Chapter 13 – Wren #2
His lips curled into that signature annoying smirk of his, but he didn’t say a word. He poured dark liquid into a white mug, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the kitchen air.
Val set the mug down in front of me, picked up his cup, and leaned back against the counter across the kitchen island. My eyes flicked between him and the steaming mug of coffee before me—exactly what brought me down here to begin with.
Reluctantly, I lifted it up with both hands and took a sip. I contemplated thanking him, but at the last second, I just kept my mouth shut.
“You’re welcome,” he said, his voice calmer than the raging storm outside, but laced with a hint of sarcasm.
I tried to focus on the coffee; however, my eyes kept darting to these chiseled abs and broad torso. And then, just like that, the illicit thoughts returned, leaving me horny, distracted, and frustrated.
“I didn’t ask you to serve me,” I replied softly, though my eyes were already fixed on those damn V-lines sculpted into his body.
He paused, and even though I didn’t lift my head to face him, I could still feel his gaze lingering over me.
“You don’t have to be so cold all the time, you know,” he said.
Now, I looked at him, masking my lust with anger—it was always easier to hide behind rage anyway. “That’s rich coming from the man who ruined my life.”
He rubbed his eyeballs. “I didn’t ruin your life; if anything, I saved it.”
I laughed, a dry, annoying, and sarcastic laugh. “Wow, you deserve a medal for that, don’t you think?” I slurped my coffee.
He ran his fingers through his hair, a glint of frustration flickering in his eyes.
“What is your problem, hmm?” he began, his voice rising a bit higher than normal on each sentence.
“I’ve done all that I could to make sure you feel safe and comfortable.
I don’t bother you—hell, I let you roam freely and do whatever the fuck you want.
What else do you want from me?!” he snapped, losing his temper for the very first time.
I didn’t give a shit. I shot back immediately, “I want you to let me go!” My palms slapped against the countertop.
Wrong move—that fuckin’ hurt more than I thought.
“Well, I hate to break it to you, but you’re not going anywhere.”
“You see, that right there is the reason I’ll always be cold toward you and everyone else in this whole fuckin’ house!” The words burst out in anger. “You, Val, are a narcissistic control freak who finds joy in other people’s misery.”
“You’re damn right, I do!” he barked out, both hands on the kitchen island between us. “I love making people suffer. I’m the devil who basks in his victim’s misery.” His eyes flashed with anger. “My only fault was that I treated you differently.”
I pushed my head back, triggered by his statement. “Oh, good for you, you grew a conscience!”
He glared at me as though my words had cut deeper than he’d anticipated. His expression darkened, and his jaw locked.
I rose to my feet and glared back at him. “What’s the matter? Can’t handle the truth?”
He hesitated for a second, brows furrowing to form deep creases between them. “Do not mistake my kindness for weakness, Wren,” he warned me sternly. “People have met their ends for far lesser crimes.”
That low, throaty growl sent shivers down my spine, and the anger in his eyes made my skin prickle. This was the point where I should swallow a chill pill. But I didn’t. I wasn’t done with him yet.
I stared right into his steel-gray eyes—those eyes that frightened me to the core. “You don’t scare me, Val,” I said quietly, my voice dripping with venom and disdain. “I’m familiar with how monsters like yourself prey on people’s fear.”
He watched me in silence as I walked over the kitchen island and stood right in front of him.
“I am not afraid of you, Valarian Tarasov.”
“You should be,” he said, soft, quiet, but menacing.
Tremors sprinted down my core at his words, and I felt my chest tighten. “I don’t like it when people threaten me,” I replied, struggling to sound unfazed by his warning.
His hands snapped out, and the next thing I knew, his arms were around my waist. Before I could even make a move, he pulled me to himself, rough and possessive.
“Let go of me.” I squirmed, trying to free myself, but his grip around my waist was firm enough to hold me in place. “Let—go—of—me!”
“Or else what?” he whispered. “What’re you gonna do about it?”
I raised my head and locked eyes with him, fuming in silence. Our faces were inches apart, as were our lips. His fresh breath was warm on my skin, his gaze pinned on me like a hook to a fish.
Beneath the surface, something else simmered. At first, I wasn’t sure what it was. But the more I looked into those steel-gray eyes, the clearer it became.
Desire.
That realization alone ignited a flame within me that weakened my knees. Lust was etched in his unwavering gaze, and I felt myself unravel with each passing second.
The tension between us was by now starting to dissolve, replaced by something much darker. Sexual.
My cunt tingled as his erection grazed my thighs—slow, gentle, and almost reverent. The silence between was deafening, the rain outside bearing witness to what was about to happen. My heart was pounding nearly as loudly as the rain itself, a cold shiver sprinting down my spine.
Neither of us broke eye contact. We held each other’s gazes, probably wondering what the other was thinking at that moment.
Funny how all it took to dissolve all that rage was skin-to-skin contact. My anger flew out the window the second he touched me. Now, I was breathing hard, knowing it was impossible to stay composed in such a compromising position.
His eyes dropped to my lips, his right thumb gently tracing the curve of my mouth.
I didn’t push him away. I couldn’t. How could I when my whole body wanted him? His touch was electric, his intense gaze stirring up emotions within me—anxiety, fear, and desire.
Like poison, this feeling slowly moved through my system and broke all of my defenses. The high walls I’d built all came crumbling to the ground, leaving me vulnerable. His thumb on my lips had unveiled the mask I’d been hiding behind, revealing the ache of temptation in my eyes.
Without a word, he leaned in, his lips inches from mine as his hand left my mouth to settle on my chest. His middle finger drew circles over my skin, each stroke accentuating my need. I watched his gaze drop to my cleavage, and my breath hitched.
His eyes narrowed, as if pleased by the sight of my breasts nestled behind the silky fabric of my nightgown. His calmness was admirable, and I wished that I had mastered that level of composure. But I didn’t, and my heart wouldn’t stop racing.
He was clearly in control of the situation, and I was at his mercy—vulnerable, scared, and horny as fuck. He didn’t say anything, but the look in his eyes revealed the heat, the longing, and the sharp hunger burning through him.
Val wanted me as much as I wanted him, and in the heat of the moment, pesky little voices returned.
Walk away—walk away now, one whispered in my head.
This is what you’ve wanted for days now, said another. Give in to it. For once, since you arrived here, have a good time.
Remember, you hate his guts.
You can go back to hating him tomorrow. But for now, let him fuck you the way you’ve been craving.
The idea of spreading my legs and letting him ruin me sent tremors down my core. His gaze was dark with desire, a carnal urge flickering in his eyes. He pulled me closer, his shaft pressing into my thigh, fueling my appetite.
His lips grazed mine, and I felt a jolt of electricity sprint through my body.
Seconds later, he claimed my lips, sealing them with a kiss so hot and fervent it left us both breathless.
His tongue invaded my mouth, his hand gripping the back of my neck.
I could taste the coffee on his succulent lips, and while our tongues twirled in sync, my back arched into him, desperate for more.
He squeezed my breasts over the fabric of my nightgown, his body scorching against mine. Everything happened so fast, rough, frantic, and urgent. I’d never felt so horny in my whole life, and his palms on my breasts only unraveled me the more.
Breathless, I surrendered to his kiss, and when he slapped my ass, I moaned in his mouth. He yanked me up in the air like I weighed nothing and set me on the countertop. The cool island surface bit into my skin as the hem of my dress rode up, revealing my thighs.
My hand dared slide down his groin, reaching for the print of his cock while the other roamed his broad torso.
I spread out my legs and stood between them, kissing me like his life depended on it.
Val was such a great kisser, and his fresh breath fanned my desire.
His hands caressed my thighs as I leaned into him, my chest against his.
I dipped my hand underneath his joggers, feeling the length of his cock. Fuck. He was already so hard and veiny, and I couldn’t wait to have him deep inside me. My fingers deftly tugged down to his waistband, and his cock leaped out into the open.
Lightning flashed outside amidst the heavy downpour.
He pulled me closer, hands on my lower back as his hot kiss swallowed the breath right out of me. We were both starving, and neither of us was holding back on our emotions. His possessive hands were all over me, claiming every curve of my body.
The moment he broke our kiss, I dipped my head backward, moaning out into the air. He slid the straps of my gown off my shoulders to reveal my breasts. And while he kissed the nape of my neck, his hands fondled my gentle swells.
A desperate moan tore from my lips.
His cock was heavy in my hand, weighing more than I had thought. Fantastic. I stroked his length, my thumb smearing his precum over his cap. A slight groan escaped him as he kissed my bare chest before taking one breast in his mouth.
“Oh, fuck,” I murmured, leaning into him.