Darkest Devotion

Chapter 8

Elara's POV

I lay in bed thinking about last night. Each memory flashing behind my eyes and stirring the same reactions as before. 

Him, shirtless in grey sweats, taking care of me. When he held me, I had never felt so safe, so warm. When he spoke to me, he was so soft and caring I almost believed he had feelings for me. Real romantic feelings for me. Then when he was close to me, I couldn't stop staring at him as he took care of my wound. But what followed, the dominance, the power, the lust, it caused something to stir in the pit of my stomach. I had never felt so submissive to someone before, so willing to give up control and do as he ordered. 

When he left, leaving me a hot mess, my heart didn't stop racing. My breaths stayed shallow. My cheeks flushed. I sat there for a while, wondering what the hell just happened, and how my body could betray me in each way it did. How it could want him both romantically and sexually? I had never seen that side of him, and it awoke something in me. 

I should hate him, but what I saw that night... changed something in me. Changed something about the way I feel for him. 

I shake my head, ridding myself of the traitorous thoughts. He's just gonna be the same when I see him again today. 

With that thought in mind, I get up and dressed for the day what with us having a morning meeting and an afternoon meeting.

I pull my pastel green oversized slacks on, followed by my white long sleeve, criss crossed, deep-V blouse. I roll the sleeves up to my elbows, before pulling on my pointed nude heels. I turn to grab my oversized blazer that matches my slacks before I walk out of my room and into the kitchen. 

The sight that greets me causes my mouth to go dry as my heart thumps painfully against my chest. Standing devilishly in the kitchen is Zaide, his brown hair tousled with a soft curl to the strands. My eyes trail over his body appreciatively as I take in his outfit. His shirt a white button up, the collar open enough to show me the dips of his collarbone and the soft expanse of his chest. As his hands move skillfully making his meal, I notice his sleeves are rolled up to the elbow like mine, but his strong arms and veins make the look so much more erotic. The dip of his slim waist making me wish I could see what it leads to. Black slacks that mold over his firm structure beautifully, his ass round enough it could be in the running as its own planet. 

I feel heat rise in the pit of my stomach as the sudden aching between my thighs grows more prominent. 

I rub my hand over my left forearm to keep myself distracted, clearing my throat in sexual frustration. At the sound of me, Zaide looks up to see me with a smile on his face. Upon seeing my outfit and the likely flush on my cheeks, his smile slips for a millisecond before it's covered up again. 

"Good morning. I made us omelets with some hash browns and sausage. I hope that's okay?" Is tone suddenly nervous at the end. 

"That sounds like the perfect meal, thank you." My voice comes out soft, almost shy. I hate that.

His smile takes over his features, filling up in his eyes. "Perfect," He walks over to me, pulling out the chair I was standing next to. "Please."

Seeing the smile on his face causes something to stir in me, something pleasant. Almost like... butterflies.

I laugh nervously before walking around to sit in the chair. As I lower myself, he pushes the chair in until I'm nestled comfortably at the table. With a quick swiftness, he rushes over to the breakfast he made, bringing both the plates over to the table. He sets my plate down softly in front of me before placing his across the table from me. 

"Thank you, Mr. Castellan. I didn't expect that you would also make me breakfast. I will make breakfast next time as I'm your assistant." Although I intended to say that with conviction, it came out more timid. I look down at my food as I start to gather some of the omelet on my fork. I can't risk looking at him and getting that feeling again.