Now You Want Me? Too Late

Elena felt guilty.

She had promised herself that she would give everything to this marriage. She had even thought about giving herself to him completely. Yet when the moment came, something inside her held her back.

She couldn’t bring herself to take that final step.

Guilt tightened around her chest.

’He has been so good to me. He saved me again and again, confessed his feelings, trusted her without question, and even stood up for me tonight. What more am I waiting for?’

She pursed her lips, her fingers clasping the blanket to her chest. She had seen the desire in his eyes. Yet, he had walked away the moment he had understood her hesitation.

’He must be disappointed,’ she thought regretfully. ’I need to make it up to him.’

Determination settled in her heart.

Elias came inside the study. He picked up a book and sat down on the sofa, hoping to distract himself. Unfortunately, it wasn’t working. His body heat refused to extinguish.

His mind kept replaying what had just happened. The softness of her lips seemed to linger on his. The taste of her mouth was intoxicating.

Everything about her consumed his thoughts.

He wanted nothing but to claim her right there. His lower part reacted at the thought of her beneath him.

"Damn it..." He closed the book and dropped it onto the table. "I need a cold shower."

Rising to his feet, he headed into the bathroom.

He stood beneath the cold stream of water, hoping it would calm him down. Instead, it only made him more aware of how much he wanted her.

Running a hand through his wet hair, he let out a frustrated sigh.

"God, this is too much."

His fingers drifted down to his chest and then to his waist.

"Shit..." He let out a deep sigh.

He wanted to stop himself, but he couldn’t. His fingers moved down further.

His body heated up even more despite the fact that the cold water was cascading down him. His hand moved up and down along his length.

Another deep sigh escaped his mouth, his head falling backward. Heat surged. The pressure pulled up at the tip. And then it burst open.

He cursed under his breath. He had never thought his desire would go this wild, just by imagining her.

His fingers passed through his wet hair. "How am I supposed to survive every night?"

The next morning...

Elena slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she noticed was Elias sleeping beside her.

She didn’t know when he had returned to the room. She stared at his face, her lips curling up slowly.

His features looked as though they had been carved by a master sculptor. His sharp jawline, straight nose, and dark brows gave him a striking appearance. His long eyelashes rested on his cheeks.

Even asleep, he radiated an effortless confidence that made him impossible to ignore.

He was unfairly handsome.

The sight made her heart flutter. She couldn’t stop staring at him. Slowly, her hand drifted toward his face.

"You are so handsome," she whispered. "Even when you are asleep, you look perfect."

Her finger traced the bridge of his nose. "Your nose is sharp."

Then her finger drifted down to his thin lips. "And your lips..."

She remembered every kiss they had shared. But last night’s kiss was different, more consuming.

The memory made her heart race. She wanted to relive that moment. She wanted to taste him again.

Before she could stop herself, she leaned in closer. Their faces were only inches apart. Her pulse pounded loudly in her ears.

Her lips tingled in anticipation. Then, gathering her courage, she gently pressed her lips against his.

Right then, he opened his eyes.

Elena’s whole body went still, her pupils dilating. Her lips were still against his. For a moment, she couldn’t react. It took her several seconds to realize she had been caught stealing a kiss.

Mortified, her cheeks flushed red. She tried to move away. But his strong arm wrapped around her instantly, holding her in her place.

Her breathing caught in her throat.

He smirked teasingly. "Kissing me while I’m asleep?" he asked lazily. "What exactly were you planning?"

Her face heated up. "I-I wasn’t planning anything."

"Really?" His smile widened. "Then what were you thinking about while kissing me?"

Elena looked away. She pursed her lips.

How was she supposed to answer that?

"I-I wasn’t thinking anything," she stuttered. "I just woke up and found you lying close to me. Our lips touched accidentally."

The excuse sounded ridiculous even to her.

It only amused him further.

"An accident?" Elias chuckled. "Really? Let’s see if you can call this an accident, too."

Before she could respond, he kissed her, this time hungrily.

The kiss was warm and affectionate, making her heart skip a beat.

His hands moved around her back with need. "You have no idea how difficult it is to hold back..." he whispered between the kisses. "I want you now."

Elena’s cheeks grew even warmer. She knew he had been patient with her, far more patient than most people would have been.

Elena couldn’t stop him this time. She kissed him back.

This was the permission he had been waiting for. His kiss grew frantic. His hands moved all over her. There was no restraint in his touch any longer.

He didn’t want to stop anymore. He wanted her whole.

His fingers slipped inside her dress, feeling the warmth of her skin.

An electric impulse rushed to every nerve ending. Her skin tingled wherever he touched.

She arched toward him, pulling him closer.

"Elena," he whispered in her ear, his lips brushing against her neck. "Stop me if you want."

Elena shuddered. Nervousness fluttered inside her.

Her heart raced wildly. She was shy. And yes, she was a little scared. But more than anything, she trusted him.

All her hesitation disappeared.

She wasn’t stopping him this time. She didn’t want to. Instead of answering with words, she reached up and pressed a soft kiss on his Adam’s apple.

A shudder crossed through his spine. Every cell of his body seemed to be charged up.

Her action was enough to tell him what she wanted. And that was what he had been looking for.

Now that he knew she also wanted the same, he couldn’t control himself any longer.

He crashed her lips against hers with new intensity, his hand pressing on her breast.

Knock-Knock...

The sound made them both freeze.

The sound of the door knocking came at the time, interrupting the moment. Both froze, breathing heavily.

"Sir, are you awake?" the housekeeper called from outside. "The old master wishes to speak with you."

Elias closed his eyes in frustration. The timing couldn’t have been worse.

His body throbbed with need. He had been enduring the torture since last night. When he thought the ache would finally subside, something interrupted him.

He didn’t want to end this moment just like this. But he couldn’t let his grandfather wait for him.

"You should go," Elena said softly. "You shouldn’t keep Grandpa waiting."

He stared at her, still reluctant to leave. Then again, he couldn’t ignore his grandpa either.

"Alright. For now, I am stopping myself. But..." He held her chin, his gaze turning possessive. "Don’t think it’s over. The next time, I’ll make you beg for me."

Heat rushed to Elena’s face.

Elias chuckled at her reaction. He got off the bed. Glancing at the closed door, he said, "Tell Grandpa to wait for a while. I’ll take a shower first."

He strode into the bathroom.

The housekeeper acknowledged him and left.

Elena remained lying still in her place, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her heart was beating so wildly that she was afraid it would jump out of her chest.

"What does he mean by make me beg for him?" she wondered, nervous and curious at the same time. Her body pulsed, her fingers clasping the bedspread beneath her.

"What is he going to do with me?"