Semua Bab Contractually Married my ex-mate's father: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Chapter Twenty TwoAriaI leaned back against the pillows, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my aching ribs. Zane didn’t pull away; instead, he hovered so close I could feel the radiating heat of his body.He smelled like cedar and cinnamon, a scent I never thought I would be attracted to. All it took was one whiff and I was already thinking with my pussy.His large hand reached out, his touch surprisingly light as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered there, grazing the sensitive skin of my neck, before he leaned in. He didn't capture my mouth the way I expected. Instead, he pressed a ghost of a kiss against my lips, a soft, fleeting pressure that felt like a brand, and believe me when I said I felt goosebumps race down my spine."I was terrified, Aria," he muttered, his voice a low, gravelly vibration that sent a fresh wave of heat straight to my core. "If they had truly touched you... if I hadn't found you when I did, I would have razed the wo

Chapter Twenty FourAriaFor a moment, I honestly thought the world had frozen over. Why? Zane was completely still, like he was trying to confirm if his ears hadn't pulled a fast one on him.The moment the words "Don't stop" left my lips, and Zane was sure I wasn't joking with him, the last thread of Zane’s restraint snapped. The air in the room seemed to ignite, thick with a sudden, predatory hunger that made the hair on my arms stand up.He didn't hesitate. With one sharp tug, the silk robe was stripped from my shoulders, the fabric whispering as it hit the floor in a heap of black shadows.I had no idea what he had up his sleeves, but he didn't crawl into bed with me. He moved between my legs, his weight a crushing, welcome heat as he settled there, his dark eyes never once leaving mine. They were black, totally and utterly consumed by a desire so raw it was terrifying."You have no idea," he rasped, his voice a low, guttural growl that vibrated through my very bones. "No idea how

Chapter Twenty SixZane“Enter.” The word had barely left my mouth when the door opened. Kieran stepped inside first, and one look at his face told me everything I needed to know. This wasn’t a routine interruption, and to make it worse, he wasn’t alone.Two guards stood behind him, rigid, and waiting for instruction, but it wasn’t them that held my attention. It was the look in Kieran’s eyes. They were grim and controlled, and if there was anything that combination told me, it was the fact that things were bad. Really really bad.My body shifted automatically, instincts snapping back into place. I straightened from the edge of the bed, every trace of heat from moments ago cooling into something sharp and precise.Aria was still behind me. She was still flushed, breathless and barely composed. If you asked me, that was the best she could ever look and while I wanted nothing more than to remain in that moment with her, I had duties to fulfill.The bond hummed faintly, and even though I

Chapter Twenty EightZaneThe council chamber was too quiet, and I hated how my mind already took that as a bad sign. It wasn't tense or hostile, instead it was quiet and that was worse. Way worse.Around me, five seats were filled, each one of their faces composed, with their hands folded neatly over polished stone as if we were gathered for a seasonal report instead of a reckoning.Aria wasn’t present, and it was at my instruction. If they wanted to speak about her, they would do it to me first. I took my seat at the head of the table without a word.“Let’s begin,” I said.No one rushed to speak, and that told me they’d rehearsed this.It was Veyron who finally folded his hands and leaned forward slightly. His voice, when he spoke, was calm and measured.“Thank you for coming on short notice.” he coughed out the words slowly, almost as if he was afraid of its effects.“I didn’t realize this was optional,” I replied.“Well.” A faint smile touched his mouth. “It isn’t.”Of course it w

Chapter ThirtyAria.I didn’t sit, and I didn’t pace either. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't bring myself to do any of those. Instead, I stood in the center of the room, the document folded neatly in my hand, waiting. It felt like my feet had been bolted into the ground, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that.By the time the doors opened, I already knew from the bond that he was furious. It wasn't loud or explosive. Instead his anger was the kind that sharpened him into something dangerous.The doors shut behind him with more force than necessary.“Aria….” His voice was tight and controlled. “We need to talk.”“I know,” I said calmly, and that was all it took for him to halt in his tracks.“What?” His eyes scanned me quickly, searching like the answers were written on my forehead. “You heard.”“Yes.”“You followed me?” His jaw flexed, and I watched his nostrils flare in anger. “I told you to stay so why….”“I did.” I cut him off. “And I didn't follow you.”“What do you m