Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
Noelle
"Did your heart run off with him?"
Kholod's voice came from the doorway, low and dangerous.
I lounged on the sofa with my eyes closed, resting. At his words, I opened them and shot him a cold glare. "Kholod Morozov, don't start acting crazy here."
"I just want to know," he said, stepping closer, "are you in love with him?"
"None of your business."
"How is it not?" He sat across from me. "You're my wife."
"Ex-wife," I corrected. "I signed the divorce papers."
"But I didn't." His voice dropped low. "Noelle, you smile for him, you're gentle with him, but with me, you're always ice cold. I get jealous too... Can't you smile at me a little more?"
"You deserve it." I stood up. "If it weren't for you, I could've had a peaceful life with Lorenzo, no nightmares, no painful memories every time I see you—"
Before I finished, I caught the flicker of hurt in his eyes. Those reddening rims sparked a twisted thrill in me. I stepped forward, tilting my head up to stare down this towering man who looked utterly wrecked right now.
"So, what gives you the right to be jealous?"
His Adam's apple bobbed, like he wanted to say something, but my sharp gaze shut him down.
"I don't want to hear your excuses." My voice stayed soft. "Right now, you don't get to question me. Only to obey."
I eased back onto the sofa, like he was the one under scrutiny.
"Look me in the eyes."
He lifted his head as told.
"Remember this feeling, Kholod." I hammered each word into his heart. "Insecurity, jealousy, that gnawing fear... That's everything you put me through. Now it's your turn to taste it."
I leaned forward a bit, my gaze burning into him.
"You want my attention? Want me to smile at you like I do for Lorenzo?" I chuckled softly. "Fine. But not by throwing tantrums, making threats, or that pathetic possessiveness."
My eyes roamed his face, forcing him to face the rules.
"Earn it with loyalty, regret, and proving yourself day after day. Got it?"
His breathing came rough, and finally, he ground out through clenched teeth, "...Got it."
"Then go. I don't want to hear another word about Lorenzo tonight."
I got up to pour some water, ignoring him.
Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around me from behind, burying his face in the crook of my neck. His voice muffled, laced with a barely hidden plea. "Noelle... Don't leave me..."
I felt the strength in his hold, didn't pull away, didn't respond. The glass clinked crisply as I set it down in the silence.
"Kholod, is this your idea of regret? Forcing a hug against my will to beg for comfort?"
He froze, slowly released me, and stepped back. I turned, seeing the aggrieved unease on his face, and that thrill bubbled up again.
Fun.
"Looks like you didn't really get it. Fine, tomorrow night, I'm hosting Zoe. You'll handle dinner prep and serving."
Yeah, Zoe was back from the woods, knew I was here, and wanted to visit.
His pupils flickered—making the Morozov boss play waiter? Pure humiliation.
"Not willing?" I arched a brow. "That's how regretful you are?"
"...No." He lowered his eyes. "I'll do it."
The next evening, Kholod stood in the corner of the dining room, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. When Zoe glanced at him curiously, his jaw tightened, but he still stepped forward to pour our wine, just like I demanded.
"This is Kholod," I said casually. "Helping out tonight."
Zoe clearly recognized him and knocked over her glass in shock. Kholod's temple vein throbbed, but he silently righted it and refilled.
All through dinner, I deliberately ignored him, chatting and laughing with Zoe. Only when dessert came did I glance his way.
"This wine's bland." I swirled my glass. "What do you think?"
He paused, then said low, "My oversight. I'll replace it right away."
As he turned toward the kitchen, Zoe leaned in, whispering. "God, do you know what you're doing? That's Kholod Morozov!"
I just smiled without a word. That's the point—I wanted to crush that arrogant Kholod Morozov.
After seeing Zoe off, I headed back to the living room.
"Today... Did I do good enough?" Kholod's voice rasped, with a hint of hidden hope.
I walked up to him, reached out to untie his apron, moving slowly. My fingers brushed his neck skin by accident, feeling his muscles tense instantly.
"Barely passable." I met his tired amber eyes. "But it's nowhere near enough, Kholod. Your past work was too masterful; it'll take a lot more to fix it."
A spark flickered in his eyes, hardening into resolve.
For days, Kholod stuck to my demands, burying that restlessness under a calm facade. But I sensed the undercurrents churning beneath.
Until that rainy night.
He'd just finished reading me a passage about the Icelandic Aurora, his voice hoarse from the long session. I stared at the rain-streaked window and murmured, "Read like it has no soul. You don't get freedom, Kholod. You only know how to cage things."
The book slammed shut, shattering the quiet.
I turned calmly, watching him rise slowly. His massive frame cast an oppressive shadow in the light. All that earlier restraint vanished from his eyes, replaced by a cornered sharpness.
"I don't get it?" He advanced step by step, voice low and dangerous. "Yeah, I don't get the freedom you crave. But I'm starting to get other things..."
He stopped right in front of me, close enough to feel the heat radiating off him.
"You enjoy this, don't you?" His hand hovered, tracing the air along my cheek, sending a shiver through me. "Enjoy watching me grovel, enjoy stomping on my dignity, enjoy carving up my pride with words like a dull knife..."
His piercing gaze locked on mine, like it could strip away every mask.
"Tell me, Noelle," he leaned in close to my ear. "Treating me like this, are you really as cool as you seem? Or is this just your twisted kind of thrill?"
I backed up instinctively, but he anticipated, grabbing my wrist. Firm enough to hold me, not to hurt.
"Game's over. Or should we switch to something we're more 'familiar' with?"
I turned my face away from his stare.
"Look at me."
"I won't."
He gripped my chin, forcing my head up. Our eyes met, and fire blazed in his.
"Noelle," his voice husked, "you remember this?"
His fingers slid to my collarbone, then lower, pressing lightly over my clothes right on that tattoo spot.
"H.M."
His initials. Etched into me, impossible to erase.
"This brand isn't for me—it's for you." His breath ghosted my ear. "We're bound, Noelle. You can't run."
"Let go..."
"No." His voice stayed low, unyielding. "From the moment you saved me, from the second I marked you, you're mine."
Before the words faded, his lips crashed onto mine. I tried to shove him off, but he pinned my wrists to the wall. In that deep kiss, my struggles weakened.
Damn it. My body still remembered him—his scent, his touch, everything.
"Don't push me away..." He pulled back slightly, voice ragged.
"I..."
Before I could answer, he scooped me up in his arms.
"Leo's still—"
"He's asleep." He glanced at the crib. "This'll be quick."
"Kholod Morozov! Don't push it!"
"You're my wife. This isn't pushing it."
He carried me into the bedroom, kicking the door shut.
He set me on the bed, fingers slipping under my hem. "Your body remembers me, Noelle. You can't deny it."
"Stop..."
"Really want me to?" His fingers lingered at my waist. "Then why are you shaking?"
I bit my lip, refusing to answer, but he was right—that damn familiarity betrayed me.
"Why are you always like this..." My voice caught with a sob.
"Because I want you so bad it's driving me insane."
As he undid my buttons, I tried futilely to stop him, my hands weak.
"Tell me you want me too."
"I don't..."
He sealed my unfinished denial with another kiss. Clothes peeled away, cool air hitting my skin, followed by his scorching palms and heated breath.
"Noelle..." he panted, "my Noelle..."
Kholod's grip tightened as he hovered over me, his eyes dark with raw hunger.
"God, I've been holding back so long I'm about to lose it," he growled, his voice thick with frustration.
His hand trailed down my body, fingers parting my thighs with deliberate slowness.
He dipped in, exploring, and a low chuckle escaped him when he felt the slick warmth there.
"You're soaked, Noelle. Admit it—you've been wanting this too. Been craving me just as bad."
I glared up at him, fire in my eyes, refusing to give him the satisfaction. "Fuck you," I spat, lunging forward to bite his shoulder, hard enough to make him hiss. "Get off me, you bastard. Roll away and leave me the hell alone."
But he was faster, grabbing my chin and tilting my head back.
Before I could clamp down again, his thumb pressed against my lips, prying them open.
"Oh no you don't," he murmured, his tone laced with dark amusement.
He slipped his fingers into my mouth, toying with my tongue, stroking it slowly, teasingly.
"Bite me? That's cute. But let's see how you like this.
" His fingers danced, curling around my tongue, pulling it gently, making me gasp around them.
"Suck on them, Noelle. Show me how much you hate me. "
I tried to pull away, mumbling curses around his intrusion.
"Stop... you asshole... get out..." But the words came out garbled, and damn it, the way he played with me sent unwanted sparks through my core.
He leaned in, his breath hot on my neck.
"What was that? Can't hear you with your mouth full.
Try again—tell me to stop. Or is this turning you on more?
" He withdrew slightly, only to plunge back in, mimicking a rhythm that had my body clenching involuntarily.
"Yeah, that's it. Fight me all you want, but your tongue's betraying you.
So eager, wrapping around me like it misses this. "
"Bastard," I managed, my voice muffled, but the fight was draining as heat pooled lower.
He kept at it, his free hand roaming my breasts, pinching my nipples just enough to make me arch.
"Come on, Noelle, say it. Tell me you want my fingers deeper.
Or should I replace them with something else?
" His eyes locked on mine, challenging, as he finally pulled out, strings of saliva connecting us.
I panted, glaring, but my body softened, melting under his touch despite myself.
Satisfied with my pliancy, Kholod positioned himself between my legs, his hard length pressing against my entrance.
Without another word, he thrust in, filling me in one swift motion.
I gasped, a sharp twinge of pain mixing with the stretch.
"Ouch... back off, Kholod, it hurts," I whimpered, pushing at his chest, my nails digging in.
He stilled for a moment, but didn't pull back.
Instead, his hands moved to my most sensitive spots—thumb circling my clit with expert pressure, while his other hand kneaded my breast, rolling the nipple between his fingers.
"Shh, relax for me," he coaxed, his voice a husky whisper.
"Let go, Noelle. Feel how good this can be.
I've got you." The rhythmic rubbing eased the discomfort, turning it into waves of pleasure that had me unclenching, my body yielding despite my resolve.
Once I relaxed, he started moving, slow at first, deep thrusts that built a torturous rhythm.
His mouth found the tattoo on my chest, lips pressing reverent kisses to the "H.M.
" etched there. "Don't leave me, Noelle," he murmured against my skin, his voice breaking with need.
"Please... stay with me. I can't lose you.
" He kissed it again, tongue tracing the letters as he picked up pace, driving harder. "Promise me. Say you won't leave me."
I bit my lip harder, refusing to respond, even as he pounded into me relentlessly, each thrust sending jolts of ecstasy through my veins.
No way I'd give in, not after everything.
He groaned, sensing my silence, and shifted tactics.
"Not satisfied? Guess I'm not trying hard enough.
" With a wicked grin, he flipped us so I was on top, his hands gripping my hips as he guided me down onto him.
"Ride me, then. Take what you want—but don't think you can ignore me. "
I tried to hold back, but he bucked up, hitting that perfect spot inside, making stars burst behind my eyes.
Still, I stayed silent, clenching around him in defiance.
He growled, pulling me down for a bruising kiss, then trailed his mouth lower, sucking on my nipples while his fingers worked my clit in tight circles.
"Come on, scream for me. Let it out." But I wouldn't—until he angled just right, adding a twist of his hips that had me crying out despite myself, body shuddering in release.
Not done, he rolled us again, pinning me beneath him.
"Still holding out? Let's fix that." He slowed, teasing the edge, pulling almost out before slamming back in, over and over.
His hand slipped between us, fingers vibrating against my swollen bud as he whispered filthy promises.
"Feel that? This is me owning you, Noelle.
Every inch." He kissed the tattoo obsessively, begging between thrusts.
"Don't leave... I need you... say it, please. "
I arched, screams tearing from my throat as wave after wave crashed over me, my body betraying me with clenching spasms. But I clamped my mouth shut on any words, refusing to surrender, even as pleasure ripped through me like fire.
He kept going, inventive now—switching positions, bending me over the edge of the bed, taking me from behind with slaps to my ass that stung deliciously, then pulling my hair to arch my back while he drove deep.
"Like that? Or this?" He'd alternate speeds, fast and furious, then agonizingly slow, edging me until I was a trembling mess, screams echoing off the walls.
By the end, I was a wreck, body spent from multiple peaks, screams raw in my throat, but I never gave him the words he craved.
No promises, no admissions. He finally spilled inside me with a guttural roar, collapsing over me, still murmuring pleas against my skin.
But I stayed silent, my defiance intact, even in the afterglow.
Kholod's arms locked me tight against him. His heartbeat thrummed steadily in my ear, stark in the quiet.
I stared blankly at the ceiling, everything from before feeling like a storm I'd lost control of.