MasukValiente's POVMy head rested on my hands on the pillow as I stared blankly at the ceiling.Every little sound didn't get past me—the ticking of the clock, the chirping of crickets in the distance, and the low breathing from the woman beside me.Even the wires that worked tirelessly in my head were loud.I couldn't sleep.Hell, I couldn't even remember the last time I'd had a proper nap.A frown rested between my brows, my breathing even, as I thought back to the man who broke into my house. Into my home.How he'd traced Little Red to the kitchen was still a mystery.I'd been attending to important business in the study, talking with Alaric and Cassiano about the new shipment schedule until midnight.Only when I felt a dull ache at the side of my head did I know I needed a few seconds of shut-eye.I'd left the study, and I heard a faint sound coming from the kitchen. It was so vague.Anyone would've ignored it. I didn't. I've always had a keen ear for hearing distant noises that were
Elodie's POVI climbed into the large, soft bed at once and brought the blanket over my head, hoping to fall asleep before Valiente came out of the bathroom.If I managed to sleep before he came out, he wouldn't do anything to me.My heart thundered against my rib cage as I pressed my eyes closed, willing sleep to come faster than it ever had in my life.I could hear the clock ticking, one second after another, each one tightening my stomach a little more.Soon, I heard the bathroom door open, then close. I shivered, holding the sheet over my head tightly, my fingers curling into the fabric.His footsteps were faint, almost inaudible, like he was deliberately making himself seem mysterious.My breath caught when the bed dipped beside me, followed by a chuckle. "A barricade. Impressive," he whispered, referring to the fence of pillows I'd built down the middle.I rolled my eyes beneath the blanket. He shouldn't blame me. He is not to be trusted.The clean scent of his body wash reached
Elodie's POVI kept staring at Valiente, like he'd said the most shocking thing known to mankind.A chill ran down my spine when I remembered the way the intruder had me sandwiched between his body and the wall. The way his rough hand traced my skin, and how filthy it made me feel, like something on me would never fully wash off.My stomach turned. I wanted to throw up. I wanted so badly to throw up on Valiente's face.So he commits a crime, and I almost paid for it with my life?Why is that?I pulled away when he tried to take my hand again, my fingers curling instinctively out of his reach. He released a tired and heavy sigh. "What is it now?" He sounded exhausted, almost irritated.He dared not.He had no right to be angry. I was the one who got hurt. The cut on my hand from struggling was proof of that, a thin stinging reminder every time I flexed my fingers."This is your fault..." I whispered, my voice cracking down the middle."No, it's that man's fault," he countered. His face
Elodie's POVBy midnight, I stayed in bed, tossing and turning. My head was filled with jumbled thoughts.Every time I closed my eyes, I'd start seeing Valiente in my dream. He was shirtless and wet, with only a towel sitting low on his waist.I'd try to move, but I always seemed stuck.And every time I woke up, I was always wet between my legs.I closed my eyes for a few seconds and swallowed. I needed some water.With a loud groan, I tossed, sat up, and climbed out of bed. I would just grab a glass of water quickly from the kitchen.My vision was drowsy, my head slightly pounding. I dragged my feet out of the room and into the hallway.The halls were dimly lit. It was quiet, as most of the staff had retired for the night.The only sounds I could hear were the chirping of cicadas outside the windows and a low howl somewhere in the distance.I shuddered slightly, rubbing my arms, increasing my pace, staying quiet.I reached the kitchen door and a maid walked out. I smiled faintly as s
Elodie’s POVAnother reason to stay away from Valiente.God, why did I keep doing this to myself?It had been a whole week since that incident in his room, and I still couldn’t get it out of my head since he made me moan so desperately with just his mouth around my breast.The way he’d looked at me. The way my body had reacted to him despite how much I hated him.It made me wonder how I would've behaved if his lips went down on me.I groaned and buried my face in my hands. Why was I even thinking about it? And worse, why was I wondering what would have happened if things had gone further?Would he have slept with me?The thought made my stomach twist.The foreign glint in his eyes said he wanted it. With all the bites and aggressive squeezes, he was trying to suppress his lust.I didn't understand it then. I do now. He’d wanted me. I was almost certain of it.But that didn’t mean anything. Valiente was a man who took what he wanted. I was his captive, and I had no intention of becomin
Elodie's POVGood.That's how Valiente's hand made me feel.It shouldn't have, but it did.My stomach tightened as I felt his fingers tracing my skin. My eyes remained shut, his breath tingling the space below my ear.I had long stopped trying to protest. My body and mind didn't want the same thing. But this time, I let my body win the fight.His hand traveled up lightly, inching closer to my bra. My stomach tightened with each trail and a small whimper escaped my lips when his hand met my breast.He paused, his face lifting to stare at mine. I could hear the smile in his voice when he spoke. "What was that you said about not wanting me?"I glared, my teeth clenched, chest rising and falling heavily. I tried to bite down the moan that stayed at the tip of my tongue."Get off me," I gritted out.He smirked and shook his head. "You're such a bad liar, Little Red, did you know that?"He suddenly gave one of my breasts a firm squeeze. A small, sharp moan broke out of me, my body arching t
Elodie's POV I felt a sharp sting on my skin, followed by a low buzz from the tattoo gun. The needle pierced through the flesh of my lower abdomen, digging deep. Finally reacting, I twisted on the bed. Wrong move. Because she pressed my thighs apart, hard, and a sob tore out of me. I shouldn't l
Elodie's POVI stayed frozen, clutching the blanket to my chest. My heart was pounding so fast I thought I’d pass out. The man turned his eyes to me then. For a second, I couldn’t tell if he was another monster or if I’d just been saved by one.He exhaled slowly, rubbing his forehead as if trying
Elodie's POVI started gently, rubbing my palms over my face, stomach, and hips. I shouldn't be here. I should have never agreed to this trip.I increased the pace, scrubbing my skin, my nails leaving red lines on my body. But that didn't stop me, I went crazy. I started screaming, working faster,
Elodie's POVThey say one’s instinct is never wrong, and I should have listened to mine. That gut feeling that twisted my stomach the moment Colin showed me those tickets for this trip, that terrible nightmare I had that night—it was right. I was right to feel that way.The first thing I felt was t







