Empress Of Wrath, Blood And Desire

Chapter 18: London's view

With a light headache and a feeling of softness beneath me, my eyes flash open to meet the brightness around me. I squint, adjusting to the light, before quickly lifting myself from what I realize is a bed.

My surroundings come into focus- a room bathed in sunlight, sleek and modern.

My gaze snaps to the side, where a massive glass window spans the entire length of the wall, offering a sweeping view of towering skyscrapers and the sprawling city below.

The door beside the bed suddenly creaks open, and a man enters, a towel wrapped tightly around his waist.

My eyes trail over the droplets of water clinging to his wet, toned body, following the path from his waist to his broad chest.

His beard glistens with moisture, and his short, damp hair curls slightly from the water.

He's perfection, an angel-made flesh.

"You're awake..." his voice, raspy and deep, snaps me out of my trance.

Our eyes lock, his golden irises glowing as the sunlight hits them. He steps closer, his muscles rippling with each movement, until he's standing over me.

He leans in, resting his strong hands on either side of me, his body caging me in.

His lips press against mine, the wetness of his beard brushing my skin, sending a shock through my system.

A gasp escapes me as my stomach twists and tightens.

Without thinking, I respond, kissing him back with hunger, which draws a low growl from him. His hand gently cups my face, his touch soft yet commanding.

My body melts into him, and the kiss deepens as he leans further over me, his presence overwhelming, and intoxicating.

His movement forces me to steady myself on my elbows as we continue to kiss, feverishly, like it's the last time we'll ever touch.

I can't stop myself as I crave the taste of him, the heat of his skin.

Everything he's done, everything I've ever planned against him, fades into nothingness. The past, the future, it all dissolves in this moment.

I find myself in a world that's foreign yet overwhelmingly alluring, a world where I'm completely consumed by him. And I want more. No, I need more.

A deep, guttural growl rumbles from his chest, a sound that sends a shiver down my spine. I pull away from him, my heart pounding in my chest, and open my eyes. "Please don't..." he rasps, breathless, his voice thick with desperation as he grabs my face, pulling me back to him.

His lips crash against mine again, and this time, I don't fight. I can't. Part of me, the part that wants to resist, screams for control, for clarity, but something darker, something stronger, keeps me locked in place. It has power over me, over my body, and I surrender.

My panty drenches and I want him inside ravenously.

Wait, last night I wasn't wearing any panties because he ripped it open...

I pull back away from him once more, quickly bringing my eyes to the black oversized T-shirt I wear. Without any thought, I lift my shirt to see if am wearing any panties, and to my surprise, I am wearing one; a black laced panty.

Marcello dressed me.

My eyes travel up to his, finding him already staring at me before he laughs deeply, showcasing his majestic features. "What?" I question softly and he shakes his head, sighing.

"Nothing. You are gorgeously beautiful, that's it. Too beautiful," he murmurs, licking his lips as if savoring the remnants of our kiss.

I feel a warmth flood my cheeks, and I drop my oversized shirt, turning away from him. It's strange how a compliment from him, of all people, makes me feel vulnerable in ways I'm not used to.