The painting was left to dry completely so I could seal it.
I lay on the bed with a book in my hand, reading its delicate words until sleep slowly crept over me. The book slipped from my hands, landing softly on the bed as my eyes fluttered closed. The afternoon sun poured its soft, golden light over the flowers in the garden outside. Inside, the maids bustled about, cleaning the house with diligence. The hum of the vacuum cleaner was oddly soothing, like a lullaby lulling me into the deepest layers of my dreamland.
...My eyes opened slowly, heavy with the weight of sleep. The air around me felt colder now. A small yawn escaped my lips as I stretched my arms, letting my muscles awaken. Rubbing my eyes lazily, I glanced outside the window. The soft light had dimmed, and the atmosphere carried a subtle gloom.
Sliding off the bed with bare feet, I winced as they met the cold floor. A shiver ran up my spine.
"Why is it so cold...?" I murmured to myself as I wandered into the washroom.
As I washed my face, the low rumble of distant thunder reached my ears. Drying my face with a soft towel, I walked back into the room. My gaze shifted to the clock. It was still four in the afternoon—not much time had passed. Curious, I approached the window and peered at the sky, noticing the dark clouds gathering.
"It's going to rain..." I whispered to no one in particular, my voice trailing off as I inhaled deeply. The fresh, earthy scent of impending rain filled my lungs, drawing a soft smile to my lips. I left the room and headed downstairs.
The large library welcomed me with its familiar warmth. Rows of books lined the shelves, their spines promising endless stories. I picked up a novel, settled by the window, and opened it to page 145—the last place I had stopped.
The rain began gently, each drop tapping against the ground, before it intensified into a steady downpour. The rhythmic sound was like music, soothing and beautiful. I immersed myself in the words on the page, the world around me fading into the background.
Two maids came by occasionally to check on me, their movements quick and quiet. I barely noticed them as my focus stayed on the novel. My throat, however, grew dry, and I longed for a sip of water. When one of the maids returned, I requested a glass. She nodded and disappeared quickly to fetch it.
Closing the book, I let out a small sigh and leaned my head back against the wooden window frame. My eyes followed the raindrops as they raced down the glass.
I was lost in the beauty of the moment when the sound of footsteps broke through the quiet. My head snapped toward the source of the noise, startled.
Ray... I breathed, startled.
He stood there, one hand holding a glass of water, which he placed on a small shelf. His other hand hung loosely at his side as he started walking toward me. The intensity in his steps made my heart skip a beat.
Before I could fully understand what was happening, Ray was in front of me. His hand shot out, gripping my neck tightly. The pressure made my breath catch, and my body instinctively stumbled backward. My upper body tilted dangerously out of the open window, rain soaking my face.
One of his hands gripped my waist firmly, steadying me just enough to keep me from falling. My heart pounded in my chest as his face hovered inches from mine. The cold rain mixed with the heat of his breath as he leaned closer.
Without warning, his lips crashed onto mine. His tongue darted out, licking the raindrops off my lips before claiming them completely. He bit down, sucking on them with urgency, then thrust his tongue into my mouth, exploring it with rough intensity.
I gasped against him, my mind a whirlwind of mixed emotions. I didn't want him to touch me, yet his touch sparked something deep inside me. His lips left mine only to trail down, licking the rain from my chin, my jaw, and finally my neck. His mouth latched onto my skin, sucking hard and leaving behind the unmistakable mark of his possession.
The day was cold, yet my body burned under his touch. My wet dress clung to my skin, the thin fabric doing little to shield me from his wandering hands. His tongue returned to my lips, twisting and tangling with mine as his hands roamed my back.
Finally, he pulled away, leaving my lips swollen and my breath uneven.
"Oh, I was so hungry," he muttered, his voice deep and filled with dark amusement. His gaze bore into mine, making me feel exposed and vulnerable.
I averted my eyes, lowering my head to escape his intense stare. He chuckled softly, a sound that sent chills down my spine.
Pulling off his coat, he draped it over my head, the heavy fabric covering my damp hair and face.
"Cover yourself, Sparrow," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Unless you want me to wreck you right here, right now."
The sound of his boots echoed as he walked away, leaving me rooted to the spot. My entire body felt overheated, my hands clammy, and my heart racing.
Removing the coat from my head, I glanced down at myself. My dress wasn't transparent, but the outlines of my undergarments were clearly visible. The wet fabric clung to my body like a second skin. Hugging the blazer tightly against my chest, I bolted from the library, running straight to my room.
Once inside, I stopped, panting heavily as I leaned against the closed door. My legs trembled beneath me as I slowly made my way to the mirror.
My reflection stared back at me, wide-eyed and filled with questions I didn't want to answer.
"Am I... sexually attracted to him?" I whispered, the words barely audible.
The answer lay somewhere between a hesitant yes and a resounding no. I didn't know. I couldn't understand the turmoil within me. Even if I was, it felt wrong—so wrong.
Washing my face again and again, I tried to scrub away the memory of his touch. My skin felt tainted, and my thoughts were a mess.
"I have to hate him," I muttered to myself, my voice trembling. "I have to hate him."
But deep down, the line between hatred and something more sinister was starting to blur, and I despised myself for it.
(Note: Cuties, brace yourselves. A twist is coming that will shatter expectations. It won't be what you're imagining . It'll be unexpected, cruel, and utterly dark. Don't hate me for this, but you asked for dark, and I intend to deliver.)
YOU ARE READING
THE BALDWIN'S POSSESION
Roman d'amour"She was never his to take, but he got her anyway." In the merciless world of the Baldwins, where power is law and obsession runs deep, a young girl becomes their prey. Stripped of her freedom, she is trapped in a brutal game of possession. Ray , th...
