Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kholod
I cradled my wine glass, ostensibly discussing port transportation deals with Peterson, but my attention was locked entirely on Noelle at my side.
She was in that deep blue velvet gown, the strapless design exposing her rounded shoulders and toned arms. The tailoring was impeccable, accentuating her slender waist and elegant curves. She stood there like a finely sculpted work of art.
That's exactly why those men's eyes swarmed over her like flies, unapologetic and blatant.
I noticed the old oil magnate, his stare practically glued to Noelle's bare collarbone. And that young banker lounging by the bar, eyeing her profile with a lecherous smirk.
My fingers clenched, the rim of the glass biting into my palm.
I wanted to carve those eyes right out.
"Mrs. Morozov has real talent," Williams remarked, his gaze lingering on Noelle. "I've been navigating these circles for decades and missed that sly fox's cheating entirely. But you caught it in an instant."
My arm tightened around her instinctively, pulling her even closer to my side.
"You're too kind," Noelle replied evenly.
"You're a pro at spotting casino sleight of hand—not something you pick up casually. Looks like we'll need you at every one of these from here on out." Williams gave me a pointed glance.
I'd been reluctant to bring Noelle along, but the hosts had specifically invited her, and after the Lorenzo fallout, we had to mend the family's reputation. I knew my world meant she couldn't avoid these events, but fury still churned in my chest.
She was exceptional. No question. She despised the wheeling and dealing, the ostentatious jewels, but her composure never faltered in any setting. That's precisely why I wanted to stash her away, out of sight from anyone else.
I was on the verge of tearing into the idiot when Isabella beat me to it.
"Oh, you're so insightful! Noelle's incredible!" Her voice dripped with sweetness, her eyes wide with awe. "I was just sitting there, totally lost and panicking. But Noelle saw through it right away."
She cozied up to Noelle, linking their arms with a radiant smile. "You must've been around this stuff since you were little, huh? Unlike me—I was clueless, just sat there and looked pretty. If I had even half your brains, every guy here would be head over heels for me!"
The moment Isabella's words landed, my rage peaked. I had no idea if Noelle had been exposed to this world as a kid—and if she had, so what? But her sharpness was pulling in those repulsive stares.
I started resenting her for drawing attention. Hell, it even dredged up thoughts of her deadbeat gambler father—why the hell had she learned any of it? Did she enjoy those men's leering? Was she trying to manipulate them somehow?
The ideas collided in my mind, and I found myself questioning if she was calculating—even though, deep down, I knew she wasn't.
"Kholod?"
Sensing my prolonged silence, she called my name softly, her voice laced with hesitation and worry.
I avoided her gaze, turning to Isabella instead and softening my tone slightly. "It's late. Let's get you home."
"What?" Isabella paused, then shifted to a remorseful expression. "I'm sorry—did I mess up? I just meant Noelle's so talented... I blurt things out without thinking. If I overstepped—"
Her eyes welled up, tears glistening as if she might burst into sobs.
"It's not about you," I interrupted. "Let's go."
Noelle abruptly clutched my sleeve. "Kholod, I—"
"We'll discuss it at home," I snapped, shrugging her off, my voice like steel.
At that point, anger had devoured my rationality. Nothing was getting through.
I didn't let Dmitri drive on the way back; I took the wheel myself, racing toward the manor. Isabella rode shotgun, occasionally glancing back at Noelle with unspoken words hovering on her lips.
Through the rearview mirror, I glimpsed Noelle. She slumped against the seat, eyes shut, her dress's hem creased, the skin of her shoulders gleaming a pale white under the passing streetlights.
Those men's gazes... My grip on the steering wheel turned vise-like.
We reached Isabella's street quickly. I stopped at her door and motioned for her to exit.
"Thanks for dropping me off, Kholod." Before leaving, she turned to Noelle once more. "Goodnight, Noelle. I... I'm truly sorry."
Noelle opened her eyes and managed a weak smile. "Goodnight, Isabella."
The door clicked shut, leaving just the two of us in the confined space.
I revved the engine, accelerating even faster than before.
"Kholod." Her voice floated from the back seat, weary and imploring. "I only noticed the cheating by chance. I was just trying to help you—"
"Help me?" I scoffed, whipping around to face her. "You take me for a fool, Noelle?"
"I didn't—"
"Your family runs underground casinos. You expect me to believe you don't know the ropes? It was all just a 'coincidence'?" My volume escalated. "Parading your skills in front of all those men—you thrilled? Reveling in how they undress you with their eyes?"
The accusation spilled out, and in the mirror, her face drained of color, tears shimmering in her eyes. Her lips parted, but no words came. The sight pierced me—I knew I shouldn't have gone there.
"Noelle, I didn't..."
"Stop the car!"
"Noelle, it's too late out..."
"Stop! Let me out!"
She unfastened her seatbelt, fumbling for the door handle, her glare burning with fury. Fearing she'd escalate, I decelerated and pulled into a scenic overlook on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Noelle flung the door open, darted out nimbly, and slammed it behind her before striding away.
I bolted from the car, catching up and seizing her wrist.
"Noelle, hear me out—"
She spun around. "Fine! Yeah, I love their attention! I crave everyone staring! I picked it up from my dad—are you satisfied?"
I knew it was all bluster, but her words dredged up those clingy stares again. All I wanted was to shield her, keep her hidden from the world.
I hauled her by the waist into my embrace.
"Kholod, cut the crazy!" She thrashed, even attempting a kick.
I locked her in place; escape was impossible, so she sank her teeth into my shoulder. The bite was mild—like a kitten's scratch—and her soft, supple body writhing against mine only ignited a fiercer hunger to consume her completely.
"Kholod, you lunatic, what the fuck? I try to help and I'm the villain? I—"
I silenced her relentless chatter with a kiss, ensnaring her tongue—the source of all that aggravating fire—and sucking fiercely. She attempted to evade, but I held firm. In retaliation, she bit down on my tongue. I recoiled from the sting—damn, she was bite-happy tonight. My heart, my flesh.
"Calmed down?" I asked.
She said nothing, averting her face, though the fight had ebbed from her.
I drew her nearer, her form melding against mine. I was achingly hard. Noelle clearly felt it. She went rigid, her irritation morphing into incredulity.
"Kholod, you... seriously, even now?" A flush bloomed on her cheeks, tempting me to nip. And I did just that.
Noelle seethed, squirming wildly in my hold, shoving at my chest. In the tussle, her strapless dress slipped lower, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage.
Desire overwhelmed me. I hoisted her up, striding two paces to the bridge's railing and pinning her against it.
"Kholod! We're in public! Don't—"
I claimed her mouth, reducing her objections to muffled whimpers.
I tugged her zipper down, giving a sharp pull, and the bodice dropped to her waist. Clever design—no bra needed. Her creamy breasts sprang free, the tattoo of my name boldly etched on her skin.
A chill breeze swept by, her nipples pebbling into stiff points. I released her lips, lowering my head to nip and lave them.
Her delicate moans only hardened me further.
"See this?" I murmured, tracing the tattoo with my tongue. "You're branded with my mark, yet you dare entertain thoughts of other men—a whole crowd of them."
She parted her lips, likely to hurl more barbs, but I wanted only moans from that mouth. My hand delved beneath her dress. A thong tonight—simple to nudge the flimsy lace aside. She was drenched.
I spun her around, clamping a hand over her mouth before she could protest, and aligned myself.
"Look at this city," I whispered in her ear. "It's my domain. And you're my woman. No matter what schemes brew in that head of yours, you belong to me alone."
I brushed off her muffled curses—labeling me a pervert, a freak, all that.
One hand kneaded her breast, pinching and rolling the rigid peak, while the other ventured lower, stroking her slick, swollen folds.
"Gonna fuck you right here," I growled. "You like that, Noelle?
Getting railed out in the open, exposed for anyone to see? "
She shot me a glare over her shoulder, eyes blazing. But they were edged with red, her body quivering under my caresses, fresh waves of arousal slicking my fingers. I knew she was aroused, secretly thrilled. Satisfaction flooded me.
"Want it?" I teased, circling her clit with deliberate pressure. "Be honest, and I'll give you what you need."
Stubborn as ever, she refused to speak. So I persisted, teasing her relentlessly, then gripped the icy railing to cool my hand before plunging my fingers inside her. The frosty shock made her gasp and arch.
"I want it," she finally breathed, her voice fracturing.
"Good girl," I murmured approvingly, withdrawing my hand. Without delay, I freed myself and drove into her from behind, sinking deep in one powerful thrust.
I pounded hard, each stroke merciless, shattering her fragmented curses into breathless gasps. "Fucking... pervert..." she stuttered, but my relentless rhythm splintered her words into moans.
"You dare let them ogle you like that again?" I demanded, hips slamming forward. "This filthy, dripping side of you—begging for it—is mine alone to witness. Admit it." I plunged deeper. "Who owns this greedy little cunt? Who turns you into such a soaked mess?"