Passion's Crossfire

Chapter 116

Adam

"I know it sucks, but it's the last of the boxes. We have to put them away," Mallory chuckles as we stand in the study surrounded by half-opened boxes.

"I don't want to, baby," I protest, pulling her close and wrapping my arms around her waist. I lean in and kiss her lips. My hands move from her waist to cup her ass, pulling her closer. "I want you," I whisper in her ear, feeling her shiver in my arms.

"I want you too," she replies, snaking her arms around my neck. I kiss her again, deeply, hungrily, with raw animalistic need. Mallory pulls away and playfully points at my crotch, bringing a mischievous gleam to her eyes.

"Down, boy. We have work to do," she says, turning away from me.

I can't resist the temptation. I grab her arm, pulling her back against my chest. Lifting her up, I spread her legs, and she wraps them around my waist. I kiss her neck, reveling in the sweet moans escaping her lips. With Mallory in my arms, I carry her to the bedroom and throw her onto the bed. Mallory looks at me with a sultry look, and I'm a goner.

I climb on top of her, our passion intensifying with each kiss. My hands explore, one on her neck and the other kneading her breast. Just as my hand reaches the hem of her shirt, the doorbell rings, shattering the intimate moment. We break the kiss, exchanging confused glances.

"Are we expecting someone?" Mallory asks.

"Nope," I reply, but the doorbell rings again.

"They are impatient too," Mallory teases as I reluctantly get up from the bed and adjust my dick in my pants. Blue fucking balls it is. We head to the living room, and as I open the door, shock courses through me – Eleanor Vanguard stands on the other side.

I definitely didn't expect a visit from her. What the hell is she doing here?

"Are you going to let me in?" Eleanor interrupts my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. I nod and allow her to enter. Mallory looks at me and Eleanor curiously.

"You must be Mallory," Eleanor says, extending a hand. Mallory shakes it and asks, "And you are...?"

"Eleanor Vanguard," she replies, and Mallory's eyes widen, shooting me a shocked look. Eleanor takes a seat on the couch, seemingly unfazed by our bewildered expressions.

"Great place you've got here, guys," she comments, patting the couch. "Sit, guys."

Mallory complies, sitting on the couch, and I choose the armchair beside her. Eleanor shifts her body to face us directly.

"So, I've heard a lot about you two, and my parents were right. You really look good together," she says, leaving us both utterly confused.

What the hell is going on?

"Thank you, Eleanor," I manage to say, still processing her unexpected visit. Eleanor sighs, glancing around the room before refocusing on us.

"We have found ourselves in quite the predicament, huh?" she says, her tone oddly casual. I exchange a puzzled look with Mallory.

"Eleanor, do you mind telling us what is going on?" I ask, trying to get straight to the point.

"I am talking about the deal our parents have made. Well, your mother and my parents. About us getting married," she reveals, and my heart skips a beat. Mallory shoots me a worried look.

"What about it?" I ask cautiously, uncertain about where this conversation is headed.

"I am guessing you don't want to go through with it. Right?" she says, pointing at Mallory as if presenting her as evidence.

"Right," I affirm, my voice firm. Mallory snaps her head toward me, her expression a mix of surprise and concern, while Eleanor maintains an unreadable demeanor. What is it with this family and their poker faces?

"Good. Neither do I," Eleanor says, and I can't help but feel a wave of relief.

"God, you really know how to build into it," Mallory remarks quietly, and Eleanor giggles.

"Sorry, guys, I like to have my fun. So, what are we going to do about it?" Eleanor asks, bringing us back to the seriousness of the situation.

"Seems pretty simple to me; we don't want to get married, so we don't get married," I suggest straightforwardly.

Eleanor's expression darkens. "It's not that simple," she admits, causing Mallory and me to exchange confused glances.

Eleanor sighs. "My parents won't allow it. It's not that they want to join two vast fortunes," she says, using air quotes and rolling her eyes. "They are so afraid of your family, Adam. They can't say no. They have seen what your mother has done over the years to anyone not doing her bidding, and they don't want to suffer the same fate," Eleanor explains.

"I am engaged, you know," she adds, looking down at her hands. I notice the engagement ring, which I didn't see earlier. "He is working for my parents. They are taking a page out of your mother's book, Adam. They are threatening to fire him and destroy his reputation so he won't be able to find another job," Eleanor confesses.

Mallory reaches out, taking Eleanor's hand in hers. "I'm so sorry," Mallory says, and Eleanor looks at her with a grateful smile.

"I know Mallory has been through a lot too, so what are we going to do?" Eleanor asks.

"Well, as you said, it's just my mother who wants this marriage. We have been trying to find a solution with my father, but with no success. When he wakes up..." I begin explaining, but Eleanor interrupts me with an exasperated gesture.

"Cut the crap, Adam. You and I both know that your father has woken. What baffles me is why you keep it a secret," she says, throwing her hands up. I didn't expect her to be so direct, but since we're opening up, I decide to be transparent.

"My mother displayed a somewhat... erratic and dangerous-to-his-well-being behavior while he was in a coma. So, until he has regained his strength, we are saying that he is still in the ICU," I explain, and Eleanor nods in understanding.

"Well, I have to say that having the mighty Julian Christensen on our side feels pretty damn good," Eleanor admits.

"Is this why your parents were at the hospital last night?" Mallory inquires.

"Yeah, we heard he woke up, and they wanted to talk to him about all this. They wanted to, ever since they met you, Mallory, but they didn't get the chance," Eleanor reveals.

"We should give my father some time to rest, though," I suggest, hoping Eleanor will understand. She's in a horrible situation herself. Eleanor nods in agreement, saying, "Of course," and stands up.

"Well, I have taken a lot of your time. I should go. It was nice meeting you, Mallory. I hope I'll get to know you better," Eleanor adds, winking at Mallory. Mallory stands up, smiling, and says, "I was glad to meet you too," and they share a hug.

Mallory and I see Eleanor to the door, and when we close it, I let out a deep breath. "Well, that was... unexpected," Mallory remarks.

"It definitely was," I say, my mind processing the unexpected twists brought about by Eleanor's visit.