Rule 7 : Rage

CHAPTER 56: Bound By Temptation.

Alone in the room, Lord Maximus lounged in the chair, his eyes closed, deep in thought. A sudden knock on the door jolted him from his reverie. He groaned, slamming his hand against the armrest. With a sharp flick of his wrist, the door creaked open. His nostrils flared as the intoxicating scent of vanilla and saffron wafted in, engulfing his senses.

"Martini..." he growled softly. "Come in."

Startled, I stepped into the room, the creak of tiles echoing beneath the click of my heels. My eyes strained to adjust to the dim light from the flickering embers in the hearth; the faint glow from the window barely illuminated the space. "It's so dark, my lord. I can hardly see—"

Before I could finish, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me sharply against a solid form. My breath caught in my throat as the warmth of his chest pressed firmly against my back. His rough hand slipped lower, teasing the inked skin of my thighs, sending a shiver down my spine.

"What have you come here for?" he whispered into my ear, his voice low and menacing. A sudden light broke through the shadows, piercing my eyes.

My heart pounded in my chest, and my breath came in short gasps. I tried to steady my voice. "It must have been a stressful day," I murmured, noticing him nod slightly. A soft smirk crossed his lips as he clenched his fist. "But I need to ask you something—tell me the truth, and don't hold back."

I pulled back slowly, searching his eyes for any cracks, but his calm facade remained inscrutable.

"And what's that, little doctor?" Maximus's grip tightened around my waist, his fingers digging into my flesh.

The warmth of his body radiated through my clothes, making it hard to think. I tried to pull away, but before I knew it, I was spinning to face him. The sharp breath of cannabis and musk brushed against my forehead as he tugged me closer. His eyes bored into mine, and I couldn't help but wonder if I was safe—or if I craved the danger he brought.

"If it's about our departure, we're returning to base in a week—just one operation for me to execute!"

"Taken..." I gulped, feeling the heat of his gaze. "Would you allow me to attend the party I was invited to?"

Maximus's lips curled into a sneer. "By your male friend, right?" He paused, his eyes narrowing. "Moreover, what kind of party do you attend that the Shaque doesn't hold?"

I released a sigh. "Birthdays... the Shaque doesn't celebrate birthdays like other people do." I slipped away from his grip, wincing as I rubbed my sore waist. Lord Maximus kicked the chair aside, pulling me close by my neck. "I never asked you to sit!"

A silence stretched between us before he broke it. "Our job—your job—doesn't demand you to move around. It's risky! Don't you understand, Martini?"

My gaze darted away, blinking rapidly as I fought back tears. I needed to know. "Why did you refer to me as your wife back there at the meeting?"

Lord Maximus's gaze still pierced into mine, my brows trembling as my eyes dropped to his waistline. They lingered on the swell of his groin, and I glanced away immediately, my cheeks flushing.

He leaned closer, his breath fanning against my face. "Don't you think you came here at the wrong time to ask me about that?" He paused, a sly grin spreading across his lips. "Well... what if I show you why I called you my wife back there?"

"You see, I've got a soft spot for you, and I'm starting to think about how to make you mine—only mine!" His fingers caressed my back, clawing toward my buttocks.

"I'm still... ovulating, my lord," I rasped, my collarbone twitching.

His tongue traced the shell of my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "That wouldn't stop me, Martini. In fact, it makes it better." His grip tightened on my thigh, a sharp pain shooting through me.

"But I'm not ready..." I slumped forward, my shoulders sagging. "Should I do it instead?"

Lord Maximus's eyes widened. "No, this is part of my favorite dress. I don't want it in shards."

I murmured as my hands flew to my back, dragging the zip down. The dress fell to the floor, revealing my bare skin.

Lord Maximus smiled slyly. I winced, a sharp sting searing through my waist. My hand instinctively went to the sore spot. "My waist hurts..."

He interrupted, his voice slow and teasing. "Show me where else it hurts!"

"I..." My voice caught in my throat, my words trailing off. He hoisted me off the ground, my hair dangling helplessly as his grip tightened around my legs. A sharp smack landed on my buttocks, sending a jolt through my calves. We approached the balcony, the chill air washing over me.

"There's a lot we could celebrate here, don't you think?" he whispered, his breath hot, only an inch between us.

"What are we doing here?" I asked, my eyes darting over the towers that looked like ants from a frightening height.

The wind buffeted the balustrade, rattling the glass panels behind it. It whipped my hair, and the scent of rain and smog stung my nostrils. A muffled noise from the streets below blended with the howling gusts. He hissed, and my gaze snapped to him. "Once we begin, there's no stopping, Martini!"