08

CLEOPATRA

I was defenseless. I tried to yell and scream my innocence but my mouth was sealed. Valentine looked at me with hurt in his eyes. He looked disappointed when Rossetti told the lie against me.

"I told you Valentine she isn't to be trusted. She is willy,” Rossetti continued.

His steps echoed behind me. He walked forward and he caressed my cheek drawing invisible lines.

"She thought everyone must have left so she decided to find out things and report back to her boss.”

My heart broke seeing the look of betrayal and hurt in Valentine's eyes when he looked my way.

“She couldn't have done that," Valentine said in my defense despite the look in his eyes. It took a lot for him to defend me despite having his own doubts.

“Will I lie to you then?"

Valentine ignored him and stretched his hands to me, he reached for the tape and peeled it off my mouth. A sharp yell of pain tore from my lips as the tape went off with some skin around my mouth.

“I didn't do any of that, Valentine," I said, pushing the pain I was feeling.

His gaze drifted from my pale lips to my forehead. His eyes glowered dark and sinisterly.

“Why did you hurt her?" He asked Rossetti and stretched his hands to my forehead. He brushed his fingers over the cut on my forehead. I felt a sting.

“I didn't.." Rossetti snarled.

“I asked for some weeks, didn't I?" Valentine charged back to him.

Rossetti dragged his feet back, he cocked his head a little backwards, “But she could cause harm."

“She couldn't and would not. She is harmless," Valentine argued back.

I let out a breath of relief.

“Harmless? Why was she walking around when she should be resting on her bed as the sweet little angel you portray her?"

“Rossetti, just stop it."

Valentine walked back to me. He began to untie my hands and legs.

“You can ask her for yourself . I caught her lurking around in the dark."

Valentine paused. He raised his head. His eyes were cold, “Did you?"

I nodded. He exhaled.

“Why?"

“I … was scared," I stuttered, my chest palpitating.

The icy glare softened. His finger grazed my arms as he held me when I tumbled over. My knees were weak from standing for a long time.

“Did you hear that?"

“Do you believe her?" Rossetti threw back and looked at the beretta which he twirled in his hands.

Valentine swallowed hard, his hand went round my waist and he drew me closer, “Yes, I do."

“Over your own brother?" Rossetti threw again with surprise colouring his face.

Valentine looked down at me and then at Rossetti.

“No. But, she isn't what you think she is," He said once more. He scooped me up in his arms in bridal style and began to walk up the stairs.

I looked at his face. He looked cold, violent and evil yet he was doing everything to save and protect me from his brother who wishes to end my life by every means possible.

I clung to him like my life depended on him. Of course, my life depended on him.

He kicked open the door. He gently lowered me on the bed.

He crouched low and took one of my legs. His fingers brushed underneath my leg. He massaged softly and with care. His touch was doing something crazy to me. My stomach fluttered with butterflies.

I clenched my thighs. His breath fanned my skin, making a gentle thrill rush through me. He dropped the leg and moved to the other one. He massaged softly.

His kind actions made my heart soften. I broke into tears. He looked up to see my eyes glistening. He sat next to me and held my face in his hands.

“Don't cry. I'm sorry."

“I don't like seeing you and your brother argue over me. Please, just let me go. I can survive."

He held my chin, his gaze bored into mine, “I can't."

He tilted his face sideways. His face leaned close to mine. I could feel his breath over me. Slowly, he claimed my lips in a kiss. He was slow and passionate. He licked off every corner of my lips. My lips fell open, his tongue made way into my lips. It played slightly around mine.

I was completely blown out of my senses. It felt like an out of body experience. My tongue rose and intertwined with his.

One beat. Two.

He withdrew with a smooch and wrapped his hands around my torso. I felt secured, protected in his arms.

“Don't ever talk about leaving."

I was amazed by his care. While every other man wanted to kill me, manhandle me and trample on me. He wants to protect me and secure me.

He prepared my bath water. He helped me strip off my dress. He carried my naked body into the bathroom. He lowered me in the bathtub and began to wash my body.

My breath quickened when his hand rested on one of my breasts. I watched his eyes glow with raw lust.He drew invisible lines around the bud.

He washed me carefully and gently. The way he washed my hair like a professional. He did it like he had done it countless times. And when he was done, he carried me back to the room after toweling my body.

He helped me put on a trouser and a shirt.

He laid me on the bed, kissed my forehead and turned to leave. I can't ignore this burning desire to feel his lips around mine once more. I held his wrist. The electric sparks returned.

“Is there something you need?" He asked me.

I nodded and walked out of bed still holding his wrist. I threw my hands over his neck and stood on my toes. I claimed his lips in a passionate kiss. Replaying the scene from earlier.

I was careful as I explored through his lips. He groaned. His hands fell on my butt. He pressed hard and deepened the kiss. He jerked my feet off the floor and made me straddle him. His groin throb, poking at my thighs.

I was lost in the essence of his lips. I didn't want it to end.

He strode over to the couch. He sat on the couch with me sitting on his groin and my legs crossed behind him.

It lasted for some minutes. I disengaged breathing hard. I placed my forehead over his as our breath flowed in sync.

He grazed his knuckles over my lips.

“Are you okay?" His voice was hoarse.

“Stay with me," I requested and laid my head on his chest. I could feel his chest racing wildly.

“Anything for you little one," He replied and pressed my butts harder. I giggled and wrapped my hands around his torso.