Chapter 46
As instructed, she waits with her little rolling suitcase outside her dorm on the stone bench in the bleak shadows.
The soft glow of the streetlamp illuminates her heart-shaped face.
She’s dressed to kill in a deep red plunge dress with simple matching lipstick.
She clutches her black sweater like it’s her lifeline.
She sure as fuck followed directions. My cock is already craving her.
I take a measured breath before I exit the vehicle. Gonna take every ounce of self-control to not fuck her in that dress. Could fuck her against the hood. Can’t be a coincidence she wore a blood red gown. I smirk.
Mine.
I slam the door shut and stalk towards her with a mask of indifference. Inside, I’m dying to paint the rest of her in crimson—the crimson from my veins and hers.
I chuckle internally. You’re so fucked, Zain.
“Let’s go,” I say coldly.
She blinks a few times before getting to her feet.
Her black heels click against the stony walkway.
“You look stunning,” she breathes, raking over my inky black button-down and slacks, all the way down to my oxfords.
Gotta play the part. I even slicked back my dark tendrils.
Doesn’t help much. They still fall loosely over my face, untamed.
“Likewise, songbird.” Her eyes then flick over to the Lincoln parked on the obsidian cobblestone drive. The moonlight illuminates the sleek black paint. “Whoa. It’s gorgeous. I didn’t know you had a car,” she gasps.
I raise a brow and slip my hands in the pockets of my suit. “Because I live in a shithole?” I say in an unreadable tone.
She blanches and stumbles over her words. “No, I didn’t— I just—” Her heels scrape along the walkway as she backpedals.
I fight back a smirk. “Get in the car, Vesper.”
I load her luggage into the back seat and hold the door open for good measure. Gotta play the gentleman card.
I slam the door once she’s seated, sealing her fate. I waltz around and jump in the driver’s seat. Wish I could figure out what goes on in the furthest reaches of her mind. Is she nervous?
Her hands fold neatly in her lap. Her scent fills my fuckin’ car. My fingers have a death grip on the leather steering wheel.
“Are you nervous?” she mutters, sensing my discomfort.
I smirk. Nervous? No.
Driven to madness? Yes.
She has no clue I’m on the verge of cutting that perfect skin, dying to live out my depraved ideations.
I inhale and keep my composure. “No,” I say flatly.Emotionless. Void. Impassive.I struggle to hide my volatile interior.
She pouts her cherry lips, and I feel my hands shake. Between the urge to fuck her and knowing she’ll be a crying crumpled mess later has me hesitating. Don’t know why. My demons are simmering on the surface. This next step is gonna test my resolve, the deepest depths of my core.
I throw the car in drive and pull away from Grimshaw. Her eyes stay focused out the window. Frozen, fractured crystals cling to the window. The ride is silent, and that works in my favor. Not sure I can control myself much longer.
I can tell we’re close when the salty ocean breeze flows through the air. Salt dissolves on my tongue, reminding me of that night I snuck into her bedroom. The estate comes into view. The iron gates open, welcoming my chaos within.
Her soft voice cuts through the noise of the idling engine.
“Most of the staff is on early holiday. I hope that’s okay.
It’ll be just us. Normally Dante likes to pick me up, but when I told him I had a ride, he decided to take a few days off for himself.
As far as the rest of the staff, they are with their families until the new year, aside from the cook and a single maid. ”
A predatory smirk crosses over my lips. It’s more than fine, songbird. Perfect in fact. Less witnesses. “No issue,” I say simply.
She flashes me that distracting smile, and I grind my teeth to get shit under control.
“Go ahead, I’ll be behind you,” I urge her from the car. Still got a few things to do.
She gives me an inscrutable look but obeys.
I wait for her to reach the cascading weathered stone steps before I grab a few things from my glove box.
I fish out a small needle and a little glass vial after scanning the windows to ensure no one is lurking in the shadows.
A loose piece of hair falls from my slick-backed do.
I plunge the needle in the vial and pull the stopper back.
My finger flicks the needle a few times, ensuring it’s full. I cap it and pocket it.
Showtime.