Chapter 12 – Zanae
12
ZANAE
E lijah led the way to the elevator, his grip firm on my bag. I followed closely behind, having a complete view of his back.
The shirt he was wearing stretched over his large shoulders. He was huge. This man in a shirt and just a helmet looked more dangerous than anyone I’ve ever seen.
He tempted me in ways I’ve never been tempted before.
He pressed the button, and as the elevator doors opened, I felt a rush of nervousness.
Breathe Zee. It’s okay.
I hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.
Elijah smiled and tilted his head toward me, “Come on, Miss Dellé, afraid I’ll push you off the building?”
I scoffed, turning my back to him, “Please, Elijah. I could snap your neck before you even think about it.”
He chuckled softly, amused, and stepped into it beside me.
The doors closed, trapping us in the small space, full of his scent and his presence and his infuriating existence.
The mirrored walls reflected the situation. He towered over me; his gaze pierced my soul.
Murderous yet so curious too.
He leaned against the side of the elevator, his eyes never leaving mine, “You seem nervous, Milaya . Are you still worried I might strangle you in your sleep?”
I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my thoughts, because I was clearly nervous, but he didn’t need to know that. “I’m not worried. I could take you down with my eyes closed. I’ve got a sixth sense for vermin.”
He looked at me smiling gently, scratching his beard, “Told you to stop that, Miss Dellé. You don’t want to be punished, do you?”
My pulse accelerated; his voice was sinfully low, the rasp making it even more overwhelming.
Thankfully, the elevator’s doors opened, and he gestured for me to follow him.
He set the bag down, his eyes lingering on me, “You can crash in the guest bedroom. I’m not giving up my bed.”
“As if I’d ever want to sleep in your bed, Elijah. Don’t flatter yourself.”
He chuckled, “Not yet.”
Stupid.
The house was beautiful, cozy but modern. The living room was bathed in warm light, the maroon sofa overlooking the dining area.
Large windows offered an incredible view of the city. Art adorned the walls, one piece in particular caught my attention, a shadow, illuminated by a shadowy light.
It felt like entering the home of someone who’s not mentally unstable.
It’s just so weird to think that this is where Elijah lives.
It’s where Lucifer lives.
He led me through the room, guiding me past floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. My jaw dropped.
Such a beautiful collection. I loved that part more than anything else in this penthouse.
“So, you, Elijah Volkov, the Pakhan, are also a bookworm?”
He shot me a wry smile, “I need to feed your addiction.”
I nodded, surprised. He just smiled weakly at my reaction, leading me toward a hallway, “Your room’s this way.”
My ‘room’ had a large, plush bed, with the same earthy tones as the rest of the penthouse. I couldn’t help but be so fucking impressed. “Not bad, Volkov. I might have expected a dungeon or something gloomier and dark.”
“Just a camouflage, don’t be fooled.”
He then just left me alone in this new house. His house.
I sent a text to my father and his guards, to let them know that I wouldn’t be available for the next few days.
I knew he wasn’t going to answer. He might not have even noticed that I disappeared.
Why did it hurt so much?
Breathe Zee. Breathe.
I let myself relax under the warmth of the water cascading down my skin during my shower, surrounded by the scent of Elijah’s shampoo.
I got out, wrapped in a plush enormous towel, his intoxicating scent clung to me like the dirtiest secret. I dressed myself in comfortable pajamas I took from my house earlier and went into the kitchen for some water.
To my surprise, Elijah was there, casually leaning against the counter, clad in gray sweatpants. He didn’t have a shirt, muscles on display, inked from the chest to the visible V line on his waist.
He was beautiful, not in Niko’s way.
His beauty was dark and paradoxical, he had this aura that makes you want to touch him to feel if he was real. The color of his eyes reflected the way I saw him, just as enchanting as a dark forest, long green trees making it impossible to see anything else.
I was attracted to danger, to things that could make my heart race and explode with adrenaline and life.
And he weirdly had that effect on me.
He glanced up from his glass of water on the countertop, meeting my gaze with annoyance and amusement. “Your shirt is cute.”
My shirt was black and simple, but on it, a raised middle finger made a bold statement.
I smiled and faced him fully, “Oh, do you like it? The message on it is for you.”
“Only for me?” He teased, his lips curling into an arrogant smile.
“Only for you,” I confirmed, grinning.
He chuckled proudly, satisfied with my answer, and took a step closer, “You couldn’t do it in my face, so you’re wearing it, it’s even cuter.”
I raised my middle finger with the sweetest smile ever, because I didn’t care about his little threats.
He smirked and came near me, leaning closer. His presence was intoxicating, magnetic. The space between us felt like a ticking bomb; each breath I took and each exhale he made drew us nearer to a sweet and destructive explosion.
“What are you doing?”
His eyes lingered on me as his lips enclosed my raised middle finger. He sucked and bit it before stepping back to the sink, grabbing a glass of water for me.
I didn’t move, frozen, surprised. I couldn’t believe he did that.
Handing me the water, he said, “Do that again, and my mouth won’t only be sucking your finger, Zanae. Don’t tempt me.”
I was aware that my cheeks were hot and flushed, my anger growing, urging me to unleash it on him with a punch that would fuck up his little smirk and face. But I couldn’t move or say anything.
He sensed it, shooting me a sidelong glance with that same little tilt he always does—he was playing, and I was losing. “Are you eye-fucking me?” he asked.
I almost choked on my water. I was eye-fucking him. Fuck . When did I start doing that? Great, now I have no self-control.
I regained my composure, leaning against the counter. “I’d choose death before doing that, Volkov. Don’t do that again; I don’t want to catch any STDs.”
He chuckled, the sound low and rare, “You’re funny, Zanae, really.”
Taking a sip of my water, I met his eyes. Always on me, even when I’m not watching. “I’m not joking. Don’t ever do that again.”
“You know, Zanae,” he began, his voice clear, “If you don’t stop provoking me, I’ll do something bad to you, and it would only make me hate you even more.”
“Is that a promise, Elijah?” I asked, feigning excitement.
A dark grin appeared on his lips, “Your mere existence grates on my nerves. So, consider it a promise, Milaya .”
That stupid nickname again.
I arched an eyebrow, a smirk playing on my lips. Stepping closer, I batted my eyelashes when I looked up at him. I felt his breath on my face, and my fingers brushed gently against his chest.
“My existence is a problem for you, Elijah?”
His eyes flickered with a dangerous heat.
This gaze— so sinful, so tempting. “I will eat you alive, Zanae.”
My tone turned sarcastic and soft, “Don’t say that, Elijah; you might break my poor, fragile heart.”
His hands rested on either side of him on the counter, his legs parted invitingly. I felt drawn to him. He was a deadly vice, knowing well how to attract my own demons.
“Already broken? I haven’t even shown you how I could devour you. I bet you taste delicious.”
I didn’t back up, even with that infuriating satisfaction on his face, “So, what’s the end, Elijah? What do you want from me?”
He leaned in, our faces inches apart, his lips brushing against my ear, erotically, sensually, sending shivers down my spine.
“To make that little part of me wanting to bend you over and fuck you disappear. Bruising that soft skin of yours with pain and trouble. Because I hate how much I’m drawn to someone like you.”
My heart stopped momentarily and screamed again.
I scoffed, ironically almost. “Good luck with that, Elijah.” Looking down, I noticed a bulge under his sweatpants. “Seems like you hate me a lot,” I continued, that twisted pride filling every one of my words.
Then I left him, hearing a wicked chuckle before heading back to my room.
Let the games continue.