Chapter Forty-Two; Humiliation
Luke tried to regain his composure, his grip on her wrists loosening slightly. He could feel his heart racing, the unfamiliar sensation of vulnerability making him uneasy. Aurelia’s gaze never wavered, her heart pounding with the realization that she had managed to break through his stoic exterior.
“Are you…” she asked cautiously, a hint of amusement in her voice. Aurelia tried her best to hold back her laughter, but it slipped out in a sharp snort. Luke sent her an icy glare, but she laughed still, unfazed by his failed attempt to intimidate her.
“Is that a blush on your cheeks Mr. CEO?” Of course, why would she miss out on the perfect opportunity to tease him? Aurelia arched a brow at him, a cunning smirk overtaking her features.
Luke’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he took a deep breath, willing himself to stay calm. “No,” he lied, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s just… warm in here.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say, not when he hadn’t recovered from the shock, wondering what evil spirit had possessed him.
And why was his heart beating so fast?!
It was too much for him to handle all at once.
Aurelia couldn’t help but smile, feeling a new sense of satisfaction from his reactions. This was the first time she’d seen him so vulnerable, and she had to admit it was oddly refreshing. Her chest bloomed with warmth on realizing she’d managed to leave him speechless, and this feeling came with heavy pride.
Look who’s flustered now? She thought, her brain churning for a suitable comeback.
“The color pink suits you well sir, you should wear it more often.” She said in a low seductive tone, and Luke’s lips twitched, his brows furrowing in annoyance.
Luke hung his head low, a dark chuckle rumbling in his chest. Then suddenly, he grabbed her chin, the intensity in his gaze threatening. “Stop it,” he said through gritted teeth, his voice low and raw. Luke had a habit of masking his embarrassment with rage, which had always worked for him.
But Aurelia, her tentative smile only shifted to a knowing smirk. He could see she was enjoying seeing him struggle and he hated the conceding look on her beautiful face. It irked him and entranced him at the same time.
Just what the hell was going through her mind?
Aurelia matched his gaze with a fiery intensity of her own. She lowered her eyes seductively, her tongue darting out to lick her bottom lip ever so slowly.
“Make me”
Luke claimed her mouth, swallowing her words with a rough kiss. Aurelia sighed in delight, surrendering to his hold and irresistible taste. Their lips moved in perfect synchrony, matching the rhythm of their beating hearts.
Luke’s hands roamed around her body, sliding down her full thighs and moving up her torso to palm her breasts. Aurelia whimpered, her back arching at the force he used to squeeze and knead her flesh.
Her hands were free to glide up his chest, feeling his defined muscles contract and flex against her palm, igniting the dull and growing heat between her legs.
Aurelia’s fingers found their way to his hair, combing through his lustrous locks as her legs locked around his waist, eager for any form of friction to ease the building ache in her core.
He was like an addictive drug, a sweet poison, bringing one to ruin with just a taste. Aurelia was drunk on the sensations he gave her, taking gulp after gulp of this dangerous poison.
All logical reasons flew out the window whenever he came near, whenever he touched her, claimed and dominated her.
There was no time to ponder on anything else, she was utterly and completely consumed by him.
And yet she didn’t mind, because it looked like she wasn’t the only one dancing in hell.
Aurelia moaned softly as his tongue thrust into her mouth, letting her taste the wine he had earlier. Suddenly feeling bold, she let her hand creep to his crotch. As she grazed his length, the only barrier being the silk material of the shorts he wore, Aurelia felt her heart speed up in anticipation.
But then Luke pulled back from the kiss abruptly, leaving them both breathless. Her big round eyes looked up at him in cute protest, her brows furrowed.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
“Why did you stop?” she asked, her voice a mixture of frustration and longing.
Luke took a deep breath. He didn’t want to stop, he was dying to touch her, to make love to her, but as he’d said before, today wasn’t about him. “Tell me what you want to do next?” he reminded her, his voice still hoarse with desire.
Aurelia blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the question. She’d forgotten about that. “Uhmm…” her mind was still hazy from the kiss, and it made it hard to decide on what to pick. “I want”
Just then, a loud buzzing alarm filled the room, cutting her off. Aurelia flinched at the loud sound, a gasp escaping her lips as Luke sprang up.
Aurelia sat up cautiously as the alarm stopped. She watched Luke stare out the open window, his eyes wide with panic. Worried, she followed his line of sight, seeing the dark SUV that had just pulled up in his driveway.
“Fuck.” Luke cursed under his breath, his jaw ticking.
“What’s wrong?” Aurelia couldn’t help but ask, but she felt dread settle in her stomach as he turned to her.
“Get dressed,” he ordered, bending to pick her dress from the floor. He threw it her way, and Aurelia’s heart stung painfully at the gesture.
“Why? What’s going on?” Aurelia asked, bewildered by his sudden urgency.
“Just get dressed!” he repeated, his voice rising. “Now!”
Aurelia flinched, her eyes widening at his change in demeanor, but she complied, pulling on her dress as Luke called for his butler.
“Simon!”
The door burst open and the butler appeared, his expression grave. “Take her out through the secret passage,” Luke instructed. He turned away from Aurelia, fastening the strap of his robe as moved toward a different exit.
Secret passage? Aurelia thought, fear seeping into her.
Anxious, Aurelia stepped in his way, looking up at him with her shoulders squared. If he was going to dismiss her so easily, then he should at least give her a clear explanation. He owed her that much.
“Luke, tell me what’s happening?” Aurelia demanded, her voice firm despite the uncertainty swirling within her.
Luke inhaled sharply through his nose, casting a knowing glance at Simon who immediately got the message.
“Please, follow me, miss.” Simon stepped up as Luke merely brushed past her, causing the knot in her chest to tighten. The CEO disappeared along the hall, not sparing her a second glance as he left.
Aurelia scoffed in disbelief, her eyes glistening with tears that threatened to fall.
Why did it hurt so much? She thought. Her gaze was glued to her feet as she followed the butler, wondering why Luke was so agitated. He was kissing her one minute and in the next second he wanted her out of his sight?
Unbelievable.
The butler led her through a hidden door and down a narrow passageway. They emerged outside, and the butler hurried her into a waiting car. “We’ll take you home, Miss,” he assured her.
Aurelia nodded stiffly, saying nothing as she settled in the back seat of the car. As the car sped away, she couldn’t help but look back at the villa. Even with her heart hurting, she still worried about him. She was a fool indeed.
Aurelia watched the villa disappear as they took a turn along the road. She faced forward with a deep breath, her hands squeezing the hem of her dress as she fought the urge to yell out and cry.
Never in her life had she felt so humiliated.