CHAPTER 5
1070 Words
Elena stood frozen, staring at the door, willing it to stay closed.
She wasn’t ready to face him—not now, not after what had just happened.
Taking a shaky breath, she turned and sat on the edge of her bed. Her thoughts were all over the place. She never should have let that kiss happen. Never should have let herself get carried away.
It was a mistake.
So why was her heart still pounding?
A knock sounded again, louder this time.
“Elena, open the door.” Lawrence’s voice was firmer now, a hint of frustration creeping in.
She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m tired, Lawrence. Just go to bed.”
There was a pause. Then his voice dropped lower, more controlled. “You forget this is my house. I don’t need permission to enter any room.”
Her hands clenched into fists. Of course, he’d remind her of that.
The door handle turned, and before she could say anything, Lawrence stepped inside and shut the door behind him.
“Elena.” His gaze locked onto hers.
She shot up from the bed, anger flaring. “You can’t just walk in here like that!”
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t raise his voice. “We need to talk.”
“There’s nothing to talk about!” she snapped. “You crossed a line tonight, Lawrence.”
His eyes darkened as he took a step closer. “You were playing with fire, Elena. Don’t act surprised when you get burned.”
She let out a sharp laugh, crossing her arms. “Oh, so now this is my fault?”
“You wanted to make me jealous,” he said, his voice low and accusing. “And it worked.”
Her breath caught. She hadn’t expected him to admit that.
The room fell silent, the tension between them thick and heavy.
Then Lawrence moved closer. He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was slow, deliberate.
Her skin burned where he touched her, but she refused to look away.
“I’m done playing games, Elena,” he murmured.
She swallowed hard. “Then what do you want?”
His gaze flickered to her lips.
Before she could stop him, he kissed her.
This time, it wasn’t rushed or desperate. It was slow, deep—like he was savoring every second.
And God help her… she kissed him back.
Her fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him closer, even though she knew she shouldn’t.
This was dangerous. This was reckless.
But for once, she didn’t care.
Lawrence’s hands slid down her arms, his touch making her shiver. His lips trailed along her jaw, moving lower—his intentions clear.
Her breath hitched.
“Elena,” he whispered, his voice thick with desire. “Stop fighting this.”
For a moment, she almost gave in. Almost let herself drown in him, in the way he made her feel.
But then reality hit her like a wave.
She pressed her hands against his chest, pushing him back. “Lawrence, wait.”
He froze, his eyes searching hers.
“I know it’s in the contract,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “But I’m not ready. Please… don’t do this.”
A muscle in his jaw tightened. He didn’t move, didn’t say anything for a long moment.
Then, with a slow breath, he stepped back.
For once, his usual arrogance was gone. No teasing smirk, no cocky remarks. Just something raw in his expression—something she couldn’t read.
“Fine,” he said quietly. “I’ll wait.”
Elena let out a shaky breath, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Without another word, Lawrence turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.
She stood there, staring at the empty space where he’d just been, her hands still trembling.
God, what had she just done?
She pressed her fingers to her lips, still feeling the ghost of his kiss.
She should havestopped him.
She had wanted to stop him.
Hadn’t she?
A part of her—one she wasn’t ready to admit existed—had wanted to see what would happen if she didn’t. If she let herself fall.
But she couldn’t.
With a frustrated sigh, she sat on the bed, running a hand through her hair. The room suddenly felt too big, too quiet, lonely
She thought he would leave it at that.
But then—another knock.
“Elena.” His voice was calmer now, but there was something beneath it.
She didn’t answer.
After a pause, his quiet words came through the door.
“I meant what I said. I willwait.”
Her chest tightened.
She should have felt relieved. But instead, a strange ache settled in her heart.
Slowly, she walked to the door, hesitating before pressing her forehead against it.
“Why?” she finally whispered.
On the other side, silence.
Then, his quiet reply.
“Because, for once, I want to do this right.”
Elena sucked in a breath.
She wasn’t sure what she had expected him to say, but it wasn’t that.
Her fingers hovered over the doorknob, tempted to open it. Tempted to see him.
But she didn’t.
Instead, she closed her eyes and whispered, “Goodnight, Lawrence.”
A long pause.
Then, she heard his footsteps retreat down the hall, followed by the soft click of his door closing.
Only then did she let out the breath she had been holding.
She climbed into bed, pulling the blanket over herself, but sleep refused to come.
Because no matter how much she tried to ignore it…
Something had changed between them.
And she had no idea what that meant.
But worst of all—she wasn’t just afraid of Lawrence.
She was afraid of how much she wanted him.
Elena barely slept that night.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Lawrence—his touch, his kiss, the way he looked at her.. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself it was a mistake, a part of her still craved it.
Morning arrived too soon, but the weight in her chest of what last night hadn’t lifted.
Elena barely slept that night.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Lawrence—his touch, his kiss, the way he looked at her. It was maddening. No matter how hard she tried to convince .
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