Chapter 85: Let them watch
>Mallory
"And if I don’t want to?" I said.
My voice came out steadier than I felt. He was standing too close, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his body through the thin space between us. His chest rose slowly as he breathed, calm and controlled, like he already knew the answer.
He lifted his hand and brushed my hair aside, his fingers sliding along my cheek before tucking the loose strands behind my ear. The touch was gentle, almost familiar, and that made my heart beat faster for reasons I didn’t want to admit.
"If you still want to divorce me," he said quietly, "I’ll announce our relationship to everyone."
My breath caught.
"I’ll make sure it follows you wherever you go," he continued. "No matter how far you hide. I’ll find you. And I’ll threaten every bastard who dares to take you away from me."
He stopped talking.The room went silent.
Then he looked straight into my eyes.
His gaze was sharp, heavy, and filled with something dark. It sent a chill down my spine, like cold fingers crawling up my back. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
It felt like something had taken over him.
This man in front of me didn’t look like the husband I was used to. Not the gentle one who smiled easily and spoke softly. This version of him felt dangerous, like a line had been crossed and there was no going back.
I swallowed and bit my lip, trying to calm myself.
"Why would you go that far for me?" I asked.
His expression softened just a little, but the intensity in his eyes didn’t fade.
"You can’t even begin to imagine how far I’m willing to go for you," he said. Then he hesitated, his jaw tightening before he spoke again. "If you did, you might run away. Or worse... you might hate me."
Before I could respond, he leaned closer.
His face lowered to my neck, his breath warm against my skin. I froze, my hands clenching at my sides. Then, without warning, his teeth lightly scraped against my neck.
A sharp gasp escaped my lips.
"I don’t want that to happen," he murmured.
He began to nibble at my neck, slow and deliberate, as if he was testing my reaction.
My body betrayed me as it respond freely everytime his lips touches my skin.
Shivers ran through me, spreading from where he touched me to every part of my body. Heat rushed to my face, my ears, my chest. I had no idea what kind of expression I was making, but I knew it wasn’t a calm one. My thoughts scattered, my head spinning as my body refused to listen to reason.
What does this man do to me?
Why does my body react like this every time?
"S-stop," I stammered, finally finding my voice. "We’re in your office."
I tried to pull back, but before I could move away, his lips crashed into mine. I didn’t even have time to breath, his tongue explode every part of mouth, it might take shape of it.
My breath hitched. My fingers gripped tightly at the fabric of the lunch box, it was wrong that I was getting aroused by a mere kiss.
The kiss was firm, claiming, like he was making a point. I could feel his hand press against my waist, keeping me exactly where he wanted me.
"I don’t care," he said against my lips. "I own this whole building. They can watch for all I care."
My heart slammed against my ribs. Then his hand slid under my clothes.
I sucked in a sharp breath as his fingers moved slowly, almost carefully, like he was memorizing every curve of my body. His touch wasn’t rushed, and that somehow made it worse. My knees felt weak, my thoughts a mess. His hand was moving through the rhythm of his kiss.
Panic surged through me when a soft whimper escaped my mouth.
That sound snapped something inside me. My eyes looked around me as if someone was watching us.
My instincts kicked in, the loud drum of my hearr felt like it might escape out of my chest.
I shoved my hand against his chest with both hands, trying to push him away. But he didn’t budge. It was like pushing against a wall. His grip tightened instead, his hand moving further as if he hadn’t heard me at all.
"W-wait!" I said, my voice shaking when I was finally able to break out from the kiss.
He didn’t stop, his lips claimed me again.
It felt like my words were disappearing into nothing, like he wasn’t listening anymore. Fear and frustration tangled together in my chest, making it hard to think clearly.
"Alright!" I blurted out, my voice cracking as the words rushed out of me. "I won’t ask for a divorce! For God’s sake, just stop!"
The room felt like it froze the second I said it.
For a brief moment, nothing happened. His hand was still there, his body still close, his breath still warm against my skin. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I stood stiff, afraid to move, afraid that if I did, he would keep going.
Then his body went still.
Completely still.
The change was sudden enough to make my breath hitch. The pressure against me eased as his muscles relaxed, like a tension had been cut loose. Slowly, deliberately, he pulled away from me.
The space between us felt unreal.
I stared at him, my chest rising and falling too fast, my hands trembling at my sides. My legs felt weak, like they might give out if I didn’t lock my knees.
His eyes changed.
The dark, heavy look that had been weighing on me disappeared. In its place was something sharp and bright, almost excited. It was like watching clouds clear from the sky in seconds. The man who had cornered me a moment ago looked... pleased.
"Okay," he said lightly.
