The Cruel King

chapter 9: Kiss In Crimson

Evelyn excused herself, disappearing into the restroom. When she returned, she looked effortlessly beautiful, her lips adorned with a fresh coat of lipstick-a deeper shade, richer, more sinful. The dim lighting of the party caught on the glossy sheen, making her plump lips look even more tempting. Hayden watched her as she returned, his eyes roving over her fresh layer of lipstick.

His gaze darkened, something primal stirring in his chest as she walked toward him. She didn't say anything, didn't meet his eyes, just resumed her place by his side. He felt his body respond to her appearance, desire stirring within him as he reached out to pull her closer to him, his arm curling around her waist, pulling her against him. She let out a small gasp, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest.

"Hayden... we're outside," she whispered, her voice barely audible beneath the hum of the party.

A smirk tugged at his lips. "so?" His voice was low, teasing, laced with something dark. "Do you think that matters to me?"

His fingers flexed against her waist, anchoring her to him. He didn't care who was watching. Didn't care about the crowd, the flashing lights, the music pounding through the speakers.

All he cared about was her.

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, her lashes fluttering slightly. She didn't push him away-at least, not immediately.

"You're too quiet," he murmured, his fingers tightening on her jaw. "Too soft. You're never this easy."

"Maybe I just got tired of fighting the inevitable."

He studied her for a long, agonizing moment. Then, finally, he chuckled, his grip loosening. "You're learning, sweetheart. That's good."

His eyes swept over her face, drinking her in. That look in her eyes-the wide, innocent one, the kind that made his chest ache and his control slip-was driving him insane.

"You have no idea what you do to me," he murmured, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear.

She sucked in a shaky breath. "Hayden..."

She tried to free herself, but the moment she made the attempt, his grip only tightened. His possessiveness surged, unwilling to let her put space between them.

"Where do you think you're going, sweetheart?" His voice dropped lower, almost dangerous.

"We're in public," she reminded him, trying again, but her struggles were weak, hesitant.

Hayden chuckled darkly. "And I told you-I don't care."

Her lips parted, probably to protest, but he took the opportunity to claim them.

The kiss was fierce, raw, completely unrestrained. His hands gripped her waist, holding her still as he devoured her mouth, his tongue sliding against hers in a desperate, hungry motion.

She gasped, her small hands pressing against his chest, as if to push him away-but she didn't. Instead, her fingers curled slightly, gripping the fabric of his blazer.

A low growl rumbled in his chest.

His lips moved against hers, slow but demanding, his teeth grazing her lower lip before he deepened the kiss, tasting her, marking her. Her scent, her warmth, everything about her was intoxicating.

She tried again-tried to put distance between them-but his body was already pressing her flush against him. Trapping her. Keeping her exactly where he wanted her.

And then-her hands moved.

Not to push him away, but to touch him.

Soft fingers skimmed along his jaw, a hesitant, featherlight caress. The moment she did it, Hayden froze.

The softest touch. Barely there.

But it destroyed him.

His grip faltered, his lips parting from hers just enough to look into her eyes.

Her chest rose and fell in quick, uneven breaths. Her lips were swollen, glossy from his kiss, and her gaze-dark, unreadable-held his. Hayden gazed too into her eyes, his breathing heavy and ragged from their kiss. He could see the confusion and desire warring in her expression, her breath coming in short little gasps. He reached up to cup her face, his thumb brushing over her swollen lips.

"Should we go home?" she asked softly.

Hayden stilled. A slow, predatory smile curled on his lips as she spoke, the word "home" echoing in his ears. He nodded, his thumbs tracing the line of her jaw. He couldn't believe that finally she's giving in, that finally she's accepting all of these. A grain of suspicion came in the small of his brain too, but he doesn't want to ruin it by thinking other possibilities.

His heartbeat thundered in his ears, his grip on her tightening for a second. Did he hear her right?

He nodded, his thumbs brushing over her chin as he studied her face. "Yes, we should go home," he murmured, voice thick with something possessive.

Evelyn looked away, avoiding his intense gaze, but Hayden wasn't having it. He tilted her chin back up, making her look at him.

And then-she did something that sent fire through his veins.

He watched as she bit her lip, his eyes locking on the action. It was a small, innocent gesture, yet somehow incredibly erotic. He felt his control slipping, his body reacting to her every move.

His jaw ticked.

"Stop biting your lip like that," he warned, his voice rough. "Unless you want to drive me completely insane."

Hayden noticed the corners of her mouth twitching, as if she were trying to suppress a smile. It only served to stoke the fire within him, heightening his desire to claim her. He stepped closer, his body pressing against hers, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her flush against him. He tilted her chin up, forcing her eyes to meet his

"Don't try to hide that smile from me," he murmured, stepping closer, his arms tightening around her waist again.

Before she could respond, an amused voice cut through the air.

"Hey, lovely couple... get yourself a room."

Hayden's expression darkened instantly.

His head snapped toward the source of the voice, his glare sharp and cutting. The man-one of the guests-must have felt the weight of it because he quickly turned away, suddenly finding something very interesting about his drink.

Hayden's grip on Evelyn tightened instinctively before turning his attention back to her. She had barely reacted, standing still in his arms, her face unreadable.

"Hayden..." Her voice was soft.

He exhaled, his thumb tracing over her side as he steadied himself. "Yes, sweetheart?"

"Let's go home, okay?" she said gently.

Something about the way she said it sent warmth through him. It was soft. Tender. Like she was finally... his.

He didn't hesitate.

"Yes. Let's go home."

He took her hand in his, fingers intertwining with hers as he led her toward the exit.

But before they could get far-

"Hayden, I'm not going anywhere. Can you please let me walk and remove your hand from my waist?"

He gave her a skeptical look, his grip on her waist remaining firm.

His eyes narrowed, tilting his head slightly. "Why do you want me to let go?"

She scrunched her nose slightly. "So I can walk properly... I can't walk nicely in these heels, they're hurting."

Hayden stared at her for a second before exhaling. he studied her for a moment, realizing that she was struggling in her heels. Reluctantly, he loosened his grip on her waist, letting her take a step forward. But he didn't take his hand away completely. Instead, he moved it to the small of her back, his hand lingering possessively on her hips.

"There. Is that better?"

She hummed, flashing him a small smile. he noticed the way she was still struggling in her heels, a flicker of concern crossing his face. But he tried to hide it, his expression stoic as his hand remained on her hip. He could still see it-the slight struggle in her steps, the way she winced just a little every time she moved.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay walking in those shoes?" His voice held a hint of concern, but he masked it well.

Evelyn nodded, but he wasn't buying it. He knew she were trying to be strong, to act as if it wasn't bothering her. But he wasn't fooled. He could see the pain lurking in her eyes, the subtle wince whenever she took a step.

"You're lying," he said bluntly, exasperation slipping into his tone. "You're clearly in pain. Let me carry you."

Her eyes widened. "Hey... no... I can walk... and... we're in public," she added in a rushed whisper, glancing around.

Hayden arched a brow. He didn't care if they were in public. He didn't care who saw. If she was uncomfortable, he'd carry her. If she was struggling, he'd make it easier.

"Like I said, sweetheart." He smirked. "I don't care."

And before she could protest-

He bent down.

And in one swift, effortless motion-he lifted her into his arms.

Evelyn yelped, her arms flying around his neck as he held her close.

Heat spread through his chest at the feeling of her curled against him.

"Hayden!"

He chuckled. "Relax, sweetheart. I've got you."

And with that, he carried her out of the party-like she belonged to him. Because she did.

Hayden smirked, satisfied. He pulled her close again, pressing a small kiss to the side of her head before leading her toward the car.

She wasn't fighting him.

She wasn't resisting.

And for now, that was enough.