Chapter 10

LORETTA

I didn't know what I was expecting when I asked Elion that question

Honestly, I wasn't even thinking. I just needed a way for him to agree to having dinner with me so that we could get closer and hopefully I would find out his ‘Grand plans’

But when he pinned me against the wall and growled those threats into my neck....I was instantaneously so frigging hot all over, my nipples were hard enough to cut through diamonds and the wetness in between my thighs was embarrassing

My body is reacting in strange ways to this strange man

I placed a hand over my chest, panting hard. Even though it's been over half an hour since he drove away, I still can't cool down

My feet have refused to move, still rotted to the spot where he pinned me. My tongue is dry and beads of sweat plaster my forehead

He said he was going to objectify me, wreck me, and breed me. Those weren't normal things, so why am I so turned on by it?

The pressure on my chest dug deeper, my heart fought against my ribcage, demanding to be let out. I dragged in breath after breath to cool down my temperature

The prospect of sex with Elion fills me with equal parts of dread and excitement. How would it feel to have his hot breath on my skin and his lips between my breasts?

My lashes fluttered shut, and suddenly I could see his face. The sharp cut of his jawline, those black eyes that saw so much and revealed very little, his broad shoulders, and impossibly large frame

How would his fingers feel like stroking my inner thighs? His big hand caressing the curve of my ass and his....his.....

A shrill, vibrating sound pierced through the air nearly making me jump out of my skin. I snapped my eyes open, looking sideways then back and forth like I had been caught red-handed in a crime

Because what crime is worse than fantasizing about the man I hate? The man who hates me and sets up absurd rules to limit my freedom?

“You are losing it, Loretta. Get your head together and stop these wayward thoughts”

The ringing sound cut into the air again, and I made my way back to the dining room, where my phone was placed on the table

My guts twisted when I saw the caller ID. I answered with haste “Is Abel okay?!”

On the other end of the line, I heard my father huff “Yes. Able is as good as he can be, that's not why I'm calling you”

My shoulders sagged with relief and I muttered a word of thanks before I found myself stiffening again

Father never called me just to check up on me, there must be a serious reason and I suspect it's not good

I cleared my throat “Why then did you call?”

“I want to speak to you"

I already knew what that meant. Father didn't trust that Elion wouldn't have my phone bugged, so when he said he wanted to speak to me, he meant through the burner phone

“In a minute” I answered and ended the call. It took me a few seconds to get to my room and unlock the safe box an take out the phone

I turned on the small device. “Father”

From the other end, I heard a few voices in the background. He must be at the company right now “Elion had given us all our shares! The company is back and booming” he stated like he was giving me a report but I knew Father was very happy to have his company afloat again

Despite my crushing hate for him, I couldn't help but feel a tad grateful. Elion is powerful enough to destroy my father's company with a snap of his finger. He's so powerful too that he can make my life a mystery without me having to marry him

Yet he chose to save my father's company, and in extension Abel's life

“But we both know it's not going to last” Father's words were a sharp pain bursting my bubble

I leaned against the dining table, my heart suffering too many palpitations for one day alone “What do you mean?”

I held my breath in anticipation for his next answer, but instead father clicked his tongue. I could partially see his disapproving frown “Do you think Fitzpatrick is really going to let this last?” A deliberate pause that made my tension skyrocket followed “That man is going to hit me back when I'm not expecting. He will do it so hard that if I am not prepared, there'll be nothing left of our company”

Acid churned in my stomach. Father was right. A man like Elion would never fully forgive us for what we had done to him. Everything he was doing — this relationship, toying with me, setting up rules, it was all part of his plans to destroy my family and me

And here I was fantasizing about him

God. How can I be so dumb?

“Remember what you're there for” father warned as if he could read my thoughts “Gather all that you can on Fitzpatrick and report back to me as soon as possible. Don't forget Loretta, time is of the essence. You have only eight months and two weeks till he launches whatever he's planning and takes over”

And I had less time for our wedding.

I needed to find out his plans as soon as possible before tying the knot with him

I nodded, even though Father couldn't see me. “I will” I said with renewed determination “I will make sure to find out his secrets no matter how hard it gets”

Even if I have to put up with him every day and pretend like my body didn't yearn for his touch

Father let out an approving sound and ended the call. I slumped against my bedroom wall and raked my fingers through my hair

I had to get close to Elion as soon as possible, so close that he won't know when he accidentally slips and gives me access to his secrets

Close enough that before he realize I'm spying on him, it would be too late

I exhaled slowly

Step one: Have Dinner with him tonight