Chapter 5

Alex sat in his dark study as rain lashed on the windows with gentle thunderstorms. He sat behind his desk with some pieces of paper in front of him, a glass of whisky and a piece of kit.

It was indeed a good evening. He had spent the last couple of days striking Vincenzi and his allies. “This is not the end, Vincenzo and Vanessa. I will make sure your heads are brought to me,” he smirked, but his thought quickly shifted to Lillian.

Her face tormented him. Her blue eyes, the curve of her lips when she snapped at him, and the way her red dress clung to her hips that morning.

Alex ran his hand through his dark hair, his jaw tightening in frustration. He had never been this distracted by a woman.

He always had control of his world and thoughts, but not anymore, yet Lilian did it without struggle.

Lilian stirred in her room; the thunderstorm and the thought of Alex gave her a sleepless night. She couldn't get over what happened between them in the morning. She sat up, her silk nightdress hugging her body.

Her throat was parched. She walked barefoot downstairs to get a glass of water, but her heart knew better.

She had been wanting to see Alex since she hadn't seen him after he left during breakfast. She was getting drawn to him, if she wouldn't admit it.

As she returned upstairs with a glass in her hand, a deadening crack of thunder hit the walls. Lilian gasped; the water poured on her, and the glass slipped and shattered on the floor.

The study door opened, and Alex's eyes met hers. Lilian quickly squatted to pick up the broken bottles.

“I’m sorry, sir, I got scared of the storm…” she explained, “I will clean this up,”

Alex quickly reached for her arm.

“Don’t pick those. You may injure yourself. I'll get someone to clean that,” he said.

Immediately, there was another thunderstorm, and Lilian quickly rushed into Alex’s arms, holding him tight.

Alex's eyes softened and narrowed as Lilian stood frozen in his arms. Her wet nightgown revealing her body and her loose hair.

“You’re safe, Lillian.” Alex whispered. “Come stay with me in the study. It’s soundproof. You have nothing to worry about in there,” he said.

They both walked into the study, and Lilian stood to the side. Alex noticed her wet nighties, and he unbuttoned his shirt to cover Lillian.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “I… I didn't mean to…” she stuttered, feeling vulnerable as her gaze dropped to his chest.

“You’re shaking,” Alex observed. He covered Lillian with a little blanket and moved close to her to keep her warm.

“I’m not afraid,” she lied. Her body betrayed her, and she leaned towards him. Sniffing his cologne and smoke wrapped around her.

“Liar,” Alex smirked and gently brushed her hair. His touch was fire, sending shivers down Lilian’s spine.

“You are scared of storms, of me,” he whispered as his gaze locked on her lips. “What else are you scared of?”

Lilian inhaled deeply, her body moving closer to Alex. “Being your prisoner,” she whispered, but her hands betrayed her and reached for his arms.

Her gaze was on him. She hated it, but she had been craving him since their first kiss.

Alex's eyes darkened, “You are not my prisoner, you’re mine.” he said, his voice low and deep.

His hands slid to her waist, and his lips crashed into hers. A kiss that was of fire, no hesitation, no mercy but burned with desire.

Lilian gasped into his mouth. Her hands tangling in his hair, desperate for him. The kiss deepened, and he slightly raised her wet nightdress up as he pressed her against the desk.

His hands roamed her hips, causing her to melt in his arms. She moaned, a soft, desperate sound, and her body arched into him, craving more despite the voice screaming to stop.

His lips trailed her neck. “You drive me insane,” he growled.

“Then why fight it?” she gasped. She hated how easily he got to her, but the spark was addictive.

Alex pulled back, his eyes filled with desire. “There are protocols to follow, and you are not ready for me,” he growled, his hands still gripping her hip.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“My world will break you, Lilian. And I…” He paused. “I don't want that.”

“Stop deciding what I can handle,” Lilian snapped, placing her hand on his bare chest.

Alex quickly removed her hands from his. His jaw clenched. “I need to have your consent if you are ready for me,” he said and took a few steps back, leaving her cold.

“You married me without my consent. What consent do you seek?” She asked, biting her lips again, which made Alex lean in.

Before Alex could respond, there was a knock on the door. “Sir, there’s a perimeter breach. Suspects are Vincenzo’s men. We need you now,” the bodyguard said.

Alex’s eyes darkened, and he turned to Lilian. “Stay here. Lock the door. Do not go anywhere,” he ordered.

“I don't need your protection. I can protect myself,” Lilian snapped.

Alex's expression hardened. “Stay here and do not move,” he ordered, the storm rage outside causing Lillian’s heart to skip. Feeling confused, she quietly watched as Alex walked out of the study.

As Alex walked through the hallway, his mind raced.

‘I can't imagine an intruder would get into my estate, especially now that I made Lilian my wife. She is my responsibility, and I must protect her from this life, from any of these.

I will make sure that the intruder doesn't see the sun rise tomorrow.’

Alex couldn't understand why he was filled with so much rage and dominance. This isn't the first time an intruder has broken into his estate. He couldn't tell if he was doing this to protect his mansion or his wife.

He had never felt the need to protect a woman the way he is protecting Lillian.