Chapter 12 – Artur
I was furious with her and avoided her all day. In my mind, I was angry because this invasion was somehow linked to her. If she hadn’t pleaded on Mikhail’s behalf, I would’ve ended his life, and none of this would’ve happened.
Men died in the attack.
Fortunately, the number of casualties was minimal compared to what the enemy had planned. Even my domestic staff weren’t spared. Many were injured in critical condition. However, no life was lost in that department.
I kept telling myself that I was angry at Celine because this was her fault. But deep down, I knew that wasn’t the reason. It was just easier to blame her than to face the fact that I’d almost lost her.
When the attack began, I was in my study, buried in work after spending so much time thinking about her. After the first gunshot rang out and I realized what was happening, the first person that popped into my head was her.
The assassins tampered with the cameras and the comms, and because of that, my monitors went blank. I had no idea where she was or whether she was okay.
Amidst the chaos, I bolted through the hallways, yelling at my staff to take cover. I checked her room first, but she wasn’t there. Then I knew instantly where to find her.
By this time, the assassins had already invaded the building, exchanging gunshots with my men. I could’ve gotten to her soon, but I was attacked three times on my way to the library.
These attacks slowed me down, even though I killed the masked men without breaking a sweat.
Until now, the thought of what would’ve happened to her if I hadn’t reached the library on time still haunted me.
Thinking about it now—I wasn’t on time. I arrived late. The only reason she was still alive when I got there was because the masked man’s gun jammed. If I were superstitious, I’d say her guardian angel was at work that morning.
Seeing her helpless on the floor with a gun pointed at her head made my blood boil. I hadn’t moved as fast as I did that morning in a really long time. And that only proved what lengths I’d go just to save her life. I couldn’t imagine what would happen if she were killed under my watch.
Since she lived in this house, she was my responsibility, and I had a duty to protect her.
It wasn’t until after I killed her attacker and realized she was unharmed that I was able to breathe fine. I finally understood at that moment that I cared deeply for this woman.
Therefore, I wasn’t really angry at her for pleading on Mikhail’s behalf. I was mad at myself for not making it to her on time.
What if that gun hadn’t jammed?
What if she’d already been dead when I arrived?
To be honest, the mere thought of that possibility infuriated me each time it crossed my mind.
Because I was avoiding her, I didn’t get to thank her for the role she played in Mikhail’s death. She was the one who slid the gun to me while the bastard beneath me wrestled against my strength.
The son of a bitch had the effrontery to tell me to my face that he was going to make sure my little one warmed Rocco’s bed.
His promise to put me in a coffin didn’t trigger the monster in me as much as the way he spoke about Celine like she was a worthless piece of shit.
He got what he deserved.
Her soft voice, laced with urgency, still echoed at the back of my mind: “Artur!”
After the shot that silenced the entire building, only the two of us were left standing. Celine must’ve recognized him because she apologized for what happened.
Her voice cracked when she spoke, and she couldn’t even look me in the eyes. She knew she had messed up when she stood up for him. And now, the same man was behind the disaster.
Celine was overwhelmed by guilt, and the tears streaming down her cheeks told me she was already blaming herself.
Perhaps I was too hard on her by walking away when she needed comfort the most. I tried to justify my actions by telling myself I didn’t yell at her, despite my anger. However, the stern glare I cast on her was enough to crush her spirit.
In my defense, I was mad at myself because if there was anyone to blame for this whole thing, it was me. I should’ve been more prepared, especially after my encounter with Rocco at the club.
The next morning, after the cleanup, I doubled the security around the mansion. Things were starting to fall back into place, but I could still sense unease among my domestic staff.
It was expected. They needed some more time to adjust.
I figured it was time to check on Celine because we were both calmer now. I walked down the hallway and headed straight to her room. Without knocking, I grabbed the door handle and pushed it open.
“Jesus Christ!” she yelped, her hands flying up to her chest. “Can’t you knock?”
My brows arched at the sight before me.
She was naked.
Stark naked.
Her damp curls and the faint steam swirling around her skin hinted that she’d stepped out of the shower. She crossed her arms in an attempt to hide her breasts while her knees knocked together, concealing her tunnel.
“Sorry,” I murmured, my eyes dropping to the floor after taking a mental picture of her.
It was a subconscious act. Not deliberate. And now, I couldn’t unsee what I’d just seen. For some reason, I lingered a bit longer than I should, but she didn’t yell again.
When I glanced up at her, I noticed she was somewhat relaxed, as though she was grateful I was the one who walked in. Not someone else. I met her eyes in a split second, and my heart melted like fuckin’ ice cream.
She didn’t lower her hands, didn’t part her legs, but she also didn’t send me away. She just stood there, holding my gaze. It took everything in me to get a hold of myself and break the spell cast on me.
I scratched the back of my head, clearing my throat. “I’ll uh…I’ll come back later.” With that, I stepped out and closed the door behind me.
My heart was hammering in my chest as I recalled the curve of her breasts and the smoothness of her skin. That sight was imprinted on my mind like a tattoo that wouldn’t come off. I didn’t want it to anyway.
All day, her fresh, alluring legs, shaved pussy, and killer body occupied my head, distracting me from work. I told her that I would come back later, but I didn’t. Instead, I locked myself in my study, hoping to go find her after regaining control over my own thoughts.
That sight had awakened something dangerous in me, something primal. And even though I’d never force myself on her, I still stayed away so she wouldn’t see how much I wanted her.
After hours of wrestling with my lust and sexual desires, I emerged triumphant. I was ready to meet her again. This time, in total control of the situation.
She wasn’t in her room, but according to one of the maids, she was up on the flat rooftop. I used the steps, not the elevator, yet it only took a short while to get to her.
When I arrived, I spotted her across the way, hands resting on the waist-high concrete parapet that ran along the edge of the roof. It was late in the evening, and the sun was dipping behind the horizon.
Its yellow glow draped over everything it touched as a gentle breeze teased the hem of her nightgown.
With one hand in my pocket, I walked over to her, my footsteps soundless against the floor. She sensed my presence but didn’t turn back to look at me.
“Nature’s beautiful,” she said, eyes fixed across the green ocean of tree canopies. “And peaceful too.”
I halted beside her, one palm on the smooth surface of the concrete parapet. “Yeah, tell me about it,” I murmured.
For the next few seconds, it was silent between us, the air charged with something unspoken.
“How’re you holding up?” I asked, breaking the silence.
She hesitated, stealing a glance at me. “I’d love to say I’m doing just fine, but then I’d be lying.”
“Then don’t lie,” I said, looking right at her. “How’re you holding up, really?”
She straightened and met my gaze. “I’m scared,” the words fell from her mouth. “I’m angry, and I…I feel so guilty about what happened.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please.”
“It wasn’t,” I insisted, my gaze unwavering.
“I was the one who told you not to kill that man. If I hadn’t interfered in your affairs, none of this would’ve happened,” she blurted out, her voice laced with pain and regret.
Instinctively, I reached out and held her hand while trying to catch her eyes.
She managed to look at me, her chest heaving with slow breaths. “People are dead, Artur…and their blood is on my hands.”
I glanced down at her hands and said teasingly, “I don’t see any blood.”
A small grin slowly crept into her face, and for the first time, I saw a smile on her lips. Her cheek flushed, and her gaze dropped to the floor.
Was it just me, or did I just make her blush?
“You did good, by the way,” I whispered, my voice soft and laced with pride.
“No, I didn’t.” She raised her head again. “I was scared half to death and almost peed my pants.”
“Hmm. That would’ve been quite the sight.”
A quiet laugh escaped her, her eyes crinkling at the corners. The strands that framed her face danced to the rhythm of the cool breeze.
Gorgeous.
As the silence between us stretched on, I felt something rising within me. It wasn’t lust. But close to it.
“If you hadn’t shown up when you did, I’d have been a thing of the past by now,” she said. “So, thank you.”
My response was a faint grin.
She paused for a second. “Can I ask you something?”
I nodded.
“Do you ever get scared?”
I waited a few seconds. “Yes.”
She shook her head. “I doubt it.”
“And I don’t blame you.”
“You always look so put together like nothing ever moves you,” she continued. “You don’t know what it’s like to be afraid…to be helpless.”
“You’re wrong,” I replied. “I know fear. I felt it yesterday.”
When I thought I was going to lose you.
Silence fell again, and we kept staring into each other’s eyes. That strange feeling returned, stronger than before, strong enough to pull me closer to her.
She didn’t withdraw from me, not even when my face mirrored hers. I drew closer and closer until our lips were inches apart. She stared at me in anticipation, her chest heaving quietly.
If she didn’t want this, she would’ve pulled away by now. But it didn’t look like she was going to do that any time soon.
My heart was hammering, my pulse racing as though this was my first attempt at kissing a woman. Her eyelids fell closed the second my lips met with hers. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her to me.
She drew a deep breath and kissed me back, her tongue sliding into my mouth. I felt like every cell in my body had come alive. And at the same time, the feeling of her lips on mine sent chills down my spine.
Our heads began slowly tilting sideways, our bodies colliding into each other. My erection grazed her thighs, my right hand finding the back of her neck. She wrapped her arms around me, kissing my lips like she’d been waiting a long time for this moment.
The deeper our kiss, the more she unraveled before me. She let out a soft purr when I dared to palm her gentle swells. Before we’d lose complete control, she broke the kiss, her breathing coming in short gasps.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my tone a low whisper.
“Nothing,” she muttered, fingers tucking her hair behind her ear. “It’s just….” Her voice trailed off. “I’ve….” She looked into my eyes, a hint of anxiety flashing across her face. “I’ve never…you know….”
Slowly, my brows arched as I got the message. “You’re a virgin?”
She paused, then nodded.
Amused, I wiped a palm over my mouth, knowing this was where I’d draw the line. For now, at least.
“That’s uh….”
“…disappointing?”
My lips curled into a small grin. “I was going to say, interesting.”
Again, her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her face toward the ground.
“Since you’re untouched, let’s leave it that way.” I quietly withdrew from her. “Come down whenever you’re ready.” With that, I walked away before things would spiral out of control.
I felt her gaze lingering on me as I headed back toward the stairs. She must be wondering why I hadn’t claimed her yet. Even I didn’t know the answer to that. I just knew that I needed to leave lest the monster in me take control.