BRUTAL POSSESSION

Dangerous Aftermath

Elena stood frozen on the terrace for what felt like hours, though it was probably only minutes.

The cool night wind continued to brush against her bare back, but it did nothing to calm the fire Damien had lit inside her. Her heart still hammered wildly against her ribs.

Between her thighs, she was shamefully wet, her body aching in a way that Christian’s gentle touches had never caused.

She pressed her thighs together, trying to ignore the persistent throb.

What the hell was wrong with her?

She was engaged.

To his brother.

And yet one conversation with Damien Kane had left her more aroused than she had been in the past year.

“Get it together,” she whispered to herself, gripping the railing tighter.

The glass door slid open again.

This time it was Christian.

“There you are,” he said warmly, stepping onto the terrace with that familiar, reassuring smile. He looked perfect, golden hair catching the light, tuxedo immaculate. “I was looking for you. Everything okay, sweetheart?”

Elena forced a smile and turned toward him.

“Yes, just needed some fresh air. It was getting a bit stuffy inside.”

Christian studied her face for a moment, his hazel eyes searching.

For a second she worried he could see the flush on her cheeks or the way her n*****s were still hard against her gown.

But he simply stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against his chest.

“You feel a little warm,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Maybe we should head home soon. I have an early surgery tomorrow anyway.”

Elena nodded, leaning into his familiar embrace.

His body was solid and safe. His scent was clean and expensive.

Everything about him was good.

So why did she suddenly feel like she was suffocating?

As they walked back inside, her eyes scanned the room involuntarily.

Damien was nowhere in sight.

Part of her felt relieved.

Another, darker part felt disappointed.

The rest of the gala passed in a blur.

Christian kept her close, his hand possessive on her lower back. Several people congratulated them on their upcoming wedding.

Elena smiled and played the part of the happy fiancée, but her mind kept drifting back to the terrace. To Damien’s rough voice. To the filthy promises he had whispered against her ear.

By the time they reached Christian’s sleek black Mercedes downstairs, Elena’s nerves were frayed.

The driver navigated the glittering streets of Manhattan while Christian held her hand in the backseat.

“You’ve been quiet,” he said, squeezing her fingers. “Did something happen tonight?”

Her stomach tightened.

“No. Just tired, I think.”

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles gently.

“I can’t wait to get you home. That dress has been driving me crazy all night.”

When they arrived at their luxurious Upper East Side apartment, Christian wasted no time.

As soon as the door closed, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

It was soft.

Sweet.

His hands slid down her back, respectful even as they explored.

Elena kissed him back, trying desperately to lose herself in it.

But all she could think about was how different it felt.

How tame.

How insufficient.

Christian’s fingers found the zipper of her gown and slowly pulled it down.

The fabric pooled at her feet, leaving her in nothing but a tiny lace thong and heels.

He groaned appreciatively, his eyes darkening with desire.

“You’re so beautiful, Elena.”

He guided her toward the bedroom, laying her down on their king-sized bed with care.

His mouth moved over her neck, then lower to her breasts. He sucked gently on one n****e, then the other.

Elena closed her eyes and arched into him, willing her body to respond the way it should.

But even as Christian’s hand slid between her thighs and found her surprisingly wet, her mind flashed back to Damien’s dark eyes and filthy words.

You need to be pinned against this railing and f****d so hard the entire city hears you scream.

A soft moan escaped her lips.

Christian took it as encouragement and moved lower, kissing down her stomach. He settled between her thighs and pulled her thong aside.

His tongue was gentle, skilled, circling her c**t with practiced precision.

Elena gripped the sheets, trying to focus on the pleasure.

Christian was good at this. He always made sure she came.

But tonight it felt distant.

Mechanical.

Her body responded, building slowly, but her mind was elsewhere, imagining rough hands gripping her hips, a demanding tongue devouring her without mercy, a deep voice growling filthy commands.

“Christian…” she breathed, half in pleasure, half in guilt.

He hummed against her, increasing his efforts.

Elena came with a quiet gasp, her orgasm mild and unsatisfying compared to the storm raging inside her.

Afterward, Christian moved up her body and entered her slowly, making love to her with deep, steady thrusts.

He kissed her throughout, whispering how much he loved her.

Elena wrapped her legs around him and held on, faking the moans she knew he wanted to hear.

When he finally finished and rolled off her, pulling her into his arms, Elena stared at the ceiling in the dark.

What was she doing?

Sleep came slowly, haunted by dark eyes and possessive promises.

The next morning, Elena woke up alone.

Christian had already left for his surgery.

She made coffee and tried to focus on work emails, but her phone buzzed with an unknown number.

The message was simple:

Unknown: You tasted like sin on that terrace. I can still smell you on me. Tonight. 9 PM. The address will come later. Don’t make me come find you, Elena.

Her hands shook as she stared at the screen.

She should delete it. Block the number. Tell Christian everything.

Instead, her thumb hovered over the reply button.

Another message arrived.

Unknown: Good girl. I knew you wouldn’t delete it. Wear something easy to rip off.

Heat flooded her face.

She was throbbing again, just from his words.

Elena squeezed her thighs together on the kitchen stool, biting her lip hard.

This was madness.

She had a perfect life. A perfect fiancé. A future mapped out in safety and comfort.

But Damien Kane had cracked something open inside her with one conversation.

And she wasn’t sure she wanted it closed again.