THE TEMPTRESS

||Vague||

•STEPHANIE•

I tore my gaze away from the wall and peeked over at Kaden, who was knocked out on the bed beside me.

His light snores were filling up the room, harmonizing with the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, syncing up with the ticking of the clock.

Despite the wild night we had in this suite, exploring every nook and cranny, the thrill didn't make me lose sight of why I was here.

I've been up all night, mulling over my thoughts, debating whether to just end him now and be done with it.

Killing him might simplify my mission, but that's a whole new problem. Without him, I can't get any closer to Luca.

It fucking frustrates me to no end that every time things get intimate, I drop my guard and let him take the reins. He maneuvers my body like it's a playground, pushing me to the edge of ecstasy.

But, no denying, that I relish the way he pleasures me, treating my body like some sacred temple. And in those heated moments, the boundaries we set for each other blur, defying the initial agreement.

He breached that line yesterday, and what pisses me off is that I've already stepped over it too.

Kaden has me questioning my morals and purpose here, and I hate it.

Yet, his touch on my skin, the way he sparks a fire in my gut, even the way he looks at me—it all stirs up this weird warmth inside.

I've never felt this way before, and it freaks me out that it's happening with a guy I shouldn't be falling for.

He's collateral damage from Luca's world, a distraction I pretended to handle while plotting revenge against his father.

I know the risks and downsides, and I swore I wouldn't let emotions hold me back from securing justice for my family.

As I keep staring at Kaden's face, my bitterness slowly melts away, replaced by that same warm feeling. My eyes trace his features, noticing the tiniest details I missed before.

His face appeared so serene in sleep, the gentle rhythm of his breath causing his chest to rise and fall. Stray strands of hair delicately framed his closed eyelids, concealing his captivating brown eyes.

The blanket merely covered his lower half, leaving his top half exposed. My gaze naturally gravitated toward the scene.

His strong shoulders, sculpted chest, and well-defined muscles beckoned my attention. His arms revealed thick veins that traced down to his hands, the same hands that had tenderly encircled my neck...

Oh God.

An involuntary tension gripped my thighs in response to a growing desire. The palpable sexual tension lingered, almost tangible, tempting me to continue indulging in fantasies while he slept.

I hastily extracted myself from the bed and headed to the attached bathroom. Locking the door behind me, I attempted to steady my breath and calm my racing heart.

I approached the sink, letting the tap water flow into my cupped hands before splashing it onto my face. The hope was to shake off the momentary sexual haze. Yet, when I met my reflection in the mirror, terror struck— it persisted.

My face betrayed it all.

Flushed complexion, parted lips, erratic breathing, and the undeniable lust reflected in dilated pupils. This wasn't characteristic of me. Being intensely attracted to Kaden was challenging enough, but developing genuine feelings?

No, no, no, no, no.

"Snap out of it, Stephanie! Focus and stay in control."

With a resigned exhale, I shed my robe. Starting the shower and waiting for the water to heat, the glass walls soon fogged up as I stepped into the comforting cascade, letting the warm water soothe my senses.