He Took My Vengeance to Covet Me

Chapter 5

My plea withered in my throat, strangled by the agony searing through my body. Right now, staying alive mattered more than questioning Lucas's mysterious background.

"Don't fret," he said, rummaging through his medical kit. "I did train as a doctor overseas. This is just a bacterial infection—nothing complicated. A few days of anti-inflammatory meds should clear it up."

"Did Anthony send you?" My voice came out ragged, barely audible.

His silence spoke volumes.

That name—Anthony—hung over me like a curse. My body betrayed me, convulsing violently as the memories flooded back.

"Miss Carter? Can you hear me?" Lucas's voice frayed with panic as he called my name—once, twice—while the cold bite of a needle pierced my arm. Icy fire flooded my veins, the sedative dragging me down into merciful numbness.

"I'll come back tomorrow at this time," he said, finishing the bandages and gathering his supplies.

I grabbed his sleeve with trembling fingers. "Please... just give me something for the pain. I can't..." My voice broke. "I can't take it anymore."

After a heavy pause, he produced a small white bottle. The cap twisted off with a soft click as he placed a single pill in my palm. "Only one at..."

I snatched the bottle with a shaky grip, dumping a handful of pills into my mouth and gulping them down like bitter salvation.

He wrestled it back from me. "These are addictive. You can't..."

"So what if I get hooked?" Hot tears carved paths through the grime on my cheeks. "Anthony already destroyed me. Even if I stay with Ethan, I'll never be more than his dirty little secret. Being forced to face this hell sober? That's the real punishment."

Lucas looked at me, his expression unreadable. Having grown up by Anthony's side, he knew the man's temper better than anyone. During those two days in the dark chamber, he'd seen firsthand the degrading ways Anthony toyed with me. "Miss Carter..." Lucas's lips parted as if searching for comforting words, but my frail body, covered in telltale marks, was undeniable proof of my miserable life. I shook my head weakly. "Lucas, I know you're a good man. Don't blame yourself—it's just my cursed fate." His face clouded with confusion. "I'm a good man?" he repeated softly. "You are," I whispered. His cheeks flushed slightly as he grabbed his medical kit and hurried toward the door. "Miss Carter, I can't change the General's mind," he said quietly. "But I'll make sure you recover... slowly. So you'll hurt less." Setting the kit down, he fished out painkillers and pressed them into my palm. "One pill. It'll keep the pain away for a full day." Then he smiled—a smile so warm it felt like spring. Maybe Ethan's icy gloom made me crave this kind of warmth. After he left, I gripped the bottle like a lifeline. Ethan returned three days later, finding me just as I'd taken Lucas's medicine. His large hand immediately cupped my forehead, his tone sugary-sweet. "Winnie, that foreign doctor certainly knows his craft. You look so much better now." I gave him a soft smile. "Indeed. Shouldn't the Commander reward him?" Ethan chuckled, his hand roaming my waist, fingers teasing. "He'll get his reward," he murmured, breath hot against my ear. "But Winnie... what's my reward, hm?" I swatted his hand playfully.

"I've been sick for so long while you've been swamped with your duties. Any later and you'd have found me dead. And now you want rewards?"

Ethan was a master at playful begging. He grabbed my hand and gently pressed it to his cheek. "My sweet Winnie, I was wrong. I deserve your punishment."

I blinked in surprise—he must be in an unusually good mood today to indulge me like this. If he wanted punishment, I'd make the most of it. Even if I couldn't truly hurt him, venting my anger would have to be enough.

I yanked open the drawer and pulled out a metal ring. "They say these Western toys can work some surprising magic in the bedroom."

I rarely initiated such talk, and Ethan's eyes lit up with interest. "Winnie, you always surprise me."

I gave a coy laugh. "With your wedding approaching, I feared you'd forget me once you had a proper wife. So I hunted for something... exciting to keep your attention."

Delight spread across Ethan's face as he let me push him onto the bed. I stripped off his trousers and slipped the ring around his erection. "The punishment starts now, Commander. And remember—no cheating. No removing it."

His eyes sparkled with mischief as he suddenly grabbed my ankle, planting hot kisses up my leg. By the time he reached my thigh, I was gasping, my breath coming in short bursts. He lifted his head, chest heaving, and promised in a husky voice, "I'd never cheat Winnie's punishment."

My fingers closed around his length, tracing slow circles over his most sensitive spots. He let out a low groan before he could stop himself.

Clearly frustrated with my fumbling attempts, he grabbed my hand and guided it in his practiced rhythm, stroking with relentless precision.

This was entirely new territory for Ethan—my first time servicing him like this. A deep, satisfied groan rumbled from his chest as his grip tightened around my fingers.

"Winnie," he growled, voice thick with desire, "You don't know how much I want you. If I weren't saving your first time for our wedding night, I'd have you beneath me right now, driving you wild."

I felt him throb violently in my palm, pulsing against the ring's tight grip. Knowing he was close, I leaned down and brushed my soft curves against him—the dual assault of sight and touch sent him hurtling toward the edge.

His eyes darkened with need as he tried to finish, only for the ring's cruel restraint to stop him. When he reached to remove it, I caught his wrist.

"Now, now, commander," I teased, "We had a deal."

Ethan's face flushed crimson. Pride battled lust as he gasped through gritted teeth, "Enough, my sweet Winnie... Call it even."

I pretended to hesitate, then deliberately intensified my movements. A frustrated groan escaped him as his voice dropped to a rough whisper, "Just tell me what you want, love. I'll give you anything—stop this game."

I smiled sweetly. "Anything?"

"Anything."