Chapter 05: Insane For You

~Lora~

"Why do you still have this?" I jabbed his chest with my index finger.

He tensed, his jaw tightening. "Why? Does it bother you that I didn't erase it?"

"I told you to get rid of the tattoo, Alex. What do you want people to think when you finally meet someone?"

“Sssh,” he murmured, leaning in. “I’m never meeting anyone else. It’s you, Lora. In this life, the next, and the next after that. Anyone who sees it will know I’m insane about you.”

The word “Lora” in stupid ancient hieroglyphics, sat proudly over his heart.

He’d gotten it on his twentieth birthday.

I’d called it a reckless, temporary obsession.

Now he’s twenty-five… And he still hasn’t removed it.

“Or are you just hopelessly addicted to me?”I teased.

He snorted and stepped closer until his breath warmed my cheek. “You know damn well it's much more than that, Pookie. But if that’s how you interpret my love…fine. I’ll wear it.”

I exhaled, trying to wiggle out of his grip.

Talking sense into him was like lecturing a brick wall.

“And by the way….how exactly did you find my location?” I narrowed my eyes.

“I have my ways.” His arms tightened, trapping me as I struggled.

“Do your ways include Adrian?” I asked flatly.

His smile dropped like I hit a nerve.

Adrian…his best friend…my younger brother…my only sibling.

And the loudest hater of my marriage to Michael.

Even though I married Michael secretly, two days after Alex left for a business trip…Adrian somehow still ran his mouth.

Alex literally flew back the same night, but he arrived too late.

We were already married.

And what happened afterward?

Let’s just say… The event hall? Burned.

The wedding car? Beyond repair.

Alex? Spent two hours in jail.

Sure, being a billionaire got him out fast, but he still earned a restraining order and a very dramatic “stay away.”

And me?

I’ve been sprinting away from him ever since.

He rolled his eyes. “Fine. I apologize if you feel offended that I kidnapped you from that damn party.”

“It’s not just the party, Alex. You shouldn’t have hit Nicholas. Now I'm sure it's all over the news. What if…”

“No what-ifs, Lora. Just stop thinking and stay with me.”

Somehow…God knows when, but he had already coaxed me into the mansion.

The parlor lights flicked on at the snap of his fingers.

Now I could see him clearly, those annoyingly perfect features, and of course he resumed pinning me against the wall.

My back hit the cold wall and his arms bound me in place.

“Do you know how crazy you make me?” he whispered, face inches from mine. “And I know you feel it too. You’re just pretending you don’t. It kills me, Pookie.” He growled, brushing a knuckle along my jaw.

“But I forgive you. I forgave you a long time ago for marrying that lame husband of yours.”

I stared at him, speechless.

Because…seriously?

His voice dropped, losing all the playful edge. “You know… I should actually kill that bastard for taking what’s mine.”

“Don’t you dare talk about him like that, boy,” I snapped, sharper than I meant to.

“Fine. Sorry about that, Ma’am,” he said, stepping closer.

“What? Ma’am?” I snapped.

He stepped closer anyway, his eyes darkening.

“Relax. I apologized… didn’t I?”

“Saying sorry like that, doesn't count,” I scoffed.

He gave a low, humorless laugh. “You called me boy. And you know that’s the one thing I don’t let anyone call me.”

“Oh please. What now? Is your ego bruised? Should I get you a pillow to cry into?”

“Bumkins.” I added, laughing as I watched him turn red.

His fingers suddenly wrapped around my waist, dragging me toward him as he murmured,

“Fine. I'll make you laugh all you want.”

His hands slid to my sides, and I jerked when he started tickling me.

“Alex….stop…stop!” I struggled through laughter, but he didn’t let go. And deep down, I didn’t want him to.

I caught a faint smile on his face.

But after some seconds he stilled, his body close enough that his breath spilled over my lips.

My smile died, replaced by something tight and breathless.

“You’re quiet,” he whispered.

I couldn’t move, just watched as his eyes pinned me in place.

When he spoke again, his words weren’t soft. “I never stopped wanting you.”

My heart skipped in that instant.

Not because I didn't know, but hearing him say it to my face made me feel more terrible and guilty.

His thumb brushed my lower lip, slow, claiming.

“I’ve never stopped for a day, not for a second, not ever.”

“Alex…” I breathed.

“I don’t care what made you do it. You can lie to the whole damn world, but not to me.”

His jaw flexed, eyes burning into mine. “You think I’m a boy? Fine. I'll level up to be the man you want.”

His hand curled around the back of my neck, pulling me closer. “I’m done waiting for you to come back to me.”

I should’ve said something…anything.

But nothing came out.

So he kissed me, hard but slowly.

It was the kind of kiss that said he’d been waiting too damn long and he wasn’t waiting anymore.

My resolve cracked instantly.

I melted into him, kissing him back with a hunger I’d buried years ago.

A helpless moan slipped from my throat..one I didn’t recognize, one he definitely did.

“Alex… we shouldn’t,” I breathed against his lips.

But even I heard how pathetic the resistance sounded.

He didn’t bother answering.

Instead, he slid his hands under my thighs and lifted me effortlessly, pressing me hard against the wall.

My arms wrapped around his neck instinctively, my breath hitching at the sudden height and closeness.

His body was solid, hot, and impossibly real, pulling me into him, making my knees go weak.

And then, he mapped my body in a familiar way that made my heartbeat stumble.

When his fingers reached the slit of my dress, lifting it freely, air left my lungs.

This dress?

A terrible decision, or maybe the best one I’d made since I woke from the dead.

I felt exposed, breathing shamelessly.

His voice brushed my mouth, low and feral.

“You know exactly what you’re doing to me.”

I shook my head, whispering. “I don't.”

Then he proved it.

He didn’t rush, his fingers glided along my thigh, not high enough to my panties, but close enough to melt every bit of strength I had left.

I gripped his shoulders, trying to breathe, trying to think. “Alex…” My voice cracked, pathetic and pleading in a way I hated.

His smirk, his cheek warm against my ears. “You always shake like this when I touch you.”

“I’m not…” But the lie died when he hooked an arm under my legs and pulled me even closer.

A soft gasp escaped me, my legs curled around his waist, and his breath vibrating against my throat.

“Yeah,” he whispered, gripping my thighs firmly. “There it is.”

His mouth claimed mine again, deeper this time, hungrier, but still controlled enough to leave me trembling.

Then one hand slid up the inside of my thigh again…slow, agonizing, teasing into my skin but not touching where I wanted.

Not yet.

“Pl..ease…” I whispered into his mouth, but it came out starved, betraying me.

He kissed me slower, and then pulled back, his forehead resting against mine.

“Lora…” His voice was rough, dangerous, and thick. “I want you. Every part of you.”

His hand tightened on my thigh, holding me in place.

“Tell me to stop,” he whispered, his fingers grazing my lips…”and I will.”