Chapter 19
T he tension in the Regents' office was thick enough to slice through with a knife. I leaned back in my chair, my gaze alternating between Logan and Cole, the dim lighting cast long shadows across their faces, highlighting the lines of concern that seemed to have etched themselves into their features overnight, although I had no idea what they were talking about.
I had lost interest and found my mind wandering back to the purple haired beauty that was merely two floors above us. I could feel the weight of the day's events pressing down on me, a relentless reminder of the game we were playing.
I had to admit, watching Cade squirm under our control was intoxicating. The way her blue eyes flashed with defiance, the slight quiver in her voice when she tried to assert her autonomy, it was all part of a dance, one that I was growing increasingly addicted to.
Logan's insistence on maintaining such a tight leash on her was starting to grate on me. I understood the need for control, the thrill of dominance, but there was a fine line between ownership and obsession, and I wasn't sure which side of it Logan was dancing on. At least I was clear in my intentions, I didn’t want to just own her, I wanted to consume her. Logan said he wanted to break her, and I supported that, because breaking her meant I could rebuild her into the perfect version of herself that I knew she could be.
The shopping trip yesterday had been a rare opportunity to get her alone, away from the prying eyes of the university and the influence of Logan's iron-fisted rule. I relished the chance to see her in a different light, to watch the subtle shifts in her demeanour as she tried on outfit after outfit, each one selected with meticulous care by my own hand. The memory of her emergence from the dressing room, the way the fabric clung to her curves and accentuated the soft hue of her hair was enough to send a jolt of electricity straight to my dick. It took all my willpower not to pull it out and jack myself off right there in one of the many stuffy boutiques that Melody directed us to.
But that was yesterday. Today, we were back within the confines of Covenant House, and the reality of our situation was once again making itself known. Logan had positioned Cade across the table from me at dinner earlier, a strategic move that placed her squarely between him and Cole. I knew what he was doing of course, both he and Cole had expressed their concerns, despite my assurance that this wasn’t going to turn out like last time. Cade wasn’t her, and I was older and more in control of myself. But it still felt like a not-so-subtle reminder that she was to be shared among us, that her allegiance was to the House and not to any one Regent. The problem was, I was finding it increasingly difficult to share.
As the evening wore on, the conversation turned to business, business that involved a job that Logan's father, Nicholas Bale, had lined up for us. I listened with half an ear as Logan detailed the expectations and potential fallout if we failed to deliver. Apparently, Nicholas was less than pleased with our choice of Consort, and his displeasure was something we needed to deal with. The job was straightforward enough: a bit of muscle, a bit of intimidation, maybe even some sweet screams of pain if I was so lucky, the kind of work that was second nature to me. But the timing was inconvenient, to say the least.
"Tuesday evening," Logan repeated, his voice carrying that edge that brooked no argument. "We need to show my father that we're still a united front, that we can handle our shit without his interference." I nodded, my mind already wandering back to Cade. I wondered what she was doing at that very moment, if she was thinking about us, about me. The thought of her alone in her room, possibly anxious about the upcoming week, was enough to stir a protective instinct within me that I hadn't even known I possessed.
"Fine," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "I'll be there." Logan gave me a curt nod, a silent acknowledgment of my cooperation. For a moment, our eyes locked, and I could see the flicker of something unspoken pass between us. It was a challenge, a warning, a reminder that we were both vying for the same prize, even if we were supposed to be working together. Cole, ever the mediator, seemed to sense the undercurrent of tension and stepped in to diffuse the situation.
"We'll handle it," he said, his tone calm and reassuring. "We always do." I offered him a tight-lipped smile, appreciating his attempt to keep the peace, even if a part of me was itching for a confrontation. I needed an outlet, a way to channel the restless energy that was coursing through my veins. The idea of getting out into the field, of exerting some physical force, was appealing. It was a far cry from the mental and emotional chess game I was playing with Cade, but it would scratch an itch, for now.
Talking about scratching an itch, I found myself eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere of the office and get started on my plans for the evening. I stood up, the legs of the chair scraping against the hardwood floor as I excused myself with a vague excuse about needing to prepare for the week ahead.
Neither Logan nor Cole attempted to stop me as I made my way out of the office and into the dimly lit hallway. The house was quiet, the only sound being the soft ticking of the antique grandfather clock that stood sentinel at the end of the corridor. I made my way to the kitchen, my footsteps muffled by the plush carpeting underfoot. The kitchen, with its sleek, modern appliances and marble countertops, was a stark contrast to the rest of the house, which was steeped in tradition and history.
I set about making a cup of hot chocolate, a small comfort in the midst of the chaos that had become my life. As I waited for the milk to heat, my thoughts drifted back to Cade. The image of her sitting across from me at dinner, her eyes downcast, her shoulders tense with barely concealed anxiety was etched into my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that she was slipping through my fingers, that despite our best efforts to control her, she was still very much a wild card. It was that unpredictability that drew me to her, that made her so damn irresistible. She was a puzzle that I was determined to solve, a challenge that I couldn't walk away from.
As the milk began to steam, I reached into the pocket of my jacket and pulled out a small pill bottle. The label had been removed, but I knew exactly what was inside: a few crushed sleeping pills, a remnant of a prescription that I had never actually needed. They were a precaution, a just-in-case measure that I'd been carrying around for a rainy day. Tonight, as it turned out, was that rainy day.
I poured the hot chocolate into a mug, the rich, chocolatey scent filling the air. With a steady hand, I tipped the crushed pills into the drink, watching as they dissolved into the dark liquid. The idea of having Cade so vulnerable, so under my control sent a buzz of excitement through me.
With the special hot chocolate in hand, I made my way upstairs to Cade's room. I knocked once before opening the door.
"Hey," I said, pushing the door open. "I brought you something to help you sleep." The first thing I saw was her sitting on the bed, her nose buried in a book. She was wearing one of the new night sets that we had picked out for her, a delicate ensemble of silk and lace that hugged her body in all the right places. The sight of her, so innocent, sent a jolt of desire to my dick, a reminder of the power I held over her. She looked up, her blue eyes wary yet curious.
“My mum always made my hot chocolate before I went back to school,” I said with a smile that was genuine, as memories of my sweet mother filled my mind briefly. I couldn’t wait to introduce Cade to her, I knew she would love her, especially her defiance. My mother had been in Cade’s position as a former Consort, although I hoped that our story was much different to that of my parents.
Cade eyed the mug in my hand, and for a moment, I thought she might refuse. But then her gaze met mine, and I could see the flicker of resignation in her eyes. She was tired of fighting, tired of resisting the inevitable.
"Thanks," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She took the mug from me, her fingers brushing against mine in the process. The contact was electric, a brief moment of connection that left me wanting more.
I watched as she took a tentative sip of the hot chocolate, her eyes fluttering closed as she savoured the taste.
"It's good," she murmured, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. That was enough to send a swell of happiness through my body.
"I'm glad you like it," I said, my voice laced with an undertone of satisfaction. "You're going to need your rest for tomorrow. The first day of term is always the hardest." Cade nodded, her eyelids already beginning to droop. I could see the effects of the sedative taking hold, her movements becoming slower and more lethargic with each passing second. I resisted the urge to reach out and touch her, to run my fingers through her hair and pull her close to me, to peel away the layers of silk that separated her body from mine and drive myself deep into her. Instead, I leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead, a silent promise of the protection and possession that I was determined to offer her.
"Goodnight, Poison," I whispered, my breath stirring the loose strands of her hair. "Sweet dreams."
I left her room, my heart pounding in my chest as I closed the door behind me. I made my way back to my own room, the intoxicating sense of power and control that I felt was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.
I had Cadence Turner exactly where I wanted her, in my world, under my influence, and completely at my mercy. I switched on the monitors at my desk and watched as she finished the drink. She tried to read for a little longer, but soon gave up the fight and switched off the light, activating the night cam, and settling down into bed.
Watching and waiting until I was sure that both Cade and the guys were settled for the night was almost impossible. My body was on edge and my dick was painfully hard in my sweats. I considered relieving the tension briefly, but held off until I knew I could continue with my plan, knowing that it would be worth the wait.
Finally, the house had settled into the stillness of the night, the only sound being the low hum of the central heating system as it worked tirelessly to ward off the autumn chill. I sat in front of the monitors, my eyes never straying from the screen that showed Cade's room. The soft glow of the night vision camera bathed the room in an eerie green light, casting long shadows across the bed where Cade lay, her breathing deep and even. The effects of the sleeping pills were evident in the languid way she moved, the slow rise and fall of her chest.
She was beautiful in her vulnerability, her defences lowered by the drugged drink I had given her. The sight of her like that, so completely under my control, was intoxicating. My heart was racing, my pulse pounding in my ears as I watched her, the anticipation building within me.
I had been patient, biding my time, waiting for the perfect moment to enact the next phase of my plan. The need to be close to her, to touch her, was overwhelming, but I knew I had to tread carefully. This was about control, about possession, but it was also about trust, a commodity that was in short supply in the world of the Regents.
With a final glance at the monitor to ensure that she was deeply asleep, I rose from my chair and out into the hallway, listening for movement from the other two occupied rooms before I made my way to her room. The door creaked softly as I pushed it open, the sound barely audible above the pounding of my heart.
I stepped inside, the familiar scent of her perfume filling my nostrils as I approached the bed. Cade was lying on her side, her body curled into a protective position. The silk night set she wore clung to her curves, the soft fabric caressing her skin in a way that made my fingers itch with the need to touch her. I reached out, my hand trembling slightly as I brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face. Her skin was warm to the touch, her breathing steady and rhythmic.
The temptation to crawl into bed beside her was almost too much to bear, but I knew that would be a step too far, at least for now. Instead, I allowed myself the luxury of exploring her body with my eyes, tracing the contours of her figure through the thin fabric of her nightwear. My gaze lingered on the swell of her breasts, the gentle curve of her waist, the length of her legs.
She was a masterpiece, a work of art that I longed to claim as my own. I knelt beside the bed, my hand moving of its own accord to cup her breast. The feel of her, even through the silk, was enough to send a painful jolt through my body to my cock and had me almost exploding in my sweats. My thumb brushed over her quickly hardening nipple, eliciting a soft moan from her lips. The sound was my undoing, and enough to draw me deeper into the abyss of my own desire.
I gently glided my hand down the contours of her perfect form and slipped it between her legs, gently pressing against the fabric that covered her pussy. Even in her drugged state, she responded to my touch, her hips shifting slightly to meet the pressure of my hand. The knowledge that she was capable of responding to me, even in her sleep, filled me with a sense of primal satisfaction. I began to move my hand in slow, rhythmic circles, my touch light but insistent.
My own body was responding to the intimacy of the moment, my cock straining against the confines of my sweatpants. I freed myself with one hand, the cool air of the room making me gasp as I wrapped my other hand around my shaft. I stroked myself slowly, matching the speed that I teased her against her silk shorts, noting the material beginning to dampen. As I pleasured myself, I continued to touch Cade, the sensation of her body beneath my hand driving me closer and closer to the edge. The room was filled with the sound of our combined breathing, the soft rustle of fabric, the quiet wet sounds of my hand moving over my cock. It was a symphony of desire, a testament to the control I wielded over both of our bodies.
I could feel the tension building within me, a tight coil of need that was about to snap, and I felt my actions speeding up to chase the impending explosion. With a final, desperate thrust of my hips, I came, my release spilling over my hand as I bit back a cry of pleasure. The force of my orgasm left me shaken, my body trembling with the aftershocks of my climax.
For a moment, I allowed myself to rest there, kneeling beside Cade's bed, my breaths ragged and uneven. Then, with a sense of reluctance, I withdrew my hand from between her legs and tucked myself back into my sweatpants. I took a moment to straighten her night set, ensuring that she was covered and comfortable before I stood up and stepped away from the bed. I leaned down and placed a final kiss on her forehead, a silent seal on the intimacy we had shared.
"Sleep well, my beautiful poison," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.
I returned to my own room, the weight of what I had done pressing down on me. I had crossed a line, a boundary that should have remained inviolate. But as I cleaned myself up and prepared for bed, I couldn't find it within myself to regret my actions.
Cade was mine, in every sense of the word, and I would do whatever it took to keep her.
As I drifted off to sleep, my thoughts were filled with images of Cade, her body, her spirit, her defiance, and her unconscious willingness to react to my touch. She was a drug in my system, a poison that I willingly embraced. And as the first light of dawn crept through my window, I knew that I would kill anyone who dared to get between us.