AUTHOR'S P.O.V
He was screwed- both physically and mentally.
'What the fuck am I doing here?', He thought as he sat beside Valerie in the dining room.
The surprise on their faces was palpable, and he couldn't blame them. He never joined them for lunch, always arriving home late or locking himself away in his office, detached from the world.
But today, he could barely focus. His mind wandered, consumed by thoughts of her despite being holed up in his study with Stephan since morning. He couldn't get any work done. He had joined them solely to catch a glimpse of her, to be near her.
He missed her.
Their brief time together in Santorini had awakened an obsession within him, and now he couldn't bear to be apart from her. Yet, she was pushing him away, avoiding him after he had pleaded with her to let him in.
Pleaded - a word that grated against his ego, but ego be damned! The persistent ache in his chest refused to disappear. It was driving him to the brink of madness.
She was driving him mad.
All this had been because of that insignificant waitress, who had triggered a pivotal moment in their lives that led him to this point. If not for her, he'd be kissing those lips he couldn't get enough of, holding her close and basking in her warmth.
He had ensured the waitress faced consequences for causing his wife pain. Nobody hurt her and got away with it.
As he gazed at his wife's face, he was struck by her beauty. The blue dress she wore perfectly complemented her ocean-blue eyes, and her hair, styled in a bun with a few loose strands framing her temple, added to her elegance.
Reed's gaze lingered on his wife, though she refused to meet his stare. He longed for her to acknowledge him, but she didn't. God, he'd never been desperate.
Disappointment washed over him yet he couldn't tear his gaze away. She'd bewitched him. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he just leave her be, as she wanted? Why did her shutting him out affect him so damn much? The irritating itch in his chest persisted, refusing to subside.
“Reed!”
Raquel's voice broke the spell, and he turned to face her, his expression neutral. "I'm just so glad you're joining us today for lunch."
He nodded absentmindedly, his eyes drifting back to his wife. He wanted her. He—
“It's clearly because of your wife. Ah, how lovely it is to be young and in love.”
Raquel's words echoed in his brain, making him stiffen. In love? Love? Him? That was the most absurd thing he'd ever heard. He didn't do love; he couldn't bring himself to love even if he tried.
Yet... He was curious. He wanted to know what he felt towards his wife. What had first been a spark of attraction had turned into something more; an all-consuming obsession, driving him insane with her distance.
“Hello!”, Sinobelle greeted as she entered the dining room. Reed's gaze narrowed, his eyes still fixed on his wife, who tensed up. He frowned, holding Sinobelle responsible.
“Don't be rude, Reed. Belle hasn't done anything wrong,” Raquel defended. Reed's face remained void of emotion but his displeasure was palpable. He didn't understand why his mother liked Sinobelle so much, blind to her faults.
He'd hated Sinobelle since their first meeting, and she'd developed an obsession with him. He couldn't stand her presence, her claim on him as if he were a prize she'd won. He'd rejected her countless times but she just couldn't get the hint.
Last night, when he'd seen her in his room with Valerie, he'd nearly snapped. If she'd hurt her... He knew she was lying when she said she'd just come to talk. Did she think him a fool?
But he had to thank her; he'd gotten to hold his wife against him, feeling her warmth, her scent driving him to the edge.
He glanced at Valerie, oblivious to Sinobelle's lovestruck glances. He watched as Valerie sipped her grape juice. His jealousy grew, wishing to be a mere fucking glass - the one touching her lips. He would devour her, taint those delicious lips as he had in Santorini. He'd take her...
As Valerie's pink tongue slid out to lick her lips, Reed's heart stopped, then beat faster. He gripped the fork, his knuckles white, as pure desire flooded his being. He was aware of his cock straining against his trousers, yearning to be freed.
Fuck! He wanted her.
He struggled to keep a tight leash on his control, trying but failing miserably to divert his gaze. Valerie turned to him, her ocean-blue eyes locking with his. Her eyes widened at the intensity in his eyes, and when she gasped quietly, his control snapped.
Before he knew what he was doing, he'd yanked her from her chair and into his lap. Without warning, he crashed his lips onto hers.
The kiss was harsh, demanding, as their desire blotted out reason. The gasps from Raquel and Sinobelle sounded far away, fading into the background as they lost themselves in the kiss. His lips plundered her mouth, giving, demanding, and taking what she offered. She tasted sweet and he couldn't help but deepen the kiss, his hold on her tightening. Christ - he couldn't get enough!
As they broke apart to breathe, Valerie rested her forehead against his, smiling. He found himself smiling back, his heart racing as he stared into her eyes shining with love for him.
“Valerie...” He sounded needy but when it came to his little wife, he wasn't himself. He'd hated it initially but had come to accept it. She was the only one who made him feel this way.
He watched as Valerie froze, her eyes becoming distant and he knew she'd put up a wall again. Disappointment settled in his gut like a disease and he swallowed, the familiar ache in his chest everpresent. He helped her stand, and without a glance at her, walked away.
His expression darkened as he passed Sinobelle and Raquel, who had given them space just so they could spy on them.
“Reed.” Sinobelle’s hand grabbed onto his. His expression darkened further as he glared at her, his eyes cold and unforgiving.
She dropped her arm as if burned and he strutted away, taking out his handkerchief to wipe the hand she'd touched.
He hated physical contact with people. Hell, his mom didn't usually touch him much. He hated other people's touch but he craved hers, needed hers.
Only hers.
