"Abstinent, Overbearing CEO"

Chapter 7: Am I a Duck?

Rosalina's hand fumbled around the nightstand in the darkness. After a few moments of groping, she finally managed to press the button. The room was instantly engulfed in blackness. Desmond glanced at her with a mix of irritation and cold detachment. The bathrobe she was wearing was a nuisance, and the rough material bothered him. He decided, almost absently, that he would have it all replaced with something more luxurious tomorrow. Without hesitation, he tore the robe off her body, exposing her bare skin.

In the dim light, Rosalina's delicate form was laid bare before him. He leaned his head against her shoulder, the smooth and soft texture of her skin sending a wave of unexpected comfort through him. Rosalina shuddered involuntarily, eyes squeezed shut, but sleep was the last thing on her mind. She remained rigid, unsure of how to respond.

"Why did you entice me?" Desmond's voice was low, cold, and calm, his breath hot against the back of her neck.

"With a man like you, who wouldn't be tempted?" Rosalina replied, still facing away from him, afraid that if she turned, he would see through her.

"Tell me the truth," Desmond commanded, his hand trailing slowly up the inside of her thigh. She looked fragile—slender, with curves that were in all the right places. Her waist was so tiny he could almost circle it with just one hand, her body a tempting combination of softness and strength.

"I am telling you the truth, Desmond," Rosalina responded with a sweetness in her voice that didn't quite match the tension in the air.

Desmond's hand moved further, teasing the softest part of her thigh. Then, without warning, he gripped her tightly, squeezing the delicate flesh. "Last chance," he murmured.

Rosalina gasped at the pain, her body stiffening against him. "Tell me," he pressed.

At that moment, Rosalina knew she had little choice but to comply. She would either tell him the truth or face the consequences. But she was resigned to it now. If she was to die here, perhaps it would be better this way. Resolving herself, she turned to face him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him—a hesitant, awkward kiss, one that felt like a first kiss even though it wasn't.

Desmond responded instantly, his lips harsh against hers as he deepened the kiss, his hands tightening their grip on her, pulling her closer, more urgently. Before long, he was on top of her, pressing her into the bed.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked, his voice gravelly.

"Yes... but I don’t mind," she whispered, her voice barely audible, yet laced with something almost defiant.

"Shall we try a different position?" Desmond’s words were teasing, dangerous.

Rosalina could only give a small, silent response. The night stretched on, a tangled web of passion and power.

The following morning, Rosalina woke up to find that, perhaps, it didn’t hurt as much as it had the night before. Had the ointment worked, or was Desmond’s unexpected gentleness at play? Or had she simply become accustomed to it? She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thoughts that kept circling in her mind.

Desmond was still asleep beside her, his chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm. Rosalina stared at him, her thoughts a whirlwind. She couldn’t quite believe she was here, lying next to a man who could have any woman in the world—and yet, it was her, the plain, ordinary Rosalina, who occupied his bed.

Why? Was it simply because she was obedient, or maybe because she was easy to fall asleep beside? Or perhaps she was nothing more than a convenient distraction. Rosalina couldn't understand why Desmond continued to keep her in his world, nor could she understand why she hadn’t simply walked away.

The thought of the extra million in her bank account made her feel sick. It felt like a transaction, one where she had sold herself for money. What would she do if she met someone she truly loved? Could she confess this to him? Could she tell him that she had become a commodity? She doubted it. But how could she not accept the money? The truth was, she wasn’t strong enough to walk away from it.

Reluctantly, she reached for her phone on the bedside table. She transferred the two million back to Desmond’s account, hoping that returning the money might erase the guilt that gnawed at her.

The chime of the text notification was like a shock to her system. Desmond's eyes fluttered open, his gaze sharp as he checked his phone. He glanced at Rosalina, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he swung his legs off the bed and stood. The sheets slipped off him, revealing his broad shoulders and well-defined abs.

"Rosalina, you pay me after we sleep together?" Desmond's voice was laced with irritation, his mood darkening.

Rosalina felt her stomach twist. She immediately regretted her actions. "No, Desmond. You gave me too much, and I felt unworthy of it," she said quickly, trying to make her words sound convincing, though inside she felt like a fraud.

Desmond eyed her intently, as if trying to read her thoughts. This woman… was she after money? Or was it something else? Did she seek to trap him, to play him, with her sweet facade, hoping to reel him in and eventually marry into his family? A smile curled on his lips, a wicked and dangerous smile.

Interesting. He would indulge her a little longer.

As he studied her face, Rosalina couldn’t help but flush. Her bare skin felt suddenly too exposed, and she instinctively drew the covers closer. Her cheeks burned, though it wasn’t the first time she had seen him like this. But in the daylight, his body, his presence felt more overwhelming, more real.

Desmond’s eyes darkened, an amused glint creeping in. "Since you’ve returned the money, I guess I can’t let you off without a price."

Rosalina's body tensed as she instinctively pulled back, her mind screaming. "You… you can’t just take it back," she said, her voice wavering.

Desmond stepped closer, his towering form casting a shadow over her. He was impossibly close now, and Rosalina couldn’t help but feel the heat between them intensify. He was still naked, his body a canvas of sharp angles and raw power, and his presence was overwhelming.

"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you pay your debt," he said, a dark edge to his words.

After they had finished breakfast, Rosalina gathered her things, ready to head back home. She hadn’t even changed out of the clothes she wore the previous day, and the lack of makeup made her feel exposed.

"Desmond, could I take an hour off this morning? I need to go back and change." She was eager to escape, to gather herself before she faced the day. Her exhaustion from the past two days had left her feeling frazzled.

Desmond nodded without looking up from his tablet. "Go ahead."

Rosalina stepped toward the door, only to be greeted by the unexpected sight of two men sitting on the couches outside the presidential suite: Han Yu and Luo Junzhi.

"Rosalina?" Han Yu raised an eyebrow, his gaze landing on her with surprise.

Rosalina froze, her stomach sinking. It was impossible to explain the situation, not with them watching her.

Luo Junzhi smirked, his eyes glittering with amusement. "So, how many times did Desmond make you work last night?"

Rosalina’s face flushed bright red, and she could feel the heat radiating from her. She wanted to disappear, to vanish into thin air.

Han Yu gave Luo Junzhi a small shove. "Don’t mind him, Rosalina. We were just curious."

Desmond’s voice came from behind them, calm and casual. "Seven times. If you count this morning, of course."

Rosalina froze. The world seemed to tilt beneath her. She could barely recall the details of the night—her exhaustion had rendered her memory spotty. But seven times? It was beyond humiliating.

Luo Junzhi’s jaw dropped. "Desmond, you’re on fire!"

"Want to hear about the night before?" Desmond teased, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Rosalina’s cheeks burned with shame, and she couldn’t take it anymore. "Desmond, Han Yu, Luo Junzhi, you guys talk. I’ll… I’ll be going now!"

Without another word, she practically ran into the elevator, her heart pounding as the doors slid shut behind her. She wished she could escape this entire nightmare, but no matter how fast she ran, it would always catch up with her.