Chapter 4 : The Devil's trap

Kane 

She has changed so much— so freaking much that I had to function my brain when I landed here and scanned her from head to toe. 

This woman aged like fine wine and turned into a drug for me after the last night. I thought I would never be able to get attracted to her anymore. 

But the hell! She has become even sexier than before. The only difference is I can't find the woman I love anymore. Whenever I look at her, only two things cram inside my chest. Hatred and lust. 

As she keeps gaping at me in disbelief with her ebony black eyes flaring up in shock, I trace my thumb seductively across her jaw. 

The nervousness and terror in her eyes and the building tension in her body make her look even more appealing. 

"It's— that's not possible," she sucks in her breath, struggling to get freed from my grip as I clasp her delicate arms more tightly. 

"Why so?" 

"You won't understand," she looks down, yelping. "I and you. Again— we can't be—"

I let the grin appear on my face. 

"So, you're expecting me to patch up with you again? When did I even say that?" 

Her eyes gush in such a surprise as if she's getting stunned by my words repeatedly. 

"You just—" she gulps. 

"Yeah. I just said that I want you. But not forever," I purse my lips into a playful smile, watching her get horrified. "Thirty days" 

I grab her arm and shove a piece of xerox copy of the agreement. 

"I want you just for thirty days, Miss Emily Benson. Thirty days of imprisonment in my cage"

Her lips part as her stunned eyes come down to the paper. She gapes at it for a second before she eventually opens it, shaking her head in disbelief. 

"No," she exclaims. "I'm not doing this. What do you wanna prove by this? That I'm a helpless woman to give in to your demands?" 

She screams at the peak of her voice as her smoking hot eyes well up, almost shaking. Never before have I imagined making her cry. It was the last thing I could think of doing. If it was the old me. Only if she didn't force me to turn into a heartless beast, I would prefer to die rather than make her cry. 

"I'm not helpless," her scream gets interrupted as I place my finger on her trembling fluffy lips. 

"Ssshhhh—," whispering near her face, I walk closer to her even though there's no space between us. "You may not want people to hear us, Em"

She gulps down, anger visible in her damp eyes and hard face. Those breathtaking eyes filled with anger load my sanity with old memories.

She used to be the angry bird and I used to convince her every single time, no matter how silly the reason for anger was. I loved the way she was, her craziness, her honesty, her loyalty. But she turned out to be completely different. 

"You can't take advantage of my situation, Kane," she groans, bringing me back to reality. 

I jerk my head to brush off the stupid fucking things. 

It's so freaking true that you can't forget the memories of two people in your life. One— whom you have loved truly, and another who has betrayed you to the extent that you have started hating love. 

She did both of them. 

No wonder why I still can't get over this woman and her memories. 

"I can. And you have no choice except for accepting my offer" 

She exhales, driving her eyes away and I can see the building fear in her. 

"This deal doesn't make sense," she seethes abruptly.

"For me, every step I take makes sense, Em," I groan, leaning closer to her as she shudders. "And you better accept it. You know the consequences, right?"

Her terrified eyes say a lot. She's afraid but she won't show it. I know her so damn well. 

"I don't want it. You can't force me," she howls out of frustration.

And it's the end of my tolerance. 

I yank her waist abruptly and drag her behind to the desk. Lifting her over, I pop her onto the desk, decreasing the gap between us. With full force I pull her closer to me, dangling her legs around my waist. 

Everything happens so suddenly that she doesn't even have a chance to speak. I can only feel her heavy breath and see her devastating eyes lingering on me. 

Without wasting another second, I grip her throat, wrapping my palm around it and crash my lips onto hers in a wilder kiss. She holds my wrist, shaking her head to protest but I devour her hot mouth, sliding my tongue inside it. Desires explode inside me with the warmth of her highly addictive mouth. She gives in within seconds, feeling my tongue stroking into hers. 

Emily

His tough arms conserve my body so possessively that I can't even move out of fear as if I'm gonna break into pieces if I strive to protest. I let him explore my mouth with his hot tongue ardently. 

And my shameless soul dives into the guilty pleasure again. I feel his knee parting my legs and pressing it against my wet core, teasing the hell out of me. 

I shouldn't be loving this. 

I can't want this. 

Damn! I wanna slap myself so hard for being such a woman when it comes to him. 

I'm so different when he's around, touching me and making me crave him. The desires are still so raw and intense. 

He breaks the wild and pushes me against the desk as I fall onto my back. Terror fills inside me. 

"Kane," I whisper in anxiety as he leans down to me. "Please, not here. I beg you"

He smirks as if he's enjoying my anxiety. 

He's not the same. 

Not the same guy anymore. He can't be like this. 

He used to go crazy with my one hiss. He can't be so cruel.

It's so embarrassing and I can't even imagine what can happen if someone from my office sees us like this. 

"Then tell me you want it," he groans. 

Even before, I can speak, he chuckles, "well, no. Don't say it. I don't want you to say I forced you. Let's make you speak that up"

He leans closer to my neck and starts sucking my skin roughly, brushing his knee against my damp core. I press my lips harder not to moan even though I have already submitted.

My body and my sanity are definitely not getting along. 

Whilst my sanity screams at me to stick to my words, my body can't resist him. 

He places wet kisses on my neck as I arch my back on the wooden desk. Getting bent on your work desk is the most shameful thing anyone can do. And I did it today. 

Getting no response from me, he uses my weak point which I feared. His hands trace down to my breasts as he cups them into his large hands, harshly squeezing them. 

"Aahhhh— Kane," I moan painfully, squeezing my eyes shut as he keeps kneading my breasts lustfully over my satin shirt. 

At this moment, I'm only hoping for him to stop because my tongue isn't uttering anything to stop him. 

But he won't end this so easily. 

Taking my breath away, he slips his hand down to my skirt. I panic, enlarging my eyes.

I'm too wet down there but I don't want him to make me come right here. I feel his hand cupping my core as he slowly rubs me. 

"So freaking wet, huh. I didn't even do anything properly," he teases me, encircling my core, not even entering his finger. 

It starts aching and it becomes hard for me not to want inside me. I feel like crying. 

"Oh God, Kane. Please," I whimper slowly, grabbing his arm. 

"Please, what? What are you begging for, little dove?" His raspy voice raises my heartbeat.

"Kane," I moan his name as he rubs my clit even harder now. "Oh, God. Don't torture me, please. I want it"

"You want it?" He rubs my cheek with his knuckle. I nod, going breathless. "But I don't wanna screw you on your desk"

His sarcastic laugh brings me back to reality as I open my eyes wide, finding him smiling playfully. 

Not again.

Did I just beg him again? For this? 

I don't even wanna embarrass myself by recalling this. Before I can utter something, he grabs my neck and lifts my body against his, giving me a harsh rub down to me. 

I hiss out of nowhere. 

"That's how I can make you feel. You need me. Your body needs me, little dove. You definitely want me. I'm not forcing tho," his vicious smirk sends chills down me as he pulls his hand out, finally releasing me.

Getting down onto my feet, I strive to function myself when he gets back to me again with the file, shoving it into my hand.

"Still, I don't believe you. You might say again that I forced you. So, why don't you take time till tonight and sign this bond tomorrow?"

I know I don't have an option but at least, I have time to see if I can do something about it. There's no way I would like to be his personal whore. Without sharing any relationship, such a thing is like a shame. Only if there was everything right between us, I would have loved to give myself to him not for only thirty days but forever. 

"Think about it," he stuffs his hands into his pockets, passing a handsome smile.

And for a second, his smile exactly feels the same. This one. The wholesome, the warmth, the bliss. Just when I dive deeper into his old flash of seconds, he leans closer to my ear, shuddering me from the core. 

"I can't wait to make you scream my name," his hoarse whisper makes me numb on the spot. 

As soon as he pulls back, I take a step backwards in distress. 

"See you soon," he walks backwards, keeping the smirk on. "And don't forget to read it carefully. I wouldn't waste my time reminding the terms and conditions to you"

Turning around, he disappears from there. 

I let out a deep sigh, even though I know it hasn't ended yet. It's just the freaking beginning of my turmoil. 

I gawk at the agreement and immediately stuff it into my bag before anyone comes.

"Woh!" Suzzane's voice comes from the door. "That was a long meeting. What were you guys doing?"

Anxiety crams inside me with her abrupt question, triggering the hell out of me. I wonder if I'm looking fine. My clothes, my face, my hair. 

Dammit! 

I wonder when Kane turned into such a horny monster. Well, am I any less? I behave more grossly than him. Whatever relationship we had back then was more of love and affection. Now, it seems like only lust and longings. 

"What did he say?" Frederick comes in, concerned. 

I clear my throat. "Am— I just tried to convince him for the project and he said he'd think about it and let me know tomorrow"

"That's great news. That means he's thinking about it, at least. You should be happy," Suzzane beams. 

I force a smile to hide my stress. What am I going to tell them? I don't even know what Kane exactly means by being imprisoned?

Won't I be allowed to do my work either? How will I answer my fellows if they ask me where I am? 

Damn! I need to check these papers as soon as possible.

——

He's such an asshole!

That's what I scream aloud after reading the entire agreement. My head is bursting out with anger. I was patient enough to read all the terms like staying with him, not moving until he allows, submitting each time he asks for, blah! blah! blah! But my patience gave up after I read the stupidest clause ever. It's not even written in official words but some stupid grossly lines. 

"You'll not be yours anymore"

In short, he is too interested to own me for thirty days. 

Did he literally watch all the stupid half-porn movies before thinking about this?

I stare at the agreement laying on the table next to my meals. I indeed made dinner for myself but couldn't swallow a single grain. 

Frustrated, I throw my head back on the couch and close my eyes. The flashes of our extremely passionate and wild moment hit my sanity again as I open my eyes wider, panting. 

Lord! 

I can't even stop thinking about it. Rolling my eyes, I look at the clock. There's not much time left for me to decide. 

Who knew that grouch would turn into a monster someday? 

If this monster gets me weak to my knees, that old grouch used to weaken my heart.

I indeed miss the old version of him. 

I miss him. 

Unknowingly and unexpectedly, my eyes well up and a thick drop of tear escapes. Wiping it off with the back of my hand, I remind myself, "I shouldn't care. I don't love him anymore"

——

"What do you want me to do?" Frederick asks in confusion, sitting in front of me. 

I literally summoned him at this hour because I don't have time and I need a solution.

"I need money before this morning," I shrug.

"Okay," he rolls his eyes. "How much?"

"I need to pay the whole debt"

His eyes open wide. "What?"

"Yes"

"Emily, it's about millions. How will we manage?" His question does make sense.

 I cover my face, breathing heavily and hanging my head. 

"Are you okay?" He asks, tilting his head. "What happened suddenly? Did Kane Gabriel reject the offer?"

"I wish he did," I shrug, banging on my head. 

"I don't understand what you're saying," he shakes his head in confusion. 

"It's him," a whisper escapes my mouth as I dart my eyes on the ground, letting out a deep sigh.

"Him? You mean him?" 

I nod slowly. Only Frederick knows about a little bit of my past, not much. 

"What does he want?" He asks. 

"I don't know," I lie because I can't share anything that involves Fredrick in this mess. 

"Listen, Emily. It's next to impossible. Who will lend us so much money in a few hours? I think you better talk to him. It doesn't matter if he's your ex. It's completely a personal thing. I hope Mr Gabriel is professional enough to think about it.

And I wish he was. 

There was a time when he used to balance between both but now he literally crossed the limits. 

I grab my head again, leaning back on the couch. 

My phone rings, bringing me out of my thoughts again. An unknown number flashes on the screen. I immediately pick it up.

"Hello," I blurt out of frustration.

"Are you frustrated, little dove? Or desperate to pass this night so we can meet tomorrow," Kane's playful voice comes from the other end, making my blood boil.

"I wish I could avoid meeting you," I seethe and hear him cracking up. 

"You know that's impossible now. You should have thought about it before daring to walk into me again. It was your choice to come to me and it'll be my choice to let you go," his voice is sharp and ardent. 

Only if he didn't utter shit, I would keep listening to his attractive voice for hours.

"What did you decide, by the way?"

"Didn't you learn to be patient? I have time till tomorrow," I shrug.

"I know the decision, right? Do you have a choice?"

I'm feeling like punching across his face right now. 

Just then, Frederick's phone rings and he picks up. "Yes, Joanne," he gives me an excused look and walks away from there. 

"Where are you?" Kane's playful voice suddenly twists into a cold one as he groans. 

It makes my heart skip. 

"At— at my place," I stammer. 

"And who's at your place?" I can feel the burning anger in his voice which I was definitely not expecting.

"That's none of your business. I'm still not bound to you to give you an explanation," I shrug. 

"I see. Enjoy the last night of freedom," he says in a calm voice and cuts the call.

I don't know if I should feel relieved about that. His calmness seemed more like a silence before the storm. 

"Emily," Fredrick comes back after attending the call. "I have to leave for delivering the goods"

"Yeah. You may go. Sorry, I disturbed you with a stupid thing. I know it's impossible," I sigh. 

"It's okay. You can call me anytime, you know. And what was Kane saying?"

"Rubbish," I scoff, wriggling my face. "He can only utter rubbish, bloody asshole" 

He cracks up. "Now, I know why you loved him once. He can irritate the hell out of you. I never saw you getting so irritated and uttering curse words. 

I squirm onto the couch abruptly, realising how much he affects me. I'm so calm and composed to hold my anger and frustration. But this one guy literally turned my world upside down in a day. 

"Anyway, I hope he'll be understanding enough. You can do it," Frederick utters the motivational words like everyone and leaves my apartment. 

All I can see in front of my eyes is only darkness. 

——

It's eleven at night and I'm still sitting on the couch. I don't feel like eating or sleeping. My head is already aching with stress. 

The doorbell rings, shuddering me on the couch as I get on my feet. Usually, no one comes to my place before informing me. Who could it be? 

Unfortunately, the peephole of the door is blurry. I have been busy lately fixing that. Twisting the knob, I open the door, only to get stunned on the spot. 

Kane is standing at my door with the same irritating smile on his face. 

"Good evening, gorgeous," he winks. 

My heart lips with that one unexpected gesture, reminding me of those unexpected ways when he used to show up at my place with that warm smile. 

I lose myself, staring at him. My voice doesn't even support me to utter a single word as I dive back into the flashbacks. 

"Shocked?" He leans down, bringing me back to reality.

I suck in my breath and clench my jaw. "What are you doing here at this hour?"

"Well, I know you still haven't signed the agreement and I can't rule over you. But it's tough to leave you even for a second," he says and steps inside as I take a step back. "So, I thought why don't I accompany you till you sign it?"

"Don't— don't lie," I scoff. "You're here because you wanted to know who was at my place"

"Nah!" He shakes his head, stepping closer and closer and I strive to make a distance as much as I can until I stumble back to a stool and almost trip over it. 

I panic abruptly, letting out a small hiss when he grabs my waist before I can fall and locks me with his long arms.

Still, in the muse of sudden panic, I ogle at him, his intense eyes peering into mine.

"I wanted to make sure you recall my existence even when you're with someone"

I gasp. When did this workaholic grouch become such an obsessive and possessive fellow? 

His transformation shocks the hell out of me every time. 

I twist my body in his arms and release myself, throwing a dirty look. 

"Where's your guest, by the way?"

"He left and he isn't a guest. He is my friend," I scoff. 

"He better be a friend," Kane waves his eyebrows at me. 

He should never know Frederick likes me, for heaven's sake. I'm not having any good vibes. 

"I think you should leave now," I glare at him. "We are meeting tomorrow, right?"

"It's so unprofessional to behave like this with your investor, Miss Benson," he bends to me again as I strive to move back. He holds my arm again. "You better not move and fall. I'll pull you closer anyway"

I gulp down, dropping my gaze. "And what was I saying? Yeah! So, I'm not gonna leave you even for a second onwards. What if you disappear again and try to escape from me?"

The wry smile across his face causes an ache down to my loins. 

"You said I have a night of freedom," I mumble helplessly. 

"Yeah. You do. You can do anything you want but I'm gonna stick to you, follow you and watch you over. That's it," he says with a chuckle.

Damn him!

"You're such a devil," I push him away angrily and rush towards my room. 

"Hey, where am I gonna sleep?" He shrugs as I reach the door and turn around with a glare. 

"That fucking couch. I don't allow assholes in my room," I slam the door shut and hear him crackling up.

It freaks the hell out of me as I fum in anger. 

I really wanna kill this man.

"Bloody asshole!"