All Chapters of Empire of Lust: Chapter 11 - Chapter 15

Nick's POV "Some people need to talk about it. I can be a great listener." Her words stung my ears. The last time I shared how I felt, I ended up in a mess, worse than how I was before sharing. I can't imagine doing that again.So I gave a small chuckle, trying to keep things casual. "Is that in the package too?""Depends on how generous you are."The side flirtish tone didn’t go unnoticed. Her hands moved slower, with intent, lingering too long at the base of my spine, then sliding slowly over my lower back.I felt her lean forward as she pressed her body over mine. She whispered into my ear. "You have a beautiful body."I didn't respond. I wasn’t in the mood for this, but I didn’t stop her either.She leaned in further. I could feel her breasts pressing against my back. Her breath brushed my ear as she spoke. "I could help you forget whatever’s bothering you."Then she flipped the towel slightly to reach my hip. I stiffened. I felt uncomfortable, far from pleasure.I sat up abrupt

Alex's POV Her voice lingered in my mind long after she said it. "Are you truly happy, Alex?"I blinked. My thoughts had trailed off. A simple answer couldn't be easily given as I fought with reality. Eleanor was still kneeling, her fingers stroked my hand calmly. The movement soothed me as her eyes locked on mine with more gentleness than I deserved."I never thought of it that way," I murmured, my voice lower than usual. "I never imagined how a simple question could make me challenge everything I’ve ever known."She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "It’s normal to forget yourself when you carry the kind of weight we carry.""Do you?" I asked, surprising myself with the bluntness of my question. "Do you forget yourself too?"Eleanor looked taken aback, her lips parted slightly. She took a moment, adjusted herself on her knees, and nodded. "Yes," she admitted. "I do. Most of the time, especially when growing up.""Your parents?""Nope," she swallowed. "My aunt... she had a way o

Alex's POVI couldn't help but stare at her peaceful beautiful expression. She had her eyes closed as she leaned towards me. The moment felt so real, so calm and yet so beautiful.My fingers trailed her smooth skin as I got lost in the warmth of her body. For a moment, I forgot the weight that had rested on me a while ago. My duties and everything in between that had once bothered me, now felt light, like they all vanished. My face lingered inches away from hers, I could feel her breath against mine. The woods, the birds, the noise—everything around us seemed to still, like they no longer existed. My breath matched hers, heavy, like we both knew what was coming. But instead of closing the gap, I leaned to the side at the last second. “We’re still in the woods, you know,” I whispered mischievously into her ear.Eleanor pulled back almost too quickly, her eyes fluttered open instantly. Her cheeks burned read instantly. “Right,” she said, quickly pulling back and cleaning her hands on