Entangled Desire

The Risk

Avery had sworn she wouldn’t let it happen again.

But standing in the hallway of their family home, Elias pressed against her like a shadow, she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, couldn’t resist. His lips crushed hers, his hand tangled in her hair, the other pinning her wrist against the wall.

She tried to push him back. She really did. “Elias, we can’t—”

“Yes, we can,” he growled, devouring her mouth again. His tongue slipped past her lips, hot, demanding, ruthless. The taste of whiskey clung to him, sharp and intoxicating.

Every nerve in her body screamed at the risk. Her father was home. The staff walked these halls. One wrong move, one wrong sound, and everything would burn.

“Elias, please—” she gasped against his lips.

“Say it,” he murmured, dragging his mouth down her jaw, teeth grazing her throat. “Say you don’t want me.”

Her head thudded back against the wall. Her body betrayed her with a shuddering sigh, arching into him, nails digging into his shoulders. “I can’t,” she whispered, voice breaking.

“Exactly.” His smirk curved against her skin as his teeth closed lightly around her pulse point.

She melted, helpless, as his hand slid up her thigh, lifting her dress inch by inch. Heat surged through her, fire licking at every place he touched. Her lips parted, a soft moan slipping free—

And then.

“Avery?”

Her father’s voice thundered up the hallway.

They froze. Elias’s grip tightened on her thigh, his eyes flashing with dark amusement even as her stomach plummeted.

“In here!” she croaked, heart hammering, fumbling to straighten her dress.

Footsteps drew closer. She shoved Elias back, panic clawing at her chest. He didn’t move quickly, didn’t look worried at all. If anything, his grin deepened, wicked and sharp.

A second later, her father appeared in the doorway, brows raised. “What are you doing loitering in the hall?”

Avery forced a laugh, praying her face wasn’t crimson. “Just… talking to Elias.”

Her father’s gaze flicked between them. Suspicion tightened his features. Elias leaned casually against the wall, all arrogance and ease, as if nothing had happened.

“Talking,” her father repeated.

“Yes,” Elias said smoothly, voice a velvet dagger. “Your daughter has… interesting opinions.”

Avery’s heart stopped. The double meaning in his tone was so blatant, she wanted to strangle him.

Her father’s eyes narrowed. “You should be more mindful, Avery. People might… misinterpret things.”

“Yes, Dad,” she said quickly, ducking her head.

After a beat, he nodded and turned away, his footsteps echoing down the hall until they faded.

Avery sagged against the wall, hands trembling. Elias stepped closer, his breath hot against her ear.

“You like the danger, don’t you?” he whispered. “The thrill of almost getting caught. I felt you get wetter the second you heard his voice.”

“Shut up,” she hissed, shoving at him, her whole body burning with shame and arousal.

He caught her wrist again, pulling her flush against him. “One day, little dove, we won’t stop. We’ll let him see. We’ll let the whole damn world see you’re mine.”

Her heart slammed against her ribs. Terror and desire warred inside her, but she knew the truth—

She wanted him so much, she just might let it happen.