Ryan’s Pov
As soon as I walked in and saw Craig forcing himself on Aurora, I completely lost my temper. How dare he? Who did he think he was?
For a moment, I almost revealed my true nature. My instincts were clawing their way to the surface, but years of practice kept me in control. Barely. However, I knew Aurora saw something, her wide eyes told me she noticed the glow in mine. But I masked it quickly.
When she touched me while I was teaching Craig a lesson, her small hand trembling against my arm, I felt something shift inside me. The rage simmered, not entirely gone, but contained. Her touch grounded me in a way nothing else ever had.
Still, I had to make it clear to everyone.
Aurora was mine. No one else could even think about her. I made sure they all heard me, loud and clear.
She was mine and mine alone.
When I declared it, I felt her gaze on me. She must have been shocked, but I didn’t care. I had to protect her. I would always protect her.
I canceled the partnership with Craig’s company on the spot. I didn’t even let him or anyone else argue. “There will be no further discussions,” I announced coldly. “This is final.”
When I mean final, I mean no more meetings, no nothing. I’ll spend time with Aurora and we will go back. I couldn’t be careless anymore with her.
Turning to Aurora, I saw the tears streaming down her face. She hadn’t said a word, too shaken to speak. It broke something inside me to see her like that. I took her hand firmly, guiding her out of the building.
Outside, I opened the car door for her and gently helped her in. I walked around to the driver’s seat, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. I drove as fast as I could, desperate to get her somewhere safe.
Craig. That name burned in my mind. I wasn’t done with him yet.
He would pay.
When we reached the suite building, I glanced at Aurora. She was staring at me, her eyes searching, as if looking for something solid to hold on to. I gave her the warmest smile I could muster, which was very rare for me, but she needed it.
I stepped out and opened her door, taking her hand again as we entered the building to the suite.
Once we reached and the door shut behind us, I didn’t hesitate. I turned to her and pulled her into a tight hug, holding her as close as I could.
She cried into my chest, her sobs shaking her small frame. Each tear felt like a dagger to my heart.
“Aurora,” I whispered, patting her back softly, “it’s okay. You’re safe now.”But my anger flared again.
My hands itched to do more, to take action. Through my mindlink, I gave my driver a simple, chilling command.
KILL CRAIG. MAKE IT PAINFUL.
It was a shame I wouldn’t get to watch, but I trusted my driver to carry it out. Right now, Aurora needed me. I couldn’t leave her. I didn’t want to leave her.
She was still in my arms, her face buried against me. When she looked up, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes red from crying. She was trembling. I wiped her tears gently, my thumb brushing against her soft skin.
“I don’t like seeing you cry,” I said, my voice softer than I thought it could be. “Please stop. I promise, no harm will ever come to you again, Aurora. I’ll make sure of it.”
She stared at me, her lips quivering. After a moment, she whispered, “Why did you say I was yours?”
I looked into her wide, questioning eyes. “Because you are mine, Aurora,” I replied without hesitation.
Her eyes searched mine, and I knew she was trying to understand, trying to find the meaning behind my words.
I lifted her chin gently, holding her gaze. “You’re my little one,” I said softly, my voice laced with conviction. “You belong to no one else but me.”
You belong to us, Draven who I didn’t remember his existence said. He let me be in control while taking care of Craig.
I leaned in, kissing her chin softly, trailing upward until I reached her lips. The moment our lips met, my resolve cracked.
Her lips were soft, warm, and inviting. She opened up to me, her small hands resting on my shoulders, gripping lightly as if she was holding on for dear life.
I kissed her slowly at first, savoring the taste of her, her breath quickened and I could hear her heartbeat clearly. The fire inside me was uncontrollable. My lips moved more urgently against hers, claiming her in a way I hadn’t allowed myself to do before.
She responded, her lips parting further, and I deepened the kiss, pouring every ounce of emotion into it. My hands moved up, threading through her hair, pulling her even closer.
She was intoxicating, and I was losing myself in her. My heart pounded as her soft moans filled the space between us. Her fingers clutched at my shoulders, sliding to my chest.
I kissed her hungrily, desperately, as if I had been starving for her for years. My lips traced the curve of her jaw before finding their way back to her mouth.
She was perfect. Too perfect.
She kissed me back perfectly and I couldn’t help but wonder, who else has gotten a kiss from her. I couldn’t let my stupid jealousy get in the way.
I kissed her aggressively this time, my hands wandering over her body.
When a moan escaped her lips, I had to stop.
I pulled back abruptly, breathing heavily. My chest rose and fell as I looked at her. Her lips were swollen from the kiss, her cheeks flushed. She stared at me with wide, questioning eyes.
“Why did you stop?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to steady myself. “You’re not in the right state of mind, Aurora. You’re overwhelmed,” I said, though my voice was strained.
Her expression softened, but I could see the disappointment in her eyes.
If only she knew how much I wanted her. I wanted to mark her, But I couldn’t lose control, not now, not yet.
I took her hand and guided her to the bed. She followed me silently, her fingers trembling slightly in mine. Once she sat down, I knelt before her and gently slipped off her shoes, one at a time. My movements were slow, careful, like she might break if I wasn’t.
Her feet rested softly on the carpet, and I placed her shoes to the side. I looked up at her, my hands still lingering near hers. “Do you need anything?” I asked quietly. “Water? Food? Anything at all, Aurora?”
She shook her head, her hair falling around her face. “No,” she whispered, her voice small. “I just need a shower. That’s all.”
I nodded, standing up. “Alright,” I said. “I’ll wait outside. If you need me or anything at all, just call me, okay?”
I turned to leave, giving her the space I thought she needed, but her voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Please stay.”