t want to remember that he despised the thought of her. She didn’t want him to say it openly, to reject her officially.
But was she hoping for? Aurelia knew the complication of her feelings, she knew it would break the final thread that held them together. Yet her heart ached.
Her despair was determined from the moment he came into her life, like a rippling tornado, fast and powerful, shattering the beliefs she’d believed in and leaving just as quickly as it came.
She hasn’t forgotten how he’d acted throughout the week. While she yearned for him, even after their fallout, he ignored her like the plague. Aurelia wanted to laugh at her foolish, but instead, a dry chuckle slipped past her lips
“Why do you ask?” An actor she was, holding a small smile as she brought her cup to her lips. “Do you think I would fall for the likes of you?”
Luke’s lips twitched. He hadn’t known what to expect, but her answer annoyed him. The likes of him? Was that it? Or did his annoyance stem from something else?
“Good.” He nodded, “It would be a shame if you misunderstood.”
“Misunderstood what?” Aurelia jabbed. “I’m well aware of the fact that you only see me as a sex toy.”
Annoyance slipped into her tone, her chest burning.
It was a mistake on her part, and now he looked as if he’d caught on to her facade.
Luke regarded her in silence. His smirk came slow, taunting her. “It’s good you know your place, so why do you constantly challenge me?”
Aurelia bit her tongue, her gaze sharpening like a fine sword. “Well Mr. CEO, in case you’ve forgotten, I’m human and have a mind of my own. Not just a toy for you to order around.” She was more than annoyed now.
Aurelia never liked his arrogance, it was a trait that seemed to be ingrained in his soul, a part of him that was evident in the way he picked his cutlery and poured his drink.
“You don’t hate when I order you in bed though” Luke angled his to the side, his amusement dancing in his mismatched pupils.
Aurelia’s whirled back as if she’d been slapped “That’s-”
“I tell you to spread your legs and you do just that.” He cut her off, leaning forward.
“When I tell you to open your mouth and suck my dick….”
Luke trailed off as he rose from his seat, rounding the table to stand behind her. His steps were slow yet deliberate, like a predator on prey.
Aurelia sat still, saying nothing as his body cast a dark shadow on her form. She gulped her spit, and her brows pinched together as she kept her gaze on her plate.
Luke’s hands slid onto her shoulders, his fingers curling gently around her neck. Aurelia gulped her spit as he leaned in, his warm breath caressing the shell of her ear, littering her skin with goosebumps.
“… You do so without batting an eye,” Luke concluded, his lips trailing the fine line of her neck. He brushed his nose over her hair and sniffed, feeling himself harden at her sweet scent.
Aurelia took a deep shaky breath. “I did all of that because you left me with no other choice.” She fired back, “You forced me into the contact and-”
“Forced you?” Luke laughed, sweeping her hair to the side.
“I only did so because you were too damned stubborn to admit that you want me.”
Aurelia’s eyes widened as Luke’s words sent a shiver down her spine. She tried to shake off the feeling, but it was too late. Luke’s hands slid down her arms, his fingers intertwining with hers.
“You’re right,” Luke whispered, his breath hot against her ear. “I did force you into the contract. But it was all worth it, wasn’t it?”
Aurelia’s heart raced, she tried to pull her hands away, but Luke held them firm.
“Let me go,” she hissed, trying to keep her voice steady.
Luke chuckled, his lips grazing the shell of her ear. “I don’t think so,” he whispered. “You see, Aurelia, I’ve come to realize that I want more from you. More than just your body. More than just your obedience.”
Aurelia’s eyes snapped to his, her heart pounding in her chest. “What do you want?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Luke’s smile was slow, calculated. “I want you to be mine,” he said, his voice dripping with possessiveness. “Completely. Utterly. Forever.”
Aurelia jerked out of Luke’s grip, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and passion. She stood to her feet, her movements swift and deliberate.
Luke’s eyes widened in surprise as Aurelia grabbed him by the collar, her fingers digging deep into the fabric. She pulled him close, her lips crashing against his in a fierce, possessive kiss.
Luke’s initial shock gave way to surprise, and then to a hunger that matched Aurelia’s. He wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss as they stood there, lost in the moment.
But Aurelia pulled back, her chest heaving with emotion. She looked up at Luke, her eyes shining with tears.
“I love you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Luke’s expression froze, his eyes wide with shock. He looked like he’d been punched in the gut, his face pale and stunned.
Aurelia’s smile was fierce, triumphant. “And since I’ve confessed my feelings,” she said, her voice steady, “the contract between us is officially off.”
Luke’s eyes snapped back to life, his face darkening with anger. “What?” he growled, his voice low and menacing.
But Aurelia just smiled, her eyes sparkling with defiance. “You heard me,” she said, her voice dripping with confidence. “I’m free.”